Poor pump selection could compromise heating safety and efficiency

Installers are being urged to check that circulation pumps are compliant and correctly specified, amid warnings that unsuitable products could increase energy consumption, compromise system reliability and pose safety risks. 

Wilo UK is encouraging installers to check that the pumps they specify and fit meet the relevant standards, including checking for appropriate CE or UKCA marking and supporting product documentation. Non-compliant pumps can pose safety risks including electrical faults and overheating, as well as potentially consuming more energy and increasing household running costs. Low-quality components can also contribute to premature equipment failure and reduced system reliability. 

The warning comes as industry research found that 91% of tradespeople had received enquiries about energy-saving products or solutions in the previous year, highlighting the role installers can play in helping homeowners improve the efficiency of their properties, especially as heating season approaches and the cost of living continues to rise. 

Andy Thompson, national sales manager for plumbing and heating at Wilo UK, said: “Homeowners are facing increasingly high costs as energy prices continue to rise, and the last thing they want is for components in the heating system to be wasting energy unnecessarily and costing them more to run. Installers have a critical role to play here in helping fit the most energy-efficient products.” 

Wilo UK has also introduced a compliance checker service. Installers can submit photographs of a pump label and supporting documentation for review to help establish whether the product is compliant. 

Domestic heating circulation pumps sold in the UK must meet specific efficiency and design requirements, as outlined by the Energy Related Products Regulation (ErP). This regulation sets out requirements relating to the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI), whereby pumps must achieve an EEI of 0.23 or below. 

More information is available through Wilo UK’s compliance checker service.