The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is calling on heating engineers to remain alert to the growing number of counterfeit spare parts entering the UK heating market. “These fake components are putting household safety at risk, undermining appliance reliability and exposing installers to potential legal and financial consequences”, warns HHIC Director, Stewart Clements.
The organisation says that heating appliances such as heat pumps, gas boilers and hot water cylinders are rigorously designed, tested and certified before being approved for sale and that every component within them must meet strict safety and performance standards. Genuine spare parts, it continues, are engineered and certified to operate under the exact conditions each appliance is designed for, and can be identified through correct branding and part numbers.
The HHIC says that counterfeit parts often look similar but are frequently manufactured using inferior materials and without any testing or accreditation. It says that their use can lead to premature failure, breakdowns and unsafe situations such as gas or water leaks. It adds, fitting fake parts risks invalidating warranties and damaging consumer trust in the installer.
Stewart Clements said: “Just because a part fits does not mean it has been tested to withstand the stresses and conditions the manufacturer designed the appliance to handle. Installers must protect themselves and their customers by sourcing parts only from recognised, reputable suppliers.”
He added that HHIC is urging the entire industry to work together to keep fake parts out of the market and says that installers who encounter suspicious components should report them to Trading Standards.
“The safety of consumers and the professional reputation of heating engineers depend on the continued use of genuine, approved parts,” he said. “We need continued vigilance to ensure our industry remains safe, trusted and compliant.”
Image: EUA – HHIC
