INDUSTRY NEWS Inbrief
The Government has published its Healthy Homes Standard, a set of design requirements and good- practice guidance for building homes that is designed to support the delivery of healthier living environments.
www.gov.uk/government/ publications/healthy-homes
OFTEC and UKIFDA have welcomed the publication of a new consultation which recognises the potential role of alternative heating solutions, including renewable liquid fuels, for decarbonising heating in off -gas grid homes and non-domestic buildings.
www.oftec.org https://ukifda.org
Daikin has offi cially opened its new European Research and Development Centre (EDC) in Ghent, Belgium, a £123 million investment that marks a major step forward in sustainable heating and refrigeration.
www.daikin.co.uk
Mitsubishi Electric and PACAIR have agreed a new contract which extends the relationship between the two to over 20 years.
les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk
REHAU hosted a free in-person workshop centred around the future of district heating at The Building Centre in London. The Next Level Heat Networks workshop off ered a free opportunity to gain insight into low-carbon heat networks, panel discussions and a chance to network with industry experts.
www.rehau.com
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) and Heat Pump Association (HPA) have published updated guidance – ‘Maintaining a Healthy & Effi cient Domestic Heating & Hot Water System’ – to help heating and plumbing professionals maintain safe, effi cient and long-lasting heating and hot water systems.
hhic.org.uk
heatpumps.org.uk
A new trial has found hybrid heat systems can eff ectively heat UK homes while still working towards the country’s Net Zero goals. The joint research project between Worcester Bosch and University of Salford took place at the university’s Energy House Lab.
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN HEAT PUMP TRANSITION HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW REPORT
W
olseley Group, the specialist merchant and parent company of Plumb
Centre and Renewables Centre, has published a new report highlighting both the scale of the UK’s transition to heat pumps and the real opportunity this presents for the installer community. Shared at a Westminster reception hosted by Matt
Western MP, the report shows that heat pump installations must increase 15-fold to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets. Hitting this target means rapidly expanding the trained installer base and removing barriers that currently make the switch harder than it needs to be. Key fi ndings include:
¡ The UK will need seven times more trained installers by 2035, with some areas, like Lancashire requiring an eight- fold increase ¡ Installers moving into heat pumps could earn £9,145 more per year than those focusing solely on boilers ¡ Consumer interest is growing: 26% of homeowners are now likely to install a heat pump, up from 19% in 2021 Wolseley has already begun scaling up to meet demand. The business has invested in a 100,000 sq ft fulfi lment centre, opened Renewables Centre locations across the UK, and trained more than 250 installers since June
2025. Its Nesta-backed Start at Home scheme gives installers access to free training, up to £7,500 worth of materials, and full MCS support, giving them confi dence and practical experience by fi tting a heat pump in their own home. John Hancock, chief operating offi cer at Wolseley Group, said:
“Installers are at the heart of the UK’s low-carbon future and they can’t be expected to make the transition alone. Our report highlights not just the scale of the challenge, but the practical support needed to get there: training, investment in supply chains, and clear long-term policy signals. We’ve seen this kind of transformation before, when Wolseley helped drive the rollout of gas heating in the 70s and 80s. Now we have an opportunity to do it again, supporting the trade to grow their businesses and lead the shift to low-carbon heating.” Wolseley’s policy recommendations include:
¡ Extending the Heat Training Grant to March 2029 and rolling it out across Scotland and Wales ¡ Publishing clear timelines for the Future Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Effi ciency Standards ¡ Strengthening consumer protection and supporting a fl exible approach – so installers can choose the right solution for each home.
M
MPS TOLD HOW MODERN WOOD BURNING STOVES CAN SUPPORT LOW-CARBON, RESILIENT HOME HEATING The event attracted cross-party
Ps from across the UK attended a parliamentary drop-in event hosted by
the Stove Industry Association (SIA) on 4th November in Portcullis House to learn about the role modern, Ecodesign-compliant wood burning stoves can play in supporting the UK’s future low-carbon, resilient heating landscape. The event was sponsored by Steve Race, MP for Exeter, who welcomed colleagues and highlighted the importance of policy clarity around modern stoves — particularly as government shapes future heat and energy pathways. The session showcased the stove industry’s diverse UK supply chain, which encompasses manufacturers, installers, chimney sweeps, distributors, retail showrooms, test laboratories, training centres, fuel suppliers and local forestry businesses. MPs also heard how modern stoves can provide aff ordable, low-carbon, grid-resilient secondary heat, supporting households during peak electricity demand, power cuts, and in off -gas or rural areas.
interest with 11 MPs attending, along with representatives from Defra’s Air Quality and Domestic Emissions Team, to engage directly with the sector. Mr Race MP said: “It is vital that policy decisions around home heating
are grounded in clear evidence and distinguish between modern stove technology and those older appliances or open fi res. This sector supports skilled jobs in communities across the country and contributes to energy aff ordability and resilience. I was pleased to host this event and to bring colleagues together to better understand the role these appliances can play in our future energy mix.” Erica Malkin, executive director of the Stove Industry Association, added: “As the UK transitions to low-carbon homes, it is crucial that policy recognises the clear distinction between today’s Ecodesign stove technologies and older appliances. We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with government as it develops future heating and air quality frameworks.”
6 December 2025
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