2024 set to be a record-breaking year for heat pump installations

26 July 2024

Consumer with Air source heat pump at home

 

  • 26,797 certified heat pump installations in first six months of 2024, which is a 45% increase on same period for last year
  • There have been 81,000 certified solar panel installations in 2024
  • 7,900 certified battery storage installations, which is already a record with six months of the year still to go

2024 is on track to see more heat pumps installed in the UK than ever before, according to data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy.

In the first six months of the year there have been 26,797 certified heat pump installations in the UK, which is 45% higher than the same period in 2023 – which was itself a record-breaking year for the technology. It means that the total figure for 2024 is almost certain to be higher than any previous years, as the transition to net-zero gathers pace.

Speaking about the increasing number of heat pumps being installed in the UK, Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of Heat Pump Association, said:

“It is fantastic to see the continuing growth in heat pump installations within the UK, underscoring the progress and commitment from the sector in supporting the decarbonisation of heat. Clarity and confidence from the new Labour Government on the direction of travel for the electrification of heat will be crucial to continue the momentum and ensure we stay on track for a record year.”

The data also reveals more than 80,000 homes have had certified solar panels installed so far in 2024, having surpassed the 1.5 million installations mark earlier this year. Battery storage installations, meanwhile, have reached almost 8,000 certified installations in 2024, which is already more than any previous year with six months still to go. It shows a remarkable rise for the technology since the Battery Storage Installation Standard was introduced in 2021, and as homeowners increasingly look to build their own energy resilience.

Chris Hewett, CEO at Solar Energy UK said: “I am glad that consumer demand for solar energy has remained both substantial and stable over the first half of the year, buoyed both by high energy bills and undoubtedly by environmental concerns too. This should provide installers with the confidence to invest in their staff, particularly in recruiting the new people we need to grow the sector.”

“We should also celebrate reaching the milestone of 1.5 million MCS-scale solar installations this spring, not to mention battery storage systems, the natural partner to solar PV, hitting a new record last month. It’s safe to say that now is something of a golden era for smaller-scale sustainable energy.”

Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “As the decarbonisation of UK homes gathers pace, it’s vital that homeowner confidence in renewables continues to grow alongside that to sustain demand. High-quality installations are key to this because we want everyone to enjoy the benefits of home-grown energy, so it’s fantastic to see these record numbers for certified installations.

“We also know that alongside consumer trust in the effectiveness of renewable technology, ongoing government support can make a significant difference in helping to make the transition. The recently published Heat Strategy for Wales highlights a clear commitment to heat pumps, and initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – which provides up to £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump – are crucial in providing support to consumers. It is no coincidence that the record number of certified heat pump installations has coincided with a record number of BUS applications in 2024, which is ensuring more homeowners have access to low-carbon technology. It’s something that we hope the government will continue to support as home-grown energy becomes more mainstream in UK homes.”

MCS holds the most comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard here.

Click here to find and MCS certified contractor near you.