Change is coming for new homes in the UK. Experts are pushing for regulations to ban gas connections in all newly built properties, urging a full shift to heat pumps. This is a major step toward decarbonising homes, a key part of the UK’s ambitious climate goals.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the government’s advisory body on reducing emissions, has laid out a roadmap to cut carbon output by 87% by 2040 (compared to 1990 levels). Electrification is expected to contribute to 60% of these reductions, including swapping out gas boilers for heat pumps.
By 2040, the CCC projects that half of all UK homes will use heat pumps—an enormous leap from just 1% in 2023. To get there, installations must skyrocket from 60,000 per year in 2023 to 450,000 per year by 2030, reaching 1.5 million annually by 2035.
While these numbers may seem daunting, other countries have already proven that such growth is achievable. The challenge for the UK isn’t just the technology—it's the infrastructure, funding, and workforce needed to make it happen.
Challenges in Scaling Up Heat Pump Adoption
One of the biggest hurdles is workforce capacity. Fiona Hodgson, CEO of the Plumbing and Heating Federation, warns that ambitious targets mean nothing without enough trained professionals to install the systems.
«Governments keep setting high targets but ignore the real issue: there aren’t enough skilled workers,» she says. «Without serious investment in training and workforce expansion, these goals will remain out of reach.»
Then there’s the cost factor. Electricity prices remain significantly higher than gas, making heat pumps a tough sell for many homeowners. Hodgson emphasizes that unless energy pricing is reformed, people won’t switch to a more expensive heating system—especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
«The public won’t embrace a pricier option just because it’s greener,» she adds. «If electricity remains costly, gas boilers will stick around far longer than policymakers hope.»
Beyond Homes: The Bigger Picture for Decarbonisation
The CCC’s latest Seventh Carbon Budget doesn’t just focus on homes. Other key recommendations include:
- Reinstating the goal for all replacement heating systems to switch from gas to heat pumps by 2035.
- Increasing funding for insulation and energy efficiency upgrades, particularly in social housing and low-income households.
- Launching a long-term decarbonisation plan for public sector buildings, with guaranteed funding.
- Introducing regulations and subsidies to decarbonise non-road mobile machinery in construction and industry.
UK Green Building Council chief executive Smith Mordak supports the CCC’s push, stressing that delaying action will only make things worse.
«The cost of inaction is far greater than the price of transition,» Mordak says. «By acting now, we can create homes and workplaces that benefit both people and the planet.»
An Economic Opportunity, Not Just a Climate Initiative
Not everyone sees the transition as a burden. Toby Perkins, chair of Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee, believes that widespread heat pump adoption could drive job growth and fuel a booming net-zero economy.
Similarly, Piers Forster, interim chair of the CCC, argues that decarbonisation isn’t a trade-off between economic health and climate action—it's an opportunity for both.
«For years, we’ve focused on cleaning up the power sector. Now it’s time to tackle transport, buildings, industry, and agriculture,» Forster explains. «This shift will create new jobs, lower energy bills, and help us meet our climate commitments.»
Funding the Transition: Social Housing in Focus
In a separate move, the UK Treasury’s National Wealth Fund announced a £250 million loan guarantee for the social housing sector. This funding, provided through bond market investors, will help retrofit homes with energy-efficient upgrades like:
- Low-carbon heating systems (including heat pumps)
- Better insulation
- LED lighting and smart energy controls
- Renewable energy solutions
With 34% of social housing in England rated below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C, upgrading these homes is a critical step in the UK’s net-zero strategy. However, experts estimate that fully decarbonising housing associations could require as much as £36 billion in investment.
What Comes Next?
The push for heat pumps is no longer just a policy debate—it's an urgent necessity. If the UK wants to meet its climate targets, new homes must be built without reliance on gas, and existing properties must undergo rapid electrification.
However, for this transition to succeed, the government must address three critical issues:
- Workforce shortages — Investing in training programs to expand the installer base.
- Energy pricing — Making electricity more affordable to encourage adoption.
- Financial incentives — Providing targeted support for homeowners and businesses making the switch.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but the alternative — falling behind on climate goals, missing economic opportunities, and leaving homeowners stuck with outdated heating—isn't an option. The time to act is now.