The government is to offer a grant of £5,000 to people who trade in their old gas boilers for new low carbon heat pumps.

Boris Johnson’s government has also said all UK vehicles are to be “zero-emissions capable” by 2035 in a new document setting out its net-zero strategy.

The document revealed the UK is striving to be carbon net-zero by 2050. 

It comes as COP26 is just around the corner, where world leaders will meet to discuss the growing climate crisis and how countries can be more environmentally friendly. 

How do air source heat pumps work?

A heat pump can absorb heat from the air, ground or water around a building. 

It sends heat compressed from liquid taken from the air to radiators and hot water cylinders. 

Bournemouth Echo: How do heat pumps work? (PA)How do heat pumps work? (PA)

They also use ground source heat through pumping water and anti-freeze around pipes built under the ground to absorb naturally occurring heat stored in the ground. 

A heat exchanger then transfers it to the pump and sends the heat to radiators and hot water cylinders. 

Are heat pumps efficient?

Heat pumps take a little longer to heat houses as it heats water in the radiators at a lower temperature than a gas boiler.

However, the temperature does not need adjusting as it stays at the same level, making it more energy-efficient. 

How much do they cost? 

Heat pumps aren't cheap, costing around £6,000-£8,000 for an air source installation and £10,000-£18,000 for a ground source one. 

The price will also include a new hot water tank and labour for installation. 

Your radiators may also need refitting if they are not large enough, which will affect the final bill. 

The government's new scheme will be available from April 2022 but details of how consumers can apply for the grant have not been released yet. 

The scheme has allocated enough funding for 90,000 homes.