HEATING HOT WATER RENEWABLES
communicating with our customers
SPRING 2011
21st Anniversary for Ariston in the UK “This is the first issue of Connections to be published in 2011, the year in which we celebrate with you 21 years of bringing comfort and warmth into UK households, working together to put Ariston boilers at the heart of many a home.
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“As the world leader in water heating we have also, throughout this time, provided a comprehensive range of direct and indirect unvented hot water cylinders, as well as point of use electric water heaters. Ariston Group, having manufactured solar thermal equipment in its European production facilities and marketed them globally for many years, in 2008, through acquisition, extended its expertise into heat pumps. “Having successfully introduced Ariston’s first heat pump range to the UK in 2010, we are pleased to announce in these pages that the renewables offer is to be extended with the addition of the NUOS 200 FS Direct and the NUOS 250 FS Indirect to the heat pump range. This is an important advance, enabling you to take advantage of Ariston’s package of heating, hot water and renewable products which are available now, along with training, so you can confidently offer your customers a complete and affordable solution. “This approach will make it easier for you to advise and assist them in getting ready to benefit from the Government’s new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme when it is launched later this year. As the
details emerge we will be keeping you updated through our monthly e-connections newsletter and on our website. “You can also read in this issue how we have been developing our world class unvented water heaters for improved performance with renewable heating solutions, such as the SOLARcomfort solar thermal system. Read how our CLAS HE ‘A’ rated boilers maximise efficiency, in tandem with our high quality stainless steel unvented cylinders, in a care home installation. “And, with so much change taking place in our industry, both in terms of product innovation and legislation to encourage the take up of renewables, we will continue to provide the very best support possible through our technical helpline and our ongoing training programme. See inside for a guide to courses and how to book. You can also follow the progress of our Display and Training Vehicle (DTV) as it continues its tour of the UK throughout 2011. We know you value this as a convenient personal point of contact, particularly for product familiarisation. “Finally, among all the ways in which we
communicate directly with you, and however popular digital aids become, it is evident that you still like to know that our knowledgeable sales team is on hand to assist when needed. We have been working hard to strengthen this team with the right individuals and are taking this opportunity to introduce to you some of the newer members and to show you where they operate. “Enjoy reading this edition of Connections and do let us have your questions and comments via email, addressed to info.uk@aristonthermo.com.”
IN THIS ISSUE Cover story Our 21st Year Also inside 2 Introducing the new floorstanding heat pump range 4 ‘Spot the NUOS’ Competition 7 Introducing our new team players
Guaranteed CLAS COMBI SYSTEM REGULAR
Mustafa Fındık, Commercial Director
Twelve ‘A’ Rated Boilers – NOW with a 5 Year Guarantee
www.ariston.co.uk
www.ariston.co.uk NEW PRODUCTS
Advanced Renewable Technology with the Floor-standing NUOS! The NUOS 200 FS Direct and the NUOS 250 FS Indirect are both brand new types of products to complement Ariston’s range of heat pumps, offering even more energy-saving options.
