Ethical Boilers

Heating our homes accounts for 40% of the UK’s total energy consumption, making the choice of boiler a significant factor in our environmental impact. According to The Guardian, up to two-thirds of the carbon emissions generated within the home come from gas-fired combi boilers. Selecting an eco-friendly boiler with a high energy efficiency rating is one of the most effective ways to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and contribute to broader efforts to address climate change.

Gas boilers are the most common form of home heating in the UK, with around 80% of homes relying on gas central heating. Unfortunately, burning gas produces significant carbon emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming. Given the scale of their use, the cumulative environmental impact is considerable. As awareness of this grows, it is increasingly important for consumers to choose boiler brands that demonstrate a credible commitment to reducing their environmental footprint.

Boiler brands in the UK and EU are required to display an energy efficiency label on their products, rating them from A to G, with A being the most efficient. When choosing a boiler, consumers should look for an A-rated model within their preferred brand’s range, as these will minimise energy use and reduce running costs. Once you have identified an ethical boiler brand via The Good Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, checking the energy label is a useful next step.

The Good Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table identifies Glow-Worm and Vaillant as the highest-scoring brands, both receiving strong ratings across the majority of assessed categories. Ariston and Grant also perform well, sitting comfortably above the benchmark. In contrast, most brands in the table fall short in their Environmental Report category, highlighting the need for greater transparency and commitment to sustainability across the industry.

The Good Shopping Guide’s research found that a majority of boiler brands fall short in their Environmental Report category. Brands including Alpha, Baxi, Biasi, Ferroli, Ideal, Johnson & Starley, Keston, Ravenheat, and Sime all received poor or no points for their environmental reporting. This indicates a lack of transparent, credible sustainability plans with clear targets — something consumers and businesses alike should take into account when making purchasing decisions.

When selecting an ethical boiler brand, it is worth consulting The Good Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, which assesses brands across key criteria including their Environmental Report, Code of Conduct, Fossil Fuels record, and Human Rights credentials. Brands that score above the benchmark demonstrate a stronger commitment to responsible business practices. Once you have identified a trustworthy brand, looking for an A-rated product within their range will ensure you are also choosing the most energy-efficient option available.

Glow-Worm sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories including its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Code of Conduct receives an acceptable rather than top rating. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide a meaningful and recognised way to formally demonstrate Glow-Worm’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Vaillant sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories including its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Code of Conduct receives an acceptable rather than top rating. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide a recognised and valuable way to formally demonstrate Vaillant’s commitment to ethical and responsible business practices.

Ariston sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct both receive acceptable rather than top ratings. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could offer Ariston a recognised means of formally validating its commitment to responsible and ethical business practices.

Grant sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct both receive acceptable rather than top ratings. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Grant with a recognised way to formally demonstrate its commitment to responsible and ethical business practices.

Ideal sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report and its Code of Conduct receives an acceptable rather than top rating. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could offer Ideal a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.

Keston sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Environmental Report and its Code of Conduct receives an acceptable rather than top rating. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Keston with a recognised way to formally validate its commitment to ethical and responsible business practices.

Alpha falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Consumers seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Baxi falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Those seeking boiler brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.

Biasi falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Consumers seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Heatrae Sadia falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Shoppers seeking boiler brands that do meet the ethical benchmark can explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible options.

Johnson & Starley falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Those seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.

Main falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Consumers seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Ravenheat falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Shoppers looking for boiler brands that do meet the ethical benchmark can explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible options.

Sime falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct ratings, though it performs well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Consumers wishing to find boiler brands that reach the ethical benchmark can refer to The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for higher-rated alternatives.

Intergas falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand receives acceptable rather than top ratings across several areas, including its Environmental Report, Code of Conduct, and Political Donations, and has attracted Other Criticisms, though it performs well in its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Consumers seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Ferroli falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several areas, including its Environmental Report, Code of Conduct, and Political Donations ratings, though it performs well in its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials. Those seeking boiler brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.

Viessmann falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. While its Environmental Report receives a top rating, the brand falls short in its Political Donations category and has attracted Other Criticisms, with its Code of Conduct receiving an acceptable rather than top rating. Consumers seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Vokera falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. While its Environmental Report receives a top rating, the brand falls short in its Political Donations category and has attracted Other Criticisms, with its Code of Conduct receiving an acceptable rather than top rating. Shoppers looking for boiler brands that do meet the ethical benchmark can explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.

Worcester Bosch falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table. While its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct both receive top ratings, the brand falls short in its Political Donations category, its Human Rights rating is acceptable rather than top, and it has attracted Other Criticisms. Those seeking boiler brands that do reach the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Boilers Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.