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Four industry organisations have backed the UK Proof is on the Roof campaign, which calls for action on incorrectly specified or installed heat pump pipe insulation. The campaign says non-UV-resistant materials can degrade in sunlight, but the source report does not quantify energy losses or identify proposed enforcement measures.
Three more industry organisations have backed the UK’s Proof is on the Roof campaign, joining the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) in calling for action on incorrectly specified or installed heat pump pipe insulation. The campaign says non-UV-resistant materials can rapidly deteriorate in direct sunlight, potentially undermining insulation performance and adding to energy losses.
The newly named supporters are CEFEP, a European association representing manufacturers of flexible elastomeric foam (FEF) and polyethylene (PEF) insulation, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR). The campaign was launched in 2025 by certified low carbon energy assessor Lawrence Leask and TICA technical director Chris Ridge.
Leask said he began raising the issue after seeing degraded insulation on refrigeration pipework during nearly all of his TM44 inspections. Those inspections relate to air-conditioning systems. The campaign focuses on outdoor pipework on heat pumps, where insulation may face sunlight and changing weather conditions, an issue also relevant to heat pump monitoring.
According to the report, standard black elastomeric foam that is not designed to resist ultraviolet exposure can break down rapidly in direct sunlight. BESA technical director Kevin Morrissey described the issue as one that could be readily corrected, while Armacell technical manager Tom Merton said material choice should account for long-term exposure to sunlight, rain, frost and temperature changes.
Insulation Choices Affect Heat Pump Performance
Heat pumps depend on insulated pipework to limit unwanted heat transfer and maintain system performance. If outdoor insulation cracks or degrades, the pipework may lose some of its protective function. Merton said UV- and weather-resistant insulation helps maintain thermal performance and condensation control, and can reduce the risk of moisture entering damaged material and the need for early replacement.
The campaign’s supporters argue that better specification and installation could address a recurring problem without changing the heat pump itself. Ridge called pipework insulation a relatively straightforward opportunity for decarbonisation, but said it was often treated as an afterthought. The issue matters to installers, building owners and policymakers because poor installation may reduce the performance expected from equipment intended to lower emissions.
The scale of the potential impact is not established in the report. Leask compared energy losses from incorrectly insulated pipework to those of a large power station, but no calculation, geographic scope or supporting data is provided alongside that statement. It should be understood as his claim, not a verified estimate.
UV resistant heat pump pipe insulation
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Campaign Began After Inspection Findings
Leask and Ridge launched Proof is on the Roof in 2025, after Leask reported repeatedly finding degraded insulation during external pipework inspections. The campaign began in the UK, but its organisers believe the use of unsuitable insulation may also be an issue elsewhere in Europe. The report does not provide evidence establishing how widespread the problem is in either market.
The report also describes a division of responsibility in the work. Many pipe insulation jobs require a thermal insulation specialist, while insulation on commercial air-to-air heat pump installations is usually carried out by the refrigeration contractor. This can make specifications and workmanship relevant across different parts of the installation chain.
The latest backing brings together trade and professional bodies alongside an association representing insulation manufacturers. Their support adds industry voices to the campaign’s call for action, but the report does not say that the organisations have agreed on a specific regulatory proposal or enforcement plan.
“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
outdoor heat pump insulation materials
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Scale and Policy Response Remain Unclear
The report does not quantify how many heat pump installations have incorrect insulation, how much energy is lost, or how those losses vary by system, climate or material. It also does not provide independent data supporting the campaign’s claim that the problem is widespread, or Leask’s comparison to the output of a large power station.
It is unclear what action the campaign wants policymakers or installers to take next, whether that means new rules, stronger guidance, inspections or better training. The report says the issue may extend across Europe, but does not identify affected countries or provide evidence on its prevalence outside the UK.
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Campaigners Seek Wider Industry Action
The campaign’s new backing gives its organisers a broader platform to press for action, but the report names no timetable, formal policy process or next campaign milestone. The next developments to watch are whether the supporting organisations set out shared recommendations and whether policymakers or industry bodies respond with changes to guidance, training or installation practice.
For now, the campaign’s message is that pipe insulation should be specified for the conditions it will face outdoors and installed correctly. Any wider claims about energy savings or emissions reductions will require evidence that defines the affected installations and measures the results.
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Key Questions
What is the Proof is on the Roof campaign calling for?
The campaign is calling for action on incorrectly specified or installed thermal insulation on heat pump pipework. The report does not set out a specific proposed rule or enforcement measure.
Which organisations have backed the campaign?
The report names TICA, CEFEP, BESA and the Institute of Refrigeration as supporters. CEFEP represents European manufacturers of FEF and PEF insulation products.
Why can some heat pump insulation deteriorate outdoors?
The report says non-UV-resistant insulation, including standard black elastomeric foam, can break down rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight. Rain, frost and temperature cycling are also cited as conditions that material selection should account for.
How widespread is incorrect heat pump insulation?
The report does not give a count or rate of affected installations. Campaign co-founder Lawrence Leask said he saw degraded insulation during nearly all of his TM44 inspections, but that observation is not a measure of prevalence across all heat pumps.
What happens next?
No timetable or policy response is specified. The next step would be for campaign supporters to make their requested actions clearer and for policymakers or industry bodies to respond.
Source: rss
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