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Baxi Ecogen is a new product unlike any other. You may have questions so we have tried to answer the common ones below.
Q How long will it take to install a micro-CHP unit take in my home?
A Typically it will take no longer to install than a conventional boiler. The gas connections and flow and return water pipes connect just like a normal boiler. The main difference will be that the electricity meter must be changed to an import/export meter by your utility or a licensed subcontractor to the utility so that you can export surplus electricity back to the grid.
Q Can my plumber install Ecogen?
A Yes they can, however the installer needs to hold Part P and must be a fully qualified electrician to connect the unit electrically to the distribution box in the home and back to the import/export meter.
Q How different will the day to day running and maintenance of the boiler be for me?
A The day to day running of Baxi Ecogen will be the same as a conventional boiler except that there is an LCD display to show how much electricity has been generated.
Maintenance of the boiler will be the same as a conventional boiler; it should be serviced once a year to maintain operational efficiency, performance and gas safety. The Free Piston Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and is designed to operate for at least 15 years.
Q How long will it take for the unit to start generating electricity when it starts up?
A As soon as the boiler starts to heat up, it begins generating electricity, and will be generating 1kW in around five minutes.
As your home reaches a comfortable temperature, the unit reduces its heat output, saving you money, but continues to produce electricity.
Q Why has Baxi chosen to use a Free Piston Stirling Engine (FPSE)?
A The FPSE has relatively few moving parts so it is very reliable and has a long operating life. It has a gas bearing and requires no external lubrication, making it very low maintenance.
Q Will I be able to install Baxi Ecogen in conjunction with other low carbon products such as solar?
A Yes, however the unit is a heat-led device (i.e. it starts to generate electricity when it heats your hot water and radiators) so if you are meeting your hot water demand from another source, such as solar, you will reduce the amount of electricity you generate.
Normal supplementary heating is fine such as a gas/electric fire or wood burning stove.
Q Is it safe to generate electricity in my home?
A Baxi Ecogen has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it is completely safe. It has been independently tested and gained the widely recognised CE mark demonstrating its suitability for domestic use.
The unit contains sophisticated electronics to comply with grid connection requirements. This allows the unit to connect to the grid when the unit is generating alternating current at 50Hz, but disconnect immediately if any major fluctuations occur on the grid.
Q Do the utilities really want any surplus electricity I generate?
A At the moment microgeneration accounts for only a tiny amount of electricity on the grid. As the number of units increases, much more useful quantities of electricity will be fed back onto the grid.
A feasibility study is being carried out to investigate the potential use of micro-CHP devices, like Baxi Ecogen, as 'virtual power plants' which feed in electricity to the central grid and can be used to meet peak demands on the central power network.
Q When will the Baxi Ecogen be available?
A The Baxi Ecogen will be launched in Spring 2010.
