Smart Advice to Avoiding boiler breakdowns

More than 30% of boiler breakdowns that took place over the winter could have been avoided through regular maintenance work, according to a local fuel company.

Tincknell Fuels services over 10,000 boilers a year and in the cold weather last December received more than 1,000 calls in two hours from people who had broken boilers or needed fuel.

The main problems were caused by frozen fuel lines, sludge in the systems and lack of servicing in the coldest winter since 1979.

Robert Tincknell, managing director at Tincknell Fuels, which has depots in Avonmouth, Gillingham, Wells, Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Southampton and Bridgwater, said:“Now we are moving into spring and we have had time to analyse the activity from November 2010 to January 2011, where some days saw 30cm of snow falling overnight.

“Importantly, one of the issues our report has shown is that at least 30% of the breakdowns we were called to could have been avoided if people had kept on top of servicing and boiler maintenance throughout the year.

“A high proportion of the boilers that broke down had not been serviced for some years and in these cases the weather was the final straw.”

Tincknell Fuels advises homeowners to keep on top of their boiler maintenance with the following tips:

• Have regular servicing from a reputable company, where oil lines are changed every two years and the boiler is set up using an electronic gas analyser
• Make sure that any water that has got into the tank is monitored
• Clean out sludge from heating systems
• Regularly check the level of oil in your tank to ensure you don’t run out which can then require the lines to be bled through
• Ensure that tanks are filled at the end of the summer to avoid running out at peak times.

Information Sourced from hpmmag.com

For additional information relating to boiler maintenance and trade news follow us on Facebook or visit our website

New boiler installation VAT campaign gathers pace

Support is growing for the industry campaign seeking to persuade the government to cut the rate of VAT charged on high-efficiency boiler installations.

Boilers are subject to the full 20 per cent rate but other energy-saving equipment, such as controls, insulation, combined heat and power systems, biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar panels attract a 5 per cent rate.

The reduced rate applies to energy-saving installations in all residential properties and commercial buildings used by charities. Installations of these systems in new properties are zero VAT rated.

Leading figures are calling for this to be extended to boilers and passive flue heat recovery systems.

Last year’s boiler scrappage scheme saw sales of domestic boilers rise by 5.3 per cent in the final quarter of last year, according to the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council. However, the market has fallen back again since the start of 2011.

“The government could surpass the impressive results achieved by the scrappage scheme quickly, cheaply and with minimal administration costs if it just cut the rate of VAT on high-efficiency boilers,” said Baxi marketing director Sarah Brook (pictured).

Ms Brook said a temporary cut until the Green Deal scheme comes into effect in October 2012 would help the industry bridge a potentially difficult funding gap.

Peter Thom, chair of the Heating Strategy Group of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes, has petitioned Chancellor George Osborne but was still awaiting a reply as this issue went to press.

For energy efficient boilers contact Energy Smart today

Smart meters slammed!

The government's plans to install 53 million new smart meters in 30 million homes and businesses in the next seven years has been likened to "building a space shuttle to pop to the shops", according to one company involved in the process.

Hans Kristiansen is chief executive officer of Orsis, a Harrogate-based company that has already installed over 5,000 smart meter solution installations in the UK and counts several schools, local authorites and government departments among its clients.

He said: "Following the government's 'Reponse to Prospectus Consultation', which was published last Wednesday (March 30), it's clear that the planned technical specifications for the smart meter system, if approved, are too complex and complicated.

"This will result in unnecessary costs and, given the government's poor track record in implementing large scale technology projects, will cause unnecessary delays too.”

Hans continued: "Every householder uses tools and appliances in their homes that have an unnecessarily high level of technical or functional complexity built into them, whether its their washing machine or PC. This results in extra cost; and increases the probability of failure. Worse still, given the speed at which technology innovates, much of this is redundant after a short time.

"The government is in danger of repeating this mistake with smart meters and we are in danger of building a space shuttle to pop to the shops.

"We believe that it would be preferable to use a ‘back-office’ approach such as that used in the mobile phone industry because the technology is already available, is less costly to install and has a reduced risk of failure. Crucially, this will give the industry a better chance of meeting the government's declared installation target of 2019.” 

 

For cost efficient and energy efficient products including smart boilers check out Energy Smart today!

Baxi supports growing campaign to cut boiler VAT

Baxi supports the growing industry campaign to persuade the Government to cut the rate of VAT charged on high efficiency boiler installations and passive flue heat recovery systems.

At the moment, boilers are subject to the full 20 per cent rate, but other energy saving equipment such as controls, insulation, combined heat and power systems, biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar panels attract a special lower rate of five per cent. The reduced rate applies to energy saving installations in all residential properties and commercial buildings used by charities. Installations of these systems in new properties are zero VAT rated.

