With the need to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint high on the political agenda, and buildings responsible for approximately half of the UK’s carbon emissions, energy issues are at the fore in the construction industry, writes Chris Davis, head of renewables at Dimplex, and renewable sources of heating are seeing an upsurge of interest as the fuel of the future.

Climate change makes headlines in every newspaper and consumers are embracing the new energy options offered by renewables, encouraged by the government, which has to meet tough targets on the reduction of carbon emissions. It has introduced the twin drivers of microgeneration grants to stimulate market demand, and legislation such as Building Regulations Part L as well as policy initiatives such as the ‘Merton Rule’ (which typically demands a 10% contribution from renewables in new developments), to ensure that energy-saving measures are adopted industry-wide.

HEAT FROM THE ENVIROMENT

One option in renewable energy sources that’s growing in popularity is heat pumps, and Dimplex offers the UK’s widest range, with over 50 models on offer. They draw heat from the ambient environment (air, ground or water) and upgrade it enough to provide space heating and hot water. Used in Europe for decades, when they were first introduced to the UK they were seen as more suitable for upmarket self-build projects, due to the capital outlay involved.

However, the drive toward low carbon buildings has opened up mainstream opportunities for heat pumps, both the well established ground source technology and more recently a new generation of air source heat pumps able to use the ambient air as their source of heat, making them cheaper and simple to install for both new build and retro-fit.

Air source heat pumps can extract heat from the air at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, and in the UK’s mild climate, performance and efficiency are comparable to ground source models. With average winter temperatures of around 4 degrees Celsius, co-efficients of performance can be around 3.5 to 4.0. That means for every 1kWh of electricity used to run the system’s compressor, 3.5 – 4kWh of heating energy is produced.

So with the growth of opportunities in renewables, how can installers get access to this developing market?

ACCREDITED HEAT PUMP INSTALLER TRAINING

Dimplex has introduced an Accredited Installer programme to help meet the demand for its air source heat pumps. The scheme, which includes a comprehensive two day training course, is open to experienced heating, plumbing, electrical and HVAC installers, giving them the opportunity to be approved to install the UK’s widest range of air source heat pumps - a new and profitable stream of business.

A short exam at the end of the course must be completed successfully before accreditation. Once accredited, the installer receives vouchers for cash back against their first purchase and free commissioning meaning that the £395 application fee is fully refunded.

A programme of courses is running country-wide, and Dimplex has even invested in a new training centre at its Southampton headquarters to cope with demand.

WIDER CERTIFICATION

The UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme (UKMCS) has been put in place by the government to support its Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant scheme, which from autumn this year also supports air source heat pumps. It takes the place of previous product and installer registration schemes such as ClearSkies. Manufacturer training courses like the Dimplex air source heat pump installer course give installers a head start towards this national accreditation as well, by satisfying the training requirement of the scheme.

ELECTRIC HEATING - THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT

The government has expressed its support for clean nuclear power, which together with the growth in renewable generation (such as wind farms) and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, means that electricity really is the fuel of the future.

Cost-effective electric heating is already the preferred solution for many developers, with easy installation, low capital cost and no emissions or flueing issues, while for the user it’s extremely controllable, and can take advantage of off-peak tariffs. Part L puts great emphasis on control and states that ‘all systems should be provided with appropriate controls to allow reasonable levels of energy efficiency to be achieved in use’. Electric heating easily ticks this box, and combining it with renewables makes choosing an all-electric route to Part L compliance straightforward, while at the same time reducing overall carbon emissions and meeting renewables targets.

HEAT FROM THE SUN

Electric space heating is easy to combine with solar thermal water heating to incorporate a renewables option, providing up to 60% of the annual domestic hot water requirement from free solar energy – even in northern latitudes. As the design and siting of the equipment is key, it makes sense to go to one reputable company for the complete space and water heating system, so this year Dimplex has launched its own solar thermal water heating system, to offer the complete portfolio of energy-efficient electric and renewable heating products.

