Rob Nezard, Managing Director of UK Radiators, has welcomed Rishi Sunak’s decision to postpone the blanket ban on gas boilers until 2035. Nezard, who heads the UK’s most sustainable radiator supplier, believes that the focus should be on regulating radiators rather than banning gas boilers.
According to Nezard, most radiators currently sold in the UK are not compatible with A-rated boilers and do not operate efficiently with them. He argues that addressing the issues with radiator efficiency should take precedence before transitioning to heat pumps.
Nezard explained, “My view on it is that we have yet to take advantage of A-rated gas boilers due to the way radiators are sold. Radiators are sold at delta 50 (with a lack of enforcement on regulation so there are major players out there inflating advertised heat outputs and misleading consumers), however A-rated boilers lose significant efficiency with systems operating above delta 40.”
He added, “To outlaw the previous solution before properly taking advantage of the benefits it offers seems absurd. It would also be insane to force people onto heat pumps without fixing the issues in the radiator market as the negative consequences of falsely advertised heat outputs for radiators installed in a system with a heat pump will be far more severe.”
Nezard believes that what is needed is strict enforcement of radiator regulations, with radiators specified at delta 40 for gas central heating systems. This, he argues, would unlock the benefits of A-Rated condensing boilers that people have invested in since the legislation on those boilers was introduced.
He also stressed the importance of updating radiator regulations in line with the adoption of heat pumps to avoid repeating the mistakes made with previous A-rated boiler legislation.
According to Nezard, the delta value of a radiator should match the delta value of the boiler. However, he points out that a lack of regulation in how radiators are marketed has led to mismatches and reduced system efficiency:
- Delta 50 = Non-Condensing Boilers installed before April 2005 with a standard configuration, with a flow temperature of around 75-85 degrees.
- Delta 40 = Condensing boiler operating in condensing mode, making it efficient. Any Gas boiler installed after 2005 is a condensing boiler.
- Delta 30 = (Recommended) Low-temperature systems such as heat pumps, with a flow temperature of around 55 degrees (you should have this).
In conclusion, UK Radiators supports the delay in the boiler ban and emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency in heating systems, with a focus on regulating radiator efficiency.
