Boilers and Heating news from 2022
58 stories, newest first
- December 2022
Electrification of Heat project releases latest insights on installation challenges and consumer barriers
The Electrification of Heat demonstration project has reported that 47 per cent of participants who declined a heat pump cited disruption, with installation averaging £14,800 per property.
Amazon removes two heater products including one over safety concerns
Amazon says it removed two plug-in heater products in December 2022, one over safety concerns, after Which? testing found mini heaters that failed UK electrical safety rules.
Government issued flow temperature guidance
The government issued guidance in December 2022 on lowering combi boiler flow temperature, after Which? had already been encouraging the practice before energy bills rose sharply in October 2022.
Government report finds hydrogen's role in home heating likely limited
A December 2022 government report concluded that hydrogen's role in home heating looks likely to be limited rather than widespread, and that its deployment is unlikely to prove economically viable by the 2026 decision point.
- November 2022
Rinnai launches electric Infinit-E hot water cylinder range
Rinnai has put its Infinit-E electric hot water cylinders on sale, a stainless steel range that adds an electrical option to a manufacturer known mainly for gas fired water heaters.
Electrical Fire Safety Week 2022 highlights rise in electric heater use
Electrical Safety First reports around 4 million more people in the UK are using electric heaters than a year ago, as Electrical Fire Safety Week 2022 highlights the safety risks of cheaper heating.
Navien launched the Combi Crossover range
Navien launched its ON Combi Crossover boiler range late in 2022, a category the manufacturer says can service any sized home, with the NCB700 ON able to heat three showers at once.
Part L compliance date for heating controls takes effect in Wales
BEAMA guidance confirms that Part L of the Building Regulations applies to heating controls installed with gas or oil boilers in Wales from November 2022, five months after the English date.
- October 2022
Nesta publishes analysis of heat pumps and the energy crisis
Nesta analysis published on 25 October 2022 estimates that replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump cuts gas use by more than 70% and wholesale gas costs by over £1,100 a year.
Rinnai UK launches free heating and hot water system design service
Rinnai UK has launched a free design service for heating and hot water systems, offered by email or phone and forming part of its H3 product range.
Money Saving Boiler Challenge launched by Nesta and partners
Nesta launched the Money Saving Boiler Challenge with Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next and Octopus Energy, an online tool guiding households to lower combi boiler flow temperature to 60°C or below.
Grant UK launches Uflex and Uflex MINI Overlay underfloor heating systems
Grant UK has added the Uflex and Uflex MINI Overlay System to its underfloor heating range, a dry, non-screeded option intended for retrofit projects where floors cannot be raised much.
Charity warns of household fire risk as millions plan to use electric heaters this winter
Electrical Safety First says 42 per cent of UK adults are using or considering an electric heater to heat a single room this winter, an eight point rise on last year, and warns of fire risk from unsafe use.
CO alarm requirement for landlords in England took effect
From 1 October 2022 landlords in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in any living accommodation room containing a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers.
Energy bills increased sharply
Which? has said it was encouraging households to lower combi boiler flow temperatures before energy bills rose sharply in October 2022, ahead of government guidance that December.
HETAS brings back #getfiredup campaign for 2022
HETAS has relaunched its #getfiredup campaign for October 2022, promoting approved retailers and Cleaner Choice solid fuel appliances to consumers as the heating season begins.
Nesta analysis finds energy crisis has narrowed the whole life cost gap between heat pumps and gas boilers
Nesta analysis published in October 2022 found the energy crisis moved heat pumps £100 to £250 a year closer to gas boilers on whole life cost, with combined policies making them cheaper still.
- September 2022
Up to £1.5 billion Help to Heat funding launched for SHDF wave 2 and Home Upgrade Grant
The government has opened up to £1.5 billion in Help to Heat funding for social housing providers and local authorities in England to upgrade around 130,000 low-income and social homes.
CIPHE warns households about burn and scald risks from heating hacks
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has warned that cost of living driven changes to heating systems may cause burns and scalds, especially in households with young, elderly or disabled occupants.
