Poor pump selection could be undermining household energy savings, Wilo warns
As homeowners increasingly look to cut energy costs, Wilo UK is urging installers to pay closer attention to the circulation pumps they specify, purchase and commission, warning that poor product selection and commissioning can undermine system efficiency and reliability while increasing household bills.
The call comes after industry research revealed that 91% of tradespeople have received enquiries about energy-saving products or solutions in the last year. The findings highlight the increasingly important role installers play in helping homeowners improve the efficiency of their properties, especially as heating season approaches and the cost of living continues to rise.
Circulation pumps play a crucial role in moving hot water around a heating system, yet they often go unnoticed by homeowners. As a result, many may be unaware of the impact an incorrectly specified pump can have on energy consumption and household bills.
This places greater responsibility on installers to select a suitable, compliant pump that helps deliver a reliable, energy-efficient and safe heating system.
Non-compliant pumps not only pose significant safety risks, such as electrical faults and overheating, but can also consume more energy, increasing running costs for homeowners. Equally, low-quality components can lead to premature equipment failure and reduced system reliability.
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.
Wilo is encouraging installers to take steps to ensure the pumps they specify and fit meet ErP standards. This includes checking for the appropriate CE or UKCA marking and supporting product documentation.
With non-compliant pumps still present in the UK market, contractors should remain vigilant when selecting products. Giving pumps the same level of scrutiny as other key heating system components, and purchasing from reputable manufacturers, can provide greater confidence that they meet current compliance requirements.
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.
“To further support installers in determining whether the pumps they are fitting meet regulatory standards, Wilo UK has developed a compliance checker service. Installers can simply submit photographs of a pump label and supporting documentation, which are then reviewed to confirm whether the product is compliant.
“This gives installers greater confidence in their pump selection and helps minimise the risk of unknowingly fitting a non-compliant product, which could ultimately impact both system performance and their professional reputation.”
Choosing and commissioning the right circulation pump can therefore benefit both the homeowner and installer. For homeowners, an efficient, reliable pump can help keep energy consumption and running costs under control throughout the heating season. For installers, correct selection and commissioning can reduce avoidable call-backs during one of the busiest periods of the year while supporting customer satisfaction.
To find out more about Wilo UK’s compliance checker service, click here.
