Housing officials in Newcastle have been criticised after plans to build a new wood-burning biomass plant in the east of the city were announced. The proposal attracted public concern following a scandal involving biomass processing in the area between 1979 and 1999.

The Byker Wall biomass incinerator burned waste products for two decades before it was shut down. In 2000, Newcastle Council was prosecuted after tests revealed as much as 2,000 tonnes of harmful ash was released into the atmosphere.

The ash tested positive for significant quantities of dioxins that were known to cause cancer. Councillor Veronica Dunn has attempted to allay the public’s fears by insisting that the new biomass boiler would be entirely different from the old incinerator.

Councillor Dunn commented: “The Forestry Commission supports the use of biomass boilers.

“The ash is very high in potash content and is very much sought after by farmers and gardeners. I think there’s a history of concern in Byker regarding the similar plans for an incinerator. This is a different type of application completely”.

Director of St. Peter’s Marina, Brian Hunt, countered: “People just don’t want it [biomass]. I’ve been here for 20 years and I suffered from the incinerator when there were fumes all over this place”.

Mr Hunt added that biomass technology has been shown to produce ash residue, which is why people in Byker are so concerned about a new wood-burning plant.

Newcastle Council’s Chief Executive, Barry Rowland, insisted that the biomass plant is necessary to help tackle fuel poverty in the local community.

Biomass central heating provides housing firms with a relatively cheap and environmentally friendly way to generate energy. Although carbon emissions are produced by burning wood pellets and other biomass fuel sources, the technology is said to be carbon neutral because the amount released is equal to the amount of CO2 absorbed by the natural materials before they were converted into fuel.

In local communities, the energy generated by large biomass boilers is proving to be a cost-effective alternative to mains gas. Biomass plants can produce sufficient energy to provide heating and hot water to local homes. Whether ash residue is a cause for concern in Byker remains to be seen.

Baxi UK has welcomed a government decision to extend the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP), which was announced shortly before the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said that it would delay the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) until summer 2013.

One of Britain’s largest suppliers of energy efficient central heating boiler systems and controls, Baxi UK believes that extending the RHPP will go some way towards filling the chasm left by the deferment of the RHI. The second phase of the RHPP came into effect a week last Monday, adding more than £10 million to provide households with money off renewable, energy efficient technologies such as solar PV, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps.

Discussing the extension of the RHPP, Simon Osborne of Baxi UK said: “RHPP has always been seen as a precursor to domestic RHI, so as the government pushes back the latter, we are glad that a new RHPP will bridge the gap”.

Mr Osborne added: “Ideally, both schemes need to work together in order to encourage individual installers, as well as homeowners, to start thinking about renewables. RHPP will definitely support early adopters, but might have a limited scope if accompanying tariff payments are not announced soon.

“If installers are going to invest in training on renewables, then they need to know what the potential market is going to be – and this will be determined, to a large extent, by domestic RHI”.

In total, the second phase of the RHPP will be worth £25 million. Providing private homeowners and social landlords with an incentive to improve the energy efficiency of homes throughout the UK, the RHPP has been widely lauded since its introduction in August 2011.

Announcing the second phase, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “We’re increasing the budget from £15 million to £25 million, for the first time we’re including community schemes and there’ll be more social housing schemes that can benefit. Those people who are reliant on expensive oil or electric heating should consider applying to the Premium Payment scheme to cut their fuel bills in the long-term”.

Baxi UK’s Simon Osborne concluded that the RHPP was a “massive opportunity to impact fuel switching and alleviate fuel poverty”.

EBTech Solutions Limited is celebrating this week after a large-scale installation of straw-fired biomass boilers was approved under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The RHI is a government scheme designed to “revolutionise the way heat is generated and used in buildings and homes”. EBTech Solutions announced on Wednesday the biomass boilers would be installed at Glen Avon Growers in Cottingham.

Matthew Blood, director of the firm, claimed the project is the first of its kind in the UK to feature horticultural heating under the RHI. Mr Blood commented: “The Cottingham project has gone quite well. There have been a few challenges, such as having to build the boiler within the building.

“We are pleased to be leading the way in biomass heating, not only in Yorkshire with the Glen Avon project but with a diverse number of projects throughout the country”.

