BESA Urges Government to Boost Heat Pump Support and Cooling Access

Heat pump

UK: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to implement policy reforms aimed at improving access to cooling in residential buildings during the summer months. 

Representing companies involved in heating, cooling, and ventilation, BESA highlighted the growing threat of prolonged and intense heatwaves, emphasizing the need to adapt homes, especially older ones not built to withstand high temperatures. The association noted rising concerns among its members regarding indoor air quality and overheating, with BESA’s Morrissey stating that up to 80% of UK homes now regularly overheat during the summer. 

BESA pointed to official climate projections indicating that UK summer temperatures could rise by between 1.3°C and 5.1°C in the coming decades. The association warned that escalating temperatures may lead to reduced productivity and more frequent health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. 

To address these challenges, BESA and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings, which BESA sponsors, have proposed updates to key government programs, including the Warm Homes Plan, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). 

Source: BESA