Poorer households in UK should get free heat pumps, say experts

Help is needed to replace gas boilers with low-carbon alternatives, warn builders, energy firms and charities

Households on low incomes should be supplied with free heat pumps in order to kickstart the market for low-carbon heating equipment and meet the UK's climate targets, experts have told the government.

Heat pumps can currently cost thousands of pounds to install, but the more that are installed, the faster that cost is likely to come down. They are widely regarded as the best way to replace the UK's gas boilers and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from homes.