tepeo offers up to £2,000 back on the ZEB to highlight that VAT relief needs to be applied to heat batteries to level the playing field in the renewable heating sector.
Wokingham, UK, Tuesday 26th November: tepeo, a UK-based ClimateTech business, is taking matters into its own hands by offering up to £2,000 cashback to cover the VAT on the cost of upgrading to their heat battery boiler, the ZEB*. The Wokingham-based scale-up is taking a stand after discovering in the recent Autumn Budget that it would not be receiving Government support, despite the Government heavily promoting clean energy and home decarbonisation as key policy priorities. Unbelievably, VAT relief still remains available for private jet flights, leaving many wondering why ordinary households are left to foot the bill to upgrade their heating.
tepeo’s ZEB offers a low-carbon heating solution for households, particularly those in smaller homes, unable to install heat pumps. By charging up using electricity at the cheapest and greenest times, and storing energy as heat to be used on demand, the ZEB can have running costs similar to a gas boiler or heat pump. Yet, after much consideration by the Treasury, the Autumn Statement revealed only heat pumps and biomass boilers will continue to receive VAT relief, shutting out equally effective renewable solutions like heat batteries.
“tepeo is stepping up to do what the Government so easily could’ve done. By offering cashback on an installed ZEB, we’re absorbing the VAT cost to demonstrate how a lower price can make sustainable heating affordable for all,” said Johan du Plessis, CEO of tepeo. “We’re a young company, and it’s a big decision for us, but we’re determined to show the Government that we are serious about playing a big role in decarbonising the UK’s homes.”
“How is it possible that people who want to go green get VAT relief if they can install a heat pump, but not if they live in a smaller home or can’t install a heat pump? The Government must recognise that whilst heat pumps will do the heavy lifting in decarbonising home heating, other options must be available for households to choose from.” Johan du Plessis, CEO of tepeo
“The main barrier for tepeo is the initial upfront price,” said Damian Lofthouse, who has installed a ZEB in his property and is a passionate advocate for the Government doing more to make renewable technologies available to everyone. “The reality is people are always going to choose a fossil fuel boiler purely on a cost basis. If this barrier was removed and the prices were similar, people would choose the ZEB. It’s a travesty that the Government forces homeowners to choose between a heat pump or a fossil fuel boiler. More low-carbon technologies, like the ZEB, should be included in subsidy and VAT schemes. This change would unlock the potential to give households a fair choice and help us reach Net Zero.”
“We hope our bold step will encourage policymakers to act,” du Plessis concluded. “If VAT relief is available for the rich to jet around the world, it’s time to make sure British families can also benefit from tax breaks for upgrading to green technologies. This change is essential if we’re serious about reaching Net Zero.”
Available for a limited time, the cashback offer of up to £2,000 is meant to bridge the gap left by the Government’s VAT decision, offering UK homeowners a chance to access low-carbon heating technology without the extra tax burden. The ZEB has been designed to directly replace a gas or oil boiler, as it’s compatible with existing heating systems and infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for millions of UK homes without the space or budget for traditional heat pumps.