The Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2012

UK heating manufacturer Baxi is proud to announce that it has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.  The prestigious accolade, bestowed during Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, is for the Baxi Ecogen micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) boiler, which is designed, developed and manufactured at Baxi’s Club Street facilities, in Bamber Bridge, near Preston in Lancashire.

Managing Director of Baxi’s UK Residential Boiler Division, Andrew Keating, said: “We are really proud of this fantastic achievement.  It is testament to the commitment and hard work of the teams in Preston who have brought Baxi Ecogen, the first domestic appliance of its kind, to the UK marketplace, and made our facility a centre of excellence for this important new technology.”

Using a Free Piston Stirling Engine, Baxi Ecogen is a like for like replacement for a conventional boiler which generates up to 1kW electricity that can be used in the home or exported back to the electricity grid.  It is MCS certified so is eligible for the Government’s Feed-in Tariff, making it a cost effective alternative as well as energy efficient. 

Baxi was established by Richard Baxendale in 1866, not far from the company’s present manufacturing premises, and is proud of its long UK heritage.  Baxi has always been at the forefront of innovation.  In 1966, it launched the Baxi Bermuda back boiler unit, which revolutionised home heating.  More recently, in 2011, Baxi was the first boiler manufacturer to include a combustion management system in its boilers as standard, providing exceptional energy efficiency and cost savings for householders compared to standard boilers.

Baxi Solargen PV

Baxi has introduced Baxi Solargen, a high-quality, photo-voltaic (PV) range of solar collectors for easy specification and installation in private and social housing developments. 

As a versatile, renewable energy option, the new Baxi Solargen range offers significant specifier benefits. They will help developers keen to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Levels 4 to 6 on their schemes, bringing an impressively low carbon rating under SAP at the same time as generating electrical energy for the homeowner or social housing tenant, and recurring revenues under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme.

“The difference between Baxi Solargen and other PV panels is in energy-generating performance, reliability and ease of specification and installation,” says Simon Osborne, Specification Channel Manager at Baxi. “In a growing market where the demand for effective solar PV has risen, these qualities are critically important for specifiers. We are delighted to bring to market a solution which helps them achieve Code compliance and generates electricity efficiently and reliably for homeowners and tenants.”

Baxi Solargen provides a one-box, hassle-free kit solution to meet both flat and pitched roof applications. High performance polycrystalline solar PV modules deliver an efficiency of between 13-16%, with a choice of four different outputs – 1.32kWp; 1.76kWp; 2.64kWp; and 3.96kWp.

The modules have three bypass diodes installed to aid performance if shading becomes an issue.  The diodes allow current to flow around shaded cells, reducing voltage losses due to the module limiting the reduction in array output.  The modules are equipped with a positive power tolerance of 3% which ensures the householder receives the expected power output from their system.

In addition to the collector modules, the Baxi Solargen kit contains a DC to AC electricity inverter, a generation meter, DC and AC isolation switches, roof mounting brackets, and all cables and connections. This ensures a simple and quick installation. Baxi Solargen is MCS certified making it eligible for FiT.

Baxi Bioflo biomass boiler

Baxi is pleased to announce that its full range of biomass boilers now carries Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approval.  Products that are MCS certified and fitted by MCS qualified installers ensure the householder qualifies for any grants and financial assistance that are available.

MCS has been designed by Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to evaluate microgeneration products and installers to ensure they meet robust criteria.  The aims of the scheme are to help establish the quality and reliability of the burgeoning microgeneration industry, to provide consumer confidence that both products and installers reach the exacting standards required and to make a substantial contribution towards cutting the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels and its carbon dioxide emissions. 

