The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has announced the launch of a new industry working group; The Heating & Hot Water Systems Group.

The Heating & Hot Water Systems Group brings together manufacturers from across the HHIC membership and parts of EUA to form an ongoing strategy for heating systems.

Stewart Clements, Director of the HHIC, said: “By forming the Heating & Hot Water Systems group our intention is to look at the wider system, the journey of a home and the consumer proposition. As the industry navigates low carbon solutions there will be an overarching heating systems approach in how the HHIC works with members and lobbies government.

“There are a variety of relevant topics that require a holistic view and will form the basis for industry discussion in this new group. Such as; Boiler Plus developments, Consumer advice – what advice is required when upgrading or renewing? Hybrids – the stepping stone for off-grid in particular. All relevant and exciting topics which require a new, joined-up approach and we are delighted that the HHIC could offer this to the industry.”

Steve Keeton, Technologies and Training Director at Vaillant Group UK, and Chair of the Heating & Hot Water Systems Group, added: "As we drive towards the UK’s zero-carbon targets there are several potential domestic heating pathways to consider. As there will be no ‘silver bullet’ solution for every use case, we need to consider the methodology to assess, design, install, commission and handover the best system solution for different property types.

"We must be more consumer-centric, as system knowledge and understanding prior to purchase and behaviours after installation can really affect the comfort, efficiency and ultimate performance of the system in the eyes of the homeowner. It should be our ambition to outline and communicate the relevant building/system use cases and the different systems’ benefits to derive high customer satisfaction. The assessment, understanding, development and lobbying of the government policies, papers and tools to do this will be the essence of the Systems Group activities."