Swedish clean energy company Aira has made bold claims about its ability to transform heat pump adoption in the UK, where uptake remains stubbornly low at just 1% of households.
As part of its £300 million investment into the UK’s clean energy transition, Aira says three key changes – reducing red tape, cutting electricity costs and introducing better financing models – could drastically increase the number of heat pumps installed and help the country meet its net-zero targets.
We explore these proposals that they put forward in their “Policy One Paper”and how they are seeking your support to make these changes happen.
1. Slashing bureaucracy to speed up heat pump installations
Aira claims that delays caused by bureaucracy are a major barrier to rolling out heat pumps, despite recent government changes to planning laws.
The company has criticised the lack of clarity surrounding new permitted development rules, which it says leaves thousands of households in limbo.
Another sticking point, Aira argues, is the current system for connecting heat pumps to the grid. The requirement for a formal application to regional Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) is, according to Aira, slowing progress unnecessarily. Instead, it is calling for a “connect and notify” process, which would reportedly reduce delays and allow for faster installations.
While Aira’s proposed changes sound promising, there is no guarantee that policymakers will act swiftly or in line with the company’s recommendations.
2. Tackling the high cost of electricity
Aira is calling for electricity prices to be reduced relative to gas, claiming that the current imbalance in pricing undermines the financial appeal of switching to heat pumps.
The company has singled out green levies on electricity bills as a key driver of high prices and believes these levies should be redistributed to make cleaner energy more affordable for consumers.
While there is some consensus across the energy sector that electricity pricing reforms are necessary, it remains unclear how realistic or timely such changes would be. The Government has yet to signal any immediate plans to rebalance energy costs in a way that would significantly benefit heat pump users.
3. Introducing flexible payment options for heat pumps
Aira also argues that high upfront costs remain the single biggest obstacle for UK households to adopt heat pumps, despite the Government’s £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
To address this, the company claims that leasing models and third-party ownership could make clean heat more accessible.
Aira already offers monthly payment plans for its own systems and has called on the Government to expand subsidy schemes to include such leasing options. According to the company, this would lower the financial threshold for homeowners and increase uptake.
However, critics of such models may question the long-term financial implications for consumers and whether leasing would create additional barriers, such as ongoing maintenance costs.
Aira calls on UK public and politicians to support changes
Aira has called for public and governmental support to accelerate the UK’s shift to clean heat. The company urges policymakers to implement consumer-friendly policies, streamline installations, and make heat pump adoption more affordable.
They encourage individuals to:
- Pressure the government: Write to the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, demanding a clear timeline for changes to heat pump planning regulations.
- Raise questions in parliament: Push for flexibility in financing options to help more households afford heat pumps.
- Debate energy costs: Advocate for reforms to reduce electricity prices and incentivise cleaner energy choices.
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