A New Climate For Controls

While many installers will be aware of the direct benefits linked to fitting effective heating and hot water controls in the home, many homeowners are still in the dark about the rewards.

However, this is all set to change with the arrival of the Energyrelated Products Directive (ErP), which will place much greater emphasis on the efficiency of a heating installation as a whole. With this in mind, Paul Clancy, MD at Baxi Potterton Myson, discusses the importance of preparing ahead for an increase in demand for heating controls.

Despite the advent of smart technology and an increasingly tech-savvy consumer, the reality is that when it comes to heating controls, awareness remains relatively low. In fact, research from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that of 80 per cent of homes in the ROI with boilers, as many as 750,000 have no controls at all. The result is a colossal waste of money – not to mention the environmental impact. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that installing and correctly using a room thermostat (with thermostatic radiator valves) in a typical threebedroom semi-detached home heated by gas could result in average savings of £80-£165 a year (around €110 – €235) – and 330kg-680kg of carbon dioxide would be saved too, helping the environment. It also estimates that turning a thermostat down by just one degree could save up to £90 (€127) a year and up to 360kg carbon dioxide. So, with the fuel poverty issue continuing to affect thousands of homes, the question is – why aren’t consumers making the most of this simple and cost-effective way to reduce their energy costs?

The main issue appears to be a lack of awareness, with a large majority of consumers not understanding the full impact heating controls can have on their bottom line. Further analysis by DECC has also found that consumers find heating controls difficult to use and, therefore, many do not use them effectively. However, this is all set to change following the arrival of ErP (as of 26 September 2015) which will bring a greater emphasis on the energy efficiency of an installation as a whole – including the use of controls and accessories. Crucially, under ErP the installer will need to calculate a package efficiency rating for newly installed components, inclusive of the boiler, heating controls and solar thermal water heater, where fitted. This must then be added onto the ‘package label’ to complete the installation.

Under ErP, controls are categorised into classes, ranging from one to eight (i to viii). The class will be found in the technical fiche of the temperature control in question – with the higher the rating leading to higher overall energy score. To provide a few examples, Class i is a simple on/off room thermostat, delivering an increase in efficiency of one per cent. Class v is a modulating room thermostat, for use with modulating heaters, delivering an increase of three per cent. Class viii would be a mult sensor room temperature control, for use with modulating heaters, delivering an increase of five per cent. In a typical scenario, where an installer is rating a combi boiler with a programmable room thermostat they will simply need to add the controls class benefit of the thermostat to the seasonal efficiency of the boiler to produce an overall package rating. In this way, ErP offers a great opportunity to upsell. With the increased visibility around energy efficiencies, we expect it to nudge consumers into buying the best system they can afford at the time. By familiarising themselves with products that score highest, installers will be ready to offer homeowners up-to-date advice and even maximise sales. And the good news is that help is at hand to make sure installers make the most of this opportunity. At Baxi Potterton Myson, for example, we have recently launched an ErP online toolkit which includes an ErP calculator for producing package labels, frequently asked questions and information packs, all of which are hosted on a dedicated section of our website. At the same time, we’ve also launched a new technical helpline to field ErPspecific queries. Also, we offer free product training on ErP for RGII installers across our 14 training centres across the UK and Ireland, where installers can benefit from practical training, as well as support and advice to clear up any confusion they may have around ErP.

For more information, visit: http://www.baxipottertonmyson. ie/information-and-advice/whatiserp.htm