Sight for Sore Installs: A Look Back at Our Most Viral Campaign
Awareness saves lives — especially when it’s backed by visuals you can’t ignore.
In 2018, a grassroots campaign started by working engineers caught the attention of the UK heating industry — and the national press. The campaign, called #SightForSoreInstalls, invited gas engineers to share the most dangerous, non-compliant, or downright shocking boiler installations they’d seen.
What began as a social media hashtag quickly turned into a movement — raising public awareness, educating homeowners, and reminding the industry that safety isn’t optional.
From Superheroes to GEGA
#SightForSoreInstalls was originally launched by the Gas Safety Superheroes (GSSH) — a not-for-profit initiative made up of experienced UK installers. Frustrated by the increasing number of unsafe installations going unnoticed, they took matters into their own hands.
GEGA (the Green Energy & Gas Alliance) was born from that same founding team. Today, GEGA carries forward that mission, advocating for safety, quality, and honesty in both gas and green energy systems.
This campaign is part of our history — and its message still matters in 2025.
The Campaign That Caught the Nation’s Eye
Using the hashtag #SightForSoreInstalls, engineers began sharing real-life photos of shocking installations:
- Boilers boxed into tiny cupboards
- Flues propped up on loose bricks
- Electrics suspended inches above bathtubs
- Burn marks, corroded parts, and DIY disasters
The results were alarming — and highly shareable.
The stats:
- Over 100 photo entries in just a few weeks
- £1,500+ worth of prizes donated by manufacturers
- Covered by the Daily Mirror, featuring campaign quotes and installer stories
- First prize: A Vaillant EcoTec Pro 28 boiler, donated by Vaillant
As one entry showed, a boiler was installed directly above a bath — with pipework and electrics hanging dangerously overhead. It was the kind of image you can’t unsee — and that’s exactly the point.
“I blame ignorance. People just don’t realise how dangerous this is. We’re told it’s down to installers to educate the public — but we need more big campaigns to help.”
– Gavin Yeoman, Gas Saftey Superhero & GEGA Founding Member
What a Safe Installation Should Look Like
With so many entries showing what not to do, the campaign also helped educate the public on what good practice looks like.
A safe boiler installation should include:
- Correct flue positioning and terminal clearances
- Access to service points (not boxed-in or hidden)
- Proper ventilation
- Secure fixings — not “floating” or unstable
- A visible Gas Safe ID from the installer
- Full documentation and safety checks
These are the basics — but they’re often ignored. And that’s why this campaign mattered.
Red Flags to Watch For
You don’t need to be an expert to spot signs that something’s wrong. As a homeowner, keep an eye out for:
- Boilers located directly above baths or sinks
- Flue pipes without secure fixings
- Lack of ventilation in cupboards or small rooms
- Burn marks, scorch marks or visible corrosion
- Strong smells, odd noises, or pilot light issues
If something looks off — ask questions. Better safe than sorry.
Quotes from the Front Line
“I ripped out a boiler that had no flue seal — just kitchen roll stuffed in. The tenant thought it was insulation.”
– Installer submission
“The customer was shocked when I told them it was illegal. They assumed ‘neat’ meant ‘safe’.”
– GEGA Network Engineer
“SightForSoreInstalls wasn’t about naming and shaming. It was about opening eyes — literally and figuratively.”
– Installer from Leeds
Why This Campaign Worked
What made #SightForSoreInstalls so powerful was its simplicity. No marketing. No agenda. Just engineers sharing what they saw — and why it wasn’t safe.
It resonated because:
- It was installer-led, not manufacturer-driven
- It focused on education, not blame
- It used real images, not stock photos
- It led to real conversations about safety in UK homes
The campaign helped homeowners understand that behind the cupboard door could lie real danger — and that a clean finish doesn’t always mean a compliant install.
The Legacy Lives On
While the original competition has ended, the hashtag is still active. Engineers continue to use #SightForSoreInstalls to share unsafe work, raise awareness, and push for better standards.
At GEGA, we’ve built on that momentum:
- Running awareness campaigns every year
- Publishing downloadable checklists and servicing guides
- Supporting education for both homeowners and professionals
- Promoting only Gas Safe Registered engineers
Final Word
#SightForSoreInstalls may have started as a competition — but it became a movement.
It proved that safety education doesn’t require a marketing budget — just real engineers, real stories, and a platform to speak up.
At GEGA, we’re proud of where this campaign came from — and even prouder of where it’s going. If you’ve ever wondered whether your boiler is safe, start by asking to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID.
Because sometimes, a photo really can save a life.
📩 [Contact GEGA]
🔍 Read The Mirror article
📷 [Follow @gassafesuperheroes on Instagram]
