Industry news September 2023

UK Domestic Heating Industry News: September 2023

Heat pumps take center stage as UK decarbonizes heating

Heat pumps are taking center stage in the UK's efforts to decarbonize heating. The government has set a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028, and is offering a range of incentives to encourage homeowners to switch.

In September 2023, the government launched a new £1 billion domestic energy efficiency scheme, which includes grants for heat pump installations. The scheme is expected to help hundreds of thousands of homes switch to heat pumps, which are far more energy-efficient than traditional gas boilers.

Another positive development for the heat pump industry was the publication of a new report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). The CCC's report found that heat pumps are the most cost-effective way to decarbonize heating in the UK, and that they can help to reduce household energy bills.

Gas boiler lobby tries to delay UK's heat pump plans

However, the gas boiler industry is not giving up without a fight. In July 2023, leaked documents revealed that the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), an industry association that represents boiler manufacturers and other gas companies, had called for the introduction of new measures to speed up the take-up of heat pumps to be delayed to 2026.

The EUA argued that the government's current plans are too ambitious and will lead to job losses in the gas boiler industry. However, environmental groups and heat pump manufacturers have accused the EUA of trying to protect its own interests at the expense of the UK's climate goals.

Shuttered schools must be safe and net zero compliant - MPs argue

The Commons environment committee has called for sustainability improvements to be considered alongside urgent building repairs to shuttered schools. The committee's report found that many shuttered schools are in a poor state of repair and are not energy-efficient.

The committee has urged the government to provide funding for energy efficiency upgrades to shuttered schools, as part of its plans to improve the quality of school buildings. The committee has also called for the government to set targets for reducing the carbon emissions of schools.

Heat network joint venture aims to regenerate former coal mining area

A new joint venture has been launched to build a heat network to serve thousands of properties in a former coal mining area of the UK. The joint venture, which is between the local authority and a private company, will invest £200 million to build the heat network.

The heat network will use waste heat from a local power station to provide heating and hot water to homes and businesses in the area. The heat network is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 20,000 tonnes per year and create around 200 jobs.

BESA to sponsor upcoming WHO indoor air quality conference

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is to sponsor the upcoming WHO indoor air quality conference. The conference, which will be held in London in October 2023, will bring together experts from around the world to discuss the latest research and best practices on indoor air quality.

BESA's support for the conference is part of its ongoing commitment to improving indoor air quality in the UK. BESA has published a number of guides on indoor air quality, and has worked with the government to develop new standards for indoor air quality in schools and other public buildings.

Conclusion

The domestic heating industry in the UK is undergoing a period of significant change, as the country transitions to a low carbon economy. Heat pumps are playing an increasingly important role in this transition, and the government is offering a range of incentives to encourage homeowners to switch.

The gas boiler industry is trying to delay the introduction of new measures to speed up the take-up of heat pumps, but it is unlikely to be successful in the long term. Heat pumps are the most cost-effective way to decarbonize heating in the UK, and they can help to reduce household energy bills.

Other important developments in the domestic heating industry include the need to improve the energy efficiency of schools and other public buildings, and the growing interest in heat networks