Boilers and Heating news, page 7
- June 2023
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.