An energy advice service is offering householders a financial contribution towards the cost of a heat pump.

The Oxfordshire County Council-backed service, the Home Efficiency Hub, is now offering eligible householders in Bicester west the £7,500 cash injection.

The council claims that it is now possible to have a new heat pump installed for less than installing a gas boiler.

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This is based on an average gas boiler installation cost of £3,000 and an average installed air source heat pump cost of £9,000 determined from the government’s Electrification of Heat project.

Dale Hoyland, Oxfordshire retrofit team leader at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to hear this news and to see that heat pumps are being made more affordable than ever.

“This £7,500 contribution from the Home Efficiency Hub will make a big difference in bringing down the costs residents face when upgrading their home heating systems.

“And this is more important than ever. Improving your home’s efficiency is one of the best ways of tackling the climate emergency, saving energy and future-proofing your home.

“This should make this offer from the Home Efficiency Hub highly appealing to those lucky enough to be in the initial target area of Bicester west.

“Oxfordshire County Council is wholly supportive of this new service from the Home Efficiency Hub, which is on a mission to make home energy efficiency upgrades both easy and affordable.

“We encourage eligible residents to take up this innovative offer.”

The council said that customers can also secure financing, allowing them to complete installation without having to pay the full amount upfront.

Heat pumps are reportedly highly efficient devices that extract heat from the air outside a home and transfer it inside to heat water and radiators.

The technology is similar to that used in refrigerators and air conditioners and allegedly reduces carbon footprints and energy consumption.

For eligible householders who are unsure whether a heat pump would be suitable for them, the Home Efficiency Hub is offering the chance to secure a free plan, worth £500.

This plan will be delivered by qualified experts and will also advise on other home efficiency measures that would be suitable, along with their likely impact on bills and emissions.

By taking the plan, householders will make sure they are at the front of the queue for the £7,500 contribution but there is no obligation for them to move forward with any of the suggested measures.

The Home Efficiency Hub offer is only confirmed until the end of this year, so interested eligible residents are encouraged to act quickly.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1