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The NUOS 200 FS Direct has a 200 litre tank and the NUOS 250 FS Indirect has a 250 litre tank, each with a heat pump situated at the top of the appliance. By capturing heat from the ambient air via an external duct attached to the heat pump, these units have an impressive CoP (Coefficient of Performance) of 3.7 and can consequently deliver energy savings of up to 75% compared to regular electric hot water storage cylinders. Not only does this have a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions but, with current fuel prices on the rise, each household would also notice a substantial difference in their energy bills. The floor standing NUOS is suitable for most average sized homes or light commercial projects and it is also perfect for off gas areas whose residents are looking to reduce their electricity consumption. These units offer impressive heat-up times – 3 ½ hours for the 200 litre cylinder and just over 4 hours for the 250 litre cylinder. In order to initiate and sustain the heat pump cycle, these units draw in air from outside the
property and, thanks to a defrost function, they can operate at temperatures as low as -5°C. Home comfort and convenience were also carefully considered in their design and these units have a low noise level of only 54 dB(A). Both the NUOS 200 FS Direct and the NUOS 250 FS Indirect also incorporate dual power backup immersion heaters, of 1kW and 1.5kW, to ensure the water temperature can be ‘topped up’ if required. These immersion heaters are also part of an antibacterial function, as they are programmed to routinely boost the temperature of the water in the cylinder to just above 60°C in order to pasteurise the system. Incentive for Efficiency “We are very excited to be introducing the NUOS 200 FS Direct and the NUOS 250 FS Indirect into Ariston’s ever-expanding renewables portfolio,” said Gareth Ash, Product Manager. “In addition to your customers benefitting from the reduction in their fuel bills as a result of the unit’s energy saving properties, Ariston is also actively
NUOS 250 FS Indirect
lobbying for their inclusion in the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) scheme, which will offer further financial benefits if it goes ahead. The NUOS 250 FS Indirect model could provide additional savings, as it has a second coil located within its hot water tank. This means that, if desired, this model can be combined with other low carbon heating technologies, such as Ariston’s SOLARcomfort solar thermal water heating package, resulting in even greater energy efficiency and a further possibility of financial reimbursement through the RHI. This effective integration of different technologies provides installers with more opportunities to grow their business, as they are able to offer a variety of energy options that will reduce their customers’ energy bills.”
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme In the recent Government Spending Review it was announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme that was being set up by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for launch later this year, is to go ahead.
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The actual launch date and details of the scheme, including RHI tariffs and technologies to be supported, will be announced once more work has been done to determine the support levels required. This measure is
2 CONNECTIONS – SPRING 2011
being introduced to help the UK meet the target of moving from 1% to 12% of all heat being generated from a renewable source by 2020. RHI is to provide long term support for renewable heat technologies, from household
solar thermal panels to industrial wood pellet boilers. The scheme will make payments to those installing renewable heat technologies that qualify for support year on year, for a fixed period of time. It is designed to cover the difference in cost between conventional fossil fuel heating and renewable heating systems, which are currently
more expensive, plus an additional rate of return on top. When the details of this scheme are confirmed, we will post the update on the Ariston website and highlight the main points in e-connections.
New Unvented Twin Coil Cylinder Unveiled ■
As is to be expected of a world leading water heating manufacturer, Ariston is committed to a continual programme of product development, especially with regard to improving performance, wherever possible in terms of reducing both energy usage and carbon emissions. The most recent unvented cylinder product to undergo this scrutiny is the twin coil, twin immersion indirect unit. Gareth Ash, Product Manager, introduces its features and benefits.
“When this product was taken back to the drawing board it was redesigned with a view to making it the most efficient unit of its type possible, whilst raising the bar for quality. All the most recent modifications made to bring its predecessor in line with the latest legislative requirements have been incorporated in the new design. The opportunity has also been taken to streamline the profile and improve performance capability when integrated into a renewable or low carbon system. “And that is the main use for our unvented twin coil products, which are coming into their own more and more as the push continues towards installations that include renewables such as our SOLARcomfort solar thermal solution. These systems rely on a means of
storing water which is necessary to hold the heat gain from the solar panels or heat pump, until there is a demand for hot water. In a conventional heating system, the twin coils can be linked for faster recovery. “The heating coils are corrugated to give a larger surface area, allowing for faster re-heat times. The new unvented twin coil cylinder also has a backup immersion heater, which is constructed from incaloy. The elements are nearly flush with the casing of the unit and the thermostat pockets, insulated against heat loss, are recessed into the unit, creating a much neater line. The new unvented twin coil cylinder has no feet, as it has been designed to stand on its base and the casing is white with charcoal grey top and bottom caps. “Available in similar sizes to its predecessor,
Going Solar Spring is the time of year when the hours of daylight noticeably begin to increase and we start to look forward to making the most of the summer sunshine. You can help your customers to take advantage of the sun’s benefits in providing energy to generate the hot water for their homes.
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They might consider installing Ariston’s recently redesigned SOLARcomfort solar thermal water heating solution or, if that is a step too far right now, you could suggest a system that allows them to be ‘solar ready’.
