Project Summary
In partnership with Cornwall Council, the South West Net Zero Hub commissioned The Carbon Trust to investigate the perceptions and barriers to heat pump deployment in Cornwall, following concerns about sustaining momentum of deployment.
The research included a targeted evidence review, analysis of MCS installation data and 21 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders across Cornwall’s heat pump ecosystem.
“Cornwall Council leads the UK in residential heat pump installation numbers and has set an ambition for all homes to have low carbon heating by 2045. This research found that, despite Cornwall’s success, several perceived barriers are holding back widespread adoption of heat pumps in the County. Cornwall stakeholders cited upfront costs, running costs, installation quality issues and poor customer understanding of the technology. There were also concerns about limited installer training opportunities, the suitability of Cornwall’s housing stock and the impact of coastal corrosion on heat pump units. This report presents the barriers, but crucially, presents the latest evidence to inform targeted recommendations to help accelerate heat pump deployment. We loved working with Cornwall Council and the South West Net Zero Hub on this research and we look forward to seeing Cornwall continue to lead the transition to heat pumps in the UK.” – Anthony Dale, The Carbon Trust.
Background
Cornwall leads the UK in heat pump deployment, with almost 9,000 domestic installations registered with MCS since 2014, the highest of any UK local authority area. However, concerns have emerged about sustaining momentum due to negative feedback about some installations, public misconceptions, and reduced rate of deployment by some housing associations.
Cornwall’s housing stock and energy landscape differ significantly from national patterns, making it essential to understand the local context and how it shapes deployment. This research captures insights from those directly involved in heat pump deployment in Cornwall, together with stakeholders from across and beyond the region who enable, influence or support deployment, to understand these challenges and identify solutions.
The research combined three methods: a targeted literature and evidence review covering national surveys, performance studies, and policy analysis; analysis of MCS
installation data for Cornwall; and 21 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders across the heat pump deployment ecosystem in Cornwall, including social housing providers, installers, training providers, Council teams, community organisations, energy infrastructure representatives, and policy experts.
Our Role
The Hub commissioned The Carbon Trust to conduct the research and played an active role in the project throughout.
Location
Cornwall
Technology / What Happened
Heat pumps
Financing and Ownership
The study was funded by the Hub.
Results
Cornwall’s heat pump story so far was captured, noting it’s regional success story and exploring supply chains and training in Cornwall. The distinctive context of Cornwall was also established which showed:
- High proportion of off-gas homes
- Higher proportion of older and non-traditional housing stock
- 25% dwellings classed as being in sever disrepair
- Coastal environment
- Rural geography
- Higher rates of fuel poverty
More details of this context and its impact can be found in the Final Report.
The 12 most critical barriers identified are presented below, ranked into three tiers to reflect the frequency with which they were raised and the severity of their impact.
Whilst challenging, most have proven solutions and present clear opportunities for progress and can be addressed through coordinated action. Crucially, many perceived issues stem from design, installation and commissioning quality, rather than the technology itself. When heat pumps are well-designed and properly installed, they deliver reliable, efficient heating.
More details and the validation of each of these barriers can be found in the Final Report.
Eight recommendations were also identified that Cornwall Council and partners are encouraged to consider in addressing the perceived barriers:
- Build a regional consensus on heat pump best practice.
- Maximise the impact of Warm Homes funding.
- Reframe the economic case for owner-occupiers.
- Ensure heat pump users get the most from their systems.
- Drive consistent quality in installations.
- Develop the supply chain, skills and training.
- Develop heat pump transition plans for social housing.
- Accelerate high-performing heat pump deployment in the Private Rented Sector.
More details of why these recommendations matter and the priority actions associated can be found in the final report.
The research produced these key documents:
- Summary Report – coming soon
- Presentation – coming soon
Benefits
The benefits of this project include:
- Establishing the barriers to heat pump adoption, across all tenure types, that Cornwall stakeholders perceive to be holding back increased deployment.
- Summarising the evidence base for each of these barriers to assess their contemporary validity and potential solutions.
- Making recommendations for how to increase deployment rates across Cornwall.
Next Steps
The study provides an evidence base to inform strategic action by Cornwall Council and the Strategic Housing Decarbonisation Partnership Working Group. The next phase is about ensuring consistently high quality, supporting fair access across all tenure types, and reaching the scale required to meet Cornwall’s 2045 ambition.
If stakeholders across Cornwall – from the Council and social landlords to installers, training providers, and community organisations – act on these recommendations, the county can consolidate its national leadership and ensure that the benefits of clean, efficient heating are felt by every community. The next phase is about ensuring consistently high quality, supporting fair access across all tenure types, and reaching the scale required to meet Cornwall’s 2045 ambition.
In March, the research findings are being presented to the Sustainable Construction Advisory Panel (SCAP) – Retrofit Reimagined event and to the Strategic Housing Decarbonisation Partnership Working Group. The reports and presentation will also be shared across the Hub network and on Net Zero Go.
For more information about the project contact swnetzerohub@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
Key Facts
| Client | Cornwall Council |
| Strategic priority | Domestic Building Retrofit/Low Carbon Heating |
| Timeline | September 2025 to March 2025 |
| Project value | £25,000 |
| Project report | Heat Pump Adoption: Perceptions and Barriers Final Report |