If the newspapers are to be believed, the Clean Heat Market Mechanism may be scrapped before even getting started. Why? It seems key stakeholders in the oil and gas appliance manufacturer industry are mounting huge pressure on the government to ultimately protect their assets, i.e. the boiler industry.

Naturally, it is not in the interests of a boiler manufacturer to be charged a £3,000 per unit fee if they fail to sell a volume of heat pumps equal to 4% of their boiler sales. However, this is a negative perspective; why can’t the industry accept that there is a greener alternative to the traditional gas or oil boiler? Especially, when alternatives allow us to be less reliant on external political influences associated with gas and oil supply/prices, while also reducing carbon emissions and ultimately getting us closer to net-zero.

The irony is that most boiler manufacturers already have a suitable heat pump offering and with the right approach could achieve the quotas easily. Instead, many have tried to rebrand this initiative as a ‘boiler tax’, unjustifiably raising prices to avoid taking any responsibility. It comes purely from a place of fear for their own financial assets.

The frightening news that global warming has exceeded 1.5oC for an entire year should be a wake up call to everyone.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting a different result, so we can’t keep prioritising gas and oil boiler sales! Isn’t it time that the industry prioritises the best outcome for the planet? Boiler manufacturers must look at the infinite opportunities in this changing market. Surely, that’s the route out of this problem.  

One thing is clear: gas and oil boilers are part of the problem and to encourage decarbonisation, right now, heat pumps are clearly part of the solution. To be successful boiler manufacturers must be prepared to evolve. This also requires industry lobbyists like OFTEC to be brave.

The Clean Heat Market Mechanism could be a much needed catalyst for change, so I ask: “why is the Clean Heat Market Mechanism a problem?”