Neil Mattock, Marketing Director, Vokèra looks at what the next Government’s energy policies should be based on.

By the end of this week a newly elected Government should be in power. What that Government will look like no one knows but for the heating industry the most important issue centres around the future of energy policy. So, what do we want the next Government to consider when formulating its energy policy and what lessons can they learn from the previous Government?

Since the coalition was formed in 2010, we’ve seen a number of initiatives designed to encourage growth in more efficient, low carbon heating solutions. Chief among these have been the much vaunted Green Deal and the re-modelled Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). For a variety of reasons, neither scheme has delivered quite the impact promised by Government and anticipated by the industry. In our view, what we really need is clear, robust legislation that will drive real change and bring substantial benefits for installers and consumers.

Over the last 10 years, the boiler sector has changed dramatically. This transformation can be pin-pointed to one piece of legislation – the updated Building Regulations. In 2005, the Government raised the energy performance standard for new and replacement gas-fired hot-water central heating boilers. Regulations for the first time required that, save for special exemptions, condensing boilers must be installed, as well as being condensing details of all boilers installations had to be supplied to the local authority building control.

When the new Government comes into power we want them look at how technology can make boilers even more efficient, especially controls technology. Intuitive controls, such as OpenTherm and Weather Compensation, will not simply turn a boiler on and off but will interact with the latest modulating boilers to maximise energy efficient operation. The difference between a simple on/off room thermostat and an integral modulating control device is that the latter will control the boiler flow temperature much more accurately to match the variable heating load of the system, using less fuel in the process.

As the average lifespan of a boiler is 10-15 years, choosing the right heating system with a high efficiency condensing boiler and correct heating controls can make a significant difference to fuel efficiency and create opportunities for installers to add value in the vast and potentially lucrative retrofit market.

Whatever the composition of the next Government, we urge them to take controls seriously and recognise the impact that they can make alongside efficient modulating boiler technology in cutting energy consumption. The past should also inform the future and the next Government needs to put in place robust, straightforward legislation to ensure it works.

For news and updates, visit Vokèra at www.vokera.co.uk or follow Vokèra on:

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