Viewpoints

Nick Whitwell, managing director of Keston Boilers, says the push to be green will suit the domestic heating sector.

The UK’s new coalition government has the perfect opportunity to implement beneficial changes in the domestic heating sector, however, I also believe it’s important the government doesn’t overreact to the economic situation by cutting important infrastructure initiatives.

The decision not to extend the boiler scrappage scheme is disappointing, especially as the new government is keen to be considered to be very green.

There are still a high proportion of inefficient boilers out there that are not only costing consumers but impacting on the environment. Affordable technology, such Keston’s standard weather compensation for boilers, can be an effective way of ensuring boilers run more efficiently.

What the domestic heating sector really needs is a longer-term view and an extended period of stability. Political parties rarely get to run the country for more than a decade or so at a time and, as a result, we have been subjected to a political seesaw.

The newly-elected government’s commitment to a fixed five-year Parliament will give the country the time to develop strategies that will benefit the industry as a whole.

I believe there are reasons for optimism despite the economic gloom; growth projections remain positive and recent forecasts expect the UK economy to grow by 1.3 per cent this year.

The government’s push to be green will suit our industry, since it should lead to greater investment in environmental initiatives that will benefit those of us involved in developing and installing low carbon technologies.

The coalition has also agreed to establish a green investment bank and is committed to promoting home energy improvement. And it plans to reduce its own carbon footprint which, I hope, bodes well for the future of environmental policy in this country.