Providing heating and hot water accounts for as much as 80%^ of <strong>the</strong> <strong>energy</strong> used in a typical home.Condensing boilers are more efficient than conventional boilers, confirmed by <strong>the</strong>ir "A" rating for<strong>energy</strong> efficiency. The householder could save up to £140 (or 40% of fuel costs per bill) compared with<strong>the</strong> costs of operating a standard boiler > .All of npower’s schemes support <strong>the</strong> highest standards and actively participate in <strong>the</strong> Benchmark initiative. This helps to ensure that equipment is commissioned in accordance with <strong>the</strong> manufacturer’sinstructions, and customers benefit through <strong>the</strong> use of a continuous Benchmark service record.Priority GroupHeatingnpower has implemented a heatingscheme (NPOW02H07C) to encourage<strong>the</strong> installation of high efficiencycondensing boilers in social housing.Condensing boilers provide significant<strong>energy</strong> savings for our customers byconsuming less fuel when generatingheat and hot water. This means reduced<strong>energy</strong> consumption and moreaffordable warmth.npower is keen to promote <strong>the</strong>installation of <strong>energy</strong> efficient heatingsystems in line with <strong>the</strong> government’sCentral Heating System Specifications(CHeSS), and works toge<strong>the</strong>r with socialhousing organisations, including localauthorities and housing associations, toensure our customers benefit fromquantifiable <strong>energy</strong> savings now and in<strong>the</strong> future.O<strong>the</strong>r heating schemes (NPOW03H22C,NPOW03H23C and NPOW03H24C)integrate with housing providers topromote and encourage <strong>the</strong> installationof high efficiency district heating orCombined Heat and Power(CHP) systems.Many homes are heated by a lowefficiency system, often due to <strong>the</strong>limited technology available at <strong>the</strong> timeof construction. The most efficientsystems now available are normallyfuelled by gas. Through our SocialHousing Fuel Switching scheme(NPOW03H21C) we are working withhousing providers to facilitate <strong>the</strong> changein fuel supply to <strong>the</strong>ir properties, wheregas is not currently available.The heating component of our <strong>Saving</strong>sfor Life programme is continuallydeveloping. As new <strong>energy</strong> efficien<strong>the</strong>ating technologies become available,npower will seek to support <strong>the</strong>promotion and installation of a broaderrange of products in this sector.^ Domestic <strong>energy</strong> factfile, BRE 2000> Cost saving assumption. Figures are from <strong>the</strong> Energy <strong>Saving</strong>Trust (www.save<strong>energy</strong>.co.uk/boilers/benefits.cfm).<strong>Saving</strong>s based on a gas heated detached house with a totalfloor area of 104sqm. The savings are typical for this type ofproperty. There will be variations in individual cases due toclimate, exposure, occupancy patterns, heating controls,insulation and o<strong>the</strong>r factors.15 npower Energy Efficiency Commitment Annual Report 2003 - 2004
Non-Priority GroupEnergy efficiency adviceHeating improvements are madeavailable to all householders through ourpartnerships with manufacturers andinstallers, collectively known as ourEnergy Efficiency Heating scheme(NPOW02H08). The overall aim is toincrease <strong>the</strong> number of condensingboilers in homes throughout GreatBritain. This is achieved by putting inplace financial incentives aimed atlandlords, householders or installers -depending on <strong>the</strong> relevant set-up ofhome ownership and method ofpurchasing <strong>the</strong> condensing boiler.Through affiliation with manufacturers,plumbing merchants and tradeassociations, npower has established anumber of customer proposals aimed atincreasing <strong>the</strong> use of condensing boilersin Non-Priority Group customer homes.Worcester Bosch SchemeThis scheme enables customers to claim£100 cashback when <strong>the</strong>y purchase oneof <strong>the</strong> Worcester Bosch Greenstar HEboilers from a registered WorcesterBosch installer. In order to claim this,customers must first ring <strong>the</strong> helpline on0845 330 1325 to find <strong>the</strong>ir localWorcester Bosch specialist and obtainan authorisation code. They <strong>the</strong>n receivefur<strong>the</strong>r information enabling <strong>the</strong>m tocomplete <strong>the</strong> purchase and receive <strong>the</strong>ircashback**.A1-Boilers Schemenpower’s A1-Boilers project encompassesour unique partnerships and financialarrangements with heating installers**.We use this scheme as a vehicle topromote and develop best practice andbroader competency levels amongs<strong>the</strong>ating installers.In May 2004, <strong>the</strong> npower A1-Boilersprogramme won <strong>the</strong> H&V news award forEnvironmental Initiative of <strong>the</strong> Year.Described by <strong>the</strong> judges as "goodlooking",<strong>the</strong> A1-Boilers incentive schemeis designed to encourage installers tospecify <strong>energy</strong> efficient equipment.The judges were impressed by <strong>the</strong>straightforward approach to transforming<strong>the</strong> domestic heating market and with<strong>the</strong> tangible results achieved.They were also struck by <strong>the</strong> extensiverelationships built through <strong>the</strong> entiresupply chain with manufacturers throughto suppliers and installers.To <strong>the</strong> end of March 2004, <strong>the</strong> schemehas resulted in more than 4,400companies signing up to participate in<strong>the</strong> scheme, saving more than 8,000tonnes in carbon emissions.For more information, please callSustain on 0845 6000 337 or e-maila1@sustain-<strong>energy</strong>.co.uk or visit ourwebsite at www.npower.com/a1-boilers.npower offers free and impartial adviceto enable our customers to save <strong>energy</strong>in <strong>the</strong>ir homes, at little or no cost,through simple actions or behaviouralchanges. We also suggest longer termmeasures where applicable. Our EnergyEfficiency Helpline is staffed by adviserswho are qualified to NVQ level 2 –"Delivery of Energy Efficiency Advice".With our detailed knowledge of national<strong>energy</strong> saving schemes and grants, weare able to direct eligible customers tothose that are most appropriate to <strong>the</strong>m.During April 2003 – March 2004, wehandled 16,729 <strong>energy</strong> efficiency calls.Energy Efficiency Helpline0800 02 22 20 †Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pmand Saturday 9am-12 noon.Where appropriate, verbal advice can befollowed up by any of over 30 factsheetsand information booklets, a home visit ora home survey (as described below).During April 2003 - March 2004, wemade almost 3,000 home visits andcompleted over 750 home surveys.During a home visit a customer willmeet one of our Energy ServicesRepresentatives face to face and receiveadvice including <strong>the</strong> efficient use ofappliances, heating, lightingand insulation.A home survey questionnaire is available,which is completed by <strong>the</strong> customer andreturned to us (by freepost). The detailsare <strong>the</strong>n processed by our independent"System 22" computer programme.A comprehensive report is <strong>the</strong>n sentback to <strong>the</strong> customer, along with anyliterature that would help <strong>the</strong>m actpositively upon <strong>the</strong> results.Our Energy Services Representatives arealso involved with community initiatives –in <strong>the</strong> last year <strong>the</strong>y provided informationat more than 100 exhibitions andcommunity events.†Telephone calls may be monitored and recordedfor security and quality control.** Subject to availability and terms and conditions, see page 22.16 npower Energy Efficiency Commitment Annual Report 2003 - 200417 npower Energy Efficiency Commitment Annual Report 2003 - 2004