| Householders should not feel helpless when it comes to the current housing and energy cost challenges. Taking some straightforward and easy steps to control home energy usage can help homeowners alleviate some of the financial and housing market pressures currently being felt across the UK. Homeowners can take back an element of cost control by addressing energy efficiency issues in their homes. By making some simple, yet inexpensive adjustments to heating controls within their property, homeowners can help themselves to cut energy bills. |  |
One of the cheapest and most efficient ways of reducing energy usage and saving money in home heating is in the area of radiator controls and the use of Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs). TRVs can combine the flexible energy saving benefits being sought by the homeowner without compromising the design-led looks that will complement existing stylish interiors. For example, Drayton’s TRV4 boasts a high specification, all chrome finish that can match existing chrome radiators or new bathroom installations, as well as offer the technical benefits of non stick internals, ultra sensitive liquid filled chrome heads, an optional tamper proof cover and the ability to balance a radiator using the TRV itself.
Alongside the energy efficiency advantages offered by TRVs, householders should also examine the cost savings and efficiencies that can be gained by better control of their central heating. In this case, installing easy-to-use, flexible and design-led programmable controllers, which are available in both electronic and analogue formats, can go a long way to minimizing the rising cost of energy usage in the home.
Controllers such as the Lifestyle LP electronic range offers the homeowner simple and accurate time control functionality with wide-ranging and variable programming so that heating can be controlled to be available when it is needed and energy not wasted when it is not required. Some programmers allow independent control of each channel so that if home occupation varies, controlling the heating accordingly can contribute to significant energy cost savings. Indeed, it is estimated that a 1º reduction in the level of heating in the home can lead to a 10% reduction in energy usage – a figure that homeowners would be pleased to know.
It is perhaps not surprising that when faced with global financial storms and legislative requirements, the homeowner can feel powerless to protect themselves. However, implementing some easy and non expensive changes about how they manage the heating requirements of their homes, can help householders reap real benefit in terms of property energy efficiency, lower energy bills and ensure they are on the right path to comply with the law when it comes to selling their homes in the future.
We use Drayton
December 17th, 2009 on 12:01 am
The new wireless Digistat+1RF from Drayton Controls offers users the ability to control the temperature of their home accurately, increasing comfort and reducing energy consumption.
Featuring large buttons and a clear, easy-to-read digital display, the room thermostat allows the temperature to be adjusted in 1ºC increments, for those who prefer simple, uncomplicated heating controls.
December 17th, 2009 on 12:01 am
Contemporary design
Easy setting
Frost protection as standard
Available since 1992 and still Britain’s best selling range of Thermostatic Radiator Valves Drayton’s TRVs set the standards for design, performance and quality. The range includes Lockshield and Pushfit packs to suit most domestic and commercial heating systems.
Technical
Temperature Setting range 10ºC – 30ºC
Maximum Sensor Temperature 50ºC
Sensitivity 0.22mm/ºC
Flow noise through valves
It is strongly recommended that the differential pressure across the thermostatic valves should not exceed 0.2 bar to avoid flow related noise. A differential pressure regulating device such as an automatic bypass valve should be used.
System Cleaning
To avoid damage to the valves and the heating system components, and the formation of scale deposit in the hot water heating system, the system should be flushed and a proprietary inhibitor needed.
December 17th, 2009 on 12:03 am
Boost – gives an extra one or two hours operation. Available on all channels.
Advance – manually switches from ON to OFF or vice-versa
12 Hour clock – easier for all age groups to understand
TEMPUS 6
Two channel full programmer, can be set for 24 hour or 5day/ 2 day operation, with independent times for heating and hot water. Suitable for most conventional heating systems.
TEMPUS 7
5 Day/2 day or 7 day full programming, independent programmes for heating and hot water, plus six switching times make Tempus 7 the choice where total heating control is demanded. With all these features, the ease of use associated with Tempus is still the key.
Technical
Voltage 230V a.c.
Rating 2(1)A 230V a.c. each switch
Ambient temperature Operating: 0 to 45°C Storage: -20 to 50°C
Wiring – Designed for fixed wiring only, to comply with current IEE regulations
Maintenance – No user maintenance should be attempted
Designed for fixed wiring only, to comply with current IEE regulationsNo user maintenance should be attempted
December 17th, 2009 on 12:04 am
Modern styling
4 position slide (easy to set)
Intuitive time setting for ON/OFF
All day option
Universal industrial standard back plate
Drayton’s SM1 single channel timeswitch and SM2 twin channel programmer gives style and ease of uses to suit most domestic pumped and gravity heating systems
Technical
Voltage 230V a.c.
Rating 2(1)A 230V a.c.
Ambient temperature Operating: 0°C to 45°C
Ambient temperature Storage: 0°C to 50°C
Wiring – Designed for fixed wiring only to comply with the current I.E.E. regulations
Maintenance – No user maintenance should be attempted
December 17th, 2009 on 12:17 am
The UK’s leading manufacturer of heating services has welcomed the Government’s Pre-Budget report to deliver a boiler scrappage scheme.
Baxi Group has supported the call for a boiler scrappage scheme since Mick Williams, a plumber’s merchant from Hampshire, started a petition to kick-start the campaign. It is hoped that by offering a £400 incentive to scrap old SEDBUK Band G-rated boilers, over 125,000 households will benefit from newer, more efficient models.
Mick said: “I am absolutely delighted at news of the report and am waiting to see the outcome of the Government’s proposals. I’m particularly pleased that Baxi Group has supported the campaign from day one!”
Mark Kelly, CEO Baxi Group UK, said: “This announcement is great news for consumers as it helps them reduce fuel bills and will go some way to reducing their carbon footprint.
