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

Energy giant is offering three thousand large for Britain’s oldest boiler.

The hometeam at nPower is offering the prize of £3,000 for Britain’s oldest boiler after its engineers discovered numerous ‘antique’ systems during the previous Government’s hugely successful boiler scrappage scheme.

The owner of Britain’s oldest boiler will get the £3,000 as payment towards the cost and installation of a brand new boiler; one that carries the latest “A” rate.

The inspired nPower hometeam are determined to find Britain’s oldest boiler and have started a nationwide hunt.

The head of sales for nPower hometeam, Richard Cotton, said:
“If your boiler is particularly old – perhaps the same age as your grown-up children, or has been in the house longer than you have been married – you could be the owner of Britain’s oldest boiler.”

Although nPower is on the lookout for Britain’s oldest boiler and the scrappage scheme has disappeared, the energy provider is still providing grants – up to the value of £400 for people who qualify under the old scheme criteria – to replace old boilers. The £400 grant represents almost a third of the cost of a typical boiler installation.

nPower understands all too well that there can only be one winner of its Britain’s oldest boiler scheme, but that should not stop people who still have old boilers – “G”, “X”, or unrated – from getting them replaced as a priority.

So householders would do well to check their heating devices, just in case they might quality for the accolade of owning Britain’s oldest boiler and being able to claim £3,000 towards the cost of a new one.

And the likely replacement for Britain’s oldest boiler is a condensing “A” rated boiler; one which is termed ‘high efficiency’ because of its ability to exploit the heat not only from the combustion process, but also the exhaust process. Indeed, building regulations now stipulate that all boiler replacements should, if possible, be “A” rated as regards the SEDBUK tables.

So get down into the cellar now and see if you own Britain’s oldest boiler.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

One of the best known gas boiler manufacturers has leaped into the hi-tech age with its Find a Boiler application (or App, as they are known).

Worcester, Bosch Group has developed the Find a Boiler App so that its customers and installers can access key information by using their mobile devices.

The Find a Boiler App comes with the other main App, Find an Installer.

And by having such an App as Find a Boiler say Worcester, it means that even though a customer might not have a signal on their mobile device, it still means that they can access the relevant information.

Both the Find a Boiler and Find an Installer App are available, for free, as a download from iTunes.

And as part of the same initiative which has seen the Find a Boiler App being developed, Worcester has also launched a mobile phone view of its UK website specifically for the iPhone.

Worcester’s director of marketing and technical support, Martyn Bridges, was thrilled with the latest developments and when highlighting the latest digital strategies, including the Find a Boiler App, said:
“This year we’ve become increasingly aware of the importance of having an easily accessible presence on smartphones such as the iPhone. Many of the installers and specifiers we speak to on training courses and at events now have iPhones in particular, not to mention the take-up of smartphones by consumers.”

The Worcester website is packed full of information, including company contacts, latest news and the Find a Boiler section.

Mr Bridges continued:
“The digital age has seen everyone change their habits – how they read the news, how they shop, pay their bills and even choose a new heating system. As market leader in the heating industry, we place huge emphasis on keeping up to date with the latest trends and we always aim to be at the forefront of new technology. Whether that’s within our products or through the communication tools we use to keep in touch with and inform our customers.”

So those looking for Find a Boiler, or Find an Installer App, can now use their iPhone.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

The Baxi Bermuda back boiler HE has scooped a prestigious award.

The high efficiency Baxi Bermuda back boiler has picked up a IGEM/SBGI Gas Industry Innovation award.

The accolade, given out at the IGEM/SBGI Gas Industry Innovation Awards 2010, recognised that the Baxi Bermuda back gas boiler was the only condensing back boiler unit on the market.

The award judges praised the Baxi Bermuda back boiler for its contribution to not only people’s pockets, but also the environment, saying it will “…help reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions in over two million households which still rely on a back boiler to provide heating and hot water.”

The IGEM/SBGI Gas Industry Innovation Awards are run by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, which is the main professional body in the UK for the SBGI and gas industry. The awards are designed to recognise achievement and product innovation in the gas industry.

Mark Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Baxi Group picked up the award and said:
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious industry award for our Baxi Bermuda back boiler High Efficiency. This is a tremendous achievement for everybody involved in the company and recognition for a unique product which offers a viable, low-cost, carbon-cutting solution to upgrading old BBUs. The Baxi Bermuda back boiler will ensure that the Baxi name remains synonymous with back boiler expertise".

The Baxi Bermuda back boiler is compliant with Part L of the Building Regulations and is SEDBUK ‘B’ and ‘A’ rated. Baxi are keen to point out that if offers a viable alternative when replacing older, standard efficiency back gas boilers in UK’s older housing stock.

One of the biggest advantages when installing a Baxi Bermuda back boiler is that it means that the existing boiler site does not have to be re-sited. It can therefore make use of existing pipework and fittings.

And this is one of the main reasons why the Baxi Bermuda back boiler will remain such a feature of the UK boiler scene for many decades to come.

Guest Article by Neil Camp