THE PROVISION OF QUALITATIVE CONSUMER INSIGHT ON THE TOPIC OF BOILERS AND HEATING CONTROLS

The Boilers policy project is looking at ways of reducing emissions from domestic gas central heating systems. We are developing policy options for revising Building Regulations to update minimum standards on the energy efficiency of boilers and heating controls. For example, when a household replaces their old boiler, there would be a requirement for all new boilers installed to meet an improved energy efficiency standard, and for the heating system to include a minimum package of controls (for example, a central programmer, room thermostat and weather compensators).

A wide range of different boiler technologies and heating controls are available on the market. The minimum standards that would be required by the new regulation have yet to be determined. The benefits that can be derived from different types of heating control functions will vary according to different household circumstances. For example, a zonal control system that allows the user to adjust heat settings in different rooms from one central interface is more useful in a larger house with many rooms, than it is in a 1 bedroom flat. An automated heating system which learns household occupancy patterns and automatically switches heating on and off accordingly is more useful for households with a relatively consistent weekly occupancy pattern. Therefore, one policy option under consideration is to require households to choose from a list of additional heating technologies, which best meet their circumstances. The list of technologies may include:

Consumers will require appropriate information and advice to make an informed choice about which technologies are best for them (e.g. from the boiler manufacturer, installer or other trusted sources). The main aims of this project are to understand what choices regarding heating technologies consumers would like to make (or leave to the installer’s recommendation), to what extent they are capable of making these decisions, and what types of information and advice would be useful.

Aims of Consumer Panel research

The previous online consumer panel survey provided useful quantitative insight into; household’s preferences for different types of technology and their willingness to pay for certain technologies or additional energy saving advice. To refine our policy options further, we now require more in-depth qualitative insight to better understand;