Boilers and Heating news from 2023
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- December 2023
£6 billion allocated to energy efficiency and low-carbon heating schemes
The government has allocated £6 billion of capital funding for 2025 to 2028 across energy efficiency and low-carbon heating schemes, including a new £400 million grant for households in England.
Extra £1.5 billion for Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced
The government has allocated an extra £1.5 billion to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2025 to 2028, part of a £6 billion package for energy efficiency and low carbon heating.
CREDS article reports fall in gas central heating use during winter 2022/23 cost-of-living crisis
A CREDS blog reports that gas central heating fell as the main heating method from 78% of households in winter 2021 to 57% in winter 2022, with households turning to warm clothes, blankets and hot drinks.
Viessmann adds 35 kW model to Vitodens 050-W combi range
Viessmann has added a 35 kW model to its Vitodens 050-W combi boiler range, extending domestic hot water output to 35 kW and heating output to 32 kW.
Additional £1.5 billion announced for Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
An extra £1.5 billion has been allocated to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028, funding around 200,000 further vouchers for homeowners in England and Wales.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, confirming new energy efficiency rules for new homes in England from March 2027.
- November 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after grant increased to £7,500
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme reached 1,150 in the first week after the grant rose to £7,500, more than three times the previous weekly average, the government said on 30 November 2023.
Government confirms Clean Heat Market Mechanism plans
The government has confirmed a Clean Heat Market Mechanism for launch in 2025 and reported that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
BEAMA publishes Delivering low carbon heat policy document
BEAMA has published a policy document arguing that electrified heating, smart controls, insulation and reform of electricity costs are needed to decarbonise the UK's 28 million homes.
Green Heat Finance Taskforce publishes part 1 report
The independent Green Heat Finance Taskforce has published part one of its report, setting out finance options for Scottish property owners to cover the upfront cost of replacing polluting heating with clean heat.
Mixergy announces the Cube X cylinder
Mixergy has announced the Cube X, a compact smart cylinder for heating and hot water that the company says will need no G3 unvented certification and is due to arrive soon.
Alpha launches ProTec NX high output boiler range
Alpha has launched the ProTec NX, a wall-hung high output gas boiler range in six models from 48kW to 180kW, replacing its former ProTec Plus range for larger homes and commercial premises.
Navien UK introduces Combi Crossover boiler type
Navien UK has introduced the Combi Crossover, a boiler it describes as combining system boiler performance with the cylinder-less advantages of a compact combi, set out in its November 2023 boiler guidance.
Scottish government delays fossil fuel boiler phase-out by at least three years
The Scottish government has postponed the start of its phase-out of fossil fuel boilers by at least three years, announcing the change alongside a consultation on a new heating bill.
- October 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended by 3 years to 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will pay £7,500 towards a heat pump from today and now runs to 2028, three years longer than planned, the government has announced.
Off-gas-grid fossil fuel heating ban delayed to 2035
The government has delayed its ban on installing oil, LPG and new coal heating in off-gas-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants to £7,500.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50% to £7,500
Air source heat pump grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose from £5,000 to £7,500 and ground source grants from £6,000 to £7,500 from 23 October 2023, with the scheme extended to 2028.
Citizens Advice publishes Heat GB network costs research
Citizens Advice research by LCP Delta finds electrification has the lowest network costs in 10 of 12 Great British archetypes, with hydrogen cheapest in the remaining two.
New phase of Warmer Homes Scotland launched
The Scottish Government launched a new phase of Warmer Homes Scotland on 2 October 2023, shifting the national fuel poverty scheme towards clean heating where it is financially and technically feasible.
Successor Warmer Homes Scotland programme launched under the same name
The successor to Warmer Homes Scotland launched on 2 October 2023 under the same name, with a maximum contract value of up to £728 million over up to seven years and higher grant limits per household.
CMA opened an investigation into Worcester Bosch boiler marketing
The Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation in October 2023 into Worcester Bosch's marketing of boilers as hydrogen-blend ready, and the firm has agreed to change its claims.
