One of the most contentious debates in the food industry at the moment is product labelling. When is a piece of British Pork actually British? Funnily enough, it need only be packed on these shores to be called British.

Consumer groups have said enough is enough and are demanding changes, but the same issues are being played out it the heating industry over the claims of some boiler manufacturers when it comes to the efficiency of their products.

Because when you talk about boilers, the name of the game is efficiency. Unfortunately for the marketing men, most boilers will always look mostly alike, many are hidden in cupboards and all do basically the same thing, heat water. So go faster stripes are not really going to win anyone over.

But the one big differentiator for all boilers are their efficiency levels. The installer (usually a heating engineer) will recommend whether you need a combi, regular, or system boiler, but when it comes down to efficiency, the consumer is having an increasingly bigger say.

Efficiency saves the consumer money (greater efficiency, less energy, lower bills) and helps the environment. And this efficiency is readily understood by the consumer.

In the good old days, the average central heating would care little about the cost of the operating system. Now, it’s almost the only thing people do care about.

And so does the Government, devising rules that say that unless there is no choice, your property should have a high efficiency boiler (and that means more than 90% efficient, and A rated).

This is measured on the SEDBUK scale and a set of tests were devised, and trials run, to determine the efficiency levels of almost all boilers available in the UK.

Low and behold, most of the boilers scored high with many, thanks to condensing technology, in the late 80 per cents, or the low 90 per cents (in other words, within the building regulations of the day). Then the 2010 SEDBUK figures came out (to coincide with building regulations which now say that only boilers of 90% efficiency, or more, are allowed).

And now some boilers are dropping 2% (into the unfortunate B rating zone), as the heating bodies that regulate the SEDBUK levels feel that they have been a little lenient in the past and manufacturers a little too persuading in their interpretation of rules.

The manufacturers are upset at the authorities changing the goal posts, but many environmental groups are livid it’s almost been like the fox guarding the hen house and the SEDBUK ratings are just not strict enough.

Things are set to change in a couple of years, when the European Commission introduce a new set of directives (and two new layers, A+ and A++) are introduced, but until then, the industry has got to guard against losing credibility in the eyes of the public.

The heating industry has to be transparent and ensure people that they are being honest about ratings and performances. If they don’t try hard to keep the people’s hearts and minds, they will find the big boots of Government all over their industry.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

If you’re already asking yourself the question, do I need a new boiler?, then it’s clearly time to take a long serious look at your current heating device.

You might also discover that it’s time to renew, or upgrade, your whole heating system. Boilers are usually the source of the problem if you discover that your house is not being heated efficiently. Many of the older boiler models suffer from low efficiency levels which can be as low as 50%, but more usually around 70%.

If you consider that a modern, high efficiency condensing boiler operates at around 96%, you will appreciate the difference in energy cost that comes every month out of your wallet. When you compare older 70% efficient boilers to modern condensing boilers operating at 96%, you could be wasting 25p in every pound you spend on your energy.

And not only that, an older boiler sends more waste gases up the flue than a modern boiler which means you are contributing more carbon emissions to the environment.

But don’t lay the blame entirely at the feet of your boiler. It may mean that your whole central heating system is in need of an upgrade, refit, or clean. The boiler might be the heart of the system, but the network of radiators, pipes and controls are vital for the most efficient operating levels.

You need therefore to take a close look at your heating system, including the:

• radiators;
• water tanks;
• piping;
• controls.

And by close look, always err on the side of caution and get an expert to run their eye over your kit. Remember that your boiler can never be examined, serviced, moved, or repaired, by anyone other than an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. This is a legal requirement, not just good advice.

But the boiler aside, have a think about how your central heating system is functioning. Are the radiators working properly? Do they need bleeding (removing air which creates cold spots)? Flushing out (getting rid of sediment which also creates cold spots)? Or, checking for corrosion (which can lead quickly to dramatic leaks)? Water tanks – whether they be hot water tanks, or header tanks – need regularly checking for efficiency and possible corrosion. Piping does not last forever and, like radiators, the miles of pipework in your home can suffer from blockages, sludge build up and corrosion.