Highlighting the recent success of EBTech Solutions, which was incorporated four years ago, Mr Blood said: “We have done ten installations all over the country since 2008. This year we potentially have a further ten jobs. It is looking like a bright year for the company and we are continuing to double turnover year on year”.

The concept of horticultural heating is one many people in the UK might find difficult to understand, but is essentially about utilising various materials and substances for use as fuel, usually in central heating systems.

EBTech Solutions’ project uses the abundance of waste straw in Yorkshire to fuel specially designed biomass boilers, which are said to be environmentally neutral because their carbon footprint is more or less equal to the amount of carbon dioxide that would be naturally released into the atmosphere when the material – in this case straw – breaks down.

Domestic biomass boilers can use straw, but traditional systems are fired by wood pellets and logs. Large-scale heating systems can burn other sources of fuel, including wheat, oat husks and olive kernels.

Explaining why straw-fired boilers were chosen for the Glen Avon Growers project, David Schellingerhout said: “East Yorkshire is surrounded by straw, so this option seemed the logical choice. It will bring stability to our energy price. It is also great to think we are not using the world’s commodities, we are using something that is renewable”.

The winner of Boiler Guide’s prize draw has been announced, according to the latest Boiler Guide press release. 

When Derek Mault turned to Boiler Guide for quotes to fit a new central heating boiler, not only did he get the job done to his satisfaction, but in doing so has just become the lucky recipient of a £100 Amazon gift certificate.

Back in October 2011, Mr Mault contacted Boiler Guide for quotes to fit and install a new boiler. Once the work was undertaken, he was given the opportunity to leave feedback for the company he had selected to install the boiler. In doing so, Mr Mault’s name was entered into Boiler Guide’s prize draw, which sees one lucky customer win an Amazon gift certificate. The competition takes place every six months.

The feedback customers provide is pivotal to the Boiler Guide service, as David Holmes, founder of Boiler Guide explains: “Here at Boiler Guide we pride ourselves on being able to put customers in touch with recommended boiler installers. Thanks to our feedback system, we are able to maintain the highest standards when it comes to customer satisfaction.

“The Boiler Guide prize draw is our way of saying thank you to our customers for sharing their experiences of boiler installations and the companies who carry out the work. I would like to thank Mr Mault for using our services, and offer my congratulations on being selected as our latest prize winner.”

As the UK’s leading online resource of boiler and central heating installers, Boiler Guide is the smarter way to find trustworthy installers. Homeowners can turn to Boiler Guide when they are looking for free quotes to install a brand new energy efficient boiler. The benefits of using Boiler Guide to source boiler quotes include:

• We can source up to three quotes for you for free.

• Boiler Guide only uses Gas Safe Registered installers and heating engineers.

• Our transparent feedback system enables customers to rate and review the work they have carried out.

Commenting on the service he received, Mr Mault said: “I found the company (Multi-Heat) very professional in their knowledge of central heating which gave me confidence in their ability to do a professional and thorough job. I can honestly say I was not disappointed and felt fully satisfied. I would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone wishing to have a new heating system installed.”

If you would like Boiler Guide to source up to three quotes on your behalf, request a free quote today. You never know; six months from now we could be announcing you as the latest winner of our prize draw!*

*Only customers who go on to instruct the services of a Boiler Guide heating engineer and leave feedback will be entered into the prize draw.

One of the leading energy providers in Britain is launching a new care product for domestic central heating systems.

Npower is hoping its new policy will attract more customers at a time when many households are feeling the pinch of the struggling economy. The care product provides comprehensive gas boiler cover in addition to full support for controls and radiators. The policy also features inclusive parts and labour, an annual boiler service and 24/7 telephone support. Npower will even replace boilers aged under seven years that are beyond economic repair.

What makes the package special is that it is priced at just £15 per month, making it one of the more competitive products available. It will also be available to any new boiler care customer, so there is no need to switch energy suppliers.

Announcing the new product, Npower’s Emily Stagg said: “Research shows that 51 per cent of homeowners would feel annoyed at the expense of a boiler breakdown, so investing in boiler care can offer worthwhile peace of mind should anything go wrong”.

Ms Stagg added: “At Npower, we’re always looking to improve our customer offering and this competitive product offers good value for homeowners looking to protect their boiler and central heating all year round.

