Tougher economic times have spurred Irish households to re-think home heating costs and efficiency and as a consequence, there has been a significant increase in sales of solid fuel cast-iron stoves, according to Waterford Stanley, the Irish indigenous manufacturer.
Speaking at the launch of National Heat Week, which will promote home-heating efficiency from 4th to 12th February across 17 Stanley Centres nationwide, independent heating and energy expert, Seamus Brennan (B.Sc. Mech. Eng. Heating Consultant & BER Assessor) said that stoves are up to three times more energy efficient than open fires and keep the house warmer even when not in operation due to the reduction in ventilation heat losses.
“Open fires are wasteful of energy with more than 70 per cent of the heat from the fuel going up the chimney, while a stove retains as much as 76% of heat in the room, saving fuel and money. Replacing an open fire with an efficient stove can reduce the household energy consumption by 8 to 10%*.”
According to Waterford Stanley, demand has grown three to four times in the last few years with a record increase of 40% in sales in 2011. “As gas and oil bills soar, households are being forced to re-evaluate their heating costs and shop around for affordable, energy efficient alternatives,” said Owen Power, Commercial Director. “Stanley stoves are definitely back in vogue as households see the real value for money on offer and look to increase their building energy rating while reducing their heating bills.”
National Heat Week runs from 4th -12th February where special promotions and access to specialist heating consultants for free advice on installation, BER ratings, low energy heating systems and heating system upgrades will be available in all 17 Stanley Centres around the country.
For almost a century, Waterford Stanley has successfully innovated to deliver classic designs and energy solutions for Irish homes. In 2010 and 2011 the company’s stove business increased by 35% and 40% respectively with new models, the Cara and the Reginald contributing 100% of the incremental growth last year.
Over 300,000 homes in Ireland have a Stanley product, which are designed, developed and manufactured in Waterford and sold in 17 centres around the country. The market leaders, all Stanley solid fuel stoves are tested and approved by HETAS (the official testing and approval body for the domestic solid fuel industry) come with a five-year warranty and a comprehensive after-sales service.
The expertly crafted cast iron stoves are currently available in a range of enamel colours with matching accessories.
Ends
Notes to editor:
For more information about Waterford Stanley or to find a Stanley Centre near you visit,
www.stanleystoves.com and Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/WaterfordStanley
* 8% - 10% is the average improvement in the Building Energy Rating (BER) of a dwelling using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP), when an open fire (20 - 30% efficiency) is replaced by a stove having an efficiency of 75%. Reductions of up to 17% can be achieved if an inefficient gas open fire (20% efficiency) is replaced by a stove.
10 Top Tips for home heating energy savings from independent heating & energy expert, Seamus Brennan
1. Open fires are wasteful of energy with more than 70% of the energy going up the chimney. Replacing an open fire with a stove will improve the home BER energy rating on average by 8-10% per annum, resulting in lower heating costs.
2. 20ºC is an ideal room temperature. Turning down thermostats by 1ºC can reduce annual space heating energy consumption by 10% with an equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Heat bedroom areas to less than 18ºC.
3. Proper temperature and zone control of your central heating system can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%. There is a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (S.E.A.I.) grant for a heating controls upgrade.
4. Homeowners can typically reduce their energy usage by up to 20% by installing a high efficiency condensing boiler or range cooker as a replacement for older lower efficiency models. There is a S.E.A.I. grant for this measure.
5. Regular servicing of your heating boiler is recommended. For example, servicing a kerosene boiler, which has not been serviced for 3 years, will bring about an immediate fuel reduction of some 5%.
6. If a radiator is mounted below a window, a projecting window-board or shelf above the radiator will direct warm air into the room, reducing heat loss through the window.
7. A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months. If replacing the hot water cylinder, a rapid heat recovery cylinder with factory-applied insulation should be considered. Such insulation is more effective at retaining heat than a lagging jacket, is less easily damaged and cannot be pulled out of place.
8. Heat the hot water cylinder by means of the central heating boiler rather than by immersion on full rate electricity, as the running costs will be much lower. Use a timer if the immersion heater has to be used.
9. Combining solar collectors with a wood-burning stove provides an ideal year-round renewable energy heating solution. A solar collector system can provide around 60% of your annual hot water needs for free (80 to 90% in summer). There is a S.E.A.I. grant for solar panels.
10. Insulate your attic and save up to 20% on your home heating bill. Much of the heat loss from a house occurs through the windows particularly if they are single glazed. Keep curtains closed at night and ensure that the curtains don’t hang over the radiators. There is a S.E.A.I. grant for attic insulation.