SEA Executive Membership to Promote a Decarbonised Infrared Future

Ensuring Infrared has a Seat at the Main Table

We are delighted to be strengthening our existing relationship with the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) by becoming an Executive Member.  We hope to continue to work closely with the SEA to evolve policy solutions and ensure infrared is one of the key technologies available to UK consumers and businesses. 

“As the UK’s market leaders in the manufacture and supply of electric infrared heating, we are delighted to be strengthening our involvement and relationship with the SEA by becoming an executive member.

Infrared heating is an established technology with a key role to play in the decarbonisation of heat. The SEA’s role in promoting an agnostic approach and range of different heating technologies, including infrared, is critical in meeting key targets for this energy transition. We are excited to be working closely with the SEA to evolve and develop policy solutions and ensure infrared is one of the key technologies available to UK consumers and businesses.” Matthew Dodds, Director – Commercial Division, Herschel Infrared

Joining Forces to Shape the Future of Sustainable Energy

We were also invited to attend the SEA’s 2025 Annual Parliamentary Reception at the House of Lords, which provided a brilliant opportunity to come together and discuss what we must prioritise to help expand the sustainable energy sector and discuss the SEA’s 2025 policy agenda. Attended by Richard Martin and Matthew Dodds on behalf of Herschel, it was fantastic to hear from Dave Sowden, Daniel Mosley, Lord Ravensdale and Selvin Brown and meet with stakeholders and industry experts, including Professor Richard Fitton from Salford University.

The Sustainable Energy Association’s 2025 policy aims to encourage energy bill savings by rewarding in-use performance of energy efficiency measures, rather than focusing solely on the initial installation as the Government’s current grant structure does. The incentive will also create offerings for underserved market segments, particularly the able-to-pay and private-rented sectors, alongside tackling fuel poverty.

“[It] felt like a coming of age to be part of a sustainable energy focussed meeting in the Houses of Parliament, with policy makers; industry influencers, academics, housing groups and suppliers such as ourselves, where there were numerous shout-outs during the speeches to: a technology agnostic approach to heating; Infrared Heating as one such a proposition and then specifically a couple of times to Herschel Infrared.” 

[It was] very interesting also to hear David Sowden of SEA launch their new Energy Efficiency Incentive, which aims to improve energy efficiency investment by turning the existing models of up-front subsidies and payments, which tend to artificially stimulate markets which are otherwise not fully clear or affordable in their own right (and which harm the markets if those subsidies are also then removed), in favour of switching to rewards for in-use energy efficiency measures which could make eligibility fairer; certainly makes ‘delivery of benefits’ much more of a factor and should also help ensure all the main actors (investors; market makers; suppliers; consumers) are in it for the long term. Richard Martin, Technical Development Director, Herschel Infrared

[Some] other key points raised were on the rebalancing of the electricity and gas pricing taking levies off electricity and the need for this and the SEA mentioning that the approach to Net Zero should also not forget the Non-Domestic side of the heating market, which is something I am keen to push as this is such a key part of the market for us as well. Matthew Dodds, Director – Commercial Division, Herschel Infrared

View the full article about the 2025 Annual Parliamentary Reception on the SEA’s website.