Boilers and Heating news from 2024
49 stories, newest first
- December 2024
Consultation on raising product standards for space heating opens
DESNZ opened a consultation on 17 December 2024 on updating ecodesign and energy labelling rules for space and combination heaters, including higher minimum standards for heat pumps.
Dimplex launches EDL200 and EDL270 hot water heat pumps
Dimplex has launched the EDL200 and EDL270 hot water heat pumps, aimed at smaller electrically heated homes and offered as a lower carbon alternative to electric immersion heaters.
Mean modelled annual running costs fall to £2,640 in 2024
Mean modelled annual running costs for Scottish households fell to £2,640 in 2024, down around 16.3% from £3,150 in 2023, as domestic fuel prices declined.
Weighted fuel price index for Scotland falls 23.3% in 2024
The weighted average index price of heating fuels in Scotland fell by about 23.3% in 2024 against 2023, with gas down 25.0% and electricity down 15.2%, as fuel poverty fell to 28.7% of households.
- November 2024
Clean Heat Market Mechanism implementation confirmed from 1 April 2025
The Government has confirmed the Clean Heat Market Mechanism will be implemented from 1 April 2025, alongside Warm Homes Plan funding of about £1bn for retrofit in 2025/26.
Which? reports heat pumps can be cheapest way to heat a home with grants and specialist tariffs
Which? has reported that combining the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with specialist heat pump tariffs can make heat pumps the cheapest way to heat a home, with savings of up to £560 a year.
NGN launches free CO alarm giveaway for CO Awareness Week
Northern Gas Networks is giving away up to 2,000 free carbon monoxide alarms from 18 November 2024 until 28 February 2025, after its research found only 37 per cent of people in its regions have a working alarm.
EDF and Ideal Heating launch £1,000 heat pump discount offer
EDF and Ideal Heating are offering £1,000 off Ideal air source heat pump systems to the first 100 eligible customers who sign up before 24 November 2024, with installed systems from £3,500 after the Boiler Upgrade Grant.
Addendum to BRIA for amended New Build Heat Standard published
The Scottish Government has published an addendum to its impact assessment for an amended New Build Heat Standard, permitting bioenergy and peat heating systems in new buildings from 1 January 2025.
Clean Heat Market Mechanism introduced
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism, which obliges heating appliance manufacturers to sell a rising proportion of heat pumps, was introduced by the Government in November 2024 in a form much weakened since 2022.
HHIC releases updated condensate pipe guidance ahead of winter
The Heating and Hot Water Industry Council has issued updated guidance on condensate pipes, advising engineers and homeowners to insulate and correctly install them before winter.
- October 2024
Electric Heating Company partners with Mixergy to offer Mixergy X smart hot water cylinder
The Electric Heating Company will sell the Mixergy X smart hot water cylinder through its own website under a partnership announced by cylinder maker Mixergy on 30 October 2024.
Consultation on Support for Low Carbon Heating in Residential Buildings published
Northern Ireland's Economy Minister has published the response to a consultation on support for low carbon heating in homes, setting out findings that will shape a future support scheme.
Grant Mag One DUO magnetic filter launched
Grant UK has launched the Mag One DUO magnetic filter for central heating systems, superseding the Vortex Mag One and compatible with both oil-fired boilers and air source heat pumps.
Welsh Ministers approve amendments to Approved Document J on carbon monoxide alarms
The Welsh Ministers have approved amendments to Approved Document J, extending carbon monoxide alarm guidance to new or replacement fixed flued combustion appliances of any fuel type in Welsh dwellings from 6 January 2025.
Secretary of State authorises Ofgem to over-allocate Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant vouchers
The Energy Secretary has authorised Ofgem to over-allocate Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers by up to £50 million, lifting the scheme's available total to £200 million for the financial year.
UK Government launches heat pump campaign for England and Wales
The UK Government has launched a heat pump campaign for England and Wales, encouraging households to adopt the technology and apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
- September 2024
Dimplex launches Alta Wi-Fi panel heater range
Dimplex has launched the Alta Wi-Fi panel heater, a slimline wall mounted electric heater that replaces its Monterey, Girona and Saletto ranges, with app control and two height options.
First intake of Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship students expected
MCS has said it expects to enrol the first intake of students onto the UK's first Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship in September 2024, a dedicated training route for heat pump engineers.
- August 2024
CMA secures commitments from Worcester Bosch over boiler claims
Worcester Bosch is changing the marketing around its products after the competition regulator secured commitments from the firm following an investigation into possible greenwashing.
- July 2024
Nesta publishes Delivering clean heat: a policy plan
Nesta has published a policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, alongside analysis that more than three million homes must install heat pumps or other low-carbon heating this Parliament.
Baxi heat pumps and services support 16 Passivhaus social homes in Dalbeattie
Baxi supplied air source heat pumps, cylinders, controls, training and site support for 16 Passivhaus social homes built for Loreburn Housing Association in Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway.
Home Energy Model set to replace SAP under Future Homes Standard consultation
The Future Homes Standard consultation proposes replacing the Standard Assessment Procedure with the Home Energy Model, a more detailed calculation method for new homes in the UK.