“As part of the service, we’re able to offer a comprehensive 30-point boiler service and safety check with one of our Gas Safe registered engineers, which means we will ensure [that] your system is working properly and then be there for you all year round”.

Protecting central heating systems throughout the year is sensible because boilers, controls and radiators do not only suffer problems during the winter. Ensuring that a boiler is checked before the cold months set in can save a household considerable time and money.

The main benefits of central heating care products are cost and convenience. A broken down boiler can cost hundreds of pounds to repair or replace, while few people would want to go too long without heating in winter. Boiler insurance and central heating care policies provide peace of mind for homeowners, many of whom seek to make additional savings on energy by installing loft and cavity wall insulation.

As temperatures plummet in the UK this week, central heating systems across the country are working overtime to keep people warm. But for an alarming number of households the cold winter months means more financial misery.

Glow-worm – one of the UK’s leading boiler manufacturers – recognises the financial strain turning up the heating poses,  particularly for the most vulnerable members of society, and is offering some good to help tackle high energy bills this winter.

Cranking up the heating during the cold winter months uses the largest proportion of energy most households will use throughout the entire year, so it stands to reason that to get the best out of your hard-working boiler is needs to working to optimum performance.

“Accurately sizing a new or replacement boiler is very important.  But it’s also very important for homeowners to ensure their whole heating system is working as efficiently as possible,” explains Glow-worm’s Commercial Director, Pippa Wibberley.

“This may mean new or replacement radiators, controls, under floor heating or even investment in renewable technology,” she added.

An efficiently running system means not only will you not be wasting energy, but you won’t be wasting money either, which will help to reduce your fuel bills.

To get the most from your central heating system, Glow-worm has a few top tips, which includes:

• Programme your heating system to operate when you need it most – it’s the most efficient way to heat your home – rather than leaving it on low all day.

• Utilise systems with intelligent controls to set your heating and hot water, such as Glow-worm’s Climapro₂ wireless programmable room thermostat, which can be used as part of a heating system containing a cylinder.

•  Consider installing thermostatic radiator valves.  And if you’re not using a room, save energy – and money – by turning off the radiator valve.

• Treat your central heating system to an annual maintenance check by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

• And last but not least, remember to get your boiler serviced regularly by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

For more information about Glow-worm’s products visit www.glow-wormheating.co.uk

A new report has highlighted the enormous task the UK faces, if the country stands any chance of meeting its carbon emissions reduction targets through a massive ‘get Britain retrofit’ scheme. 

From now until 2050, one green makeover will need to be given every minute, otherwise the country will fail to meet its targets, reveals the Centre for Low carbon Futures report, which was compiled in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust.

Given that around 45% of emissions come from existing buildings, of which 70% will still be standing come 2050, there’s no escaping the fact that getting Britain’s buildings retrofit is of the utmost importance.

According to the report, schemes like the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) and the Green Deal have gone some way to encouraging people to make improvements to the energy efficiency of their properties. However, in order to achieve an 80% cut in carbon emissions, more still needs to be done – and the urgency to do more and the challenge facing the built environment should not be overlooked

“Despite the best efforts to encourage households and industry to adopt low carbon solutions through regulation and incentive schemes, they are not achieving the step changes required,” explained Jon Price, director of the Centre for Low Carbon Futures.

Mr Price explained that a lack of knowledge and understanding of energy performance, coupled with the diversity of the country’s buildings would hinder the extensive retrofit plans because one size cannot fit all, as it were.

Government schemes like the Green Deal and the RHI are designed to encourage Britain’s home owners and businesses to become more energy efficient by implementing energy saving measures, such as installing energy efficient new boilers, cavity wall insulation, double glazing and green heating technologies like heat pumps and solar water heating. The Green Deal in particular should, in theory, totally revolutionise the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock.

Phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme went live on Monday, inviting applications from the non-domestic sector interested in switching to renewable heating.

Under the Government’s flagship £865 million scheme, companies are eligible to install renewable energy technologies, such as heat pumps, solar thermal panels and biomass boilers, and get paid money for generating their own green heating and hot water.

Tariff levels and the amount of money paid will depend on the  the type of renewable heating technology installed, as well as the size of the system.

