The UK government has outlined several regulatory changes effective from 2025 to promote the adoption of heat pumps and reduce carbon emissions:
Future Homes Standard (FHS)
Starting in 2025, the FHS mandates that all new homes in England be equipped with low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps. This initiative aims to ensure that new homes produce 75-80% less carbon emissions compared to those built under previous regulations.
As part of this, the following measures are expected:
1. Expansion of Permitted Development Rights:
The government plans to amend permitted development rights to allow the installation of larger heat pumps without the need for specific planning permission. Currently any air source heat pump above 0.6m3 requires planning, this rules out twin fan units and (rather contradictorily) heat pumps with lower sound levels as larger cases often include more noise deadening.
This adjustment aims to streamline installations and reduce administrative burdens for homeowners.
2. Relaxation of Planning Regulations:
To simplify the installation process, the government will remove the requirement that heat pumps be installed at least one metre from a property's boundary. This change, effective from early 2025, is expected to make it easier for households to install heat pumps, particularly in densely populated areas.
3. Change of Permitted Development for Multiple Heat Pumps:
In order to reduce red tape for people with larger homes, the proposed change will allow homeowners with “Detached” houses to have two heat pumps installed without planning permission. Currently everyone must seek permission for more than one unit.
I don’t know about you but the “detached” bit seems completely odd to me, I have seen plenty of massive semi’s in my time (stop it). One of our projects this year has a 32kw heat loss and is essentially an end of terrace so wouldn’t qualify for example which seems silly.
Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM)
The CHMM, set to commence on 1 April 2025, requires boiler manufacturers to ensure that 6% of their sales are heat pumps for the 2025-2026 period. To facilitate this transition, the government has reduced penalties for non-compliance from £5,000 to £500 per missed heat pump sale, providing manufacturers with additional time to develop supply chains and encourage heat pump adoption.
The CHMM was intended to be released to market in 2024 but there was such a backlash from boiler manufacturers, merchants and installers that it was delayed. It is certainly a punchy policy and one that the industry is perhaps not quite prepared for.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The now well established BUS offers grants to support the installation of heat pumps. The government has increased the grant amount to £7,500 and plans to nearly double the scheme's budget to £295 million for the 2025/2026 financial year. This enhancement aims to make heat pumps more affordable and attractive to homeowners.
These planning reforms and financial support are part of the government's broader strategy to promote low-carbon heating solutions and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By simplifying the installation process, removing regulatory barriers and providing monetary support, the government aims to accelerate the deployment of heat pumps across the UK.
