Don’t charge VAT on heat pump servicing | Heat pumps

Some thought needs to be given to the cost of maintaining heat pumps (‘No one saves the planet if it hits their pocket’: UK heat pump installers fear planned subsidy cuts, 27 October) I had a heat pump fitted four years ago and it needs an annual service. This year, the cost was £345, which included 20% VAT – £69.

It’s all very well providing a subsidy for installation, but the service fee adds substantially to the running costs, and adding the VAT makes a nonsense of a heat pump being economical to run. I contacted the energy minister about this a couple of months ago, but have had no reply. Perhaps the suppliers could also pressure the government to remove VAT from servicing charges?

Mary Massey

Wilmslow, Cheshire