UK Eases Heat Pump Rules to Accelerate Net Zero Push

New regulations aim to simplify installation requirements, but noise concerns and planning delays remain contentious.

The UK government announced changes to heat pump regulations, including relaxed noise and boundary restrictions, to boost adoption rates starting early next year.
Heat pump installations currently face significant planning delays, with some homeowners waiting up to six months for approval due to strict rules and council backlogs.
Critics argue that noise from heat pumps, which can reach up to 60 decibels, disrupts residential areas, with some homeowners reporting severe disturbances and legal disputes.
Heat pump adoption remains low, with only 1% of UK homes equipped with the technology, compared to 90% relying on gas or oil boilers, despite government subsidies of up to £7,500 per unit.
Experts emphasize the need for higher-quality, quieter heat pumps and mandatory servicing to address noise issues and prevent neighbor disputes as installations increase.