- August 2022
Nesta calls for COVID-style government response to cut household gas use 20% by next winter
Nesta has urged the government to set a target of cutting household energy demand by 20% by next winter, through boiler settings, smart thermostats and insulation.
Warmer Homes Scotland criteria revised
Scottish ministers revised the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland in August 2022, widening access to the national fuel poverty scheme, particularly for households aged 60 to 75.
- July 2022
Scottish Government launches New Building Heat Standard Part II consultation
The Scottish Government has opened a 12 week consultation on plans to stop direct emissions heating systems being installed in new homes and non-domestic buildings warranted from April 2024.
Nesta launches beta web tool to help households lower boiler flow temperature
Nesta has published a beta web tool that gives households tailored instructions on changing boiler settings, saying lower flow temperatures could cut household energy use by 6 to 8 per cent.
Mitchell & Webber calls for government backing of HVO as oil heating alternative
Cornish oil supplier Mitchell & Webber has converted more than 50 oil-fired appliances to hydro-treated vegetable oil since 2020 and is calling for government backing of a national HVO demonstration.
Scottish Government publishes New Build Heat Standard Consultation: Part II
The Scottish Government has opened a second consultation on its New Build Heat Standard, proposing to ban direct emissions heating systems in new buildings applying for a building warrant from 1 April 2024.
Sustainable Warmth Competition programme launches in Elmdon and Foleshill
Two retrofit schemes have launched in the West Midlands, including a £2.86m Sustainable Warmth Competition programme in Elmdon, Solihull, and Foleshill, Coventry, alongside £7.5m for social housing.
Worcester Bosch publishes new build heating and hot water brochure
Worcester Bosch has published a July 2022 new build brochure setting out its Greenstar gas boilers, controls, cylinders and air to water heat pumps for housebuilders and specifiers.
- June 2022
BBC Regional News broadcasts Cornwall HVO heating trial
A BBC regional news broadcast on 28 June 2022 covered Mitchell & Webber's conversion of oil-fired heating systems in Cornwall to hydro-treated vegetable oil, with the company calling for government backing.
Building Regulations require thermostatic room controls when a boiler is replaced in England
New building regulations in England from 15 June 2022 require thermostatic room controls, including TRVs, to be added to heating systems when a boiler is replaced.
Building Regulations require thermostatic room controls on boiler replacement in England
Building Regulations changes mean each room in an existing English dwelling must have thermostatic room controls when a boiler is replaced, a requirement applying from June 2022.
Part L compliance date for heating controls takes effect in England
BEAMA guidance confirms that Part L of the Building Regulations applies to heating controls installed with gas or oil boilers in England from June 2022, with Wales following in November 2022.
- May 2022
Boiler Upgrade Scheme opens for grant applications
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme opened for grant applications on 23 May 2022, offering £5,000 or £6,000 towards heat pumps and, in limited cases, biomass boilers in England and Wales.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched with £450m budget
The government launched the £450m Boiler Upgrade Scheme in May 2022, offering grants of up to £6,000 towards heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers in England and Wales.
Government publishes response to market-based mechanism consultation
The Government has published its response to the consultation on the market-based mechanism for low-carbon heat, a scheme obliging fossil fuel heating manufacturers to meet rising low-carbon sales targets.
- April 2022
Nesta publishes discovery phase findings on boiler flow temperature and emissions
Nesta has published discovery phase findings on boiler flow temperature, reporting that optimising condensing combi boilers could cut household energy use, costs and emissions by 6 to 8 per cent.
UK Government consulted on clean heating market mandate earlier in 2022
The UK Government consulted earlier in 2022 on a policy to obligate boiler manufacturers to match fossil fuel boiler sales with heat pump installations, Nesta reported on 20 April 2022.
BEIS decides not to apply English Boiler Plus standard across Great Britain under ECO4
BEIS has decided not to make the English Boiler Plus standard a specific requirement throughout Great Britain under ECO4, so installations will follow each nation's building regulations instead.
Government commits to 2035 phase-out of new and replacement gas boiler sales
The government has set 2035 as the date by which it intends to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers, in its British Energy Security Strategy.
