Boilers that stand the test of time

Energy efficiency is important, but it is also beneficial to the environment to produce products that will last many years before they need to be scrapped – so argues Andrew

How many times have you or your customers received a call to say, “Is your boiler over five years old? You could be entitled to a new boiler paid for by the government.” Yes, it is very commendable that the government has schemes that promote energy efficiency and support the environment, as no-one wants an inefficient zombie boiler spreading pollution – but really, a boiler that is just five years old! Most oil boilers have been 85% energy efficient for the last 30 years and now offer energy efficient ratings in the high 90s.

In the fight against climate change energy efficiency is very important, but our modern throwaway culture is also greatly affecting emissions of carbon dioxide. All the green policies and strategies for change are based on improving energy efficiency, but nothing addresses the fact that many boilers are ending

Hounsfield.

up on the scrap heap after just a few years’ service – this is absurd and does very little to reduce our carbon footprint!

Tricky to repair

I’ve had so many conversations with plumbers and installers all bemoaning the fact that they have to scrap ‘almost new’ boilers as it’s simply too tricky or time consuming to repair them. When components wear out, new components cannot always be easily installed so the entire boiler needs to be taken to pieces, just to get to the component. This results in a heating engineer giving customers the option of an enormous repair bill or a new boiler and of course most clients opt for the new boiler hoping it will save them money in the long run.

But this is just plain silly and not helpful for a homeowner in a cost-ofliving crisis. Why discard a perfectly good boiler just because one component has had its day? I am sure that the Right to Repair (which covers domestic white goods) will eventually be extended to domestic boilers. So, let’s be up for the fight and throw the first punches, rather than be an industry sitting on its hands when change comes.

Alterations just need to be made on the product design. I create boilers with installers and homeowners in mind. I’m passionate about creating high quality engineering solutions to heat homes and water as cheaply and energyefficiently as possible. I’m not interested in boosting our sales by creating boilers that are tricky to maintain – it seems nonsensical. Developing energy-efficient boilers that can be easily maintained should be the starting point for all boiler manufacturers. Every Hounsfield boiler is designed with parts easily accessed, making servicing and repair trouble-free.

Costly components

Easy servicing and maintenance is one issue, the other is high quality components. Many boiler manufacturers are churning out product, proudly promoting their enhanced levels of energy-efficiency, but sadly they’re made with low grade components that need replacing every few years or even annually.

Warranties have onerous terms and conditions, often requiring the homeowner to replace certain components, such as the flexible oil line at the first annual service. Even fuel pumps are sometimes included in a long list of items that need to be replaced as a condition of warranty.

The component industry seems to be big business for many boiler manufacturers and it’s just not right. I’m not naïve, I do realise that some components will experience wear and tear and will need to be replaced, but there is a lucrative industry set-up to manufacture poor quality parts – this really has to stop.

Built to last

Hounsfield Boilers are made to last and come with a no quibble five-year guarantee and a ten-year warranty on heat exchangers. How do we make our boilers so robust? A good example of our high-grade parts is the specification of the hose we use for flexible oil lines, which has a Teflon core and stainless-steel braiding, it is aircraft grade material, instead of the industry standard – rubber or thermoplastic – which we all know will degrade and require regular replacement.

We have also totally redesigned the heat exchanger to maximise use of the heat surface area which also results in less heat fractures and hot spots –prolonging the life of the boiler.

The return on investment for the homeowner is undeniable, with less money spent on repairs and fewer new parts. For the installer it means less time spent out on site replacing poor quality parts, so your customers actually trust you and your choice of boiler manufacturer.

Hounsfield Boilers have a practical design, making installation and servicing hassle-free, plus in the box included with the boiler is everything you need to install it including a paper element oil filter kit, a fire valve and non-return valve kits, plus the aircraft grade oil line.

The icing on the cake is that our boilers are HVO ready, so they will be used for years after kerosene is gone and will help to reduce our carbon emissions even further.

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