Environment to play a greater role in heating

Research commissioned by boiler manufacturer, Potterton Commercial, has revealed what changes the industry expects to see over the next three years

Smaller compact products, low NOx technology, high efficiency and increasing use of condensing boilers are future changes envisaged by today's heating contractors and specifiers.

In depth research commissioned by boiler manufacturer, Potterton Commercial, has revealed what changes the industry expects to see over the next three years as well as placing levels of importance on product and service features offered by boiler manufacturers.

With introduction of Climate Change Levy, the ECA scheme and impending Part L legislation seriously influencing heating and hot water system selection, it's no wonder the industry pays particular reference to the environment.

More than 81% of contractors expect the environment to play a greater role in the type of heating system they install.

Some 92% specifiers surveyed expect similar changes.

Both audiences believe the Government will introduce more far-reaching legislation aimed at reducing CO2 and harmful NOx emissions levels.

And, according to the survey, we shouldn't rule out fears of further tax increases to achieve it.

Both contractors and specifiers are in agreement that such activity will open up further opportunities for the condensing boiler market.

21% expect a much greater prevalence of wall-hung condensing boilers.

63% of all contactors and 67% of specifiers predict changes to boiler efficiency.

Standard boiler efficiency will need to increase to over 90%, reduced heat losses; better combustion and smaller, powerful boilers were among the top boiler performance changes envisaged by the industry.

More than 75% of those surveyed claimed that space restrictions in the boiler room continue to generate specification and installation challenges.

Potterton Commercial's director and general manager, Ken Percival, says: "We all accept that the environment and efficiency is a key industry issue, but this survey reveals that a need for smaller boilers is equally as important.

It's no good producing efficient boilers if they don't fit into a small boiler room." This growing trend has spearheaded the success of the company's Slimline Space Saver modular boiler.

With it's sleek design, high efficiency and maximum flexibility the boiler has been designed to solve many of the problem areas identified by the industry.

Launched last year, the Spacesaver provides a neat, stylish solution to the growing problem of space restrictions in today's boiler rooms.

The cast iron boiler is just 420mm wide for a single application and less than 1.9m for a bank of four units giving 280Kw, making it the narrowest boiler available on the UK market.

With the lowest possible NOx rating (of level class 5, less than 70mg/kWh), environmental concerns are not over-looked either.

Operating at a 92% (net) efficiency at 50kW, and 90.5% (net) at 70kW, the Spacesaver fully meets the Boiler Efficiency Directive But what about today's heating solutions? How do products and services offered by manufacturers measure-up to contractors and specifiers expectations? Reliability and product quality scored high when contractors were asked to value service features offered by a manufacturer.

Marked out of 10 the need for reliable products achieved 9.59 and product quality 9.35.

Other significant features that scored well included spares, technical support, value-for-money, and service back.

Similar scores were awarded by specifiers, however the main difference was efficiency levels, which received a 9.15 score.

Potterton Commercial believe they are well placed to take advantage of market requirements through the development of its lifetime guarantee.

This combined with excellent technical support, and a competitive pricing strategy, create a compelling product offer.

In addition to a standard one-year warranty, the guarantee covers the heat exchanger on all Potterton Commercial boilers against manufacturing defect for a minimum period of 10 years.

"The survey has conjured up some interesting thoughts," says Percival.

"As an industry the task we all now face is to embrace change and continue to develop products which not only respond to environmental and energy efficient issues but maintain standards for reliability, quality, technical support and backup.

It is abundantly clear that in the years ahead our market place will become even more demanding.".

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