“The boiler scrappage scheme has been widely welcomed but it is important that installers remember to also fit an up-to-date controls package to optimise the new boiler’s performance.”
This is the view of Horstmann Controls’ national sales manager Paul Lovegrove who reminds installers of the mandatory requirements in the Domestic Heating Compliance Guide (Building Regs Part LIB) covering replacement boilers. This also details the minimum requirements for a controls package on a fully pumped central heating system – namely a programmer, room and cylinder stat and a boiler interlock - normally achieved through the use of zone valves with end switches.
It is estimated that up to 125,000 households in England have working boilers with the lowest ‘G’ rating. And the chances are that many still have the original controls package. The combination of the new boiler with a more sophisticated programmer could easily produce significant energy cost savings with Energy Savings Trust figures quoting an average saving of up to £235 a year.
“Depending on the system layout, there are a range of modern programmers to suit, particularly if heating zones are involved. But for a direct replacement, a programmer such as the Horstmann CentaurPlus offers a cost effective option, with its industry standard 6 pin terminal plug offering a straight-forward plug-in replacement without rewiring,” adds Paul Lovegrove.
There are 4 CentaurPlus programmers in the range. The basic model is a single channel 24 hour unit with the top of the range model being the C27, a two channel 7 day programmer allowing independent time control of both the central heating and the hot water.
The Horstmann range also includes room and cylinder ‘stats and the latest version of the ZonePlus motorised zone versions.
“Legislation apart, householders taking advantage of the scrappage scheme have the opportunity to upgrade or modernise their complete central heating while the installer is replacing the boiler,” concludes Paul. “For very little cost in relation to the total project, a new controls package could contribute significantly to the projected overall cost saving,” he adds.