Many people will know that the ‘Grant’ name is synonymous with highly efficient oil-fired boilers. At the time of their launch, designs like the ‘Multi Pass’ boiler achieved efficiency levels far in excess of any  Irish or European standards and have helped thousands of homes to reduce their annual fuel bills. Now with oil prices at a six-year low there has never been a better time to install a Grant condensing oil boiler. Twelve years ago, though, Grant made the bold move into condensing technology with the launch of the first Vortex boiler, which was not only ahead of its time, but well ahead of any change to legislation. Today, this highly efficient range features 44 different model variations, with outputs from 12 to 70kW (50,000 to 240,000 Btu/h). With SAP2009 efficiencies up to 93.3 per cent gross (97 per cent gross for SAP2005), the Vortex range not only significantly lowers fuel bills but also considerably reduces carbon emissions and lessens the environmental impact of domestic hot water and heating systems. Grant’s innovation and commitment to oil-fired technology remains strong. This year has seen the introduction of the Energy Related Products directive (ErP). Since September, products that have an impact on energy use will be governed by a new set of regulations establishing minimum EU efficiency standards. For heating, this will include everything from domestic/commercial boilers, through to cylinders, controls and even renewables and it is designed to help Europe meet the 2020 energy reduction target. It will be mandatory in all EU countries. Any product that does not comply with the new legislation can no longer be imported or sold in Europe. To coincide with this legislation, energy performance labels (similar to what you may have already seen on fridges, televisions and so on) now appear on our boiler cartons. All relevant Grant Vortex boilers have made the change to high-efficiency pumps. The market for oil-fired boilers has been under pressure in recent years from other technologies and a lack of government support for greener oil alternatives such as biofuels. However, while in some cases renewable products are an option for off-gas users, there is no doubt that for the majority of homes, upgrading to a modern oil-fired condensing boiler from a standard efficiency model is a good solution which would vastly reduce oil consumption and lower carbon emissions. Given that most installations are boiler replacements for older inefficient products and often are distress purchases, in our opinion the oil-fired market is likely to remain strong for the forceable future. For more details contact www.grantengineering.ie