CMA investigation into Worcester Bosch's claims on hydrogen boilers results in changes to ads: comment

Leading UK boiler brand is changing marketing practices following CMA action.

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By Jess Ralston

info@eciu.net

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Commenting on the Competition and Market Authority's (CMA) concerns that Worcester Bosch, one of the biggest gas boiler manufacturers in the UK, was giving the ‘false impression that consumers would reduce their carbon footprint’ [1], Jess Ralston, Head of Energy and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:

"Can the gas boiler industry be trusted? The former energy minister described it as running ‘campaigns of misinformation’ against electric heat pumps [2]. The new government needs to heed these words. It’s still unclear as to whether all of the money consumers paid under the manufacturers’ self-imposed so-called ‘boiler tax’ has been repaid [3].

What is clear is that unless Labour quickly gets on with implementing the Clean Heat Market Mechanism to incentivize heat pump sales, the UK will become ever more dependent on foreign gas to heat British homes as North Sea gas output inevitably wanes. Also clear to pretty much every expert out there is that hydrogen may play only a bit part in future home heating."

The CMA report confirms that "Worcester Bosch has committed to change how it markets its boilers to make sure that customers can make well-informed decisions."

Notes to editors:

  1. Competition and Markets Authority: Leading UK boiler brand is changing marketing practices following CMA action
  2. Sky News: 'Campaigns of misinformation' around heat pumps says energy minister amid record number of installations
  3. Sky News: Big boiler manufacturers cannot guarantee 'boiler tax' refund for 'ripped off' customers

For more information or for interview requests:
Jess Ralston, ECIU, Tel: 07972 548 503, email: jess.ralston@eciu.net