A modern heat pump unit installed on a brick house wall, symbolizing green energy adoption in affluent homes.

New heat pump rule is only good for the rich

The UK ‘s Labour government is lifting a key planning restriction that required heat pumps to be installed at least one metre away from a neighbour’s property boundary.

On paper, this sounds like a positive step towards boosting the uptake of low-carbon heating technology, a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.

But look closer, and the reality is less green and more grim.

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The one-metre setback rule mostly affected homes in dense urban areas — especially terraced houses where outdoor space is tight.

Removing this restriction will undoubtedly speed up installations for many homeowners and eliminate frustrating delays caused by planning permission processes.

But the headline-grabbing rule change only scratches the surface.

The biggest barriers to widespread heat pump adoption remain stubbornly in place: high upfront costs, the need for significant home upgrades, and the exclusion of renters and leaseholders from making such changes.

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Heat pumps typically cost between £7,000 and £14,000 to install, even with government grants that can cover up to £7,500.

For many households — especially those in lower-income brackets — this price tag is simply unaffordable.

Moreover, around 37 per cent of UK homes are rented, and tenants rarely have the power or incentive to push for expensive heating system overhauls.

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The government’s move, then, is primarily a convenience for wealthier homeowners who can already afford the cost or have the capital to invest in the home insulation and pipework upgrades that make heat pumps effective.

This change is unlikely to help the millions battling fuel poverty or living in older housing stock that desperately needs improvements before a heat pump would even be viable.

In short, the government’s “easier installation” policy is just another example of environmental measures that benefit the rich — letting them save more money and reduce their carbon footprint — while leaving behind the people who need help the most.

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If the UK is serious about tackling climate change and fuel poverty, it needs bold, equitable policies that address affordability, incentivise landlords, and support large-scale home retrofitting — not just small regulatory tweaks that help the wealthy get wealthier.

Until then, this change is a symbolic gesture, designed to fool the gullible – not the big leap forward the environment or society needs.


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