To make life simple, the ‘Solar Eclipse’ is available as a choice of 12 pre-packaged kits for easy installation. It’s a complete off-the-shelf solar hot water package, including 2, 4 or 6m2 collector packages, heat transfer system, full range of installation accessories and a choice of direct and indirect solar hot water cylinders in a range of sizes.

So with interest in renewables rocketing and the future for controllable electric heating looking bright, now is the time to make sure you include electric and renewable options in your heating portfolio – your customers will be demanding it.

Press Source : Dimplex press feature

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Dimplex Stove

There’s nothing quite like the effect of a Dimplex stove fire. It creates a wonderful feeling of comfort and cosiness. But open fires can be inconvenient and messy. Likewise if installing a gas fire you need to consider flue and gas connection constraints, the permanency and cost of installation and the need for annual servicing.

This is why so many people around the world appreciate the benefits of using a Dimplex Optiflame® electric fire.

Indeed, there have been significant increases in the price of fuel in recent years, and whilst electricity prices have gone up, the increases are not as significant as gas.

All Dimplex stove fires are 100% efficient at point of use, so no heat is wasted. The ‘flames’ can also be used independently of the heating, so you can enjoy the cosiness of the flames on those dark but mild spring and autumn evenings.

Dimplex electric Club stove fires also require no maintenance or cleaning unlike conventional open fires, and are very simple to install; virtually all fires come complete with a fitted plug and many don’t even require a fireplace! However, if your preference is for a complete fireplace, Dimplex can offer this too with a choice of suites and ready-to-fit surrounds.

Whatever your taste – ultra modern, traditional or classic, Dimplex has a fire to suit your décor and lifestyle.

Dimplex fires are designed with saving energy in mind. All Dimplex Optiflame® fires are 100% efficient at point of use, so no heat is wasted. The ‘flames’ can also be used independently of the heating, so you can enjoy the cosiness of the flames on those dark but mild spring and autumn evenings without using any more electricity than you would do running two light bulbs. Many Dimplex fires also feature a room-sensing thermostat, which constantly measures the ambient temperature of the room, allowing you to set a room temperature for the fire to maintain. This not only means that your room will be kept at an optimum temperature with minimum effort, but also means that no unnecessary heat is produced – saving you money!

Furthermore, by choosing an electric fire, you are choosing a heat source that is fully “renewables-ready”. At present, only 2% of Britain’s energy comes from renewable sources such as solar power or wind turbines. However, the Government has set a target of increasing that figure to 10% by 2010. Unlike a gas fire, a Dimplex electric fire will actually become ‘greener’ to run as Britain’s energy supply becomes more renewable dependent. Indeed, electric heating is the only form of heating that has the potential to be truly ‘zero-carbon’

For more information on Dimplex products and the environment, please visit www.dimplex-resource.co.uk

Dimplex Safety

It’s only Dimplex that brings you the internationally recognized BEAB approval on all electric fires* giving you the extra guarantee of safety.

The BEAB approval mark is an electrical safety mark. It demonstrates to everyone that the UK’s leading independent approval specialists have evaluated our products to the highest European and International standards.

BEAB approval means that the product has been rigorously tested in an independent accredited lab to provide reassurance of safety in the areas of mechanical injury, burns and electric shock, as well as compliance with specified European and International standards.

The stringent safety approval process is policed not only through independent testing but also on-going factory and market surveillance. BEAB approval is infinitely more significant than the CE Mark.

The CE Mark is only a manufacturer’s self-declaration that the product meets the essential requirements of the EU directives. The only way to have real peace of mind is to insist that the products you buy are BEAB approved – you’re safe every time

Dimplex - Benefits of using electric

Electric heating has a number of generic benefits over other fuels and detailed information on these benefits can be found in the left hand menus for each of the 7 product categories shown in the navigation bar above.

Low capital & installation costs

Electric heating is very easy to install, ensuring installation costs are kept to a minimum. It doesn't’t require any pipe-work, simply a connection to the electrical circuit[s], so it can frequently be installed in a matter of minutes. For new build properties this means it can go in at the second fix wiring stage. And for refurbishments and replacements, it means minimal disruption for the household. What’s more, because the heaters can work as stand-alone units or as a system, it is easy and cheap to add heaters to a system at anytime as budgets permit.

