British Gas is helping the nation to get the swimming habit.

Rebecca Adlington, the swimming sensation who has just achieved European glory with another gold medal, has just launched the 3 Free Swims Campaign for British Gas at Clissold Leisure Centre, in Hackney, London.

3 free swims will be given away to British Gas customers at various health clubs, leisure centres and hotels the length and breadth of the UK. The drive is to get children away from the tempting television screen during their summer holidays and into a fun and healthy activity that they can enjoy with their families. The swims are to be directed at all ages, from toddlers to teenagers through to adults.

The programme runs until 30th November 2010, and until then 500 venues up and down the country will be open for the 3 free swims. As a swimmer herself, Rebecca Adlington understands the importance of getting children and adults into the water, helping them to get fit and have some fun: “It’s great that so many pools are taking part all over the country which means that British Gas 3 Free Swims will be accessible to a huge number of people, from all walks of life. Hopefully they’ll enjoy it so much that they’ll keep on swimming.”

Last year, British Gas were involved in a similar idea, the ‘British Gas Free Swim’ campaign, which proved incredibly popular. Over 300,000 people took part, and it has given British Gas the confidence and drive to get behind another similar campaign this year.

“We at British Gas are delighted to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to enjoy 3 free swims. More people swim every week than any other sport, and as the principal Partner of British swimming at all levels, we’d love to see even more of you in the pool,” says British Gas.

As well as the fun and fitness elements to swimming, British Gas are keen to stress the vital lessons swimming can teach adults and children; drowning is believed by safety experts to be the third most common cause of accidental death in children. Not only will the scheme allow adults and children alike to get more confident in the water, but to encourage first time swimmers to get their first taste of swimming.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Boiler manufacturers Worcester Bosch are one of many manufacturers getting steamed up over a disagreement about boiler energy efficiencies.

Worcester Bosch, like the rest of the UK’s heating industry, have been angered by plans drawn up by the European Commission to instil vigorous new targets on particular boilers. The Commission believes that every boiler up to 70kW must conform to a seasonal energy efficiency target of 75 percent; a target that will be in place by January 2013.

In calculating this target, the Commission used the Ecoboiler interim model, which has been designed to give some power to the Commission’s drive for the design and manufacture of energy efficient boilers. There have been problems already, however. In laboratory testing, best-in-class oil-fired condensing boilers struggled to meet the 75 per cent target in minimum seasonal efficiency levels.

“As it stands, the Ecoboiler model would, overnight, make all of the highly efficient oil-fired condensing boilers, currently available in the UK, obsolete,” says Martyn Bridges, director of the marketing and technical support at Worcester Bosch Group, “In order to comply with the Directive, as it stands, manufacturers would have to fast-track R&D and make significant extra investment which would only increase costs for installers and householders”.

In response to the Commission’s planned demands, the European Heating Industry (EHI) has come up with its own set of ideas. The EHI have suggested an initial boiler-only approach; after this other heating types are added, for example boiler management systems and solar.

Using this approach, the 75 percent target can be achieved and even surpassed, as it combines boiler and room temperature controls.

Martyn Bridges adds: “In effect, there is a stand-off at the moment between the Commission and manufacturers. We, as manufacturers, believe it is possible to deliver the boiler efficiency that the Commission wants but via a different approach.
Boiler management controls can do the job, but until we get a decision on the acceptability of the proposed EHI model, we remain in limbo.”
It is the disagreement over which of these models should be used that has left Worcester Bosch and others in the heating industry waiting and wondering.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Baxi Boilers has expanded its range of heat only boilers.

The range of Solo Baxi Boilers has been supplemented by an additional model which because of its reduced depth, will enable it to be fitted flush with wall cupboards of a standard kitchen.

The Baxi Solo HE A boasts a SEDBUK 2005 efficiency rating of over 90% and also has a NOx Class 5 classification. Baxi says it’s the ideal choice for new-build, or replacement installations.

The new Baxi Solo HE A is available in a number of outputs: top is 3O kW, working down to 12 kW, via 24, 18, and 15. It is also fully modulating, which basically means that it can be easily fitted into most property types. It has been purposely designed to be easy to install which, says Baxi, saves everyone time and money. With a low-lift weight, it also comes with a number of different options as to how to fit the flue. Should it be necessary, it can be fitted to a system that already exists, as there is no additional wiring needed, nor is there any requirement for a pump over-run, or for a permanent live.

What’s more, the new boiler is also fully compatible with Megaflo Solar hot water storage cylinders and Baxi Solarflo domestic solar thermal systems.

