Driven by environmental policy uptake and increasing gasification in Asia, the domestic boiler market grew in 2016 to 12.7 million units, with China recording the most dynamic market uptake. The growth in the China and South Korea markets resulted in the UK dropping from being the largest world market for domestic boilers to the third largest, according to the latest Building Services Research & Information Association (BSRIA) market intelligence study.

The Chinese market, driven by the roll out of the “coal to gas” policy, is now the largest global market with over 1.77 million boilers sold in 2016 and further dynamic growth expected until 2021. The Chinese market is so far dominated by wall-mounted gas non-condensing boilers that accounted for 87 percent of the market in 2016.

South Korea has also recorded rapid growth in 2016 and became the second largest market with over 1.75 million boilers sold and further positive prospects until 2021. With 76 percent share, wall-mounted boilers also accounted for the majority of the market. The share of non-condensing units is, however, lower than in China, with condensing technology advancing continually.

The UK has recorded sales of 1.7 million units in 2016, placing it third in the list of largest markets in 2016. With over 26 million boilers installed, there is a large replacement market where almost 100 percent of units sold are of the gas condensing type.

In 2016, the other countries to record markets of over 1 million domestic units were Turkey and Russia, while the North American market remains a low consumer of domestic boilers with around 400,000 units sold per annum.

In the commercial boiler market, China is again the largest market with just over 92,500 units sold in 2016. The North American market ranks second, and Turkey is the third largest market. While China is expected to post a fair growth of over 2 percent in the next few years, the highest growth rate (6.6 percent) is expected in Russia. European commercial boiler markets are under pressure with floor standing boilers experiencing particular difficulties.   

The latest BSRIA World Heating study covering most European and World crucial markets and reporting on the five key product areas of domestic boilers, commercial boilers, water heaters, radiators and underfloor heating was published in June 2017. 

For more information, visit www.bsria.co.uk.

Publication date: 8/31/2017