Heat pumps become cheaper to run than gas boilers
Analysis published by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that from April 2022 an electric heat pump will cost less to run than a gas boiler, as gas prices drive the price cap up.
Ofgem decides to remove the wall type distinction for heating measures in ECO4
Ofgem has confirmed it will remove the wall type distinction for heating measures under ECO4, publishing its final decision on the scheme's scoring methodology in April 2022.
Ofgem decides to split the standard heating control measure in ECO4
Ofgem has decided to split the standard heating control measure in ECO4 into two separate measures, a programmer and room thermostat measure and a TRV measure, in its final scoring methodology decision.
- March 2022
British Gas completes first air source heat pump installation in Devon
British Gas has completed its first air source heat pump installation for a household customer, at a home in Ivybridge, Devon, fitted through its partnership with Daikin.
Rinnai announces Sensei N Series continuous flow hot water range for the UK
Rinnai UK has published details of its Sensei N Series, four continuous flow hot water heaters that it says are the first such units sold in the UK with stainless steel heat exchangers.
CLC reported boilers among products with supply chain issues
In March 2022 the Construction Leadership Council reported generally good stock levels across industrial products but named boilers among the key items facing supply chain issues and delays.
Nesta report says heat pumps could soon be cheaper than gas boilers over 15-year lifetime
Nesta analysis of 60,000 UK heat pump installations finds that, with three policy and market changes plus a £5,000 grant, heat pumps could cost £60 to £110 a year less than gas boilers over a 15-year life.
- February 2022
Draft regulations laid before the House
The draft Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 were laid before Parliament on 25 February 2022, setting up capital grants for heat pumps and, in limited cases, biomass boilers.
Rinnai announces H3 range of hydrogen blend ready, hybrid and heat pump products
Rinnai UK has announced an H3 product range covering commercial heat pumps, hydrogen blend ready and hybrid hot water systems, to be introduced in stages during 2022.
CO-Gas Safety reports Project SHOUT survey finding rise in dangerous gas appliances
CO-Gas Safety has published a Project SHOUT survey of 335 heating engineers that reports frequent sightings of poorly maintained, badly fitted and dangerous gas appliances in UK homes.
BEIS Committee publishes report on decarbonising heat in homes
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has published a report finding the Government is not on track to decarbonise residential heating and calling for a heat road map, sector deal and public awareness campaign.
Additional tolerable standard requirement delayed
Scottish Ministers have delayed by one year the date on which fire and carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment becomes part of the tolerable standard for housing in Scotland.
BUS scheme length extended to three years
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run for three years to 2024/25 rather than the two years proposed for the Clean Heat Grant, with grants of £5,000 or £6,000 and a £450m budget.
Final impact assessment confirms higher BUS grant levels
The final impact assessment for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirms grants of £5,000 for air source heat pumps, £6,000 for ground source heat pumps and £5,000 for biomass, replacing an earlier flat £4,000 proposal.
Scottish homes required to have carbon monoxide alarms
Since 1 February 2022 every Scottish home has been required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance or flue, under rules now being publicised across the UK.
- January 2022
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to off-gas-grid fossil fuel heating consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a government consultation on phasing out fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid, backing a heat pump first approach from 2026.
NEA publishes response to BEIS consultation on phasing out fossil fuel heating in off gas grid homes
National Energy Action has told BEIS that phasing out fossil fuel heating off the gas grid must come with adequate funding and advice for low income households, including support for hybrid systems.
Consultation on market-based mechanism for low-carbon heat closes
A government consultation on a market-based mechanism to expand heat pump installations in existing UK properties closed on 12 January 2022, with the scheme proposed to start in 2024.
CE markings no longer recognised in Great Britain
From 1 January 2022 solid fuel heating products and other goods sold in Great Britain must carry the UKCA mark, with the CE mark no longer recognised in the GB market.
Ecodesign limits become mandatory for new stoves
New wood-burning and multifuel stoves sold in the UK have had to meet mandatory Ecodesign limits on four pollutants and a minimum real-world efficiency since 1 January 2022.