For the user, the boiler is simple to operate and has easily to understand controls. It is recommended by the Energy Saving Trust who has calculated that up to £235 could be saved on heating bills when using the Baxi Solo HE A when it has replaced an old, standard efficiency boiler.

Baxi boilers are one of the leaders in a competitive market and are often recipients of industry awards. Voted Boiler of the year 2008 at the CORGI Awards was the Baxi Duo-tec Combi 28 HE. It also picked up the Best Buy gong from Which? Magazine with a score that has yet to be beaten.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Whereas some companies in the heating industry are lamenting the closure of the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, Baxi Boilers actually think that it might be a good development.

Baxi Boilers thinks that there is a definite silver lining with the ending of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

And with it gone, says Baxi Boilers, thoughts can now be focussed on a: “…broader, more financially sustainable approach in encouraging the installation of low and zero carbon (LZC) heating technologies in our home.”

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme first came into being in April, 2006 and has dished out, estimates Baxi Boilers, some 20,000 grants which have helped pay for the cost of micro-generation equipment for homeowners, as well as not-for-profit organisations. The grants covered both the capital and installation costs of such equipment.

But as with many such initiatives, the Governments deficit busting axe has been at work and as part of the initial attempt to remove £6 billion from the sums, the Department of Energy and Climate Change chopped the £34 million scheme.

Baxi Boilers’ own Mr Osborne, said:
“On the surface, the termination of the LCBP appears to be bad news for the LZC heating sector" says. "However, in the Queen’s Speech the Government announced the introduction of new Green Loans for those who want to save energy. These offer a more financially sustainable option than the LCBP, and will, in our view, do more to grow investment in LZC technologies, especially for those on low incomes. Loans will be paid back through a pay as you save scheme which, unlike the LCBP, does not require the homeowner to finance the LZC technology up front".  

Baxi Boilers highlight the fact that the Department of Energy and Climate Change all new incentive schemes, and tariffs, will be structured so as to operate under the Micro-generation Certification Scheme framework. And what’s more, they will be supported by tariffs on the utility bills.

Simon Osborne, who is Specification Channel Manager at Baxi Boilers, went on to say: “This new link with the Micro-generation Certification Scheme will be an important change. It will effectively pass the ownership of being green from the eligible few under the LCBP to everyone. That has to be a positive step forward.”

One of the final points made by Baxi Boilers is that the nearly £60 million worth of Low Carbon Buildings Programme, already being processed, will be honoured by the Department of Energy and Climate Change; if they meet the original criteria of course.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of heating devices, Worcester Boilers, has described the new Chancellor’s budget as tough and fair.

But Worcester Boilers did express some concern at the lack of discussion over the Renewable Heat Incentive.

In response to George Osborne’s emergency budget on June 22, Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development at Worcester Boilers said:
“After a great deal of speculation and trepidation, on the whole we agreed with the tough but fair description that was promised. There were some concerns that Osborne’s strategy would cause a double dip, but all in all we don’t feel that this will be the case.

“On the business side, obviously the VAT increase to 20% isn’t going to be welcomed by anyone but generally most predicted this was on the way and will find it an acceptable necessity. The fact that it has been delayed until January 2011 is positive, because in the second half of this year we could see consumers make that large purchase sooner rather than later to avoid the increase. For some this may mean a new heating system, which will be a boost for the industry.”

But whereas the emergency budget’s main issues were welcomed, Worcester Boilers has called for greater clarity on the fate of the Renewable Heat Incentive. The company recognised the talk of green policies, but said such talk was nothing new. It welcomed the idea of The Green Investment Bank and the Green Deal for Households, but lamented the lack of detail about both initiatives, saying the: “devil will be in the detail.”

What was very conspicuous by its absence says Worcester Boilers, was the Renewable Heat Incentive which didn’t receive any mention in either the budget speech, or within the budget document itself.

Indeed, Worcester Boilers points out that there has been no mention of the Renewable Heat Incentive since the new coalition Government took over.

Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development at Worcester Boilers, takes up the story again:
“Speculation is now rife but what we need as a business and for the whole industry is certainty, so that we can plan. If it’s in, then great, we can plan for it. If it’s out, we’ll be disappointed but at least we can move forward knowing what steps to take. We would urge the new Government to be honest and tell us one way or another, sooner rather than later.”

Many in the heating industry believe that the Renewable Heat Incentive is being deliberately overlooked and that is bad news for all concerned.

Guest Article by Neil Camp