Over the last five years, the heating sales industry has undergone significant changes as customers prioritise energy efficiency and eco-friendly products, and move to repair rather than replace, causing market leaders to find new ways to innovate their heating products.
Although the uncertainty of Brexit still leaves a looming question mark over UK trades, the government’s pledge to build 300,000 new homes each year by 2020 means we can expect a steady increase in demand for heating products which fill a variety of needs.
1. Energy efficiency
With plenty of rules and regulations regarding cutting carbon emissions, companies are increasingly looking towards more energy efficient heating options, with an increase in renewable technologies growing in popularity.
The Boiler Plus initiative sets out requirements heating systems and installers must adhere to. Consideration needs to also be given to the energy-related Product Directive, which intends to eliminate low energy efficient heating products.
2. Customer preference
Naturally, the biggest goal for any sales team is to please their customers. As people are generally living in smaller properties and are becoming more environmentally aware, efficient and compact combi boilers are growing in popularity. They are also cheaper to install as their light weight allows them to be carried and installed by a single worker.
These boilers also have the benefit of being straightforward to maintain and repair should any problems arise. Gloucester boiler repair company http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-repair-gloucester/ notes customers don’t “want the hassle or expense of replacing a boiler”, hence trends to repair when possible can cause heating sales to decrease as customers focus on fixing problems before buying new.
3. Technology
Advances in technology always affect sales, whether you’re looking at heating products or the latest phone. In this instance, the rise in ‘smart’ homes and offices allowing people to control their heating and hot water electronically, brings smartphones and heating products together, creating a need for heating products to be designed with Wi-Fi capability, internet-based controls and self-diagnostic capabilities to fit in with the modern household.
4. Installation
Thanks to busy lives, people want things done quickly. Heating products with simple, quick installations are looking to continue being at the forefront of manufacturers’ minds. Options including flexible flues or faster system piping can allow installers to work far more efficiently, particularly in smaller spaces.