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of wood pellets, CPL Distribution is pleased to see the phase one of the scheme finally go live, after a series of delays knocked industry confidence.

“There is no denying that the delays to the Renewable Heat Incentive’s launch knocked confidence among board-level decision makers and a large number of projects to install renewable systems have been stalled as a result,” commented Tim Minett, the firm’s chief executive.

“With the delays now behind us, this green light for the Renewable Heat Incentive will be a significant stepping stone in the UK’s transition towards a low-carbon economy.”

If you’re a business and you would like to know more about the scheme, give energy regulator Ofgem’s dedicated enquiries helpline a ring on 0845 200 2122 or visit www.ofgem.gov.uk.

The domestic side of the RHI will be launched next year.

It is the season to be jolly, and with Christmas fast approaching, the nice folk at Glow-worm have been working faster than Santa’s little helpers to source top tips and advice to help us all enjoy a low carbon Christmas. 

The winter months are starting to set in, and with the expensive Christmas season just around the corner, we’re all looking for ways to help save energy and money.

To count down the days running up to Christmas, the team at Glow-worm have today launched their fun alternative Christmas advent calendar. From now until Christmas Day, instead of the traditional festive images or chocolate treats, you will be able to feast on a variety of fun facts and figures and energy saving tips.

If you want to cut your costs and do your bit for the environment in the process, it’s worth considering these energy saving tips:

• Reduce your carbon footprint – ditch paper cards and send friends and family an e-card instead.
• Make your own recycled Christmas decorations.
• Use LED fairy lights – they use much less energy compared to traditional ones.
• If you really want to go to town you could decorate the outside of your home, but use energy-saving solar powered lights instead. You’ll be saving money on your energy bills if you use the sun’s renewable energy during the day to light up your house at night.
• And last but not least, give your boiler the best present of all by making sure it’s had its annual winter check-up. A service will ensure you don’t wake up to any nasty surprises on Christmas morning – like having no central heating. We can’t imagine anything worse than a Christmas without any heating - except perhaps having to eat a plate full of sprouts!

There’s no time like the present – pardon the pun! Check out www.needanewboiler.com to unwrap today’s first energy saving treat.

According to the latest Boiler Guide press release, reinstating the Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England will help homeowners cut their fuel bills.

Boiler Guide is backing the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) who are calling on the Government to reinstate the boiler scrappage scheme in England, which last year saw more than 118,000 old and energy inefficient boilers scrapped in favour of new A-rated energy efficient models.

The incentive proved a runaway success last year, encouraging 61% of homeowners to replace their old boiler as a direct result of the scheme, enabling them to make their homes more energy efficient, saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process.

Of the boilers replaced, 51% of them were over 25 years old and with energy bills at an all-time high, the need to become more energy efficient is growing in awareness amongst homeowners. Reintroducing the boiler scrappage scheme would be a productive way to help householders in their battle to save money as energy bills continue to rise.

Swapping an old inefficient boiler for a new boiler will help homeowners to save an average of £290 annually on their central heating bills. But there are many advantages to the boiler scrappage scheme, not least:

• It provides a financial incentive, encouraging homeowners to trade in their old boilers for newer energy efficient models
• Installing a new energy efficient boiler will save energy and reduce energy bills
• It will help to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions
• The scheme raises money for the Treasury
• It helps to protect jobs and encourage growth in the UK’s domestic heating and hot water industry

David Holmes, founder of Boiler Guide says: “Saving energy means saving money and one very effective way to do that is to replace your old energy-sapping boiler for a brand new energy efficient model.

“Unfortunately during these increasing tough economic times, many homeowners simply cannot afford the initial upfront costs needed to install a new boiler. And that’s why schemes like this are worth their weight in gold.

“The merits of the boiler scrappage scheme have already been proven and given that the scheme continues to run successfully in Scotland, it’s high time the scheme was reinstated in England.”

As the UK’s leading online resource of boiler and central heating installers, whether your boiler needs repairing or if you’re looking to install a brand new boiler, Boiler Guide is the go to place to help you source boiler quotes from recommended installers and heating engineers.

For more industry news and views, or to find an engineer in your area visit www.boilerguide.co.uk