The local area energy planning system should maximise opportunities for district heating using heat pumps where appropriate, given the flexibility benefits this can offer. 📸 Elliott Brown/ Flickr/ CC BY 2.0

The Government should work with Ofgem to drive forward the heating-as-a-service market, delegating the challenge of system complexity to a few companies supporting millions of consumers. 📸 Number 10/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Warm Homes Agency should support delivery of good quality heat pump installation that takes account of different household needs.

↕️The use of ground source heat pumps in district heating and cooling networks can help support both short-term flexibility (through thermal inertia) and seasonal heat storage (storing heat in the ground that has been captured through the cooling of properties during the summer months).

🏡Minor retrofits (such as draught proofing, double glazing, and insulating the hot water tank) that help improve building efficiency may well be accepted by consumers alongside the installation of a heat pump, helping to reduce heating demand overall.

🤝Conversations about different ownership models for heating, including the potential for ‘heating as a service’, represent an opportunity to engage consumers on the benefits of flexible tariffs.

Key findings and recommendations : ⏰Time-of-use tariffs and smart heating controls can incentivise consumers to pre-heat buildings before the evening electricity demand peak, reducing costs while maintaining consumer comfort.

Heat pumps have proven themselves as scalable solutions to cut emissions, while providing efficient heating AND cooling for homes and buildings across the UK over recent years. However, there are concerns that electrifying heating make power system operation more challenging.

The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe and conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Turin, and the Lazio Regional Health Service, used nationwide data to analyse how heat-related deaths vary across socio-demographic groups and regions.

The findings highlight that heat adaptation plans must look beyond general temperature alerts to target specific vulnerable communities and disadvantaged local areas.

Alongside an expert panel (TBA), this event will explore the theme of progress in the face of pushback against climate action, including how to overcome sustained political opposition and misinformation to deliver positive change for communities and the planet.