Confusion abounds

The latest report on the performance of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has highlighted a number of issues which need to be addressed if the industry is to get close to realising the government’s stated sales targets (some 600,000 installations a year by 2028). A lack of awareness and general consumer confusion are two of the major obstacles which the release of some extra funds could go someway to rectifying. It’s now a little too late to put things right, but perhaps a more appropriate name for the scheme might also have helped when it comes to clarity.

Who decided to call it a Boiler Upgrade Scheme when the core objective is to encourage consumers to invest in air source or ground source heat pumps? If there was some concern that heat pump unfamiliarity might not do much to encourage initial interest, then what was wrong with ‘Heating Upgrade Scheme’?

Not surprisingly, Ofgem has confirmed that it has received a number of inquiries from disappointed householders who thought that the scheme would provide them with money to purchase a new, more efficient gas boiler.

Rather than being rolled over to the second year, or being used to support a promotional campaign, it seems that the unused funds from the first year are to be clawed back by the Treasury. As it stands, it is reported that only £300,000 has been allocated for a targeted campaign in the early part of this year, which probably rules out any radio and television activity and will rely heavily on social media. It seems that the government is hoping manufacturers, energy suppliers and installers will take up the slack. Much is already being done on that score by some of the bigger players, but without more certainty about how quickly the market will evolve, then you can understand why some companies might be reluctant to invest in an uncertain future.

Ventilation and Heat Recovery