There are a wide range of eco and renewable products designed to help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions and conserve water as well as helping households reduce running costs and making non renewables as efficient as possible. With the government aiming to cut the UK’s carbon emissions by 80%, compared to carbon emissions of 1990, by 2050 the need for eco heating and plumbing products is growing.

There are a variety of high efficiency boilers on the market capable of cutting the carbon output of households significantly however the most efficient are biomass boilers as they are referred to as carbon neutral due to the fuels they burn. Biomass is a solid fuel boiler that burns biomass (fuel that is derived from living organisms) such as wood pellets and logs. Biomass fuel is classed as a carbon neutral fuel as the carbon that is emitted when burnt is the same amount of carbon that is absorbed by the vegetation as it is growing.

As well as renewable high efficiency boilers there are also ways of harnessing heat that naturally occurs such as geothermal energy and solar energy. Geothermal energy can be used with the use of ground source heat pumps which absorb the heat energy that the earth receives from the sun. The Earth retains heat for a long time and maintains a constant temperature of around 13°C which makes it an ideal source of heating for homes and other buildings. Also of course there is solar energy of which both heating and electricity can be generated via solar panels. At BHL we can supply both Photovoltaic Solar Panels capable of generating electricity and Solar Collector Panels which capture heat energy from the sun to heat water for the central heating system.

As well as find ways to save on carbon emissions there is of course the issue of conserving water a fundamental resource that everyone requires and being able to reduce wastage is an important issue. There are many ways of conserving water and at BHL we supply a comprehensive range of rainwater collection methods from garden water butts for watering the garden and washing the car to underground tanks to collect water that can be used in toilets and washing machines. Also we can supply grey water systems which work in the same way that a toilet cistern does the difference is that the water used to flush the toilet is collected from baths and showers. The waste water from bath and showers is known as grey water, within the Grey Water System light debris, such as foam, hair and soap is skimmed of the water surface and the heavier debris is flushed away to a waste pipe. The remaining clean grey water is then transferred to a storage tank within the Grey Water System where it is then used when the toilet is flushed.

Read More about Eco Products on offer at BHL here.

Our team regularly undertake manufacturers product training sessions ensuring that we are able to advise our customers of the latest product developments within the plumbing industry. The latest session from Zip Heaters introduced us to their range of Electric Water Heaters.

Zip Inline ES

Available in three sizes, the Zip Inline ES is a compact electronically controlled instantaneous water heater for hand washing. Using bare-wire for fast heat up, the Zip Inline ES is an innovatively designed appliance that heats the water automatically as it flows through so has no standing heat losses.

Zip Inline ILX

The Zip Inline ILX is the bigger brother to the Zip Inline ES. The Zip Inline is a single outlet electronic instantaneous water heater. Available in three sizes the Zip Inline provides instant hot water without the need for storage and gives a constant supply of hot water at the set temperature.

Zip HydroTap

The Zip HydroTap is a range of taps which brings boiling and chilled filtered water instantly and is used in kitchens and canteens across the world. Available in a wide range of models the Zip HydroTap dispenses boiling and chilled water instantly from a single tap with the added convenience of programmable energy saving modes and safety locks. The Zip HydroTap replaces the need for expensive bottled water and kettles or urns.

Zip Heaters are available to buy online with confidence and the lowest possible prices at BHL.

A friend of BHL’s recently sent us this photograph he took of a novel solution for leaking roofs. Perhaps not a long term option like Tile, Slate and Lead Work, but the Leak Master 2000 certainly offers a low cost, albeit short term fix.

Continuing our exploration of the Ideal Boilers, Radiators and Accessories catalogue from 1961 to take a look at the Central Heating Boilers of the early Sixties.

The Ideal Neofire No.2C was designed for heating & indirect hot water supply. According to the guide, ‘The Ideal No. 2C Neofire is designed to take care of approximately 40 sq.ft. of radiation, plus an average amount of piping, and to provide hot water for domestic purposes by the ‘indirect’ method with the No. 00 or No. 00c Ideal Indirect Cylinder (20 Gal).

It has a specially designed boiler with 11/4″ flow and return tappings on both sides. This appliance is designed to burn coke or anthracite, but will operate efficiently on coal. (A special heat-resistant steel grate bar can be supplied to order at an extra charge.’)..

Ideal Britannia Boilers on page 134 (below) are boilers designed for mechanical stoking and oil burning. From the catalogue ‘Ideal Britannia Boilers are admirably suited for mechanical stoking or oil burning, satisfactory results being obtained both under test and in actual performance with well-known types of each apparatus.

