The shift to renewable energy has become a major priority in Europe over the past few years, with many of the largest economies seeking greener options as we reach the halfway point of the 2020s.
The UK government’s huge clean power 2030 action plan seeks to shift the public on to renewable energy sources in hopes of eventually reaching carbon neutrality.
Heat pumps are a part of this plan, with grants being provided to incentivise people to make the switch to renewable energy. Options are nationwide, with air source heat pumps Gloucester being available from companies such as gsmlimited.com/services/air-source-heat-pumps/gloucester.
The government’s plan hasn’t been quite as successful as they’d hoped, with additional grant increases being rolled out, but things don’t look much better across the British Channel either.
France’s heat pump market has rapidly lost momentum with dwindling sales and high costs. How is this the case when the UK is continuing to provide greater options for their public?
Costs and Confusion
France’s public are justifiably uncertain on making the switch to heat pumps, as the subsidy system has seen confusing changes over the past year. Combine this with the very expensive cost of heat pumps – one of the most expensive options for heating – and it’s clear why people aren’t eager to invest.
Plummeting Sales
It’s not just public attitudes that are leading to declines in sales. One of France’s main manufacturers of heat pumps announced a redundancy programme which saw 225 of 730 staff members get laid off.
The staff weren’t all ejected from the company, with some being able to join other sectors of the company – sectors focused on traditional gas and electric heating systems.
Grants
Grants actually remain fairly generous, with up to £9,000 available for most installations. The issue is that heat pumps remain more expensive than standard gas boilers even with the grants.
France has banned gas boilers in new homes in France in another effort to incentivise heat pump purchases, but old boilers can still legally be replaced by new ones, leaving France on the fence.