VIEWPOINT BOILING POINT Andy Speake, product manager at Baxi, on the drive to greater gas efficiency.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY HAS become a daily concern in the UK to control energy costs. As heating is a significant user of energy in buildings, many homeowners, social housing providers and property developers are keen to prioritise efficiency when installing a new boiler.


Increasingly, the role of the heating engineer is evolving to include customer consultation on the most efficient heating options prior to their installation. Merchants have a similar opportunity to grow their business, providing their customers with well-informed guidance on the various factors influencing boiler efficiency from the trade counter.


The reality is that the modern condensing boilers stocked by merchants today can achieve extremely high levels of efficiency if installed, commissioned and used correctly. But with some areas still remaining for efficiency gains, it can be valuable for merchants to understand the achievable opportunities when taking a broader view.”


TRV standards


All new radiators, for example, installed inside homes should have Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) fitted as standard, for older homes, this presents an upgrade opportunity. This gives householders increased control over how energy is used in their home, allowing them to heat individual rooms and create “warm zones”.


Using TRVs, they can lower the heat in rooms that are not in use, meaning the boiler only needs heat a few rooms rather than the entire house. For merchants, a discussion with heating engineers about TRVs might lead to added sales opportunities as well as providing installers with the chance to offer their customers helpful consultancy and advice.


Smart heating controls also provide enhanced energy control. Smart room thermostats like Baxi’s uSense 2 allow users to monitor energy consumption and control a heating system from a smart device. Flexible scheduling is also easy as users can pre-set desired temperatures for different days, meaning the boiler is only used when needed. Given the rise in hybrid working, controls like these could be another opportunity to offer added value and drive sales.


Another measure that can boost boiler efficiency is weather compensation. A boiler that works with weather compensation can automatically adjust the boiler’s output in line with anticipated


February 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


“A discussion with heating engineers about TRVs might lead to added sales opportunities.”


demand.


Baxi’s own In- flue Outdoor Sensor (IFOS), for example, uses a sensor contained in the outdoor part of the flue to register changes


to weather conditions as they happen. By using an IFOS, a boiler will send more heat to the radiators on days that are minus 2°C than it will when the weather is 10°C above zero.


This can have a sizable impact on homeowners’ energy bills, so might be an option for merchants to recommend at the trade counter.


An energy-saving accessory worth considering, especially for customers active in social housing, is the Flue Gas Heat Recovery unit (FGHR).


As gas leaves a boiler via the flue, it takes a certain amount of heat with it. An FGHR redirects this otherwise wasted heat energy to pre-heat the incoming water, meaning the boiler uses less energy to get up to temperature. Additions like this make incremental improvements to the overall efficiency of a boiler, so discussing the available options with customers can ultimately help reduce householders’ energy bills and usage.


Familiarity is key when explaining efficiency of boilers to customers and professionals. It allows you to provide the customer with recommendations as well, so they know they are getting the boiler that fits their needs and desires. The Baxi Assure 500 2 range has a best-in-class SAP performance rating and provides efficient output of 24kW to 36kW for Combi boilers so is suitable for many installations where efficiency is a key requirement.


Boiler technology is at a point where very high levels of efficiency are becoming standard however the marginal gains achievable through taking a broader approach to heat loss management and the use of accessories can still make a big difference. As the heating sector works to increase energy efficiency, merchants can support their customers by understanding the issues facing them and the options available. BMJ


15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40