A new report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says that folks trying to buy eco-friendly heating for their homes, like solar panels or heat pumps, might have a tough time and might not always be treated fairly by companies.
To help the UK meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050, more people need to make their homes energy-efficient by adding insulation and using low-carbon heating. This can help the environment and save money on energy bills if it’s done correctly.
The report shows that while some people have good experiences buying eco-friendly home heating and insulation, it can also be confusing, and there’s not always enough info available.
The CMA’s report points out that some companies might make misleading claims about how green their products are. This could mean people end up buying heating systems that aren’t as eco-friendly as they thought or might even turn them off from green options altogether, slowing down progress toward net zero.
The report also says that quality assurance programs, which are supposed to make sure products meet certain standards, could do better in some areas to protect consumers.
Overall, the report highlights three main concerns:
Getting info about green home heating products can be tough, making it hard for people to make informed choices.
It’s common for folks to feel lost when trying to find the right info about eco-friendly heating. Complicated info might scare people away from buying green home heating or lead them to pick the wrong system for their home.
Not all companies are playing fairly
Some companies might stretch the truth about how much money or environmental benefits their products offer. Boilers marketed as ‘Hydrogen-blend’ or ‘Hydrogen-ready’ may trick people into thinking they’re more eco-friendly than they are. Despite the fancy names, they emit the same carbon as regular gas boilers because hydrogen fuel isn’t available yet.
Quality checks aren’t as helpful as they could be
Different quality check programs exist, making things confusing. Plus, not all of them offer the same level of protection for consumers.
To help out, the CMA made a new guide for consumers. It covers everything you need to know when buying green home heating, including your rights under the law.
They also made some rules for quality check programs to follow. They’ll work with these programs and the government to make sure consumers get better support and protection when buying eco-friendly products.
| Senior Director for Consumer Protection, George Lusty at the CMA, said:
“We want people to have confidence when they buy green heating technologies and home insulation. It’s essential they get what they paid for and that energy efficiency and sustainability claims are fair and accurate. While many businesses will be operating in the best interests of their customers, some businesses appear to be misleading people into buying their products. This needs to stop. We will now be exploring these concerns further – including whether to take enforcement action.” |
Following the release of today’s report, the CMA will continue investigating misleading claims, collaborating with businesses, trade bodies, and other important groups.
They plan to create guidelines for businesses to understand their legal obligations better. Additionally, the CMA will assess if additional steps, like enforcement measures, are necessary.