Ariston’s SOLARcomfort solution is compact and straightforward to install. It can be used either with an existing water heating system or as part of a new installation, which could include the new unvented
215L, 255L and 305L, this is a high specification floor-standing range constructed in high-grade stainless steel which carries a 25 year tank guarantee as standard. The effective insulation complies with the latest requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations, minimising standing heat loss and improving efficiency while reducing carbon emissions and running costs. “The new unvented twin coil cylinder has also been designed with the installer in mind so they are even quicker and easier to fit, with all plumbing connections accessible from the front and a ¾” BSP male parallel thread pipe connection. We expect these new cylinders to meet the CHeSS best practice scheme recommendations which could, in turn, allow Energy Saving Trust (EST) approval.”
twin coil cylinder. SOLARcomfort is now available from merchants nationwide, either as a package, ready to fit out of the box, or as individual components. SOLARcomfort Components: • Flat plate collectors • 2.0m and 2.5m options • Solar controllers • Pump station • Connections • Fixings and accessories SOLARcomfort Packages: • On Tile 2 panel system 2 flat plate collectors complete with all other components. Compatible with the new
unvented twin coil cylinder 215L and 255L (not included) • On Tile 3 panel system 3 flat plate collectors complete with all other components. Compatible with the new unvented twin coil cylinder 255L and 305L (not included). Whether you are new to solar thermal installation or keen to become more competent in sizing a system, you can train on our SOLARcomfort products and join OASIS, Ariston’s nationwide network of approved solar installers for continued support in achieving best practice. CONNECTIONS – SPRING 2011 3
www.ariston.co.uk IN THE ROUND
At Your Door for Another Two Years! Ariston’s Display and Training Vehicle (DTV) has been commissioned for another two years, meaning that on-the-spot training and product familiarisation will continue to be delivered straight to your door!
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The DTV was launched in 2008, as part of Ariston’s growing campaign to improve communications and increase accessibility for all our customers. Since then it has increased in popularity, travelling the length and breadth of the UK to bring Ariston’s products and staff face to face with installers. Andy Robinson, DTV Manager, tells us about his experiences over the past two years and looks forward to the future. “The DTV has been a great success since it was first launched. Speaking personally, it has been a pleasure to meet so many installers nationwide and we have had a lot of positive feedback,” said Andy. “One of the topics that sparked a lot of interest was the introduction of the standard 5 Year Guarantee on the CLAS HE and GENUS HE
boiler ranges at the start of 2010. Many installers have commented on the quality and reliability of these boiler ranges and were pleased that Ariston was keen to demonstrate its confidence in these products by extending the guarantee. Installers have also been pleasantly surprised to discover the wide range of products available, including the growing renewables portfolio which now includes solar thermal and a variety of heat pump options.” Although the majority of the DTV’s appointments have been with merchants, there have been a few notable exceptions! “In 2009, we spent one summer’s weekend at the Garlic Festival on the Isle of Wight, where garlic ice cream was the order of the day!” recalls Andy. “The
Southport Flower show was another memorable occasion, as was InstallerLive 2009 and 2010, with the DTV having pride of place in the centre of the Ariston stand. I have greatly enjoyed the last two years, meeting and talking to installers, and I look forward to the next two!”
More Connections ‘Spot The NUOS’ Competition ■ ■
Remember, you can contact us and find out everything you need to know about Ariston, by clicking onto www.ariston.co.uk For instance, in this issue of Connections we have given you an overview of our newest products but you can view all the latest product updates in full on the Ariston website and download pdf copies of the literature. You can also read about projects where our products are installed,
as well as catch up with both Ariston and industry news. Whether you want to learn more about OASIS (Official Ariston Solar InstallerS), access our Training Diary or find out where you can visit our DTV, check the facts in our Services section or follow the links for direct access to other organisations’ websites – it is all there at your finger tips. And your customers will find it useful, too, when they register their new installations and receive their 5 year guarantee certificate, all via the Ariston website. Please remind them of this facility and visit soon!