Controls (such as individual room thermostats) should be the most modern type you can afford, as the latest models allow the user to spread heat more efficiently throughout the house. And the latest boilers usually have built-in controls which allow the user a large degree of control over their heating system’s work rate, which will allow you in turn to control your consumption and therefore cost.

So when you consider boiler replacement, remember to take stock of your whole system as efficient central heating will mean lower energy bills.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to ask about arranging a FREE heating system survey!

Article by Alan Potts 

When you start to wonder whether it’s time to consider replacing your old heating system, it really comes down to whether your current system is as efficient as it could be.

If you don’t think your current heating system is operating at maximum efficiency – which basically means heating your house without stressing your household expenditure – then it’s time to think seriously about upgrading your heating system.

And there are a number of key reasons for taking such a step, the most important being efficiency. And some of the main indicators of an inefficient heating system include:

• noisy boiler;
• cold spots around the house;
• half-warm radiators;
• break-downs;
• high energy bills.

Let’s take a look at the boiler. It’s a well known fact that older boilers tend to be only around 70% efficient. Now a modern condensing boiler can return an efficiency rating of over 95%, so what that means is with older boilers, some 25% of the energy you are paying for is literally going up the flue. And that translates to about 25p in the pound being wasted.

Modern boilers are highly efficient and safe. They will maximise your household spend and get the most out of your central heating system. If your current boiler is starting to make noises, or appears to be labouring under the task required of it, then not only should you have it checked out for safety reasons, but you should also consider upgrading it.

High efficiency boilers are also better for the environment, as they also emit far fewer carbon emissions and will help the Government reach their demanding environmental targets.

Cold spots around the house are not just a sign that the boiler is getting to its ‘sell-by’ date. Cold areas might not only suggest that the system is becoming inefficient (blockages caused by sludge can be removed, but blockages caused by pipes corroding, or joints corroding will need greater attention), but also that the heat distribution controls are not adequate enough. Modern thermostat controls are very good at distributing the available heat around a property at a given time. Poor heat control cost the user money.

Half-warm radiators are again a sign that the heating system is not working properly. It might be a simple case of the radiator needing bleeding but it might also mean that a ‘sludge’ build-up throughout the system will necessitate a major flush out of the dirt and debris common in all systems. Or it might mean that the system’s network of pipes, valves and controls is becoming obsolete and will need replacing.

Break-downs are a major sign that all is not right and one of the biggest problems here is that older boilers are sometimes unrepairable as parts are commonly not available for the older models.

Finally, keep an eye on your energy bills. Talk to your energy provider, maybe politely ask your neighbours what they pay, or do some internet research and find out what typically your property should cost to keep warm.

If you discover you’re paying too much, then it may well be time to invest in a new heating system.

Call British Gas on 0800 327 7832 to ask further questions about arranging a heating system survey!

Article by Alan Potts 

One of Europe’s largest heating technology manufacturers has just celebrated the production of its one millionth high efficiency condensing boiler. The milestone of 1,000,000 Vaillant ecoTEC plus was reached at the company’s factory in Belper, Derbyshire.

And the one millionth boiler to be produced for the UK market was a Vaillant ecoTEC plus 831 high efficiency combination boiler. This model had recently picked up the accolade of ‘Best Buy’ from the consumer magazine Which? Read our Vaillant boiler page for more information.

To celebrate this impressive manufacturing achievement, Vaillant is giving away £1000 worth of holiday vouchers to the householder who actually gets the one millionth boiler, shared equally with the installer.

The lucky winners will be identified once the owner of the Valliant ecoTEC plus 831 boiler registers the guarantee either by phone, internet, or by post.

