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Four industry groups are backing the UK campaign Proof is on the Roof, which calls for action on incorrectly specified or installed heat pump pipe insulation. Campaign organisers say insulation that is not UV-resistant can degrade in sunlight, reducing performance and increasing energy losses; the scale of the problem has not been independently quantified in the supplied report.
Four industry organisations are backing a UK campaign calling for action on incorrectly specified and installed insulation around heat pump pipework, citing the risk that materials not designed for outdoor exposure can break down in sunlight. The support adds pressure for policymakers and installers to address a problem campaign organisers say can waste energy and harm system performance.
The campaign, Proof is on the Roof, was launched in 2025 by certified low-carbon energy assessor Lawrence Leask and Chris Ridge of the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA). It is now backed by the European association representing FEF and PEF insulation manufacturers, CEFEP, as well as the Building Engineering Services Association and the Institute of Refrigeration.
The report says standard black elastomeric foam that is not resistant to ultraviolet radiation can rapidly deteriorate when exposed to direct sunlight. Degraded insulation can contribute to heat loss and may compromise condensation control. CEFEP technical manager Tom Merton also pointed to exposure to rain, frost and repeated temperature changes as conditions that insulation on outdoor pipework must withstand.
Leask said the campaign followed his observation of degraded refrigeration pipe insulation during almost all of his TM44 inspections. He argued that losses from incorrectly specified and installed insulation add up to a substantial energy burden. That estimate is his assessment; the report does not provide a measurement method, dataset or independent verification of the comparison he made.
Insulation Can Affect Heat Pump Performance
Heat pumps rely on pipework to move heat between system components. If outdoor insulation breaks down or is unsuitable for the conditions, the system may lose more heat and require additional energy to deliver the intended performance. The campaign argues that specifying weather- and UV-resistant materials, and installing them correctly, is a practical way to reduce avoidable losses.
The issue also spans different parts of the installation industry. The report says many pipe insulation jobs require a thermal insulation specialist, while commercial air-to-air heat pump pipework is commonly insulated by the refrigeration contractor. That division can make clear specifications, installer competence and inspection relevant to the quality of the finished work. BESA technical director Kevin Morrissey described the problem as readily rectifiable, but the report does not set out a proposed enforcement regime or quantify possible savings.
UV resistant heat pump pipe insulation
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How the Proof Is on the Roof Campaign Began
Leask and Ridge began the campaign in the UK after Leask reported seeing deteriorated insulation during inspections of refrigeration pipework. Its name refers to the exposure of external pipework to weather and sunlight. The latest development is the addition of four supporting organisations, extending backing beyond the campaign’s founders and TICA.
The report says campaign supporters believe incorrect insulation may also be an issue elsewhere in Europe, but it does not cite country-by-country data. The technical concern is the mismatch between insulation intended for protected locations and material used outdoors: direct UV exposure and weather can shorten the service life of materials that are not designed for those conditions.
““Over several years of external pipework inspections, I’ve witnessed the environmental impact of using non-UV resistant pipe insulation materials on heat pumps.””
— Lawrence Leask, campaign co-founder
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Scale of the Insulation Problem
The report gives no count of affected heat pumps, survey results, measured energy losses or estimate of the cost of correcting faulty installations. Leask compared the energy losses with those of a large power station, but no supporting calculation is provided in the source material. That comparison should be understood as his claim, not an independently established figure.
It is also unclear which insulation products or installation practices are most often responsible, how many installations fail early, and whether the issue has been documented across Europe. The campaign’s supporters are calling for action, but the report does not identify a specific regulation, inspection programme or deadline being proposed by authorities.
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Campaigners Seek Policy and Installer Action
The campaign’s expanded industry backing puts the issue before policymakers, contractors and organisations involved in heat pump installation and maintenance. The report does not announce a government response or a scheduled policy decision. The next steps proposed by supporters, and whether public authorities will act on their call, remain unconfirmed.
For now, the immediate practical focus is on specifying insulation suitable for sunlight and outdoor weather and fitting it correctly. Further data on how common failures are, how much energy they waste and what inspection or compliance measures could address them would help establish the scale of the issue and guide any policy response.
UV resistant pipe insulation for heat pumps
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Key Questions
What is the Proof is on the Roof campaign calling for?
It is calling for action on incorrectly specified and installed insulation on heat pump pipework, particularly materials unsuited to outdoor exposure.Why can standard insulation be a problem outdoors?
The report says non-UV-resistant materials, including standard black elastomeric foam, can break down in direct sunlight. Weather and temperature changes can also affect outdoor pipe insulation.Which organisations now back the campaign?
The campaign is backed by CEFEP, BESA and the Institute of Refrigeration, alongside TICA, represented by co-founder Chris Ridge.How much energy is being lost because of incorrect insulation?
The report provides no independently verified figure. Leask compared the losses with those of a large power station, but supplied no calculation or dataset in the reported material.Has a government crackdown been announced?
No specific government measure, enforcement plan or timeline is identified in the report. The campaign’s supporters are calling for action, and any official response is not yet clear.Source: rss
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