OFTEC (established in 1991) is a leading 'not for profit' trade organisation in the heating and cooking industries of the UK and Republic of Ireland.

OFTEC’s focus is on heating technologies used off the gas grid. Our trade association represents manufacturers of liquid fuel heating equipment, including heating appliances, fuel storage tanks and ancillary equipment. We also represent a national network of over 90 training providers that offer OFTEC approved training, mainly focussed on liquid fuels but now expanding to include heat pumps as well.

Alongside our work as a trade association, OFTEC is the well-known and respected provider of a UKAS accredited competent person registration scheme for heating installers and service technicians. Our scopes of registration cover liquid fuel, solid fuel, and renewable heating technologies such as heat pumps and solid biomass. We also offer electrical Part P, Trustmark and Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registration, enabling heating businesses to install and users to access government-funded renewable heating systems.

Central to all our work is the aim is to promote the highest professional and technical standards for businesses and technicians working in the industry and, by doing so, support the needs of heating end-users. Underpinning our registration scheme is a schedule of periodic training, competency assessment and on-site surveillance and helps ensure registered businesses carry out work to a high standard and meet all regional building regulations and industry best practice.

We are also committed to supporting the government’s drive to net zero in the heating sector, which is acknowledged as one of the most difficult decarbonisation challenges. To be fit for purpose, we think a successful decarbonisation policy must be fair, cost effective and focussed on the needs of consumers. We have concerns about the government’s current ‘heat pump first’ approach and, for the off-gas grid sector, we advocate policies that are technology-inclusive, with government support for all viable low carbon heating solutions.

To support our vision, we have worked with a range of partners to bring to market renewable liquid fuels to replace heating oil. This work, currently focussed on a fuel called Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), is at an advanced stage and now only requires government support to make it a reality. We have also worked with industry partners to develop new training courses for installers of heat pump systems.

To find out more visit: https://www.oftec.co.uk/