Baxi offers three biomass models, in different outputs, so there is a model suitable to meet space heating and hot water requirements for most applications:

• Baxi Bioflo is a stylish, freestanding pellet fed 12kW boiler which is suitable for installation within the living space and can be installed in a smokeless zone.  The Baxi Bioflo delivers up to 62% energy reduction, 18% more than is required to achieve Code Level 4.
• Baxi Multi Heat biomass ideally uses wood pellets as fuel, and is available in outputs of 15, 25 and 43 kW.  It has the option of various hopper sizes and an automatic ash removing system.  The Baxi Multiheat Biomass Boiler delivers a CO2 saving of up to 62%, which is 18% more than required to achieve Code 4 (44%).
• Baxi Solo Innova biomass is a log burning boiler that is available in outputs of 20, 32 and 48 kW.  It is designed to be installed in conjunction with a buffer vessel.  These are particularly suited to larger (three bedrooms and more) homes in rural areas where there is space for the necessary plant.  (Note the larger 48kW model is out of the scope of MCS, which is capped at a maximum heat output of 45kW and is therefore not eligible for approval under the scheme.) 

Biomass fuels, such as wood, logs and wood pellets, are classed as ‘carbon neutral’ because they absorb as much carbon when they are growing as the release when they are burned.  Biomass boilers make an attractive alternative for off mains gas properties, especially as they can be installed into existing heating systems without making large scale changes.

Baxi offers Biomass training that is recognised by HETAS as providing the skills required to achieve MCS installer accreditation.  It also offers a Route to Microgeneration Certification Scheme course, designed to help candidates understand the MCS Quality Management System, which is required to achieve Microgeneration Certification for Renewable Technologies, as well as giving guidance on other areas of the MCS process. 

For more information on Baxi Biomass boilers, please visit the Baxi Know How website.

Baxi Bioflo biomass boiler

An extension of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) was announced by DECC this week, as part of its broader plans to support low carbon heating. At the same time, the implementation of a domestic version of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has been pushed in to 2013.

Simon Osborne, spokesperson for Baxi, outlined the company’s position on the news: “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. 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.

“Customers in off-gas areas definitely have the most to gain under RHPP and we are pleased to see continued support for biomass and heat pumps. By introducing new elements that will cover larger projects, in social housing for example, there is a massive opportunity to impact fuel switching and alleviate fuel poverty.”

The outline from the Government states a headline figure of £25m for the new RHPP scheme, with £8m and £10m allocated to social housing and community groups respectively.

Greg Barker Climate Minister makes keynote speech at Ecobuild 2012

Climate Minister Greg Barker, gave a keynote speech to delegates at the Ecobuild conference.   He spoke about the forthcoming Green Deal that is due to be launched this Autumn.  He said: “The Green Deal will act as a catalyst to stimulate innovation so that more and more energy savings products come to the market.”  He spoke of the three key points:

• Firstly, this is a brand new way of approaching energy efficiency.  Not a continuation of CERT, CESP, not a son of this or daughter of that;
• Secondly, it will create a brand new market and opportunities for industry.  A market for the aspirational, not just for the worthy or energy sensible;
• Thirdly, don’t underestimate the power of communities in their many shapes and forms.  These will be key to  delivering this agenda.

He vowed to deliver a “brand new market and opportunities for industry”, promising to remove barriers that stop firms taking part in the innovative scheme. 

He said the scheme would prove “truly revolutionary”, providing “a catalyst to stimulate innovation so that more and more energy savings products come to the market”.

He added that it had the potential to drive significant economic growth and job creation as growing numbers of households and offices take advantage of a financing mechanism that allows them to improve their properties at no upfront cost.

“No longer will every discussion on energy efficiency focus solely on the insulation industry.  The Green Deal has been designed to finance the installation of a broad range of measures across the energy efficiency market.  Our goal is to enable the property to benefit from all the improvements that can create savings.

“The heating, glazing, lighting and Microgeneration industries will all be able to use this innovative financing mechanism. 

“Less well-known measures which improve energy efficiency, such as flue gas heat recovery and waste water recovery systems will also be eligible for finance under the Green Deal.

“Some new measures have been included in the Green Deal following the consultation with particular relevance to the non domestic buildings.  Some of these are simple improvements, such as solar blinds and shading devices – but they can make a big difference to energy savings.”

His full speech can be found on the DECC website here.

