Grundfos' group executive vice president, Bent Jensen, said: 'Hugely ambitious, the Warm Homes Plan (WHP) has the potential to deliver significant cost savings for households, whilst improving the energy efficiency, comfort and health of homes.
Grundfos is particularly pleased to see such a strong emphasis placed on district heating as a way to reduce household energy bills. With exhaustive experience from our Danish home market, we have seen benefit of district heating. It’s more than efficient heating and cooling – it enables a resilient, secure, low-carbon infrastructure – which is why the target to more than double the amount of heat demand met via heat networks in England by 2035 is so welcome.”
Martyn Bridges, director of external affairs at Worcester Bosch said: “Any type of initiative that intends to reduce the heating and hot water bills of properties, as well as improve the comfort for many, is something we’ll always support.
We do feel that the plan could have gone further and included an acknowledgement of hybrid systems, as our recent trial with the University of Salford found that hybrid heat systems can effectively heat homes in the UK while still working towards the country’s Net Zero goals.”
Kevin Wellman, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), said: “Moving to more efficient heating systems is central to delivering warmer homes at lower running costs. However, this ambition must be matched with capability as the recognised skills shortage is now fast becoming a skills crisis. To make this transition work at scale, we need a highly trained workforce with the right skills and confidence to design, install, and maintain low carbon heating systems.”
Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant UK and Ireland, said: “The ambition for 70% of heat pumps sold in the UK to be manufactured domestically, alongside continued support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and further investment in installer skills via the Heat Training Grant, gives industry the confidence to plan, invest and scale with purpose. This rounded approach, including investment in the broader supply chain, from manufacturing to installation, not only strengthens the domestic manufacturing base but also fosters a robust ecosystem for skilled jobs and growth.”
Mark Krull from LCL Awards and Logic4training, said: 'The fact that batteries are explicitly included under the plan alongside solar PV and heat pumps is a highlight. Energy storage is critical to supporting low-carbon technologies, ensuring they perform in the most energy efficient way possible alongside grid fluctuations. The introduction of government-backed zero and low interest loans will help to establish domestic battery storage and remove the upfront cost barrier for homeowners. Ambitious plans for Heat Networks are also encouraging.
“To deliver the Warm Homes Plan we need suitably trained installers, so I’m pleased to see that Heat Training Grant funding will continue until 2029. The £20 million expansion of ‘free’ construction-based courses is welcome, but I would like to see the new Level 2 Heating & Plumbing Engineer Apprenticeship (due for launch this September), mentioned alongside Diploma’s in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems.
'Sadly, ECO failings have meant insulation funding has been downgraded. This is a missed opportunity to strengthen consumer protections and provide a direct remediation and complains procedure that would prevent the failures of the past from being repeated.
Jeff House, director of external affairs & policy at Baxi said: 'At face value, the confirmation of £15bn allocated budget to support the delivery of the plan is welcome.
'Dig deeper into the detail, however, and there are some aspects which are disappointing. Firstly, there is no mention of the role that hybrid heat pump systems can play in the heat transition. Secondly, there is insufficient detail or action on reducing electricity pricing. A critical factor to mass market uptake of heat pumps and electrification will be the spark gap.
'Finally, whilst not expected as part of the Warm Homes Plan, we would urge government to look at long term certainty and funding for the non-domestic sector. With the end of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in 2028 and little else in the way of funding for decarbonisation of heat in this sector, there is a gap to be addressed.'
Paul Smith, managing director at NIBE Energy Systems said: “We, at NIBE, particularly welcome the ambition to scale heat pump deployment and improve the quality of the UK’s housing stock, giving homeowners and landlords greater certainty, better support and a clearer pathway to warmer homes and lower running costs.
The continued expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), alongside new zero- and low-interest finance, is an important step in making the upfront cost of installation less prohibitive and opening clean heating to many more households. Increased funding will also support the adoption of a broader range of heat pump technologies, helping ensure different homes can access the right solutions.”
BCIA President Stacey Lucas said: “Given the scale of emissions from non-domestic buildings, it is deeply disappointing to see no new policies or funding set out for this sector in today’s Warm Homes Plan. The Climate Change Committee has been clear about the growing policy gap, and businesses and public sector bodies are already struggling with high energy costs. While it is positive to see the Government intends to explore private finance models, without a clear, immediate strategy for non-domestic buildings we risk missing both our climate targets and the opportunity to deliver cost and health benefits.”
Russell Dean, deputy divisional manager at Mitsubishi Electric, said: “The plan to offer interest-free loans for heat pumps is a welcome step to further reduce upfront costs, and the continuation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme shows that the government is serious about making heat pumps a realistic option for more of us.
“The disproportionate cost of electricity still remains a roadblock for the uptake of renewable heating in the UK. Reducing the price of electricity versus the volatility of gas and oil prices will be key to bringing down electricity prices and making heat pumps more affordable to.
