Electric Heating


heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently below freezing. Scandinavia already uses them at scale.


“They cost more to run.” When designed well and paired with smart tariffs, heat pumps are often cheaper than gas. With gas prices volatile and electricity becoming greener, the case strengthens each year.


“Only new homes are suitable.” While insulation is important, many existing homes can host heat pumps with minor upgrades. Myth-busting requires clear consumer communication, backed by government campaigns, real-world performance data and well-trained installers who can build trust on the ground.


Scaling heat pumps across millions of homes and businesses will mean addressing four big hurdles. The first is the upfront cost. Heat pumps currently cost more to install than boilers, and while grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme help, broader financing models are critical. The second is grid capacity, as electrifying heat increases demand. This is where smart controls, demand- shifting and targeted local grid reinforcement are essential to avoid bottlenecks. Thirdly, looking at the existing supply chain; manufacturing, distribution and refrigerant management all need scaling, which presents both a challenge and an industrial opportunity. And last but not least, the installer workforce is simply not large enough to fulfil current heat pump installation targets.


“Heat pumps are no longer experimental technology… For the UK, they are essential to decarbonisation, energy security and affordable bills.”


Without fast expansion of trained professionals, these targets simply won’t be met, so we need to focus heavily on workforce development.


The opportunities


Overcoming these challenges opens major opportunities. Lower bills is a key driver, and when paired with rooftop solar and storage, heat pumps have the potential to cut household costs dramatically. Grid flexibility is another great opportunity, as aggregated heat pumps can act as a giant virtual battery, balancing renewables. From design to installation, the heat pump sector can create thousands of regional, skilled jobs. And building a domestic supply chain positions the UK as an exporter of low-carbon heating expertise, enhancing our industrial leadership capabilities.


To unlock these opportunities, we need to prioritise five things. We must make new builds heat pump-ready and phase out new gas connections after 2025, requiring homes to be designed for low-carbon heating. Expanding training and accreditation will be key, with


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enhanced funding for large-scale upskilling and the creation of clear career pathways into low-carbon heating. Developing accessible financing options to reduce significant upfront costs (especially for landlords and low-income households) is going to be incredibly beneficial for everyone involved, as will educating consumers and driving awareness of heat pumps to challenge myths and share successes on a national basis, creating positive connotations with the technology and overriding the negative press it’s been subject to. We also need to ensure grid integration to align the heat pump rollout with smart tariffs, local flexibility markets and energy storage.


Heat pumps are no longer experimental technology. They are already heating millions of homes worldwide. For the UK, they are essential to decarbonisation, energy security and affordable bills.


The task is not just to install a certain number of units, but to create an ecosystem of trained professionals, informed consumers, supportive policy and innovative finance. Done correctly, heat pumps will cut emissions, reduce bills and create thousands of skilled jobs, while making our homes and businesses resilient for decades to come.


If net zero is our destination, the path runs through our heating systems. Heat pumps are not the only answer, but without them, we will not reach our goals.


November 2025 electrical wholesaler | 29


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