Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, MP launched the consultation process at the Micropower Council Summer Reception in Westminster on Monday 12th July. The consultation will look at four key areas for development – Quality, to ensure consumer confidence in microgeneration; Technology, to improve product performance through more trialling; Skills, to develop the microgeneration supply chain and Advice, to provide better information to homeowners, communities and small businesses.

“By generating energy for homes from renewable or low carbon sources, microgeneration technology, such as micro-CHP, has a central role to play in reducing fuel bills for homeowners and cutting carbon emissions in new and existing housing stock” says Simon Osborne, Baxi Group’s Specification Channel Manager. “This announcement demonstrates the Government’s confidence in microgeneration to deliver on these objectives and its commitment to the industry’s long-term growth and prosperity”. 

Baxi Ecogen is currently the only wall-hung, domestic micro-CHP unit which can be specified by local authorities, housing associations and private developers. Thanks to its Free Piston Stirling Engine (FPSE), Baxi Ecogen can generate up to 1kWh of electricity, whilst providing abundant supplies of space heating and hot water for the home.

In welcoming the development of this new policy framework for microgeneration, Baxi Group also backs calls from the Micropower Council for a formal commitment from the Government on the implementation of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

“The RHI is a vital initiative for the microgeneration sector. It will help drive the rapid uptake of the technology which in turn will help reduce carbon emissions more quickly and effectively address fuel poverty in the country” adds Simon Osborne. “We urge the Government to make it clear that the RHI will be introduced on schedule in 2011.”

The RHI enjoyed broad cross-party backing during the passage of its enabling legislation in 2008. Supporting a range of renewable technologies, the RHI will apply the principles of ‘Feed-in Tariffs’ to renewable heat, rewarding users based on the type of heating method and the output of the appliance.

Baxi Group is well-placed to help homeowners as well as public and private sector specifiers reduce carbon emissions in new and existing dwellings with its extensive Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) heating and hot water range. Baxi Group is committed to developing and supplying innovative new heating technologies that will play a role in tackling climate change, reducing the use of fossil fuels and addressing the issues of fuel poverty. For more information, visit www.baxigroupspecification.co.uk.

Last year, we were delighted that Baxi’s sister company Main scooped the Heating Manufacturer of the Year award.  The success was all the sweeter because Main was joined by both Baxi and our other sister company Potterton in the final shortlist of companies.  Baxi was also shortlisted for the Green Manufacturer of the Year category.

The CORGI Awards are unique because all Manufacturer and Product awards are uniquely judged by heating and plumbing engineers in an online voting system.  When it opens on 1st July 2010, we’d love you to visit the CORGI Awards website http://www.corgiawards.co.uk/ and vote for us.

Voting is simple.  To be valid you or your business must belong to one of the following professional bodies: CIPHE, CORGI, Gas Safe, MCS, OFTEC, and you will need to provide an email and telephone number.  You can then rate us across five criteria: Installability, Quality, Reliability, Technical Support and Value.

Come along to see our extensive range of low and zero carbon (LZC) heating and hot water products, all designed to help you meet the latest legislation, tackle fuel poverty issues and provide solutions to Code for Sustainable Homes Levels 3 and 4. On show will be the new micro-CHP unit from Baxi – the Baxi Ecogen – and Baxi’s high efficiency back boiler, the Baxi Bermuda BBU HE.

Our interactive portal stand will give you the chance to ask questions and understand how we can provide best-fit solutions for your specific projects. You will also be able to see one of our Baxi Ecogen product demonstrations every half an hour from 10am.

The CIH Conference and Exhibition is a huge industry event which focuses on affordable housing and sustainable development, bringing together nearly 5000 housing professionals and more than 300 key suppliers.

The exhibition is being held from 22 – 24 June, 2010 at Harrogate International Centre. Baxi Group will be exhibiting on Stand M264. For more information and to book your ticket, visit the CIH website.

The closure of the LCBP is due to the new Government’s commitment to deliver £6 billion worth of spending cuts by 2010/2011. The immediate closure of the programme to new applications will result in a saving of £3 million, with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) contributing £85 million in total, via spending cuts.

All applicants that have received a valid grant offer letter will receive their agreed LCBP grant, as long as the terms and conditions are adhered to. Applicants that submitted an application for LCBP2 but who have not yet received a grant offer letter will still have their application considered and honoured if they qualify.

Baxi Group’s extensive range of low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies – including many which are Solar Keymarked and MCS certified – can assist any applicant with a pending grant application.

The Low Carbon Building Programme has provided approximately 20,000 grants for homeowners and not for profit organisations towards the cost of installing microgeneration products, resulting in a CO₂ saving of 300,000 tonnes.