All of you who are taking time out to visit Ecobuild at The Excel Centre, London, between 1st and 3rd March 2011, will have the opportunity to see the NUOS Domestic Hot Water Exhaust Air Heat Pump, recently launched by Ariston, exhibited on the stand of a major stockist!!! When you spot it, please take a moment to write ‘ARISTON NUOS’ on the reverse of your business card and either hand it to one of the sales team on the stand or drop it into the box provided. Your card will be entered into a draw for the chance to win a fabulous digital camera package worth £200. The winner will be notified at their business address and the result of the draw will be announced in the April edition of e-connections.
Ariston Heating for new Care Home in Goodmayes Park ■ Ariston has supplied two high efficiency gas-fired boilers alongside two unvented cylinders, which have been installed to provide space and water heating at Goodmayes Park Lodge, a brand new care home near Ilford in Essex.
Dr Chanan Singh Sidhu, the home’s Managing Director, explained that Goodmayes Park Lodge had formerly been a park keeper’s residence which had lain empty for more than twenty years and, despite the Council’s best efforts, had fallen into disrepair. Consequently, Redbridge Council decided to sell off the building, which was located within the park. Since then, following complete clearance of the site, the brand new, purpose built care home has been designed and constructed to blend with and complement its surroundings. The Ariston equipment was installed in a purpose built plant room, along with a 1500 litre fresh water storage tank and a boosted water pumping station. The two Ariston CLAS HE 30kW system boilers and two Primo ITI 300 litre indirectly heated unvented cylinders were selected and installed by Advanced Heating from Staffordshire. Managing Director, Stuart Wood, commented, “We chose these models due to their build quality, 5 year guarantee period and company support. We were most impressed with the technical support we received from Ariston, along with their ‘hands on’ assistance with the wiring and commissioning of the system.” The CLAS HE boilers are installed using a low loss mixing header arrangement and conventional balanced flues. They supply both a radiator
heating system in the care home as well as the unvented cylinders. An unvented system was selected due to the high demand for hot water at peak times with 17 bathrooms in the property, including 15 showers. This system, supplying virtually unlimited hot water at mains pressure, is particularly suitable for the care sector, where there is a high requirement for showering, bathing and general hygiene maintenance. In addition, this mains fed system has the added advantage of providing drinking water at every cold tap in the property. It is also a much simpler plumbing system than the traditional gravity fed, which equates to less pipe work, less time and, consequently, reduced installation costs. Ariston’s CLAS HE model is an intelligent, high performance boiler which maximises energy efficiency via its innovative, energy-saving AUTO Function. When the AUTO Function button is pressed, the boiler automatically selects the best temperature for the central heating circuit, gradually increasing the temperature of the system water and eliminating peaks in the flow until the room reaches the desired temperature. Temperature control is therefore achieved smoothly, without turning the boiler on and off, eliminating thermal stress and resulting in higher levels of energy efficiency. The AUTO Function is also capable of
interaction with a range of remote sensors, a programmable room thermostat or a simple on/off model. In addition to its energy saving features, the CLAS HE range is simple to understand and operate, offering the user exceptional levels of comfort. The boiler’s elegantly styled
fascia incorporates an LCD screen displaying operational status and diagnostic error codes which simplify maintenance by immediately alerting the engineer to any problem. The CLAS HE range features SEDBUK Band A rating, low NOx and a 5 year guarantee as standard.
Ariston on TV ■
Commercial Director, Mustafa Fındık, featured in the half hour, “How To...” programme, broadcast on both the ITV Freesat channel 403 and Sky 201, first on 15th February 2011 at 19.30 and again on Sunday 20th February at 18.00.
The theme of this programme was “How To ...Reduce Energy Consumption and Save Money”. The opening interview was with an Energy Saving Trust (EST) representative, who outlined how much energy is used per person in the UK, how much is estimated to be wasted and how easy it can be to actually save money through a proper understanding of electrical appliances. Mustafa was then interviewed as spokesperson for Ariston, a leading provider of high efficiency and renewable gas-fired heating products, including three ranges of ‘A’ rated boilers that are all EST Recommended. The programme concluded with the EST representative commending companies such as Ariston on developing innovative products that contribute a holistic approach to energy saving. The full programme can be viewed on YouTube by following the link on the Ariston website.
