Two market leaders have joined forces to help horticultural businesses overcome the financial and logistical headaches created by the stringent oil storage regulations.
Calor (the UK’s leading supplier of LPG) and Maywick Ltd (whose heaters have been used in poultry house heating for over a decade) together provide an integrated heating solution that gives growers a seamless and cost effective installation, offers CO² enrichment as a natural by product, plus is cleaner burning and removes the environmental concerns associated with oil.
New legislation states that all oil storage tanks over 200 litres capacity must be of the bunded or double skinned type and any spillage is now a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000. Although horticulture does not directly fall under this new legislation, coming instead under the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations 1991, it is still very much a grey area, with horticulturists facing prosecution, heavy fines and clean up costs should any spillages occur.
Paul Riding, commercial market controller, for Calor explains: “Horticulturists have traditionally used oil heating in off-mains gas areas because it was cheaper – and whilst that was the case they tolerated the performance limitations. However, with rising and fluctuating energy prices, threat of prosecution for spillages, there has been a big swing towards cleaner burning and more dependable LPG.
“We take complete responsibility for the installation, maintenance and safety of our bulk tanks, so there are no worries about leaks, spills or pilfering – and customers also save the cost and hassle of purchasing their own storage plus any future vessel replacement.”
David Blakemore, national sales manager for Maywick, adds: “As most sites have multiple oil tanks, updating or replacing them can be a very expensive business. One customer was quoted £3,500, so Calor supplied LPG, we supplied new appliances, and the customer essentially had a new and far more effective heating system for less than the cost of oil replacement tanks. Another nursery in South Wales had bought new oil tanks, which then developed a leak resulting in clean up costs of £35,000, so again they quickly switched to Calor LPG powered Maywick equipment.
“It makes sound commercial sense for us to work closely with Calor because growers are increasingly seeking peace of mind - and together we can provide a technical solution that is ideal for all types of greenhouse and polytunnel applications requiring frost protection and consistent elevated temperatures.”
Additionally, Calor LPG powered units are eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowance payments that allow growers investing in energy efficient heating systems to claim 100% capital allowances in the first year – including installation costs.
With Calor, there’s no need to worry about running out of fuel either as its predictive The Think Tank® telemetry system monitors levels automatically and delivers more as soon as it’s needed.
Oil heaters quickly lose their efficiency too and require constant servicing (a Maywick LPG heater requires only 40 minutes annually) and failure to do so results in oil droplets spewing out and contaminating crops. LPG on the other hand is cleaner burning and won’t produce the soot that can taint crops either.
Maywick LPG heaters are also cheaper to install, costing just £695 plus VAT compared to equivalent direct fired oil heaters at £1200 plus VAT and £1800-£2000 plus VAT for indirect fired oil heaters.
As direct fired appliances, they can be suspended from ceilings or wall-mounted – allowing full use of valuable floor space – and are also easily controlled to provide varying zoned temperatures and operating times.
A heat output of 225,000 btu/hr means that one heater can maintain a 10 degree centigrade lift over 660 square metres for effective frost protection.
Consequently, they provide the ideal heat to grow bedding plants, pot plants, containerised plants and even ornamentals!
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Calor by Connect PR, Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT. Telephone: 01902 714957. Email: hazel@connect-group.com
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