PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 DomesticBoilers 29


Why the CHMM is not the answer


The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) may have resulted in an increase in the cost of gas boilers, but it is ultimately unlikely to help with the government’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions – so says Simon Parkinson from ATAG Heating Technology UK.


T


he introduction of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) has shone a very bright light


on the UK’s failure to quickly implement measures to reduce our domestic carbon emissions. By passing on the potential


cost of future fi nes - in advance - to the installer and ultimately to the consumer, most of the major boiler manufacturers have de-risked their fi nancial exposure completely while painting it as a government ‘tax’ to absolve themselves of any liability in the eyes of the public. From the government’s


perspective, the boiler manufacturers have simply sidestepped the intended purpose of the act - rendering it pointless. Manufacturers simply don’t


believe the market is there presently to grow renewable sales to the levels the government would like. So how do we eff ectively fuel


the renewables market and what if anything can we do to minimise our carbon footprint in the meantime?


Low numbers There are currently 200,000 or so certifi ed heat pump installations in the UK with around 30,000 installed in 2023 (alongside 190,000 solar installations) – or around 0.2% of the number of gas boilers installed in the same period. The government has a target of 600,000 a year by 2028 – quite a jump! However, the public tend to


be resistant to change. In the 14 years since the Nissan Leaf launched in the UK as the fi rst mainstream electric vehicle, sales of electric vehicles have only grown to 20% of the market. Clearly to hit those sorts of


numbers, the government is going to have to do something radical to overcome the public’s reluctance to switch.


This action would have to


include making them aff ordable and overcoming public fears about their eff ectiveness in cold weather – especially with the UK’s aging and poorly insulated housing infrastructure. Don’t expect anything


radical from the current government or even from a new government – radical change would cost billions and where would the money come from?


Simon Parkinson ATAG marketing director


BY NUMBERS


0.2% 10% 8% 4 m


30%


A hybrid system can reduce a property’s carbon emissions by more than 30%


What’s to be done? So, what can the heating industry do now to reduce our domestic heating carbon emissions in the short term? The ‘here and now’? Well, actually quite a lot. 1. Educate installers and


The percent of heat pumps installed last year compared to the size of the gas boiler market


the public to ensure they are getting maximum effi ciency from their existing heating system. Simple things like reducing the fl ow temperature to maximise condensing can reduce fuel consumption (and homeowner bills) by as much as 10% 2. Fitting intelligent controls


Reducing fl ow temperature can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10%


– there is evidence to suggest that smart thermostats when using weather compensation can save around 8% per annum. 3. Fitting a Priority Domestic


The use of smart thermostats with weather compensation can save around 8% on fuel bills


The HHIC has estimated that there are over 4m boilers operating in the UK which are over 20 years old


Hot Water (PDHW) kit to every system and regular boiler – this allows separate fl ow temperatures for the heating and hot water – which will increase condensing and reduce fuel use by around 5%. This system also allows a lower rated boiler, and a smaller cylinder – all while giving the homeowner plentiful hot water with quick reheat times and lower fuel bills. A true ‘win-win’ situation. 4. Replacing an old ineffi cient


(so-called zombie) boilers with modern energy effi cient ones could reduce emissions by as much as 35%. The HHIC estimated there were still 4 million boilers over 20 years old in 2018. Hopefully there are fewer now, but the number could still run into millions.


5. Last but not least – hybrid systems. Much like the switch to electric cars, there is signifi cant concern for consumers. Typical concerns are that an air source heat pump won’t keep them warm and cosy in the winter and may land them with even bigger bills. So instead of car owners’ ‘range anxiety’ and battery replacement cost concerns, homeowners have ‘too cold anxiety’ and ‘big winter bill anxiety’. Hybrid systems have been on


the market for a few years and provide a great stepping stone towards full decarbonisation. Key to their ability to reduce carbon emissions by 30% plus is the clever technology that controls the dual operation of the systems. These ensure that the system performance is optimised for the homeowner while minimising costs. Another benefi t is that


the heat pump and control unit can be retrofi tted to an existing boiler installation, including retaining the existing distribution system The downsides? Currently


the systems are much more expensive than simply replacing a boiler. What’s more, not everyone has the space for a heat pump. A compact highly effi cient hybrid unit that attracts government grants and can be fi tted out of sight is the holy grail. With over 55 million tonnes


of CO2 equivalent produced from our homes, implementing these measures could make a


signifi cant diff erence to our current carbon output. It is not unrealistic to think we could deliver a 15% plus reduction in the next two years using the methods described above. That’s 8.25 million tonnes of CO2 and 25% in 5 years – 13.75 million tonnes!


Carbon reduction So, what’s more likely to bring change and a reduction in our home heating carbon footprint in the short term? The CHMM? I don’t think so. A new and bold government initiative – perhaps not. So that just leaves us in the heating industry to get our act together and make the changes we can do now. Here at ATAG Heating


Technology UK, we are taking a pragmatic approach to carbon reduction. All our boilers are highly effi cient and built to maintain their effi ciency throughout their lifetime and we encourage best practice for optimising system effi ciency, including the fi tting of smart controls, PDHW kits (where appropriate), fi lters and water treatment. We are also working on creating novel renewable led solutions that will be aff ordable and meet the needs of UK homeowners. With a lack of true leadership


from the government, we in the heating industry must take the lead and educate ourselves, the general public and government on what can be done now to help stop global warming. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/47


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44