"A temporary cut until the Green Deal scheme that comes into effect in October 2012 would help the industry bridge a potentially difficult funding gap.  The beauty of giving a quick boost to boilers is that the Government will see immediate results," said Sarah Brook, marketing director of Baxi.

"Gas consumption and carbon emissions will fall; householders will enjoy smaller bills and many jobs in the heating sector will be preserved.  And it could boost UK manufacturing as most domestic boilers sold here are also made here."

The HVCA is also backing the campaign and its head of sustainability David Frise said cutting the VAT could be a well-timed move. "With rising inflation and increasing global uncertainty about energy prices, this would send a strong signal from the Government that the best investment you can make at the moment is in energy efficiency."

Information sourced from http://www.baxi.co.uk/

For cost efficient and energy efficient boilers join the Energy Smart scheme www.energy-smart.org.uk

Plumbing new - PTS makes life easier for customers...

PTS has extended its renewable specialist branches as a distribution solution to improve lead times and make life easier for installers sourcing energy efficient products.

Three additional branches are now open in Warrington, Plymouth and Coatsbridge and mark the start of a rolling programme of openings set for 2011.

Supporting the original Aylesford renewable branch, the new branches are unique in being dedicated to stocking and distributing renewable products in convenient regional locations, meaning customers can purchase and have renewable technology delivered in a similar timescale as traditional products.

Kelvin Stevens, managing director for PTS, said: “As customer demand for renewable technology increases, installers will be under pressure to source the right products quickly and effectively. This is where PTS can help. We want to make life as easy as possible for our customers and see no reason why they shouldn’t be able to order their renewables at their local trade counter and receive them via next day delivery with their other conventional purchases.

“By implementing this new logistics solution, customers can rely on PTS to be a one-stop-shop for everything they need, no matter what sort of job they are working on. We are looking forward to opening more regionalised renewable specialist branches as the year progresses.”

PTS is also looking to expand its specialist external sales knowledge of renewables in the coming months, providing customers with additional advice and guidance of these new technologies.

Save money on your boilers through the Energy Smart scheme. Energy Smart provide the most competitive rates on energy efficient boilers. For further information see our website energy-smart.org.uk also like us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/energysmartuk

Dorian Harvey - South West’s Apprentice Plumber 2011

Dorian Harvey, 20, from Illogan near Redruth was awarded with a Milwaukee Power Tools set worth £350.

“I’m overwhelmed. I was up against some awesome competition, everyone did really well," he said.
"I’m an apprentice in the family firm, Heatwave Heating, and I’m proud to be going home to tell my dad I did it for the company. To be honest I’m relieved it’s over and now I can look forward to the national finals in May.”

It’s the second year a Cornwall College apprentice has won the regional competition. Danny Teare went on to win the national title in 2010.

Organised by HIP UK - the UK’s leading regulatory body for electrical contracting and leading construction industry publisher SNG, the event saw the best young plumbers and electricians from across the South West competing for the coveted title of best in the South West and a place in the national finals.

The finals are set to take place over two days, May 11 and 12, in Swindon where Dorian will be up against the best apprentices in the UK battling it out for the title of UK Apprentice Plumber of the Year 2011 and a prize of trade vouchers to the value of £1,000 for himself and £500 for the College.



Check out our Facebook page and keep up to date. Become a fan http://www.facebook.com/energysmartuk For plumbers save money with Energy Smart. 

Taxman outlining a tax "amnesty" for plumbers, gas fitters....

The main story that is dominating industry chatter this week centres on the taxman offering plumbers, gas fitters and heating engineers an opportunity to come clean on their tax affairs, outlining a tax "amnesty" for tradesmen.

Under the Plumbers Tax Safe Plan, traders who have tax to pay, which they have not yet told H M Revenue & Customs; have until May 31 to tell the department of their intention to disclose what they owe. If they make a full disclosure, most will face a low penalty rate of 10%, with a maximum of 20%, rather than up to 100%, and threat of prosecution, which can otherwise apply.

Elsewhere in other news, Sharp is calling on the government to consider its decision to review the Feed-in-Tariff for installations over 50kW; the Construction Products Association has written to the Chancellor in advance of his Budget statement this month, encouraging him to introduce a range of measures that will help deliver the government’s growth strategy and speed up the country’s economic recovery; and the ‘Wolf Commission on Youth Education and Training’ report on apprentices is the “blueprint for the future of Britain,” says Pimlico Plumbers’ boss Charlie Mullins.

Source Plumbzine

For energy efficient boilers save money with Energy Smart view boiler discounts online at www.energy-smart.org.uk