The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has developed a new standardised set of labels which clearly show the relative capabilities of different hydrogen appliances.
The move comes as efforts to replace natural gas in the network with hydrogen start to ramp up. Pilot trials have already taken place and from 2023, the government wants to see hydrogen blending taking place, with a decision in 2026 about the conversion towards a 100% hydrogen gas network.
The new labels will very show three distinct categories of hydrogen appliances:
- ‘Hydrogen Blend’ compatible, capable of running on a blend of up to 20% hydrogen in the gas network.
- ‘Hydrogen-Ready’ appliances, capable of running on a 20% blend but with the capability of being converted by a Gas Safe engineer to run on a 100% hydrogen gas network.
- ‘100% Hydrogen’ boiler, an appliance built specifically to run on hydrogen without the need for conversion.
Stewart Clements, director of HHIC, said: “These labels bring clarity to consumers and installers. As we go on the journey towards decarbonising the gas networks, industry needs to be absolutely transparent on what appliances can and can’t do.”
“The labelling has been agreed by the appliance manufacturers and will be used by them to clearly identify products. It will also help communicate the changes that will take place in UK homes, as we work towards achieving net zero.”
