KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Energy Saving Week highlights new 'intelligent' heating control
This isn't KBB as such but is very topical right now and offers qualified tradespeople who fit kitchens and bathrooms the opportunity to provide an extra service and earn some extra money too. Plus we're all in the business of saving energy...
The Energy Saving Trust's Energy Saving Week kicks off next Money. With the weather having turned rather cold and typical fuel bills calculated to be £1,345 a year by OFGEM (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets), this issue now becomes crucial for many householders.
A clever new invention called eTRV can potentially save 15% to 25% on heating bills for gas or oil central heating. Manufactured by Chalmore, theTRV is an electronic thermostatic radiator valve that can take the place of the existing TRV, giving greater comfort and control of each radiator in the house and saving energy at the same time.
Home-owners who have fitted this gadget on each of the radiators in the house are hoping that the hike in fuel bills will be cancelled out by the reduced energy used at home for heating. In fact, if the annual fuel bill is £1.345 and the cost of central heating is around 61%, then fitting eTRV around the house could potentially save up to £200.00
In a home that already has thermostatic radiator valves ,the eTRVs can quickly replace the existing ones by unscrewing the TRV and replacing it with the electronic version. If the property doesn't have TRVs then the new ones should be installed by a heating professional.
Each radiator can be controlled not only individually, but in an extremely flexible way. In the home, for example, the bathroom could be heated throughout the day but to a comfort temperature in the morning, a low temperature in the day and an economy temperature in the evening. Similarly a sitting room could be heated just weekday evenings but all afternoon and evening at weekends
As well as crucially saving on heating bills, fitting eTRV avoids bending down for older or less able people who can now adjust their warmth levels from the comfort of their armchair. So convenient, eTRV also complements home automation systems.
An additional cost saving factor on eTRV is the reduction of VAT from 20% down to 5% if supplied and fitted by a registered tradesperson such as a VAT-registered plumber or heating engineer. Retail price of the eTRV is £49.99+VAT and the handset costs £9.99+VAT.
If ordered via the webshop, each control comes complete with a free handset for an introductory period.
T: 01582 748700
W: www.etrv.co.uk/WheretoBuy/WheretobuyeTRV.aspx
21st October 2011