Remeha opts for hydrogen-blend accreditation for boiler models

Remeha has obtained optional independent certification to ensure consumers that a range of its existing boilers will run on a blend of gas consisting of up to 20 per cent hydrogen.

The manufacturer said it had decided to gain accreditation from established notification bodies so that its Quinta Ace, Gas 220 Ace and Gas 320/620 Ace boilers can be sold as being fully ready to operate on a blend of the gas if introduced to the national grid.  Recent research has found that existing boilers being used in the UK can safely run on a hydrogen blend without any major changes in technology

A spokesperson for the manufacturer said that it decided to make the optional choice of getting accreditation however as a means to futureproof its systems should a decision be taken to begin blending natural gas and hydrogen as a lower carbon alternative to the current grid.

Rehema noted that conclusions from the first phase of the cross-industry HyDeploy project were that no additional measures, guidance or actions were necessary to ensure existing condensing boilers on the market can operate on a blend of hydrogen up to 20 per cent.

Further guidance on the suitability of existing boilers to run on such a blend are set out in the Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletin 159 that is dated March 2021.

A spokesperson for Remeha said that under this guidance, all existing boilers on the market were suitable to use a hydrogen blend – yet the manufacturer was looking to ensure public confidence in case of a switch.

The company stated, “It is expected that existing appliances are suitable. However, as assurance and peace of mind for our customers, we have gone one step further.”

“We’ve been through the necessary processes and testing and can confirm that our boilers have been independently certified for use with up to 20 per cent hydrogen blends. This means we can give surety that we are ready for the introduction of blended gas in more locations in the near future.”

Any moves to a blend of gas would potentially serve as a first step to transitioning from a natural gas grid to a 100 per cent hydrogen network. This would require new boiler systems capable of operating on 100 per cent hydrogen to be launched on the market, with several prototypes already having been tested by manufacturers.

Research is already underway in the UK to consider what role hydrogen may play in heating UK homes and buildings with a decision expected to be taken by the government on how to proceed with using the gas in 2026.

Remeha said it was important that the certification on its existing boilers was not to be confused with the ‘Hydrogen-ready’ standard.  This is a standard agreed by a range of prominent boiler manufacturers for technologies that can be converted to run on 100 per cent hydrogen at the point of any network conversion in the future.