Commercial Questions and Answers

Answers

The Fuelstretcher seems to be more expensive than other boiler energy savers - why?

The market is full of devices which “hold off” boiler firing to try to contain “ overheating”. Most, if not all, are sold speculatively to clients often on the basis that clients do not have the expertise to argue whether a device is saving or not. Testimonials are used heavily in this form of selling but they are only as good as the qualifications of the person offering the testimonial. Although the Fuelstretcher has been scientifically validated to a level not reached by any other product of its type-worldwide we pride ourselves in providing a risk-free energy saving measure and monitoring service for sustained client service. It is a matter of added value.

What do you mean by an energy saving and monitoring service?

We initially often provide 6 week short term trials aimed at illustrating trends that, if continued, will meet client expectations of likely attractive payback on capital investment as well as an effective control of carbon emissions. Sometimes we install remote fuel monitoring for the trial. Although we normally have good consistency between the two, it is generally accepted that longer term analysis is more robust than the 6 week trial. We therefore offer 2 year monitoring against expectations. So far, every installation has performed to expectations and many have exceeded the original short term savings results. If, in the unlikely case that savings are below predictions, Fuelstretcher Ltd. offers a guarantee. It works as follows:

• We agree a guaranteed level of savings sustainable over two years.
• You give us a consumption history for the twelve months previous to the installation of the Fuelstretcher.
• You send us monthly fuel consumption figures for the first two years. Alternatively if you purchase the optional remote metering service we will have the data at hand.
• We calculate consumption, using degree days to compensate for warm or cold spells in both history and usage.
• We compare ongoing consumption to historical, thus calculating savings.
• If, up to 2 years after installation, the consumption savings are less than the guaranteed minimum we will return all, or a proportion, of the original selling price depending on the actual shortfall against guarantee.

And after two years?

After the guarantee has expired, Fuelstretcher Ltd. offers a maintenance contract, which includes an ongoing assessment of savings. This is a modest cost and in many cases can be rolled into existing maintenance contracts by the client’s traditional building controls supplier.

What if monitoring shows that you are not meeting the guaranteed levels of savings?

We take action to find out why if “expectancy” levels start to fall. If we cannot stop the decline we will credit the client at the end of the two-year period, or earlier, with a refund of a portion of the original price of the controller proportional to the shortfall against the guaranteed level of savings.

What if we have many sites – does this attract lower prices?

On commercial or industrial sites we always offer a discount if additional sites are available.

Do you supply controls for domestic housing?

Only for Communally Heated Buildings containing multiple dwellings

What order of grants is available for the Fuelstretcher and for what applications?

On sites, which attract Energy Efficiency Commitment Grants in GB the average Sheltered Home complex will attract 35 to 50% grant and the average high-rise building from 70% to being fully funded. In Northern Ireland grant funding of between 30 and 60% is available through the Northern Ireland Electricity’s management of the Energy Efficiency Levy for schools and Sheltered Homes.

Would the Fuelstretcher be effective on new or re-furbished buildings?

Yes, our Research Building Simulator has proved this. Our only problem is that with new buildings or re-furbs there is no history of fuel consumption to use as a comparative benchmark. We welcome interest by energy motivated M&E Consultants.

We have many boilers, which could benefit from the Fuelstretcher but most are being replaced with new more efficient boilers over the next few years. What solution do you have here?

The Fuelstretcher’s strength lies in its ability to optimise the true heating energy and comfort demand of the building. This is a level of intelligence which is more related to the efficient application of the boiler to its building rather than the efficiency of the boiler itself. Therefore any Fuelstretcher units can be transferred effectively to new boilers – in particular condensing boilers.

How does installing a Fuelstretcher compare with other forms of energy conservation?

In terms of payback on investment, measures of energy conservation such as solar or wind generation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing etc. normally take anything from 8 – 15 years. The Fuelstretcher will normally pay back its initial cost in two to three years. It is guaranteed to pay back its cost in three to four years.

What should I do now?

Please send an email to with the following information: Your name Your contact details Type of building or installation you are considering Number of boiler rooms and number of boilers in each Type of controls (e.g. BMS, Time clock etc.) Annual fuel cost (per boiler room if it is available) Alternatively, please send this information by fax to 01752 764424 or telephone 01752 764423. We would be delighted to talk to you.