Martyn Bridges, the Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch, provides insights into anticipated developments in the heating and hot water sector for 2022.
This year is expected to be pivotal for the industry, focusing on sustainability and a move towards a carbon-reduced future. A key change will be an amendment to Building Regulations, mandating a 31% decrease in carbon emissions for new properties built in 2022. The UK is emphasizing carbon reduction and net-zero goals, with industry-wide skill enhancements and training courses in innovative technologies being introduced.
Manufacturers like Worcester will offer training in areas such as heating design, heat pumps, hydrogen, and low carbon heating solutions, supporting these skill advancements. 2022 will witness trials in diverse technologies, including hydrogen, hybrid systems, and bio-oil, to explore sustainable heating solutions. The boiler market is expected to maintain its current sales pace, with a shift in consumer interest towards reducing gas consumption and exploring sustainable alternatives like heat pumps. Amid these changes, debates continue on the UK’s speed in pursuing carbon net-zero, balancing the need for carbon reduction with cost-effectiveness and sustainability.