BSEE-SEP21-PG30 Hounsfield_Layout 1 23/08/2021 14:35 Page 30
BSEE
By Andrew Hounsfield, MD Hounsfield Boilers.
freezer or even boiler, only to have it break down a year or two after buying it, and usually when the warranty period has just expired! Even more annoying is when the service engineer informs you that the part which is needed to repair it, is no longer produced. In July 2021 the government introduced the ‘Right to Repair’, which will require manufacturers to produce spare parts for up to 10 years after a product has been discontinued. At the moment this legislation only applies to washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, fridges and TVs, but it is only a matter of time before it is extended to other products, including boilers, and I believe that this will be a good thing.
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The boiler industry should take the advance warning of this current stage of the Right to Repair, to really rethink how it does things, so it’s ready for when the spotlight hits. Manufacturers need to start redesigning their boilers to make components accessible , to enable
othing is more frustrating and annoying than spending large amounts of money on a new TV,
repairs to be done easily and efficiently. This practical approach is something I have always taken into my designs to make servicing hassle free. The current Right to Repair encourages parts to be supplied to the public for simple DIY repairs, but given the training and knowledge needed to service or repair boilers, installers will not be losing out on work - so there is really nothing to fear.
For manufacturers, the big challenge will be supplying the parts for up to 10 years from the end of manufacture of a model. Ensuring that enough parts are available for those 10 years will have a massive impact on warehouse storage, and boiler manufacturers will have to trust that the components supply chain is also equally dedicated to keeping an adequate supply stored away, with many components needing to be shipped in from as far away as China. Keeping a warehouse of old parts for 10 years will come with a massive cost implication and my fear is that the cost will be passed onto customers and will result in more boilers being ripped out for being ‘uneconomic to repair’, all for the sake of a small part. This would basically undermine the whole idea, to extend the lifetime of a product! However, it
BOILERS & HOT WATER The Right to Repair is what the boiler industry needs
may actually force boiler producers to think smarter and really consider the quality of parts used. As an industry we have been focused on increasing the efficiency of our boilers, as we all know the ERP rating is one of the key things customers look out for. However, I have always believed that the efficiency of a boiler is just a small part of being sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint. For many years now the boiler industry, has been designing boilers to a lower and lower price point. The result of that rationale is that cheaper, lower quality parts are used and need frequent replacements which costs the customer money and takes up installers time carrying out repairs that could so easily be avoided. For too many manufacturers the treadmill supply of these parts is a nice secondary income stream and the impact of their production on the environment is not a consideration for them.
In one regard this supply of cheap, low quality parts seems to fit right into the Right to Repair ethos, as it helps to extend the life of products. However, it would also seem to miss the point - being to reduce waste. Cheap parts cost the earth, they use up resources in their production
and they go to landfill or recycling centres more often than high quality parts. At Hounsfield we use more expensive, high quality parts in our boilers because we’re passionate about creating the best boilers with as small a carbon footprint as possible, it’s part of our job to ensure our customers understand the benefits of paying more for a longer lasting product. High-quality parts may be more expensive, but they last longer and ultimately cost the customer less and reduce pointless call-outs for installers. For manufacturers, using high quality components could solve the problem of storing parts for 10 years, as longer lasting means fewer parts to be replaced, means less products to be stored and decreased need in warehousing. The Right to Repair may actually bring about a completely new way of working for many boiler manufacturers and that will be a good thing for everyone. If the boiler industry can really rise to this challenge, then the heating industry will have a great low carbon footprint future for many years to come.
To discover more about Hounsfield Boilers, visit the website.
www.hounsfieldboilers.co.uk
30 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2021
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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