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
IGEM reports homeowner uncertainty over boiler phase-out plans
IGEM has published survey findings showing 48 per cent of UK homeowners are unsure how the boiler ban will affect their properties and 65 per cent doubt government transition schemes.
MCS opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 Standard
MCS has opened a consultation on changes to the MCS 020 noise assessment standard, which permitted development rights for air source heat pumps reference, following a government-commissioned review of heat pump noise.
National Infrastructure Commission recommends against hydrogen for home heating
The National Infrastructure Commission advised the government in October 2023 not to support hydrogen for home heating, a position set out in a National Audit Office report on decarbonising home heating.
- September 2023
Myson introduces Unisenza Plus wireless heating controls
Myson has published details of its Unisenza Plus wireless heating control range, a four-component system built around a gateway that the maker says can connect up to 100 devices.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Phase-out of off-gas-grid fossil fuel boilers and new coal heating delayed to 2035
Rishi Sunak's September 2023 net zero speech delayed the phase-out of new oil and LPG boilers and coal heating for off-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to £7,500.
Sunak announces delays to core net-zero policies in "new approach" speech
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, pushed the off-gas-grid fossil heating phaseout to 2035 and scrapped rental energy efficiency rules.
Octopus Energy launches Cosy Octopus smart heating system with Cosy 6 heat pump
Octopus Energy has launched Cosy Octopus, a smart heating system built around its first in-house heat pump, the Cosy 6, with installations due to begin in December.
Separate Home Upgrade Grant checker launched
A separate online checker for the Home Upgrade Grant was launched on 14 September 2023, alongside the Great British Insulation Scheme, for off-gas-grid homes rated EPC D to G.
Cadent issues gas safety warning ahead of winter
Cadent has warned that almost half of households would attempt their own boiler repairs, as its research shows many are skipping annual servicing to cut costs before winter.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant increased to £7,500
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps rose from £5,000 to £7,500 in September 2023, but the scheme's budget was not increased, so it will serve fewer homes.
Exemptions announced for 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out
The government said in September 2023 that some homes, estimated at about a fifth of households, may be exempt from the planned 2035 phase-out of new fossil fuel boilers.
IGEM reports one in five UK homeowners has never had a gas safety check
Research published by IGEM in September 2023 found 22% of UK homeowners have never had a gas safety check, as ONS data showed accidental carbon monoxide deaths fell 7% year on year.
Myson upgrades 700mm Select Compact radiators to 750mm high models
Myson is replacing its 700mm high Select Compact radiators with 750mm high models from mid-September, a change it links to demand for low temperature heating systems.
Phase out date for new off-grid oil and LPG boilers put back to 2035
The Prime Minister announced in September 2023 that the phase out date for installing new oil and LPG boilers and new coal heating in off-grid homes would move from 2026 to 2035.
Prime Minister announced change to gas boiler new-build policy
Rishi Sunak said in September 2023 that the aim was to cut gas boiler installations in new build homes by 80 per cent rather than ban them outright.
Stelrad Electric Series available from merchants
Stelrad has launched its first electric radiator range, the Electric Series, available from merchants from 1 September 2023, with models for rooms and bathrooms.
- August 2023
Consultation on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Regulations opened
The government opened a consultation on 31 August 2023 on amending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Regulations, covering grant levels, EPC requirements and biomass boilers with a cooking function.
ECIU poll finds 97% of public do not know gas boiler phase out date
A Focal Data poll for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit found only 3% of 2,010 adults in Great Britain correctly identified 2035 as the target date for phasing out gas boilers in existing homes.
ECO4 legislative amendments changed ESH and EHS classification
Ofgem's ECO4 guidance records that from 14 August 2023 electric storage heaters and Electric Heating Systems count as renewable heating systems in homes with solar PV.
E3G publishes report on supporting warmer homes for rural communities
E3G research published on 9 August 2023 sets out the higher fuel poverty gap faced by rural off-gas-grid households in England and recommends a rural uplift to two government heating schemes.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Versatile domestic hot water cylinder range in five capacities, designed for use with its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and controlled through MELCloud.
