Man facing £7k a year energy bills wants to 'rip out' government-backed heat pump that's 'left home cold'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A man who replaced his heating system with a £25,000 government-backed 'green' heat pump says he is facing "crippling" energy bills, which have amounted to almost £3,000 so far this winter and could see him facing a £7,000 yearly bill.

The government is currently providing grants for up to £5,000 to homeowners who remove a gas central heating and hot water system and replace it with a heat pump.

But the new system - backed by many in the green lobby - has apparently left many UK homeowners in the cold. Steve Mason, 58, spent thousands on his brand new system and says he has seen his bills rocket despite his living room being a mere 14 degrees and having to sit in layers of warm clothing.

He said that if given the choice he would "rip it out" and replace it with a more cost-effective solution as he doesn't believe the government "have thought the policy through". READ MORE: ‘I have a full time job and two side hustles but still had to move back in with my parents due to the cost of living crisis’ The company director from Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, who started using the system in July said: "I have no choice but to use it as it's my only source of heating and hot water in my house, but what we've found is that we don't think the government have really thought this through. "This year so far alone, my electric bill has reached £1,461 after the government help and my direct debit each month is £650 - it's crippling.