We are delighted by the news that the Government is considering the role that alternative technologies can play in our future energy mix.
The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) has long campaigned for a decarbonisation approach that does not favour one technology over another but rather focuses on the right solution for the respective home. Given the UK’s highly diverse building stock, a wide range of technology solutions, financing models, and delivery models will be required if we are to successfully decarbonise our buildings.
Additionally, today’s news that the Government is expanding BUS eligibility to include heat batteries and air-to-air heat pump provides much needed industry certainty while providing an accessible solution for homes with non-hydronic space heating.
Heat batteries are also a great addition to the BUS, allowing for consumers to save money on their energy bills during off-peak hours, without needing to adjust their own energy consumption.
While today’s news is welcome, we also call on the Government to commit to this expansion while maintaining the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which provides vital support for the installation of energy efficiency measures to low-income households and helps to reduce fuel-poverty.
“After a week of uncertainty after reports that support under ECO and BUS may be significantly reduced, today’s announcements are more than welcome.
It is great to hear that the Government is doubling down its support for the BUS as well as expanding the scheme to include alternative technologies. This will make low carbon heating accessible for many more homes and buildings by expanding the range of supported technologies while moving policy closer towards creating a holistic approach to domestic decarbonisation.
However it is critical that these changes are not made at the expense of maintaining levels of activity and the separate funding provided through the Energy Company Obligation, which has provided bill reductions through energy efficiency installations to thousands of low-income households.”