“It also gives the industry a great lift. After days of speculation, we are delighted that the Government has finally decided to introduce this initiative to tackle UK carbon emissions.”
Statistics gathered by the HHIC (Heating and Hot Water Industry Council) estimate that there are 4.5 million Band G rated boilers in use rated at less than 70% efficient. Changing from a Band G rated boiler to a Band A rated boiler could save the householder up to £235 per year on their fuel bills. Upgrading the boiler could also make savings of 1.2 tonnes of CO2 per year.
December 31st, 2009 on 7:02 pm
More than 100,000 ageing British boilers will be scrapped and exchanged for newer, more energy-efficient models, under £50 million plans unveiled by the Chancellor today.
The scheme, similar to the car scrappage programme launched last April, was contained in today’s Pre-Budget Report.
It will offer grants worth up to £400 for 125,000 households with old, inefficient boiler models to replace them with new, energy-saving equipment. There are 4.5 million households that could apply for this.
By replacing an older boiler with a new, top-rated condensing boiler and better controls, household bills can be cut by up to a quarter, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST). In a family home, that could mean a saving of £235 a year.
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Gas boilers also account for 60 per cent of the carbon emissions from an average gas-heated home and the scheme could save 1.26 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year for each affected home.
It will be open to households with so-called G-rated boilers, which are less than 70 per cent efficient, if they replace them with an A-rated boiler.
The programme is also expected to deliver a boost for British industry. About 60 per cent of boilers used in the UK are manufactured in this country and 120,000 boiler engineers will also benefit.
Many have been struggling because of a decline in orders that has resulted from the slowdown in the property market.
However, the scheme will have only a limited impact on the market for boiler replacement.
About 600,000 new condensing boilers are already installed every year in the UK without government support.
The idea for the boiler scrappage scheme was initiated by Mick Williams, a plumber’s merchant in Hampshire. Mr Williams started the Reheat Britain campaign in July with a simple petition on the No 10 website, inspired by the Government’s car scrappage scheme.
The Reheat Britain campaign has since attracted wide-ranging support from business, politics and the green movement, including the campaign manager, Sian Berry, the Green Party’s 2008 candidate for Mayor of London.
Mr Williams said: “It’s amazing to think that just six months ago, this was an idea from one plumber’s merchant in Hampshire and soon up to 100,000 families will be benefiting from it. It just goes to show what can be achieved when you decide to get off your bum and make something happen.
“The best thing about the campaign is how business and the green movement came together to get it done. British business cares about environmental and social issues and is ready to use its knowhow to take these problems on.”
Alistair Darling also announced that householders with wind turbines or solar panels on their homes who sell additional power back into the grid would receive an average of £900 a year under the “feed-in tariff” scheme, which starts in April — a payment that would be tax-free.
He announced an extra £200 million for domestic energy-efficieny programmes through measures such as insulation to support 75,000 households.
“We must all become more energy-efficient and cut emissions, as well as household bills,” he said.
December 31st, 2009 on 7:04 pm
‘More advice needed’ on boiler scrappage schemes
The introduction of a boiler scrappage scheme has been announced in chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report.
But for the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), this is not enough.
Blane Judd, CIPHE chief executive, believes that advice is needed alongside cash incentives.
Mr Judd said: “Whilst we welcome any incentive that encourages members of the public to make their home safer and more energy efficient a cash-back allowance on its own is not enough.”
He maintains that guidance is needed alongside incentive because “without issuing advice on the correct sizing of the boiler, installation of proper controls and the importance of regular maintenance to help reduce energy consumption, little will be achieved by simply replacing old boilers”.
One tonne of carbon is added to the atmosphere each year by each inefficient boiler, according to the chancellor
As well as the environmental effect, an uneconomical boiler can add over £200 to a family’s annual household bills.
January 2nd, 2010 on 5:20 pm
Mark Kelly responds to the news of the boiler scrappage scheme
Date:09/12/2009
Today in his pre-Budget statement Alistair Darling announced a boiler scrappage scheme.
£200 million to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty by:
•offering £400 to 125,000 households to upgrade their old boilers to the latest efficient models with a Greener Boiler incentive.
•providing extra resources for Warm Front to help 75,000 of the most vulnerable households with heating and insulation
Mark Kelly, CEO Baxi Group UK, said “this is a great lift for the industry. It’s good to see the Government moving on reducing the carbon footprint of the existing boiler base while maintaining a focus on renewables”.
January 2nd, 2010 on 5:21 pm
The UK’s leading manufacturer of heating services has welcomed the Government’s Pre-Budget report to deliver a boiler scrappage scheme.
Baxi Group has supported the call for a boiler scrappage scheme since Mick Williams, a plumber’s merchant from Hampshire, started a petition to kick-start the campaign. It is hoped that by offering a £400 incentive to scrap old SEDBUK Band G-rated boilers, over 125,000 households will benefit from newer, more efficient models.
Mick said: “I am absolutely delighted on news of the report and am waiting to see the outcome of the Governments proposals. I’m particularly pleased that Baxi Group has supported the campaign from day one!”
Mark Kelly, CEO Baxi Group UK, said: “This announcement is great news for consumers as it helps them reduce fuel bills and will go some way to reducing their carbon footprint.
“It also gives the industry a great lift. After days of speculation, we are delighted that the Government has finally decided to introduce this initiative to tackle UK carbon emissions.”
Statistics gathered by the HHIC (Heating and Hot Water Industry Council) estimate that there are 4.5 million Band G rated boilers in use rated at less than 70% efficient. Changing from a Band G rated boiler to an Band A rated boiler could save the householder up to £235 per year on their fuel bills. Upgrading the boiler could also make savings of 1.2 tonnes of CO2 per year.
February 25th, 2010 on 10:13 pm
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