Homeowners could be given greater choice over ways to access heating systems as part of the Warm Homes Plan.

The Government has launched a new consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to give homeowners a wider range of options.

Changes to the scheme could allow access to air-to-air heat pumps and electric heating technologies such as heat batteries, which are currently not eligible for grants under the scheme, alongside new purchase and ownership models which could spread the cost of a heat pump over several years or give households the opportunity to lease one for a monthly fee instead.

The Government has also set out plans to train up to 18,000 more home retrofitters, to install heat pumps, insulation, solar panels and heat networks, alongside a major new deal to support the UK’s heat pump supply chain.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Following a record-breaking month for applications to our Boiler Upgrade Scheme, we are now proposing to give working families [sic] more choice and flexibility to pick the low-carbon upgrades that work best for them.”

The news comes as there are three days to go until the government’s consultation on introducing higher minimum energy efficiency standards in private rented sector homes closes, ministers have issued a final call for tenants and landlords to make their views heard.

Under these proposals, all private landlords would be required to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties – up from the current level of EPC E, by 2030.

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