What does Boiler Plus mean for you?

It may sound like an insurance package for your boiler, however, the introduction of Boiler Plus aims to raise the bar with energy efficiency.

The new legislation introduced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) comes into effect on April 6, 2018.

What does Boiler Plus aim to do?

The changes, which follow consultation with the industry, aim to:
• Reduce energy costs for consumers
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Raise standards for consumer homes
• Reduce the amount of fuel being used by boilers
• Maximise comfort

In order to do this, the new policy will require all gas boilers installed into existing systems in England (and Cornwall!) to have an ErP of at least 92%.

What is the reason for this?

This is part of the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, which aims to cut carbon emissions to combat climate change and drive economic growth.

Boiler Plus also aims to address some key issues affecting households.

At the moment heating a home takes up around 60% of household energy bills; a quarter of homes are without a room thermostat; and nearly a third of all homes in England are heated by older, inefficient boilers.

What will happen when it comes into effect?

If you want a new combination boiler installed then all replacements will have to include the provision of an additional energy measure to be installed at the same time.
These additional measures include:
• Flue gas heat recovery systems
• Weather compensation
• Load compensation
• Smart controls featuring automation and optimisation functions

These measures, when combined with your new combination boiler, will improve efficiency in your system, keep your home comfortable and help you save money.

What happens if you don’t comply?

Installers who fail to install boilers in line with the new regulations could be prosecuted by Building Control, while homeowners who knowingly allow non-compliant work to take place could face fines of up to £5,000.

What is the Government committing to do?

• Invest around £3.6 billion to upgrade around a million homes through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) including extended support for home energy efficiency improvements from 2022 to 2028
• Upgrade all fuel poor homes to Energy Performance Certificate Band C by 2030 with as many homes as possible to be Energy Performance Certificate Band C by 2035
• Improve the energy performance standards of privately rented homes to Energy Performance Band C by 2030.

What does the Government say about the new legislation?

Greg Clark, Business and Energy Secretary, said: “This Government has put clean growth at the heart of its Industrial Strategy to increase productivity, boost people’s earning power and ensure Britain continues to lead the world in efforts to tackle climate change.

“For the first time in a generation, the British government is leading the way on taking decisions on new nuclear, rolling out smart meters and investing in low carbon innovation. The world is moving from being powered by polluting fossil fuels to clean energy. It’s as big a change as the move from the age of steam to the age of oil and Britain is showing the way.”

Fun fact

The UK boiler market is the biggest most valuable in the world worth around £2.5 – £3bn per year.

This blog was provided by Blue Flame