Andrew Stunell MP OBE with Chris Farrell (right) with the Multifit GasSaver

Andrew Stunell OBE MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government recently visited Baxi’s manufacturing facilities near Preston, Lancashire.  The Minister had come to meet representatives of Zenex Technologies, Baxi and Remeha Commercial and to see how the GasSaver Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery Device (PFGHRD) can increase the energy efficiency of boilers and help to reduce fuel bills.

Andrew Keating, MD Boiler Division, welcomed Mr Stunell and then Chris Farrell, MD of Zenex Technologies, and inventor of the GasSaver, introduced the technology.  He explained how PFGHRDs could provide a major step change towards reducing fuel poverty, by substantially reducing fuel bills.  In addition they can save water consumption in the home by six per cent and Carbon Dioxide emissions can be reduced by half a tonne annually.

Following a tour of the manufacturing facilities for GasSaver, Mr Stunell visited the laboratory, where he was able to see how, when the GasSaver was introduced into the system, the amount of gas being used by the boiler dropped.  He could hear the boiler modulating down, and saw an increase in the amount of hot water coming through the tap at a higher temperature.

Mark Northcott, MD of Baxi’s sister company, Remeha Commercial, also demonstrated how the GasSaver technology can be applied to larger boilers suitable for commercial use.

Andrew Stunell said the facilities were impressive and had: “given me some things to think about and to discuss with my colleagues who share my passion for working towards a greener environment.

“My job is about setting achievable, sensible priorities.  We have to align what we are doing on the regulatory front with what is being done on Green Deal.

“The beauty of GasSaver is that it is British and can be integrated with what Baxi is doing on other fronts.  We need to have a cultural change to encourage people to think about how to save energy in existing properties.  It is important that we continue to work on technologies that challenge the whole industry to think about how we get to the next step beyond our current domestic gas boilers.”

Multifit GasSaver

The GasSaver is an innovative product that sits neatly between a boiler and flue and recycles the heat from the flue gases which would normally be expelled into the atmosphere and wasted. It has been proven to reduce the energy required to produce hot water by 37%.

It works by capturing and storing heat from the flue gases which would normally be lost through the boiler flue. The heat is recycled to preheat water coming into the boiler from the cold mains supply. Because it doesn’t have to raise the temperature so much, the boiler uses significantly less gas to heat the water to the required temperature. This means lower energy bills and greater carbon savings.

For more information check out the Baxi Know How specification website.

Baxi's stand at Ecobuild 2012, stand number N2630

See how Baxi Know How can take you into a new dimension at stand N2630 (No glasses required).

If you’re wondering how you can meet the next level of the Code for Sustainable Homes quickly and cost effectively, take a wander around Stand N2630 at Ecobuild.   Join us and take a 3D virtual tour of the latest innovations in renewable and low carbon technology.  We are holding 3D low carbon clinics on the stand everday day:

Highlights include an insight into the workings of Baxi Ecogen, the only commercially available domestic micro-CHP unit in the UK and a firsthand look at the new Baxi range of GA Combi boilers, which come with ‘next generation’ Gas Adaptive Control technology as standard.

Other innovations include the Multifit GasSaver and Multifit HeatSaver, two clever devices that deliver significant SAP benefits when used with Baxi and combi boilers.

The Baxi Multifit GasSaver has been proven in independent tests to reduce energy usage by up to 37% and water consumption by up to 7%.

The Mutlifit HeatSaver package adds a 50l temporal store to the Multifit GasSaver system, increasing flow rates and reducing gas consumption still further.

In addition, Simon Osborne, Baxi Specification Channel Manager, will be speaking at a seminar entitled ‘Micro-CHP – retrofit revolution or reality’, on Wednesday 21 March at 17:15.

Ecobuild 2012 is being held at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre at the heart of the new Green Enterprise District in London’s Docklands.

Since its launch in 2005, Ecobuild has almost doubled in size every year to become the biggest event in the world for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.  Last year, there were over 1,300 exhibitors, 130 conference and seminar sessions and over 55,000 visiters.

Opening times:

Tuesday 20 March          10:00 – 17:00

Wednesday 21 March     10:00 – 18:00

Thursday 22 March         10:00 – 16:00

Register for your free tickets to Ecobuild 2012 here.

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.