On 12th September, Bath Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse visited the neighbouring constituency of Chippenham, on a fact-finding mission to innovative British business Luthmore Limited.
Luthmore is developing a zero-emission boiler that provides a true alternative to the gas combi for owners of small to medium sized homes.
As a member of the Parliamentary Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, Wera was very keen to hear about Luthmore’s “pioneering” battery technology and the key features which they say make it a “competitive and realistic alternative” to the gas combi boiler - and a cheaper, more practical alternative to heat pumps.
On a tour around the factory, Luthmore CEO and co-Founder Craig Wilkinson told Wera:
“Our boilers not only deliver the same performance as the tankless gas combi, but they can be installed in exactly the same space, and with the same supporting infrastructure including pipes, radiators, etc. as the gas combi.
“They are a more affordable zero-emission solution, being significantly cheaper in both purchase and in installation than the heat hump.
“In addition, because they can be charged at off-peak times, they are economical to run and can reduce customers' energy bills. And they can even be seamlessly integrated with domestic solar panels.”
Powered by six powerful Lithium Iron Phosphate - “non rare earth” - batteries, Luthmore boilers are where “Performance meets Net Zero”, says Wilkinson. The boiler’s modular construction makes it easy to service, and install and transfer batteries and other components.
The market for new boilers is entering the most significant period of change in a generation with tighter emission regulation meaning the gas combi will shortly be withdrawn from new build and, eventually, retro fit markets, is essential that other technologies are available to take their place. But there are a number of impediments to achieving this goal, including the high costs of transitioning away from the gas combi boiler and the focus of government policy on promoting heat pumps. These can be expensive, and unsuitable for a number of domestic properties including flats and smaller homes which do not always have the space required for a heat pump.
Craig Wilkinson concludes:
“I believe Luthmore’s pioneering technology can support the domestic heating sector in meeting the wider environmental targets of government. However, to meet these targets the government must take a technology-agnostic approach to incentive schemes and standards and focus support on clean energy technologies like ours which are not only cost-efficient but which can also store energy to help balance grid load.
“We are asking the government to consider including any and all suitable heating technologies that meet the eligibility criteria for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme so as not to limit possibilities or stifle innovation in the race to net zero.”
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“I have been very impressed with Luthmore’s drive and vision to decarbonise British heat in an affordable and accessible way.
“We must turbocharge the shift to sustainable forms of heating if we are to get anywhere near our net zero goals. The Government must be nimble and progressive and make the bold, but essential, choice to tackle emissions and future-proof our energy system. To do this, they must ensure that support is in place for brilliant British businesses like Luthmore to lead the way towards making the UK a clean energy superpower.”
Luthmore is an Industrial Associate of CIPHE, to see the full list of Industrial Associates check out the directory HERE