News

Boiler Plus: Common sense in the quest for heating efficiency

Published: 03-04-2018

• Launch of Boiler Plus aims to boost heating efficiency across homes in England
• Boiler Plus praised for “common sense” approach
• Initiative requires every replacement gas combi boiler to be accompanied by time and temperature controls, plus at least one energy efficiency measure
• Installers advised to remind customers of quick payback periods offered by many energy efficiency enhancements

This week’s long-awaited launch of the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) Boiler Plus initiative has been praised for its pragmatism by a leading industry spokesperson.

Martyn Bridges, our Director of Technical Communication and Product Management, says that the government’s latest heating efficiency policy proves that lessons have been learned from previous failed initiatives.

Martyn comments: “Boiler Plus is the first major policy change in a long while that is as practical for the homeowner as it is for the government. Here we have an initiative that makes better use of what we already have as an industry, which is efficient heating technologies, a reliable gas network, and a committed network of heating engineers. In that respect, it’s a very welcome dose of common sense from BEIS and a far cry from some of the renewables-based incentives of the recent past.”

What is Boiler Plus?

Under new requirements, every replacement gas combi boiler installed in England will need to be accompanied by time and temperature controls, plus at least one of a list of four energy efficiency measures.

Martyn continues: “The important message for installers to relay to their customers is that the energy efficiency enhancements available to them will generally pay for themselves in a matter of months, thanks to the energy savings that they will deliver. Granted, many homeowners remain unfamiliar with concepts such as weather and load compensation, but Boiler Plus could be just what we need to encourage the use of more sophisticated heating controls.

“There is, of course, still plenty of work to be done to ensure carbon emissions are curbed but, as far as stepping stones towards that go, Boiler Plus is a solid, short-to medium-term option.”

For help understanding how to make sure your installations are fully compliant with Boiler Plus, take a look at our Boiler Plus made easy guide.