CONNECTIONS – SPRING 2011 5
www.ariston.co.uk AT YOUR SERVICE
Ariston’s Calendar Girls At the end of 2010, members of Ariston’s Service team turned up the heat during the freezing winter when they launched their ‘nearly naked’ calendar!
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Each month features a Customer Services lady, as well as a few guest appearances from other members of the Ariston team, who posed amongst strategically placed props including boilers and cylinders! All proceeds from the calendar sales were donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and raised the impressive grand total of £2,200. Phil Goddard, Service Director and keen photographer, came up with the idea after setting up the studio at Ariston’s Head Quarters in High Wycombe for product photography. “Having seen the film ‘Calendar Girls’, I realised this could offer the perfect opportunity to raise money for this amazing charity,” said Phil. “I needed to check
people would be up for it, but most of them were even more enthusiastic than I was!” Caroline, our ‘Miss August’, said the whole experience was great fun. “We first talked about this in September 2010 and I agreed to do it pretty much straight away, although when it came to the day there were a few butterflies!” she said. “But actually it was fine and we all felt a great sense of achievement afterwards. The calendar has proved far more popular than we expected and the team is thrilled at the amount of money raised for Macmillan.” We also spoke to Sarah, our Miss July, about her experiences. “I was reluctant initially, but after the other girls agreed
I decided to go for it, as I had wanted to do something for charity for a while,” said Sarah. “Macmillan is also an important charity to me personally, as they were a big support when my Step Mum was ill. After the photo shoot, Phil suggested offering signed copies of the calendars for a slightly higher price, which we hoped would raise some additional funds. To our surprise, this proved to be really popular and lots of people
asked for signed copies – including some of the guys who were coming in for training courses. It felt quite surreal signing the calendars in front of them!” Phil added, “We raised far more money than expected and I would like to say a big thank you on behalf of Ariston to everyone who showed their support by purchasing a calendar. We hope you enjoy them for the rest of 2011!”
Training from Ariston Training is an essential part of every installer’s career, allowing you to ‘refresh’ your knowledge on a variety of topics as well as providing the chance to learn how to install newer technologies, such as solar thermal and heat pumps, and enhancing the profitability of your business.
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Ariston is committed to supporting installers by offering regular, up-to-date training courses that are both convenient and cost-effective. Our comprehensive courses take place each month at a number of training centres all over the UK. We are happy to say that the feedback we have been receiving is overwhelmingly 6 CONNECTIONS – SPRING 2011
positive! Here are just a few of the comments we have had from trainees who have completed our courses: • ‘Very helpful’ • ‘I learned everything I needed to know’ • ‘Helpful and informative content, delivered in a friendly and professional manner’
• ‘This course has really helped my understanding of the products. Very worthwhile’ If you would like to book a training session, simply ring our Training Administrator, Joyce Gillett, on 01494 755672. For further training information, just visit our website at www.ariston.co.uk
Introducing our New Team Players... ■
The Ariston sales force has been further strengthened over the last few months and we are pleased to announce our five new Area Sales Managers (ASMs) who will be covering areas across the UK.
Kerrie Allsop
John Elliott
Graham Jones
Neil Noades
Sunil Patel
(South) Kerrie began his working life as a baker! However, the 4am starts took their toll and he quickly decided to launch a new career in the spare parts industry, where he remained for 20 years. His next move was to become an ASM, a position he has greatly enjoyed over the years, before joining Ariston in 2010. “I like being out on the road and meeting customers and it’s great to have the opportunity to promote products that I really believe in,” said Kerrie. When not on the road, Kerrie enjoys spending time with his family. Other interests include football (he is a qualified coach), golf and fishing.
