SEDBUK band B installers urged to retrain as deadline looms

Installers of SEDBUK Band B boilers are being urged to seek manufacturer advice in advance of October’s changes to Part L of the Building Regulations.

The advice from Worcester, Bosch Group, one of the UK’s leading boiler manufacturers, comes as the build-up to Part L gathers pace and amongst fears that installers of band B boilers may not be aware of the alternative options available to them.

Changes from 1st October

The October changes will mean that installers will not be able to specify B rated condensing boilers from 1st October onwards. However, installers can continue to fit Band B boilers until April 2011 providing the order was taken before October 1st 2010.

The exception to this rule is oil-fired combination boilers which can continue to be installed.

“Band B has served a purpose”

Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester, Bosch Group, commented:

“Band B has served a purpose, allowing many installers who were comfortable with less efficient technology to continue to install what they know and recognise.

“When a Band B boiler case is removed installers see a familiar boiler with just a secondary heat exchanger in place to extract more heat.

“However, the changes to the Building Regulations will outlaw the fitting of these boilers.”

Industry statistics report that sales of Band B boilers account for approximately 10-15 per cent of the UK boiler market, which in real terms is circa 150-180,000 boilers per annum.

Often, these boilers are bought through DIY chains, or the internet and are very price sensitive.

“I would urge any installer who still gets the majority of their work from installing Band B to get onto a manufacturer training course as soon as possible,” says Martyn.

Band A boilers “offer flexibility”

“Once on a course, Band B installers might be pleasantly surprised. Band A boilers offer much more flexibility in terms of where the boiler can be sited and there is also much greater flueing flexibility.

Things will change on October 1st, but a good manufacturer will be able to offer all the help an installer needs to get up to speed.”

More info on boiler efficiency and SEDBUK

Date published: 6th August, 2010

Subscribe to this feed Return to News