With tradespeople facing rising costs: Save time and hassle on every boiler install

As heating season gets underway and installers face increasing pressure to complete jobs efficiently, Talon is encouraging heating engineers to look for practical ways to reduce installation time without compromising on compliance or quality. With around 1.5 million gas boilers sold annually in the UK, even small efficiencies can make a significant difference over the course of a busy year.

The issue is particularly relevant under Part L of the Building Regulations, which requires penetrations through the building fabric to be appropriately sealed to limit unwanted air leakage. Talon Manufacturing says its FlueSnug and FlueSnug FS5 provide heating engineers with a quicker and neater way to complete this part of the installation, helping save time and potentially reducing the cost of completing each job.

“When installers are working through a busy schedule of boiler replacements, it is often the relatively small pipework finishing jobs that take up more of the day than expected,” says Dean Heathfield, Commercial Director at Talon Manufacturing.

“Sealing around a flue might involve mortar or silicone, making good and potentially accessing the outside of the property. Products such as FlueSnug can help by eliminating the need to go outside and seal around the flue, reducing the need to repeatedly move and set up ladders while helping installers complete jobs more efficiently.”

The original FlueSnug is designed to provide an airtight seal around boiler flues where they pass through a wall. Its flexible construction allows it to be pushed through the core-drilled hole from inside the property before snapping back against the exterior wall. For flues positioned high above ground level, this can eliminate the need to climb a ladder simply to seal the external penetration or arrange more expensive access equipment. As well as saving installation time, FlueSnug provides a clean, durable finish without the cracking, shrinking or discolouration that can be associated with some traditional making-good methods.

For like-for-like boiler replacements, Talon’s FlueSnug FS5 has been developed to address another common installation challenge. The existing flue opening is often already core drilled through finished brickwork, so enlarging the hole or spending time packing and making good around a replacement flue is best avoided. FS5 fits an existing five-inch core-drilled hole. The flue passes through the seal and FS5 is pushed into the wall opening, where integrated fins help grip it securely. There is no mortar or silicone to mix or apply and no waiting for materials to dry.

“With an estimated 1.5 million gas boilers sold each year, even these small changes to the installation process have the potential to save the industry a significant amount of time. For the installer, that means less time spent on finishing work and a quicker route to a neat, airtight and professional-looking installation,” says Dean.

To view the Talon range visit www.talon.co.uk

Baxi is an Industrial Associate of CIPHE, to see the full list of associates check out the CIPHE industrial associates directory