The target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028 comes from the UK government's 2021 strategy and is no longer its headline goal. The Warm Homes Plan of 21 January 2026 aims for over 450,000 installations a year by 2030.
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The United Kingdom is working towards net zero, and heating homes is one of the hardest parts of that transition. The government's earlier goal — 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028 — was set by the 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy. The document that applies today is the Warm Homes Plan, published on 21 January 2026 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
What has changed: from 600,000 to over 450,000
The Warm Homes Plan commits to delivering over 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030. That is a later date and a lower level than the old target (CIBSE Journal). The document also reports a record 84,000 heat pump sales in 2024; according to CIBSE Journal, the year before it was 55,000.
Government support: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The main tool is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which covers eligible households in England and Wales. According to the Warm Homes Plan, the grants are:
- £7,500 for a hydronic heat pump (for example air-to-water or ground source),
- £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries,
- £5,000 for biomass boilers in eligible rural settings.
The scheme has a budget of around £2.7 billion, spread through to 2030. According to CIBSE Journal, the plan also includes, among other things, a new £5 billion Warm Homes Fund (initially £1.7 billion for low- or zero-interest loans), a new Warm Homes Agency and the Future Homes Standard, which sets low-carbon heating as the default for new homes.
Challenges for the market
The barriers most often cited are high installation costs, limited consumer demand, political and regulatory uncertainty, and the need to expand the electricity grid and the installer workforce. According to CIBSE Journal, even the rapid growth in sales in 2024 left the UK well short of the old target of 600,000 installations a year.
What this means for companies exporting heat pumps to the UK
A growing market is an opportunity for producers and distributors from Poland and the EU, but every consignment needs correct clearance. Heat pumps fall under tariff subheading 8418 61 (heat pumps other than the air-conditioning machines of heading 8415; air-to-air units may be classified as air conditioners under heading 8415), though the right code must be established for the specific unit — see our guide to HS codes. Before shipping, check the product marking requirements (the UK still recognises CE marking for most products, but the rules depend on the product — see CE and UKCA marking) and prepare the full set of documents from our export-to-UK checklist. For an example of a product aimed at the British market, see our article on air-to-water heat pumps.
Planning to export heating equipment to the United Kingdom? Get in touch — we will help you sort out classification and documents.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the target of 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 still apply?
It is no longer the government's headline goal. The Warm Homes Plan of 21 January 2026 aims for over 450,000 installations a year by 2030. The earlier target came from the 2021 strategy.
How many heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2024?
According to the Warm Homes Plan, a record 84,000 (84,407 in the chart in the document). According to CIBSE Journal, 55,000 were sold the year before.
What grant is available for a heat pump in the UK?
Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, up to £7,500 for a hydronic heat pump (for example air-to-water or ground source) and £2,500 for air-to-air heat pumps. The scheme covers eligible households in England and Wales, with a budget of around £2.7 billion through to 2030.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme apply across the whole UK?
According to the Warm Homes Plan, it covers eligible households in England and Wales. Other parts of the UK have separate rules, which must be checked separately.
Which tariff code covers heat pumps?
Heat pumps other than the air-conditioning machines of heading 8415 fall under subheading 8418 61; air-to-air units may fall under heading 8415. The exact code depends on the design and use of the unit, so check it in the UK and EU tariffs before clearance.
Do I need UKCA marking to ship heat pumps to the UK?
The UK still recognises CE marking for most products, but the rules depend on the type of product. Check the requirements for your specific unit before the first shipment.
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