The UK domestic central heating market is substantial and mature with central heating installed in around 92% of UK homes. However, growth potential still exists, through product innovation designed to improve thermal performance, energy efficiency and control. The UK domestic central heating market has benefited in recent years from increasing health, safety and energy efficiency legislation, revised Building Regulations and environmental legislation. This has stimulated product innovation and development in all sectors of the market.
In 2013, the market for domestic central heating products saw strong growth. This growth can be attributed to the recovery of the UK economy which stimulated new build activity and levels of house moving in particular. Environmental initiatives also supported demand. In 2014 and 2015 the UK domestic central heating market was more subdued, with the lower level of replacement installations impacting on boiler sales in particular. However, the market in 2016 became marginally more positive with demand mainly emanating from private new housing.
The UK domestic central heating market saw growth in 2017 and the outlook in 2018 is similar, largely influenced by the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit process. New legislation such as Boiler Plus will support demand for central heating products overall, in particular domestic boilers and heating controls. The future performance of the UK domestic heating market is likely to be influenced by overall trends in housebuilding, home improvement, fuel prices, energy efficiency legislation, renewable technologies, and technological developments.