Low Life Ownership Costs

There is often confusion about the running costs of electric heating compared to other fuels; however the cost of energy for different heating systems is only part of the true running cost equation. The true cost to consider is the lifetime costs of the system, which not only take into account the fuel used, but the hidden maintenance costs – both monetary and time - over its lifetime.

Electric heaters are 100% efficient at the point of use, meaning all the electricity used is converted directly into heat, unlike boiler-based systems where energy is wasted through the flue. In addition, over the last few years there have been many fluctuations in the price of both electricity and gas, with Energy watch – the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog – reporting in July 2006 that some energy suppliers had increased the cost of gas to their customers by as much as 92% since 2003, while the price of electricity had increased by only 54%.

Because electric heating has virtually no moving parts, most systems can be expected to last for at least 15 years, whereas the gas boiler industry itself quotes a lifetime of only 10 years for a boiler. Because electric heating is cheaper to install, maintain and lasts an average of 50% longer than a gas system, the true ownership costs means that an electric heating system can be a more cost effective solution in many developments. For more information on this subject, please click on the Resource link.

Flexible & Versatile

Electric heating doesn’t require a flue or pipe-work, so there are no restrictions on building layout or design and no regulatory or planning issues associated with positioning of flues to restrict you. Electric heaters can also be installed virtually anywhere in the room, again aiding freedom of design.

The versatility of electric heating can also be a major advantage for home extensions where the existing system may have insufficient capacity to heat extra radiators.

As a fuel source electricity is available right across the country and is also ideal in sensitive areas or in listed buildings where structural alterations are difficult. Only electric heating gives such freedom of design.

Safe, Reliable Systems

Whatever type of heating you specify; safety is always an important consideration. Because electric heaters do not burn fuel internally to generate heat, there are none of the associated safety risks, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions. And as there are no radiators to leak or burst, there is less risk of damage to completed properties, which can be a major concern if properties are empty for a period of time, especially over the winter months. Also with virtually no moving parts to break down or wear out, electric heating is extremely reliable and will normally run satisfactorily for much longer than a conventional gas boiler.

• Environmental Health Benefits

Storage based electric heating systems provide continuous heat throughout the day, maintaining a consistent temperature in the
building fabric. This helps eliminate any long term building maintenance problems associated with condensation, benefiting occupants
with a healthier, more comfortable living environment.

No maintenance and no annual inspection

Maintaining a heating system can, depending on the choice of fuel, add significantly to the overall cost of running the system, so it is very important to consider the likely impact of maintenance costs and any safety checks requirements. With virtually no moving parts to break down or wear out, electric heating is extremely reliable and there is practically nothing to go wrong. Gas boiler based system on the other hand should be regular serviced and, although not a legal requirement in private properties, should be given an annual safety check. However both private and social housing landlords are legally required to have annual safety checks on gas appliances.

Comfort and Control

There have been significant developments in electric heating in the last few years and modern electric heaters incorporate highly sensitive, integral thermostatic controls. The accuracy of electronic controls allows rapid response to sudden changes in room temperature, ensuring that heater outputs are quickly reduced or increased to maintain a consistent room temperature. And Dimplex also offers a variety of control options for our installed heating products.

Benefits of Electric Water Heating

Electric water heating is an efficient method of heating water directly with electric immersion that are in direct contact with the water, reducing energy losses than can be experienced from pipework, and circulating pumps. If you have an off-peak electricity supply it allows the water to be heated during the evening or early morning providing a full tank of hot water ready for each day. The use of a booster immersion allows additional water to be heated during periods where water demands exceed the normal daily usage so that extra baths or showers can be catered for

Fires
We have some of the hottest gas and electric fires and also stoves to be found in the UK. With names such as Baxi, Robinson Willey RW, Trident, Flavel, Valor and Cannon to name but a few, many are live and working and we guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Fireside Accessories
A full range of accessories in our showroom, from different fronts, fire guards, fire screens, grates, inserts, fire dogs, buckets, baskets, shovels and bellows - many on display.

Fireplaces
Many cast iron, wood, antique finish and marble fireplaces are available.