The fire chamber is of sufficient volume for efficient combustion and only a minimum of refractory brickwork is required. The boiler sections have ground beaded edges, making the combustion chamber and flues smoketight without the use of putty or other filling. The flue travel, lengthened by special baffles, ensures effective absorption of heat with reasonably small chimney loss; the operating efficiencies are therefore very satisfactory. The large flue doors provide easy access for cleaning. A locking device for fixing smokepipe damper in smokehood in any desired position is supplied in place of the usual damper-operating lever’..

Ideal Britannia Boilers No. 1-K & -KF Series for water, hand firing on page 118 advises that there are five models ranging in output from 93,000 BTU/h to 189,000 BTU/h. From the guide ‘When automatic regulation is required No. 802 Ideal Damper Regulator is provided as shown; when not required a sliding ashpit door can be supplied in place of the hinged pattern illustrated’..

On page 106 and displaying the scribblings of Chris Bumford (Bumford Heating) “Not available after Dec 66″ – is the Ideal Paragon Elite Oil-Fired Boilers range for Heating and Indirect Hot Water Supply. Available in four outputs, 35,000 BTU/h to 65,000 BTU/h the catalogue explains ‘The boilers are supplied complete with thermostatically controlled fan-assisted vaporising burner unit, jig assembled to the front plate and all enclosd in an attractive enamelled jacked.

Oil Filter is supplied for fitting in a convenient position in oil supply line. Dial-type thermometer on facia is provided as standard’.. 

You can see Part One of this Blog Post here. Be sure to check back soon as we uncover more hidden plumbing gems from the past.

We have a new article on the growing BHL Advice Centre full of helpful guides and advice on products.

Planning on fitting or replacing some Guttering but unsure on how to do the job then our helpful step by step guide on How to Fit Rainwater Gutter will walk you through it and before you know it you’ll be done and on to the next job.

Need advice on the Gas Safe Register and how it affects you then try our new Guide to the Gas Safe Register on the BHL site.

Scrap the VAT on high efficiency boilers and renewables!

That’s the message from Biasi, manufacturers of Boilers, Radiators and Renewables.

Scrapping the VAT on high efficiency boilers and renewables will almost certainly help to rejuvenate the hard hit construction industry, supporting existing plumbers, builders and suppliers as well as generating new jobs within the green economy. In addition to this, replacing an old inefficient boiler with a new high efficiency boiler could save the user over £200 per year on fuel bills as well as collectively saving thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Renewables also go some way in reducing fuel bills and emmisions. Solar Thermal Water Heating can reduce your water heating bill by as much as £85 a year. And Solar PV can generate around 40% of a household’s yearly electricity need.

Biasi would like to draw this to the attention of homeowners and businesses alike. Why not join the campaign to encourage the government to cut the VAT on high efficiency boilers and renewables, making it more affordable for us all to heat our homes and businesses. The mission is simple, help everyone stopping wasting energy and save money on their energy bills by making it cheaper for everyone to upgrade their heating system.

BHL wholeheartedly support this initiative and thank Biasi for raising this issue. Most people would like to upgrade their heating system for a more energy efficient one but a lot of customers are put off by the high cost of some green products. This is a real shame, but we feel the relaxing of VAT on such products would encourage more sales.

Get involved by signing up and spread the word to encourage others to register their support. Scrap the VAT, Sign the online petition now

Thinking about Fitting A New Radiator and want to know how then visit our Advice Centre and get a step by step guide to fitting a radiator. Or maybe you’re having problems with your radiators, are some getting hotter than others then maybe you need to Balance your Central Heating System or maybe you simply need to Bleed Your Radiators. You can find helpful step by step guides to these issues and others simply by visiting our Advice Centre.

The Trianco TRH room heater has been around for a few decades now supply reliable heat and hot water for thousands of homes across the UK. Now that solid fuel alternatives are becoming more attractive due to rising costs in other fuels on the market, the TRH has received a contemporary and attractive face lift.

The TRH is a real coal fire that is capable of burning a range of smokeless solid fuels giving a cosy feel that only a real flame fire can provide. As well as providing ample heating the TRH is capable of supplying hot water for the entire house, with a hidden back boiler that can generate a heat output of 45,000 BTU’s (13KW).

The TRH’s redesigned fascia with its clean lines houses a toughened glass viewing pane, finished in black with a stylish stainless steel handle. The TRH’s contemporary look will make a desirable centrepiece in any living room.  The TRH is simple to use with an adjustable thermostat and is easy to maintain, also with its fuel preference it’s a greener alternative to other fuels.

Do you want to know how hot water cylinders work or what the difference is between a vented and unvented cylinder is or direct and indirect cylinders. Then you maybe interested in our new article a BHL Guide To Hot Water Cylinders, there is helpful information on the subject of hot water cylinders found here. as well as this you’ll find articles on a range of products and issues relating to plumbing and heating in our advice centre.