No publicity for upgrade scheme

New data discovered by renewable energy specialists The Eco Experts reveals that a lack of publicity has contributed to the disappointing performance of the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Google Trends search data highlights a clear consumer interest in ‘air source heat pumps’ over the last 12 months, but minimal searches for the ‘boiler upgrade scheme’ or ‘heat pump grant’.

According to the data, there was keen public interest around ‘air source heat pumps’ in 2022, with UK searches for the term hitting peak popularity of 100 from 11th-17th December 2022. Yet interest around the ‘boiler upgrade scheme’ during the same year was significantly low, with searches for the scheme world a better place then let us know – a £1000 cash prize could be the perfect way to thank them for their generosity!”

Nominations will remain open until 11th April. The experts at SGS will be reviewing every single entrant, then working up a shortlist of finalists, who will be contacted and then revealed publicly on 13th April.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/423/06 peaking at a mere 15 from the 3rd-9th April 2022. The term ‘heat pump grant’ also experienced a low search volume in 2022. Its highest search score reached just 28 from the 27th March-2nd April.

The Eco Experts writer and researcher Josh Jackman comments: “The government has failed the public and the planet by refusing to publicise its own Boiler Upgrade Scheme in a year when consumer interest around air source heat pumps has reached peak popularity. This new data highlights the government’s two-faced approach to its climate targets: introduce a grant to tick a box, then neglect it completely.

“After ending the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in 2022, this deliberate abandonment of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme takes the government’s record on providing UK households with energysaving and affordable technology to a new low.”

Warning about fake pump threat

As part of a commitment to ‘Keeping Britain Glowing’, Glow-worm has unveiled its new logo, already visible across its social media channels, as well as on its website, marketing materials, and merchandise.

The new logo features a Union Jack emblem and will replace Glow -worm’s existing logo, which has been in place for more than 10 years. The new logo will become a familiar sight on the manufacturer’s boilers, heating controls and accessories from 2024.

With a manufacturing base in Derbyshire, Glow-worm recently earned the ‘Made in Britain’ accreditation across its Energy, Ultimate and Easicom boiler ranges. An official license mark, ‘Made in Britain’ helps to identify and certify British-made products.

Pump experts are urging the UK government to take action against the influx of non-compliant central heating pumps being imported into the country. More than 100,000 such pumps are believed to be sold in the UK every year, with many coming from Far East exporters that have exploited supply chain issues to gain a foothold in the market.

Steve Schofield, chief executive of the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), says: “We estimate that circa 10% of the one million central heating pumps (circulators) being brought into the UK are non-compliant. It is a swarm –it is blatant and it is now over-the-counter. Once fitted, they are costing consumers hundreds of pounds every year on their heating bills, and it is seriously impacting the UK’s ability to meet its net zero obligations.”

The government estimates that, based on 2021 energy prices, minimum energy performance standards from compliant pumps provide an annual savings of £75 and 8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.