GUERNSEY: The news that the State of Guernsey Building Regulations have been amended to make all future oil boiler installations condensing models has been welcomed by Worcester, Bosch Group.

OFTEC has been advised that an amendment to Approved Document L1 for the Conservation of Fuel and Power Dwellings has come into effect.

It is now mandatory for all new and replacement boiler installations in Guernsey to be condensing boilers which achieve a minimal efficiency level of 86%, making them either A or B rated on the SEDBUK scale.

Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester, said: "This amendment is a real plus for us because it helps to ensure that our offering is consistent throughout the British Isles. Although Guernsey represents a relatively small market, it is still an area we are fully committed to.

"We are well aware that a number of installers who operate on the Channel Islands have been promoting condensing boilers for some time to ensure best practice. However, by making it a legal requirement it guarantees that homeowners in Guernsey are getting the best from their heating system and it also makes it much easier for the heating industry as a whole because we can roll out the same level of service to all.

"For manufacturers, having to produce small volumes of standard efficiency boilers when the main production is for condensing boilers has increased the price and reduced the range of standard efficiency models available. This is because the fewer boilers that are produced the higher the cost of the unit price. By reducing the need to continue producing standard efficiency boilers in the future we can devote greater resources to the quality of our training, products and support."

Similar to UK installations, exceptional circumstances will be considered for the installation of a non-condensing boiler in Guernsey.

These can be identified using an OFTEC CD/30 Form, which should be submitted to Guernsey Building Control.

Where plans have been submitted in relation to work before 5th October 2009, or where a boiler has been ordered or purchased or the contract of work was entered into before 5th October 2009, standard efficiency oil boilers can still be installed providing works are completed by 1st January 2010.