Member Article

Government guidance is a victory for radiator industry

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MARC – MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF RADIATORS AND CONVECTORS

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE IS A VICTORY FOR RADIATOR INDUSTRY

Radiator manufacturers believe a change to Government assessments which see their products recommended for use with low water temperatures in official guidance for the first time is a huge win for the industry.

Historically, radiators generally been penalised in the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) as they have been deemed to required high temperature heat generators. However, the latest SAP 2012 document has specific criteria for energy efficient low temperature heat generators and states that radiators are as efficient as other heat emission systems, such as underfloor heating.

The Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) believe the change in guidance is the result of two years of campaigning by its members.

MARC and its members have been highlighting the suitability of radiators for use with low water temperatures, as a result of myths within the heating industry that good results could not be achieved with the products.

However, the publication of SAP 2012 illustrates radiators are as efficient as other emitters, such as underfloor heating. In fact, SAP 2012 actually penalises underfloor heating in a screed, when compared to radiators, due to a lack of responsiveness.

SAP 2012 will be used for building regulation compliance for new dwellings in England from April 2014 and it is expected that other parts of the UK will follow suit.

MARC chairman John Colling said: “This is fantastic news for radiator manufacturers. Since we launched a pan-European report into radiators as a 21st Century heat source at the start of 2011, we have been fighting the myth that radiators are not suitable when partnered with low water temperatures. This report tells us that the message is now being seriously listened to and the Government is changing its view. To omit a product which is already in excess of 85% of UK homes from such an important document would be misleading, and now we are seeing the sensible approach to heating being taken on board.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .