Baxi Bermuda BBU HE at the forefront of the fight against fuel poverty

Published by Jon Land for Baxi Group in Housing and also in Environment, Local Government

A pensioner couple from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, have saved a massive 34.8 per cent on their winter gas bill and are looking forward to saving much more thanks to funding from North East based companies Eaga plc and heating manufacturer Baxi.

The funding allowed Fuel Poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) to install the one of the first of the new high efficiency back boiler systems in the couple’s home. The boiler has been monitored to evaluate its effectiveness with hopes of extending the scheme to other fuel poor households.

The couple, who are in their 60s, were chosen for the trial as they were struggling with fuel bills of over £1500 a year.   They were classed as being in Fuel Poverty, where 10 per cent of their household income was being spent on energy costs. Their existing back boiler unit was over 25 years old and less than 60 per cent efficient, contributing significantly to the high costs.

Gas prices have risen by over 114 per cent since 2003 leading to calls for old, inefficient boilers to be replaced wherever possible with new, high efficiency models.  According to the Energy Saving Trust, a modern Band A boiler will use up to a third less fuel than an old Band G boiler to provide the same amount of heat.

Adam Jones, NEA Technical Officer, explained: “Prior to the installation, the couple’s gas winter fuel bill for December to April 2008-09 was £337.15.  After their new Baxi Bermuda BBU HE was installed, the bill for the same period in 2009-10, including an extra 3 weeks in April was less than £220.00, a saving of nearly £118:00, even after the coldest winter in 30 years.

“We produced a SAP rating for the home pre and post installation to identify how the running costs and carbon savings would be improved.  The initial SAP reading was 54, which rose to 69 after the new boiler was installed.”

“In addition, the couple have found the system very easy to operate so they can enjoy maximum comfort and efficiency.”

Ian Thompson Technical Manager for Eaga plc said: “The boiler changeover and system upgrade was very successful and surprisingly easy for our installers.  And we were even able to retain the householders’ original fireplace.”

Baxi has developed the new A rated Baxi Bermuda BBU HE as a direct replacement for the estimated 1.8 million old back boilers that are still in use.  It has an output of 15kW and will modulate down to the required heating demand to ensure optimum performance at all times.  It is a fully pumped system, in accordance with Building Regulations, which is controlled using a standard seven day, 24 hour programmer and room thermostat.

Replacing an old BBU with a Baxi Bermuda BBU HE is a straightforward process.  One of the main advantages of the new BBU is that existing pipe work can be used.  This means that the entire system can usually be replaced in a single day.  For the householder, there is minimal disruption, the need for costly redecoration is eliminated and space is not lost elsewhere in the home.  For more information visit www.baxibermuda.com