Heat’s on to replace boilers

THE UK is lagging behind most European countries in using low-carbon heat pumps to reduce home emissions.

Just one per cent of households have them, up to the end of last year, compared with 60 per cent of Norwegian homes.

The figures revealed by Greenpeace show the UK is joint last, out of 21 nations, for sales.

The pumps which use electricity to generate heat are cleaner than gas or oil boilers but cost at least £10,000.

UK housing’s energy use is responsible for around 14 per cent of Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the vast majority of homes heated by gas boilers that produce carbon dioxide and pollution.

Greenpeace wants the Government to offer grants that make heat pump installation the same as replacing a gas boiler, with all the cost covered for low-income families.

Policy director, Doug Parr, said: “The UK has the draughtiest homes in western Europe, now we’re last for clean heating.”