Jim Moore, Regional Director of Vaillant Group UK and Northern Europe Jim Moore said:
“It is extremely pleasing to know that as we sell our one millionth Vaillant ecoTEC boiler in the UK, many thousands of householders are enjoying savings of over a third on their heating bills, whilst significantly reducing their carbon footprint. This is certainly an achievement worth celebrating. Vaillant’s credentials have been further supported by the recent Which? consumer survey where, in addition to receiving Best Buy status for our ecoTEC plus 831 and 824 models, consumers also gave us the highest scores for both product reliability and overall customer satisfaction.”

Vaillant Group’s Plant Director Marc Döerpinghaus said:
“Everyone is joining in the celebration. This is a significant milestone for our dedicated production team at Belper, many of whom have been here since the first ecoTEC boiler made its debut, so their efforts have contributed to this excellent achievement from start to finish. The Belper factory has also been acclaimed for its efficiency and innovation within manufacturing circles and recently won both the ‘Best Engineering Plant Award’ and the ‘Energy & Environment Award’ in the Best Factory Awards 2010. Vaillant has long been at the forefront of heating technology development, thanks to a commitment to on-going investment, including £1million investment in air testing of every appliance as part of its stringent quality control process. It has also instigated innovative one-piece flow lines, and adopted ‘poka yoke’ principles which deploy a barcode system that only allows an operator to progress to the next stage of production once the previous operations have been fully completed.”

The two accolades from the Best Factory Awards 2010 are supported by the famous Cranfield School of Management. The factory of the Vaillant Group UK produces over 400,000 high efficiency boilers every year.

And the lucky winner of the £1,000 in holiday vouchers for choosing the one millionth vaillant ecotec plus will no doubt be shortly revealed.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

The Chester and District Housing Trust is trialling Baxi back boilers in a scheme which sees it updating its housing stock to meet the Decent Homes standards. Part of the ambition is to try and combat fuel poverty for the house holders.

The Baxi Bermuda BBU HE is one of the few true high efficiency boilers on the market at the moment. Their back boilers are designed to offer all the benefits of a modern boiler, together with all the advantages of a traditional back boiler.

The Chester and District Housing Trust has over 1,000 of its properties fitted with standard efficiency back boiler units. The challenge was to select and install an affordable alternative.

Hamish Laird, The Chester and District Housing Trust M&E Surveyor, said:
“Back boiler units cleverly fit into a property’s existing fireplace. However, when it comes to replacing a standard efficiency BBU siting a boiler alternative elsewhere can prove difficult, especially in small homes.”

The first property to get an installed Baxi Bermuda BBU HE was a 1950s bungalow in Melrose Avenue, Chester. It was chosen because being a one-bedroomed property, it had very limited wall space and would be a challenging site for a traditional condensing boiler.

The contractor to install the boiler was PH Jones, a national property maintenance company and Chris Jones, Social Housing Refurbishment Director at PH Jones, said:
“The installation of the Baxi Bermuda BBU HE went very smoothly. We connected the unit to the existing pipe-work, renewed all radiators and incorporated an expansion vessel to upgrade to a pressurised system with Y plan control and a new hot water cylinder, working closely with the XDHT to minimise disruption to the tenant.”

Mr Laird went onto say:
“The Baxi Bermuda BBU HE offered Melrose Avenue a high efficiency solution as a direct replacement to its existing BBU, without needing to re-site the boiler. The tenant living in the property has found the BBU unit easy to use and should now benefit from significant fuel savings.”

Hi-efficiency Baxi back boilers have become more popular when consumers bear in mind that since 2003, there has been a whopping 114% rise in gas prices. This has brought a new priority to throwing out old, inefficient boilers, and installing new ones. When compared to an old Band G boiler, says the Energy Saving trust, a Band A boiler will use a third less fuel in providing the same amount of heat.

Baxi reckons that there are around two million old back boilers still being used today and designed the Baxi Bermuda BBU HE, which is Band A rated and has an output of 15kW, as a suitable replacement.

Guest Article by Neil Camp