The conversion to net zero will require more than installing heat pumps, argues Fischer Future Heat CEO Keith Bastian
Efforts to ensure a successful conversion to net zero in the UK seems to have stumbled, as investment in the clean energy sector fell by 10% in the past year. The country has fallen behind in the global efforts to transition from the use of fossil fuels, lagging behind the US, EU and the rest of Europe.
The UK’s efforts have been hampered by refusion to adopt greener measures for new homes, such as mandated solar panels and the continuation of tight planning regulations, effectively banning onshore windfarms.
The North Sea Transition Authority has recently begun the process to award more than 100 licences for 900 locations to extract oil and gas. Rosebank Oilfield, the largest undeveloped oilfield in the North Sea, is expected to gain permission.
Uptake of heat pumps has been slower than anticipated
Without significant investment, the UK will dramatically fall short of its Net Zero by 2050 target. Low carbon and zero emission systems are readily available but as it stands, only air source heat pumps have been touted as the solution for homeowners.
Despite the government’s introduction of the ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme’ offering £5,000 off the cost of purchase and installation, the scheme hasn’t taken off. Only 60,000 heat pumps were installed in 2022, placing the UK near the bottom of the charts compared to the rest of Europe.
A broader scope of electric heating technologies is needed
Keith Bastian, CEO of electric heating manufacturer Fischer Future Heat, has supplied and manufactured handcrafted electric heating solutions for over 15 years in the UK. Fischer specialises in zero emissions products, a market that has seen significant increase since homeowners have become more climate conscious. In the past 12 months, 47% of UK consumers purchased low carbon technology.
Keith raised concerns that the government isn’t going far enough in their ambition to convert the public to sustainable energy:
“I think the government are a perhaps a little bit out of touch with what’s happening in the marketplace.
“And I believe the adoption can only take place if the government push heavily towards people moving to any form of electrical heating.
“Given the market, there are so many options available for consumers. A heat pump could be for somebody, boiler for somebody else- it could be all kinds of things, infrared heating, there’s loads and loads of options when it comes to electric heating.
“The end result is, we’re no longer using fossil fuels in the home. So, you no longer have pollution from homes to boilers and combustion units. Similar to what they’re doing with cars. I think there should just be the term ‘electric heating’.”
A lack of understanding of alternate options could hamper the UK’s conversion to net zero
For Fischer, there is a worry that the slow adoption of air source heat pumps and negative media attention could lower consumer confidence in alternative methods of sustainable heating. Mr Bastian went on to say:
“I think we’ve already seen a little bit of that [lower public confidence] in the media. The national press has been talking about how ‘moving to electric is not an option for some of the homes’ now. I think that’s because they have only focused on one thing: heat pumps.
“Yes, the heat pumps are not an option for their homes. There are other electrical options, which will get us to net zero, but that’s something that’s not been looked at by government.
Keeping customers involved and informed is the way forward
“What we’ve got to do is actually go and advise customers on a daily basis of what we think is the right solution for their home that is net zero- that will have no emissions from their home.
“That’s our target, just to ensure that every home has a form of heating that does not emit anything into the atmosphere. I think there are plenty of options available for it. I think that this will slow it down.”
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