(Home Counties) John has been in the plumbing and heating industry for 11 years. He started his working life at a merchant back in 2000 and, having succeeded in a number of different roles, made the decision to utilise his skills in a new arena of the industry. “This is my first ASM post and I am finding the role very enjoyable,” said John, “especially the ‘problem solving’ aspect of matching product solutions to specific applications. It is also rewarding to meet so many different people.” When not on the road, John spends his time with his wife and children. He is also a big football fan, supporting Manchester United and Northampton, his local team.
(East Anglia) Graham began his career at the age of 15, when he worked behind the counter at a merchant outlet that was owned by his parents. After gaining extensive knowledge of different products, he moved into sales 20 years ago. Graham spent a number of years working for pumps and tools manufacturers before securing his current post with Ariston and has greatly enjoyed working with a different product range. In his spare time, Graham is an avid motorsports fan and watches a variety of motor racing events from grass roots level up to the Grand Prix. This harks back to his younger days, when he used to enjoy Go Karting.
(North) Having watched his father run his own plumbing and heating business, Neil trained and worked as an installer for 16 years. Since then he has moved into the sales side, including quoting on solar thermal panels. “I’ve always enjoyed the plumbing side, but now I get to deal with people much more frequently which gives me a real buzz,” said Neil. “Recently, we had the DTV up in the North which is a great way for installers to see the products ‘in the flesh’. As an ex-installer, I know how beneficial this is in understanding how different products operate.” In his private life, Neil enjoys playing golf and Lego Batman on the Xbox with his children!
(London) Sunil has spent his entire working life in the plumbing and heating trade, starting at a merchant in Harrow before spending five years as Branch Manager at a different location. He then left to start his own company, which he ran very successfully. After five years, his father sadly passed away and Sunil closed his business to return to his family in India. On his return to England, he continued to work with merchants before going into sales. “I have been selling Ariston products since the beginning of my career so I know these are products you can trust,” said Sunil. In his spare time, Sunil enjoys spending time with his family and is also a huge cricket fan.
Training Centres
Ariston Courses ■ ■ ■
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Ariston HE – FREE Solar Thermal* (2 Day Course) – Valid G3 Certificate required G3 & Solar Thermal* (3 Day Course) – Valid G3 Certificate required Energy Efficiency
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G3* (including a brief introduction to Ariston’s latest product offering, the NUOS range of heat pumps) G3* Refresher Water Regulations
*Accredited by Logic
High Wycombe (Ariston Headquarters and training centre)
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Barnsley
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Birmingham
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Sunderland
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Caerphilly
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Manchester
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Leicester
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CONNECTIONS – SPRING 2011 7
www.ariston.co.uk SALES AREAS
Regional Technical Managers
Manuel Puletti Northern Regional Sales Manager Mob – 07500 013300
Malcolm Norman SW & Southern 07796 958270
Peter Sinclair 07753 576547
Charlie O'Kane Scotland & Ireland 07876 594485
Trevor Nisbet 07990 522215
Chris Checklin Midlands, London & SE 07712 885090
John McErlean 07800 911789 Neil Noades 07584 682892
Phil Williams Wales & Northern 07500 013301
Graham Heap 07803 236646 Steve Friberg 07748 185550 Mark Jephson 07885 841909
Dave Ward Southern Regional Sales Manager Mob – 07584 390322 Paul George 07500 013199
DY
Graham Jones 07769 143875 Sunil Patel 07584 683351 Kerrie Allsop 07768 356238 Ian Church 07900 606157
Channel Islands
ARISTON THERMO GROUP Ariston Thermo UK Ltd Ariston Building Hughenden Avenue High Wycombe Bucks HP13 5FT Telephone 01494 755600 Fax 01494 459775 Email info.uk@aristonthermo.com www.ariston.co.uk
This newsletter has been printed using vegetable oil based inks on material sourced from managed forests. 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
0870 241 8175 brochure requests 0870 241 8180 installer helpline 0870 600 9888 customer service 01494 755672 training information
In the interests of our customers, Ariston Thermo UK Ltd is continually developing their products to improve both performance and design. We therefore reserve the right to change specification without prior notice. This newsletter is accurate at the date of printing. Consumer statutory rights are not affected.
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John Elliott 07584 517479