A ‘Retro Boiler’ lablel has been launched by The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) which will enable registered gas engineers to issue an energy efficiency label when visiting homes to undertake servicing or maintenance work on a non-condensing boiler with a permanent pilot light. The aim is to increase consumer awareness of boiler efficiency and encourage the replacement of inefficient and costly boilers with more efficient models.
Stewart Clements, Director, HHIC explains: “We estimate that there are approximately 9 million inefficient boilers in the UK. A large proportion of these are over 20 years old and would be classed as ‘zombie boilers’- boilers with old technology that never seem to die, yet remain highly inefficient- costing homeowners in terms of higher bills, the planet in terms of higher carbon dioxide emissions and a contributor to poor air quality- compared to a modern condensing boiler.
“A growing number of consumer electrical products such as washing machines, fridges and vacuum cleaners feature an energy label, which helps consumers to quickly assess how energy efficient their appliances are, and therefore how much it will cost to operate. The heating industry recognised this and under this ‘Retro Boiler’ label scheme will be providing a similar label for older inefficient models.
“A boiler label scheme has been operated very successfully in Germany and we believe that it could have a similar impact in the UK. Replacing a Band E or below boiler with an A rated boiler could see gas bills reduced by approximately £150 per year and a saving of 0.7 tonnes of CO2 each year for the typical UK household.”
The retrospective labelling scheme has received the support of most major boiler manufacturers. Jeff House, Regulatory Marketing Manager at Baxi, comments: “We are committed to bringing it to fruition. It represents an easy, straightforward way to highlight boiler inefficiencies to consumers, who in turn can take action to reduce their fuel bills and help the environment. It should also increase demand for new boilers, resulting in business growth for heating engineers.”
Baxi will work with heating engineers to help them adopt the labelling scheme, so that it becomes a standard part of their service and repair work. The company will provide HHIC retrospective labels to installers who are members of its Baxi Works loyalty scheme free of charge.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Government Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BIES), has also endorsed the initiative. Speaking at the official launch of the scheme at the PHEX exhibition in Chelsea, she said: “This is a fine example of the collaboration and initiative that makes the UK gas boiler market one of the largest and most valuable in the world. Helping consumers to optimise their household heating fits perfectly our vision of ensuring that the UK has a reliable, low cost and clean energy system.”
