Low tenant and public awareness over Boiler changes, say MPs

Many people - including agents, landlords and tenants - are unprepared for the domestic heating revolution on its way to Britain.

That’s the view of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee of MPs in a report which is critical of the government for not being vocal enough about changes to gas boilers in particular.

It wants Boris Johnson’s administration to bring forward a heat decarbonisation sector deal to help develop low carbon heating technologies, scale up the heat pump market to meet the Government’s target of 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, and provide support to gas boiler engineers who will be needed to re-skill to undertake this work.

The report also calls on the government to come forward with a public awareness campaign to explain to the public how their heating systems in their homes will change and the potential costs and benefits of this transition.

Darren Jones MP, chair of the committee, says: “Replacing gas boilers is a huge task and we are not making anywhere near enough progress. As it stands, we will miss our net zero target. The government must act urgently to help speed up delivery and support bill payers and workers who will be affected by the change.

“Bill payers today are deeply worried about their energy costs, with many people struggling to afford to heat their homes. Most people don’t realise that their gas boiler will need to be replaced within the next 10 to 15 years. The government and energy companies should explain to bill payers why switching away from gas and insulating our homes is not only important in tackling climate change, but also a route to reducing energy bills. The government also needs to spell out what financial help will be put in place for those who need it most.

“As the government decides on financial help for customers with the cost of their energy bills, they must also come forward with a replacement for the Green Homes Grant. Action is needed to improve insulation and energy efficiency in our homes and to step up the pace in delivering low carbon heating systems, at a lower cost to households than today. Ministers can’t simply leave this to the market – government should tackle the cost of heating our homes in the round and bring forward joined-up policies that address these issues together.

“Decarbonising heat in our homes will require engineers who know how to install low carbon heating systems in every community across the country. The government should work with industry and trade unions to support a low carbon heating apprenticeship programme and ensure existing workers get access to re-skilling courses that will support their transition to the new green jobs of the future.”

The report welcomes the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced in the Heat and Buildings Strategy and makes a series of recommendations to ensure the success of the scheme, including focussing public funds on lower income households and partnering with industry and trade unions to create jobs and training pathways.

The report also makes a number of recommendations relating to heat networks, the Future Homes Standard, targeted financial support for the fuel poor and vulnerable customers, and on consumer protection.