Funding and consumer finance make green home heating more accessible for all.
tepeo, the ZEB heat battery boiler manufacturer, is poised to help more UK households transition to low-carbon heating, bolstered by new financing options and Government support, with heat batteries now being included in the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (formerly SHDF).
The move is a significant signal, highlighting Government backing for the technology by enabling social housing providers to claim up to £15,000 per property for the installation of low carbon heating solutions, like the ZEB. This follows previous support from a group of cross-party MPs and industry leaders, calling for heat battery technology to be recognised as an Energy Saving Material (ESM) — a designation that would make them eligible for VAT relief, further reducing costs for customers.
The ZEB is a smart, low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil-fuel boilers. It uses electricity to store heat during off-peak periods, when energy is cheaper and greener — typically at night — that can then be used on demand. The ZEB is a great option for the 20 percent of UK homes that cannot install heat pumps and offers a cheaper solution when compared to electric boilers, saving up to £1.5k a year.
To make this technology even more accessible, tepeo has introduced customisable finance options for homeowners in partnership with finance specialists Vendigo and Humm, including a limited-time interest-free offer available until October 25, 2024. The tepeo website allows users to check if their home is suitable for a ZEB, customise their finance plan, schedule delivery and installation and sign their contract. Finance is subject to status and affordability.
Founder and CEO of tepeo, Johan du Plessis commented, “The inclusion of heat batteries in the Social Housing Fund marks a critical step forward in the UK’s shift towards sustainable home heating. The next logical step would be for the Government to provide VAT relief on heat battery technologies, which would make these solutions even more affordable therefore giving customers more choice as to how they heat their home. With our new flexible finance options, we are ensuring more households can afford to make the switch to low carbon heating.”
Consumers have already shown strong support for the ZEB. During the 18-month Neat Heat Trial, conducted in collaboration with OVO and UKPN, all participants opted to keep their ZEB after the trial, citing lower costs and reduced emissions, while enjoying the same comfort as traditional gas boilers.