PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2026 4 News Review


Persuading boiler customers to plan for replacements


Stolen tools recovered by the Met


The Met has recovered what is believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever discovered in the UK, after offi cers uncovered a £2m haul in east London. A construction fi rm reported that


Homeowners are more likely to plan ahead for replacing older boilers when messaging focuses on fi nancial support and avoiding last- minute disruption, according to new research from consumer group Which?. The study surveyed 1,190 UK homeowners in October of last year who had responsibility for their heating systems. Data showed that three in four


homeowners with older boilers (over eight years old) had no plans for replacing their boiler. Six in 10 (60%) said they service their older system annually, which may reassure them that any issues will be addressed. However, even amongst those homeowners whose boilers were showing signs of wear and tear, more than half (53%) had not made any plans for its replacement. A quarter (27%) say they will just ‘wait and see’. To better understand what might


encourage homeowners to act sooner, Which? looked at the types of messaging most effective in prompting advance planning. The three themes that were most eff ective in engaging homeowners were:


•Messages that reduced


immediate barriers such as cost, pointing to the availability of government grants and loans


...continued from front cover hybrid systems, Worcester Bosch has also issued a positive response to the Plan. Martyn Bridges, director of external aff airs, says: “Any type of initiative that intends to reduce the heating and hot water bills of properties, as well as improve the comfort for many, is something we’ll always support... and we will still be doing our bit in helping achieve some of the ambitions and targets set out in the Warm Homes Plan.” While


also welcoming the


injection of further funds into the market, Jeff House, director of external aff airs & policy at Baxi, shares Worcester’s concerns about the


lack of support for hybrid


systems, saying that: “There is an ever-growing body of evidence to support the roll-out of this technology in the UK, and eff ective


• Messages that highlighted tangible risks of delay, like losing


heating or hot water • Messages that framed planning


as a practical, manageable step The research found that


combining the fi rst two messages above – information about fi nancial support and avoiding the disruption of a last-minute replacement – was the best way to engage with most homeowners. Families were particularly motivated by messages stressing costs and limited options in emergency situations. Emphasising the practical


benefits of planning, such as scheduling replacements at convenient times, further encouraged proactive behaviour. Jenny King, head of home energy


at Which?, says: “Last-minute boiler breakdowns and emergency call-outs create unnecessary stress for homeowners and put extra pressure on installers, particularly during the busiest times of year. “Installers are often the only


professionals homeowners discuss their heating plans with, which makes it especially important that the right messages reach homeowners at the right moment, whether through installers or other trusted information sources.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/226/01


high-value equipment had been stolen from a site in Tilbury, Essex. Using a tracking device fi tted to the equipment, Met offi cers were able to trace the stolen goods to a property in Ilford. Local officers gained entry and discovered the equipment, as well as a vast quantity of stolen tools and machinery. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, with a third suspect identifi ed and arrested at another address, where more stolen tools and equipment were discovered. The suspects are thought to be part of an organised criminal group


involved in reselling stolen items online and shipping them across the UK and Europe. Inspector Mark Connolly, from


the Met’s local policing team in east London, comments: “Too many tradespeople are being put out of work and out of pocket by organised tool thieves. Operations like this show that the Met is taking action to protect tradespeople and their livelihoods. “This is one of the largest


recoveries of stolen tools we’ve ever made, and it sends a clear message that we will identify off enders and


bring them to justice. Our teams are working with partners across construction, retail and logistics to disrupt the organised networks that profi t from these off ences, and to return stolen tools to their rightful owners.” The recovered tools – amounting


to 10 lorry loads – have now been transferred to a secure police premises, where officers are working to identify the items and trace their rightful owners. Some of the equipment is believed to be linked to thefts dating back as far as 2019.


Sentenced for illegal gas installation


Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) an installer has been sentenced after his illegal gas work was discovered to have put the lives of an Ulverston family at risk. Lee Lancaster, 38, installed a gas combi boiler and gas pipework at a family home in February 2024. After completing the work, one of the occupiers smelled gas near their meter box. They contacted Cadent, who identifi ed three diff erent gas leaks. As a result, the gas supply to the house was shut off for six weeks, leaving the family of four without heating or hot water. The HSE was alerted to the


incident by Gas Safe following their inspection, which classifi ed the work carried out as Immediately Dangerous. The subsequent investigation by HSE discovered


Street, Ulverston, pleaded guilty


to breaching Regulations 3(1) and 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order where he must undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £2,000 in costs at a hearing at Barrow-in-Furness Magistrates’ Court on 23 January. After the hearing, HSE inspector


that Mr Lancaster did not hold any qualifi cations in relation to gas work and was not competent to undertake such work safely. The investigation also found that he was not on the Gas Safe Register. Lancaster, of New Market


versus the volatility of gas and oil prices will be key to bringing down electricity prices and making heat pumps more aff ordable.”


policy examples in EU member states to learn from.” House is also critical of the


absence of any action to reduce the relative high cost of electricity: “A critical factor to mass market uptake


Despite the new incentives for of heat pumps and


electrifi cation will be the spark gap; more work is needed here if we are to achieve the stated ambition of 450,000 annual heat pump installations by 2030.”


householders to invest in solar power, electricity costs are widely considered to be an obstacle by many other industry stakeholders. Russell Dean, deputy divisional manager at Mitsubishi Electric, states: “The disproportionate cost of electricity still remains a roadblock to the uptake


of


renewable heating in the UK. Reducing the price of electricity


Skills shortage The creation of new employment opportunities, coupled with the development of new skills, is something that is generally considered to be key to the success of the government’s ambitions to transition to cleaner energy. Speaking on behalf of the


CIPHE, CEO Kevin Wellman says: “Ambition must be matched with capability as the recognised skills shortage is now fast becoming a skills crisis. To make this transition work at scale, we need a highly trained workforce with the right skills and confi dence to design, install and maintain low carbon heating systems.


Matthew Shepherd said: “The risks from uncontrolled gas leaks are well known and can be fatal. Mr Lancaster knew he was unqualifi ed and not Gas Safe registered yet still took on this work, putting a family in very real danger. We will not hesitate to take action against anyone undertaking gas work where they are not competent or registered to do so.”


“By prioritising training,


standards and clear guidance, government and industry can work together to ensure


households


genuinely feel the benefi ts of lower bills, improved comfort and reduced emissions, while creating long-term, skilled jobs across the sector.” The need for a skilled workforce


is also something that SNIPEF believes is vital to any prospect of success. Scott Sanford, the Federation’s head of technical services & certifi cation, comments: “Without a properly trained and competent workforce, large-scale retrofi t and low carbon heating deployment will falter. If this programme is to succeed, investment in homes must go hand in hand with investment in people, skills and competence.” See also HHIC comment (page 12)


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