Baxi launches new residential air source heat pump range
Baxi has launched the HP40 Monobloc air source heat pump range for UK homes, sold as a package with cylinders, controls, training and aftersales support.
Nesta submits written evidence to Parliament on decarbonising home heating
Nesta has told Parliament that ministers should confirm a 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out, lift the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cap and cap the electricity to gas price ratio at 2.5.
- July 2023
Nesta publishes policy plan for decarbonising home heating
Nesta has published a four-part policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, covering a boiler phase-out date, cheaper electricity, installer growth and planning reform.
BEAMA publishes Future Homes Standard Phase 1 Impact Report ahead of consultation
BEAMA has published a Phase 1 Network-to-Emitter Impact Report on low carbon heating technologies for new homes, ahead of a Future Homes Standard consultation expected after summer 2023.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift in summer 2023
An Environment Agency review of ground source heating and cooling records that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift came in summer 2023, with heat pump grants rising again that October.
- June 2023
British Assessment Bureau becomes UKAS accredited
MCS has appointed the British Assessment Bureau as a certification body for small-scale renewables, after the bureau gained UKAS accreditation in June 2023 to assess contractors against MCS standards.
Consultation on Clean Heat Market Mechanism closes
The government has finished consulting on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, which would require boiler sellers to sell a quota of heat pumps for every boiler sold.
Keston launches Combi 2 and System 2 twin flue boiler range
Keston has launched the Combi 2 and System 2 twin flue boiler range, offering flue runs up to 27m, colour screen controls, hydrogen blend operation and warranties of up to seven years.
Scottish Government publishes analysis of New Build Heat Standard Part II consultation responses
The Scottish Government has published its analysis of responses to the second New Build Heat Standard consultation, showing broad support for banning direct emissions heating in new homes from April 2024 alongside concerns about grid capacity and costs.
Wales eligibility expanded to Council Tax bands A-E
The government has widened Great British Insulation Scheme eligibility in Wales from Council Tax bands A to C to bands A to E, raising the share of eligible Welsh homes from 57% to 87%.
- May 2023
Rinnai UK launches free heating and hot water system design service
Rinnai UK has launched a free service that designs heating and hot water systems around a property's specific requirements, contactable by email or telephone.
- April 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run until 2028 under the Government's Powering Up Britain Energy Security Plan, keeping grants of up to £6,000 towards a heat pump in England and Wales.
Government launches Clean heat market mechanism consultation
The government has opened a consultation on its Clean heat market mechanism, seeking views on a market-based scheme intended to grow the number of heat pumps installed in existing premises.
Survey finds 9 in 10 rural off-gas-grid homes say green heating plans treat them unfairly
A survey of 1,500 oil-heated homes finds 90 per cent believe the government's green heating proposals treat off-gas-grid households unfairly, as trade bodies press for a choice of low carbon options.
BEAMA publishes Phase 1 Future Homes Standard impact report
BEAMA has published Version 1.1 of its Phase 1 Network-to-Emitter Impact Report, setting out the technologies expected in new homes under the 2025 Future Homes Standard.
Simply Certification gains UKAS accreditation for MCS assessments
Simply Certification has become an MCS contractor certification body after gaining UKAS accreditation in April, widening the choice of assessors for small-scale renewable installations across the UK.
- March 2023
Warmer Homes Scotland began using revised eligibility criteria
Warmer Homes Scotland moved to revised eligibility criteria in April 2023, after the first phase of applications closed on 31 March 2023 with referrals paused until October.
Government releases consultation on clean heat market mechanism
The government has opened a consultation on a clean heat market mechanism, alongside a Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension to 2028 and £30 million for heat pump manufacturing.
Cadent and British Gas offer all Whitby residents a choice to opt in or out of Hydrogen Village trial
Cadent and British Gas have written to all 2,000 residents in the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village offering each household a choice to opt in to hydrogen heating or stay on natural gas.
Oxfordshire awarded £6.417m under HUG2 to retrofit at least 310 off-gas homes
Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded £6.417 million in the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant to retrofit at least 310 homes that are not heated by mains gas.