“We also welcome the government’s aim to ensure that at least 70% of heat pumps installed in the UK are made here.
“Whilst the plan offers much for households and domestic properties, support for businesses and commercial buildings remains extremely limited. The commercial sector continues to be held back by little to no governmental, regulatory, or legislative incentive to decarbonise. The lack of commercial focus signifies a missed opportunity to tackle the UK’s circa 2 million non-domestic buildings, and any genuinely transformative action plan must address this.'
Hamid Salimi – Daikin’s head of residential products, said: “The Warm Homes Plan will accelerate progress towards net zero. It will make it cheaper to install and run low carbon heating, making heat pumps even more attractive, particularly when they are paired with solar PV and battery technologies. The ability to apply for a low or zero interest loan on-top of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant is particularly welcome, as it will encourage more householders to invest in this technology. As hotter climate conditions become an increasing issue in the UK, we welcome BUS funding being extended to air-to-air heat pumps that can cool as well as heat homes.
'We also welcome the plan’s fully funded upgrades for low-income households, helping ensure the shift to cleaner heating is fair and accessible for all.
“We would, however, urge the government to take early and decisive steps to reduce the price of electricity. This remains a barrier to the electrification of domestic, commercial and industrial heating.”
Paul Rose, chief executive of OFTEC and Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKIFDA, said: “Our focus remains on the off-grid sector where we continue to work positively with policymakers. The government recognises that there are challenges for these harder to treat properties, particularly upfront cost, and that alternative solutions may be needed.
“We are pleased the government is exploring a renewable liquid fuel solution as part of its Alternative Clean Heating consultation which closes next month. These fuels provide a low cost transition, and immediate carbon reduction, for properties that may struggle with other technologies.
Yselkla Farmer, chief executive of BEAMA said: 'Our industry’s priority has always been to work in collaboration with the UK Government to deliver our shared ambition to boost increase consumer choice for low carbon heating solutions; maximise energy system flexibility; and prioritise whole systems thinking linking electrification of heat and transport with targeted investments in smarter energy network infrastructure.
'The Warm Homes Plan makes strong steps towards these shared goals, but needs to be supported within the next six months by other associated policies – including SSES, Future Homes Standard, Energy Performance Certificate reforms, and additional incentives for a wider range of low carbon heating technologies through the Home Energy Model – to build upon and successfully implement the policy framework outlined within the Warm Homes Plan. By aligning all of these policies, the UK has the opportunity to implement one of the most ambitious and comprehensive heat decarbonisation approaches in the world.
'Echoing the observations of ESNZ select committee chair Bill Esterson MP, we urge the UK Government to go further to address the ‘spark gap’. Reducing the cost of electricity is the strongest market signal the UK Government can send to encourage consumers to go green by electrifying heat.
Heat Pump Association UK, chief executive, Charlotte Lee said: “The £15 billion confirmed to deliver the Warm Homes Plan, sends a strong signal to both industry and consumers that the shift to clean, affordable, electrified heat remains a priority for this Government. The plan acknowledges the vital role of heat pumps as a proven, scalable solution that can lower energy bills, improve comfort, and reduce carbon emissions for homes and buildings across the UK.
The plan confirms support for low-income households, enhanced affordable finance options, and an increased and extended Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which demonstrates a focus on making warm, low carbon homes a reality for everyone.
Whilst the plan sets out a clear vision and spending allocation to support the decarbonisation of homes, it is disappointing and a missed opportunity not to see the same for the decarbonisation of Commercial and Public Sector buildings or confirmation of further action to tackle the high price of electricity relative to gas. We urge the Government to consult and take action to unlock meaningful progress in these areas.”
EUA chief executive Mike Foster said: “New, highly insulated homes provide the ideal environment for modern low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and heat networks. As the government advances its ambitious housebuilding programme, we expect to see significant growth in heat pump installations in new-build properties.
“Our experience of more than a decade of subsidising heat pumps in existing homes shows that uptake is likely to remain limited until installation becomes more affordable and running costs decrease.
“Where we see real potential for lowering energy bills and cutting carbon emissions is in hybrid heating technologies. Aligning solutions with the realities of the UK’s diverse housing stock is the most pragmatic path forward. Hybrid systems also support the transition to a future decarbonised gas network, helping the UK meet its clean power goals in a way that remains affordable for households.”
“Did they forget about ventilation?” asks BESA technical director Kevin Morrissey. “It is barely mentioned in the Plan and even then, only to suggest that building occupants consider opening windows under certain conditions.
“There is a concerted focus on energy consumption but if you are going to go down that road you absolutely must balance that with ventilation solutions that guarantee healthy air change rates and filtration, especially where you are looking to improve thermal insulation” he added.