Don’t say it too loudly but things seem to be on the up in the heating industry. After months of doom and gloom, there are some positive messages coming from all areas – from manufacturers right through to installers.

Having spoken to several boiler manufacturers in recent weeks, it seems that there has been a significant improvement in that market – as many as 160,000 extra boilers sold in the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. There may be several valid reasons for this surge in sales, but the important point is that there has been a surge. And that’s before winter has really kicked in to offer its usual boost to the heating sector.

Green Deal may have been one of the most-maligned initiatives in recent years – with the mainstream press seeming to almost be praying for it to fail – but the last few months have showed positive signs. At Installer, we are fully aware that it is a risky strategy to put too much faith in statistics, but more assessments are being carried out and more measures are being installed – this surely suggests an increase in interest by homeowners? According to DECC, there are plans to make the scheme more accessible to more installers, which should add further business opportunities in 2014 for those who get involved.

Finally – to the domestic RHI. The use of the term ‘Spring’ to denote its launch date has caused the sceptics to doubt its arrival and has made life difficult for those who have been waiting for it for some time. Unfortunately, the reality is that there would be little benefit in DECC announcing a definitive date – if it were missed, it would simply create greater problems. Whenever it comes, it will increase the microgeneration market – and that’s another reason to be positive for 2014.