Since the 1st of January 2022, heating circulation pumps, also known as heating circulators, sold in the UK market must meet the ErP regulations. To meet these regulations, they must have an energy efficiency index (EEI) of ≤ 0.23, as well as conform to other design standards.
Besides this, there are several other factors pumps must meet to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose, including needing a CE Mark or UKCA Marking on the nameplate and a Declaration of Conformity. However, pumps that do not comply with these requirements, and are therefore non-compliant and even hazardous, have been making their way onto the UK market, and into homes and buildings.
The new ‘compliance checker’ service from Wilo, the efficiency-first pump manufacturer, is dedicated to tackling this issue. To help installers understand if the pumps are compliant before they fit them, installers can take a picture of the label and send supporting documentation of the pump and email it to Wilo. Wilo’s team of experts will then perform a visual check of the information to confirm if the pump labelling meets the requirements within one working day.
Andy Thompson, national sales manager – plumbing and heating at Wilo UK, said: “Non-compliant pumps being used incorrectly as replacement pumps in boilers and heating systems is a growing concern across the UK. The Government has already started to clamp down on this problem. These pumps, at their best, will use more energy and therefore cost more to run, but at their worst, they could be dangerous to the heating system and to occupants in buildings.
“That’s why we’ve created our new compliance checker service. We recognise installers are busy, and figuring out whether the pumps they are using are compliant or not should be the least of their worries. By simply sending us a picture of the label and relevant supporting documentation, we’ll be able to check if the pump labelling conforms to the ErP legislation, what the EEI of the pump is, and if the pump runs on outdated technology, which again is a mark of non-compliance.”
The UK Government Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) found that more than 85% of the domestic heating circulators it inspected last year were non-compliant. In its delivery report 2022-2023, it also confirmed that it had de-listed 38 domestic heating circulation pumps from sale. Meanwhile, last year, the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), estimated that 100,000 non-compliant heating circulation pumps were being sold in the UK every year.
Installers can check their pumps themselves, or Wilo can make these checks on behalf of the installer, through the following process and advice.
Given the estimated number of non-compliant pumps already in the market, Andy also urges that installers have a responsibility to check and replace non-compliant pumps during every installation and service visit. He also stresses that installers should buy new pumps from reputable wholesalers, and that the pump is made by a reputable manufacturer.
Andy continued: “If installers do not act responsibly and fail to verify if the pumps they come into contact with are compliant and safe for use, then it can put people at risk. We are committed to supporting installers, raising safety standards, reducing unnecessary energy spend for end users, and ensuring that installers do not fall foul of installing non-conforming products. If any installers have a question about pumps, their efficiency, or simply best practice around how to pick heating circulation pumps, our team of experts are on hand to help.”