Coalition writes to Housing Minister seeking no new gas grid connections under Future Homes Standard
More than 40 organisations have written to the UK Housing Minister asking for confirmation that the Future Homes Standard will not permit new gas grid connections in newly built homes.
Industry responds to Spring Budget 2023
Heating industry bodies gave mixed reactions to the Spring Budget, welcoming a three-month extension of the £2,500 energy price cap but criticising the absence of long-term efficiency measures.
Mitsubishi Electric launches new Pre-Plumbed Cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched a revised range of unvented pre-plumbed hot water cylinders in eight standard and slimline variants, sized from 150L to 300L, to pair with its residential heat pumps.
Government announces over £14 million to accelerate low carbon heating rollout
The government has announced more than £14 million for low carbon heating, with £9.7 million for four Heat Pump Ready projects and a £5 million grant to train 10,000 installers.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended by three years to 2028, with extra funding for each year after 2025, but no budget level has yet been set for the extended scheme.
Government consultation published on boiler standards, hydrogen-ready boilers and hybrids
A government consultation on minimum boiler standards, a 2026 mandate for hydrogen-ready gas boilers and the role of boiler-heat pump hybrids has been published, with responses due by 21 March 2023.
- February 2023
Government announces online portal for Alternative Fuel Payment claims
Heating oil customers who missed the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment through their electricity account will be able to claim it through a government online portal running by 6 March 2023.
Study finds green hydrogen heating two to three times more expensive than heat pumps in Europe
An ETH Zürich study published in Energy Conversion and Management finds that heating homes with green hydrogen would cost roughly two to three times more than using electric heat pumps across the EU and UK.
NRLA backs Money Saving Boiler Challenge as 2.5m renters may be missing out on energy savings
The National Residential Landlords Association has partnered with Nesta's Money Saving Boiler Challenge, as research suggests more than 2.5 million private rented households may be missing out on savings of around £112 a year.
£200 Alternative Fuel Payments to off-gas-grid households begin
Households across Great Britain that do not use mains gas for heating began receiving £200 Alternative Fuel Payments automatically as credits on their electricity bills from 6 February 2023.
Cadent publishes cost comparison of heat pump and hydrogen heating
Cadent has published a cost comparison arguing that decarbonising home heating is not a straight choice between heat pumps and hydrogen, and that hydrogen could be cheaper for some homes.
New boiler efficiency standards took effect in Scotland
Boiler efficiency standards in Scotland rose from February 2023, requiring 92% efficiency for condensing standard or combination gas boilers and lower minimums for oil models.
Lords committee finds low grant funding holds back Boiler Upgrade Scheme uptake
A Lords committee inquiry into the Boiler Upgrade Scheme found low grant funding was one of the main factors holding back heat pump uptake and recommended raising the grant level.
Viessmann extends standard Vitodens boiler warranty to seven years
Viessmann UK has raised the standard warranty on its entire Vitodens residential boiler range to seven years, with longer cover of 10 or 12 years available to buy.
- January 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme open to England and Wales applicants
Householders in England and Wales can apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 towards an air source heat pump or £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump.
Government opens consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency
The government has opened a consultation on improving boiler standards and efficiency, covering minimum standards, a hydrogen-ready mandate for new gas boilers from 2026 and boiler-heat pump hybrids.
YouGov survey shows strong public support for renewables in new-build homes
A YouGov survey of 1,722 UK adults found 80% support for solar panels as standard on new-build homes, 66% for battery storage and 60% for heat pumps, ahead of a Government consultation on the Future Homes Standard.
Economy 7 electricity tariffs rise by an average of 7.6%
Electricity-only Economy 7 customers saw average annual bills rise by £116 from 1 January 2023, a 7.6% increase driven largely by EDF and Scottish Power raising Economy 7 rates.
Future Homes Standard draft publication expected in 2023
The government has accelerated work on the Future Homes Standard, with draft publication now expected in 2023 as part of a two-stage tightening of building rules.
Redrow announces all upcoming developments will feature air source heat pumps
Redrow announced in January 2023 that all its upcoming developments would feature air source heat pumps, two years ahead of the Future Homes Standard deadline.