Feed-in Tariffs are currently available for microgeneration products and the Renewable Heat Incentive is planned for introduction in April 2011. Green Loans are also to be introduced by the new Government to support those wanting to save energy. Unlike LCBP, Green Loans will not require the homeowner to finance the LZC technology upfront, making it a more financially viable option for lower income households.

Q What is the maximum length of flue for the BBU HE?
A The maximum flue length is 12.5m. However the average chimney height in the UK is 9m. To cater for taller building our flues are sold in two lengths, 10m and 12.5m

Q When fitting the O-rings to the flue is there a recommended lubricant?
A We would recommend the use of talcum powder to lubricate the O-rings. Liquid or silicone based lubricants should not be used on the flue.

Q What size of builders opening is required for the BBU HE?
A H 570mm (22.5”), W 584mm (23”), D 310mm (12”)

Q Will the user notice a difference in their gas bills by using this High Efficiency Bermuda BBU?
A Yes. The EST have recently issued their energy savings guide which shows that on a like for like usage users could save £235 on average per year on fuel bills*.

Q Can the user retain the use of the existing gas fire with the new Bermuda HE BBU?
A The existing gas fire cannot be used with the Bermuda BBU HE as the open flue has been replaced with the single piece concentric flue. Therefore there is no means for the combustion gases to escape.

* (http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Heating-and-hot-water/What-is-a-high-efficiency-condensing-boiler)

We are excited to be at the show exhibiting a range of our low and zero carbon solutions, including the ground-breaking Baxi Ecogen.

If you would like to increase your knowledge of how to build sustainably, come along and take part in a number of workshops, debates and seminars.

As well as the innovative Baxi Ecogen, you can expect to see a range of low and zero carbon products which will help you cut carbon emissions and comply with the latest legislation. We will also be previewing our new compact biomass boiler which is a fully featured central heating boiler that provides heat and hot water for the whole household. It can be installed in any room and combined with other LZC technologies.

Greenbuild Expo 2010 enjoyed a lot of success last year and will cover everything from green construction methods, recycling and renewables to waste management and green roofs.

Visit us at Stand E18, Manchester Central (formerly GMEX), Manchester on 26-27 May 2010 (9.30am – 4pm). Download your free ticket to come along and see us.

We’ve made it easy to quickly find the most practical, cost effective solution for your development by detailing the carbon savings offered by a number of our low and zero carbon products.

The guide allows you to choose from a range of property sizes (from one bed flats to 5 bed detached) and then view which low and zero carbon technologies are best suited to helping you meet your desired Code level for your development.

This comprehensive and innovative new tool is a great way to ensure that you are complying with current legislation as well as minimising the environmental impact of your development.

Baxi Group recently created a step by step guide to SAP calculations and the GasSaver, designed to help you ensure you are getting the most accurate SAP rating.

The Multifit GasSaver is an innovative product that recycles the heat from the flue gases which would normally be expelled into the atmosphere and wasted. It has been proven by independent testing to achieve domestic water savings of up to 7% and can reduce the amount of gas used to heat hot water by up to 35% annually.

The carbon emissions savings offered by the Multifit GasSaver (up to 700kg) mean that you are more likely to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.

We’ve done our best to make achieving such savings as easy as possible. The Multifit GasSaver is simple to install, compatible with a wide range of Baxi Group appliances, and is supported by our NewDesign team, who offer free, fully indemnified heating and hot water system designs.

There are many reasons why we think the Baxi Ecogen is so special. Its specification exceeds the latest legislation and offers significant carbon benefits, meaning that the Baxi Ecogen can help you meet the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes, whether you are
involved in the new-build or public sector.

We may be biased, but we believe that the Baxi Ecogen is a product unlike any other, and we’re confident that it will act as a practical, logical and familiar alternative to regular boilers, offering a range of unique benefits that will make doing your job that little bit easier.

For example, there is no planning permission required and the Baxi Ecogen doesn’t rely on building orientation or weather conditions to
generate electricity.

We’ll be shouting about the Baxi Ecogen a lot in coming weeks, and you can find out the latest information by following @baxiboilers on Twitter.

We used the show to launch our new micro-CHP unit – the Baxi Ecogen. We are happy to announce that as soon as the doors opened, the Baxi Ecogen started eliciting a great deal of interest from attendees.

The Baxi Ecogen is at the heart of our extensive range of low and zero carbon (LZC) system solutions displayed at the show, all of which are designed to help cut carbon emissions, comply with the latest legislation and help tackle fuel poverty issues.

We had a great day and are thoroughly looking forward to Ecobuild 2011.

See below for photos of the Baxi Ecogen and our stand at the Ecobuild 2010. Don’t forget to keep checking back for news of upcoming events.