Merseyside firm signs manufacturing deal for energy saving boiler device

01/01/2011

Furlong Innovations Ltd has signed a deal with Cornwall-based manufacturer Teddington for the production of its new energy-saving boiler device.

The deal marks a significant milestone for Furlong Innovations, which is part of Wirral-based Mole Group, and follows two years of product development and testing.

‘CombiSave’, the brainchild of Furlong Innovation’s managing director David Furlong, is a patent-pending device which, when fitted to combination boilers, reduces the times taken for the water to run hot, thus cutting energy bills and the quantity of water used.

Government backed independent tests confirm the CombiSave can save up to 54,000 litres of water and 0.5 tonnes of carbon per year, based on a household of four. A CombiSave fitted in 50,000 homes could save a whole reservoir of water in a year.

Furlong Innovations and Teddington will be working together to promote the benefits of the CombiSave to distributors and new boiler manufacturers. While Furlong Innovations will also be targeting customers in the retrofit market as well as housing associations, landlords and plumbers.

Sales of 12,000 units are anticipated in the first 12 months, with this figure expected to rise significantly as large organisations trial the product and roll it out across their property portfolios.

David Furlong, managing director of Furlong Innovations and the Mole Group, said: “There is no other product in the marketplace like CombiSave and we are delighted it is now in production. We were determined that CombiSave be produced in the UK and Teddington Group has a long history in the manufacture of control products for central heating, making them the ideal choice.”

Terry Wyatt, from well established St Austell-based Teddington Group, which manufacture a wide range of products from Oil Fire Valves right through to Engine Protection, added: “The CombiSave is a simple, truly innovative product and we are delighted to be Furlong Innovations’ chosen manufacturer. The financial and environmental savings generated by the CombiSave speak for themselves, reducing household gas bills alone by in excess of £100 per year.”

The world-class Energy Innovation Centre at Capenhurst, Cheshire, acted as a sounding board for Furlong Innovations throughout the innovation process whilst providing workspace within its incubation unit, assistance with sourcing grants to fund some of the due diligence, and facilitated communication with industry partners and professional advisors.

Angharad Davies, Commercial Manager at the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “The Energy Innovation Centre has been working alongside the Furlong Innovations team for the last two years, supporting in the commercialisation of this great innovation.   We are extremely pleased that their hard work and commitment has resulted in their idea becoming a commercial reality. CombiSave has tremendous potential and we are delighted that they are now at production stage, especially with a UK manufacturer.”   

CombiSave is a small thermostatic device which measures the water temperature leaving the boiler and controls the flow of water to optimise the warm up period. Once the water reaches the set operating temperature, the CombiSave releases the heated water. CombiSave devices are compatible with all wall-hung gas / LPG combination boilers. It does not affect the warranty and can remain in situ even if the boiler is replaced.

Plumbers will be able to purchase CombiSave from trade suppliers as well as through the Mole Group directly. Plans are also in place to establish a nationwide list of “preferred suppliers” to fit CombiSave.

Furlong Innovation’s CombiSave was awarded the “Consumer Benefit Award” at the Energy Innovation Centre’s Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards 2010.

For more information about CombiSave and the Mole Group visit www.moleuk.com

For more information about the Energy Innovation centre call 0151 347 2433 or visit www.energyinnovationcentre.com

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