- June 2024
Nesta publishes policy blueprint for coordinated street-by-street low-carbon heat switching
Nesta has published a policy blueprint proposing a voluntary, coordinated street-by-street approach to switching homes to low-carbon heating, alongside the existing individual-led model.
Nesta publishes analysis of factors affecting heat pump cost parity with gas boilers
Nesta analysis published on 13 June 2024 quantifies how subsidies, levy rebalancing, wholesale prices, interest rates and efficiency each affect heat pump against gas boiler annual costs for a 2030 installation.
Ed Miliband promises not to press ahead with 2035 boiler ban
Ed Miliband promised before taking office not to press ahead with a 2035 ban on gas boiler sales, leaving the phase out date for existing homes uncertain.
Freedom Heat Pumps and Baxi announce strategic partnership
Freedom Heat Pumps has chosen Baxi as a strategic distribution partner for its heat pump range, bringing together two businesses based less than two miles apart in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire.
- May 2024
Grant categories and grant levels list added for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has added a list of approved grant categories and grant levels to its published Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations page, setting out what the Secretary of State has approved under the scheme rules.
Government states Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025
The government confirmed in a written statement on 15 May 2024 that the Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025, with rooftop solar to be encouraged in new homes.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended to April 2028 with additional £1.5 billion
The government has extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to April 2028 and added £1.5 billion of funding over three years, according to Ofgem's annual report on the scheme it replaced.
First phase of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures begins
National Energy Action has begun the first phase of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a multi-year fuel poverty and health programme across England, Wales and Scotland, backed by the four gas distribution networks.
Survey finds UK public favours gas over heat pumps
A YouGov survey for the Energy and Utilities Alliance has found that only 10% of people would consider a heat pump as a replacement for a gas boiler, while about half would prefer hydrogen added to the existing gas supply.
- April 2024
E.ON pay-monthly subscription pilot to launch in April
E.ON will open a pay-monthly subscription pilot in April giving 350 North West households a heat pump, solar panels and a battery from £150 a month over 20 years.
- March 2024
Consultation on the Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard Assessment closed
The National Insulation Association has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, which closed on 27 March 2024 and will set the assessment method for the Future Homes Standard.
Consultation launched on postponing Clean Heat Market Mechanism to 1 April 2025
The Government has opened a consultation on postponing the Clean Heat Market Mechanism to 1 April 2025, while confirming changes to Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility rules.
DESNZ announces delay of Clean Heat Market Mechanism and changes to Boiler Upgrade Scheme
DESNZ announced on 14 March 2024 that the Clean Heat Market Mechanism would be delayed to 1 April 2025 and that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme would drop its insulation requirement and accept biomass boilers with integrated cooking functions.
Secretary of State correspondence published on consultation responses
Correspondence dated 14 March 2024 from the Secretary of State covers the Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation response, an addendum to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism response, and the Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency response.
Installer update published for safety notice
Ideal Heating has published an installer update to its February safety notice, confirming a safety upgrade for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme allowance increased to £7,500 per heat pump installation
MCS has said the Boiler Upgrade Scheme allowance has recently been increased to £7,500 per air source and ground or water source heat pump installation in England and Wales.
Government delays Clean Heat Market Mechanism to April 2025
The government has delayed the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, the scheme that would have fined boiler makers for missing heat pump sales targets, to a proposed April 2025 start.
- February 2024
Kensa launches Shoebox NX Ground Source Heat Pump
Kensa has launched the Shoebox NX ground source heat pump, a British-made unit it says can decarbonise heating for 60 per cent of UK homes when used in shared ground loop networks.
Ideal Heating confirms safety upgrade rollout from end of February
Ideal Heating has confirmed it will begin rolling out a safety upgrade to boilers built between August 2022 and 7 January 2024 from the end of February 2024, and advises owners to repressurise to 1.5 bar.
Ideal Heating issues customer safety notice on boiler fault
Ideal Heating has issued a safety notice covering boilers built between August 2022 and 7 January 2024, with an engineer-installed safety device for affected models.
- January 2024
Keston Boilers issues safety notice for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024
Keston Boilers has issued a safety notice for ten boiler ranges made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024, with a free engineer-fitted safety upgrade for affected homes.
Grant UK launches EvoLink Hybrid System Hub
Grant UK has made the EvoLink Hybrid System Hub available, a wall-mounted unit that combines an Aerona³ heat pump with an existing fossil fuel boiler in one heating system.
£16m fund opens for West Midlands homeowners to pay for energy efficiency improvements
The West Midlands Combined Authority has opened a £16 million Home Upgrade Grant fund giving eligible off-gas-grid homeowners in four council areas grants of up to £18,000 for insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.
Rinnai announced a new product launch programme
Rinnai has set out a launch programme running through the first quarter of 2024, covering low-GWP heat pumps, electric water heaters, hot water cylinders and plate heat exchangers.
Boiler manufacturers raise wholesale prices ahead of Clean Heat Market Mechanism
Five boiler manufacturers raised wholesale prices by £95 to £120 in January 2024 in response to the proposed Clean Heat Market Mechanism, then returned the money after the scheme was delayed.
Recall issued for Komodo Heat Mats due to electric shock risk
Electrical Safety First has recalled five models of Komodo Heat Mats, citing a risk of electric shock from overheating when the products are not used in accordance with the instructions.