Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made (a) an assessment of the effectiveness of heat pumps in older homes and (b) the potential cost to rural home owners of upgrading their home insulation to increase the heat pumps effectiveness.

Government analysis suggests around 90% of fossil fuel heated homes, including 70% of fossil fuel heated homes built before 1919, are suitable for low temperature heat pumps, based on evidence of their energy efficiency and electrical connections.

A higher proportion of properties are likely to become suitable following energy efficiency upgrades or by using a high temperature heat pump.

The Government has published an online tool setting out the potential costs to households seeking to upgrade their energy efficiency.

The Government recognises that not all properties will be suitable for a heat pump and there will be a role for alternative low carbon technologies where heat pumps cannot be used.