R
Ray Stafford
As you all know, the ErP directive comes into force later this summer, and all boilers being shipped from manufacturers after 31st July have to meet the standard - which usually means uprating the pump to an A rated one.
There is no legal requirement for merchants to stop stocking non-ErP product, and no restriction on what installers fit (unless specified by a housebuilder, HA etc)
Manufacturers are using this to cover a price increase. Because the boiler innards have changed, it will get a new part number, and therefore strictly speaking it isnt a price increase - its a change of model. Yeah, right.
However, we were expecting both the older (no price increase) and new ErP (with price increase) stock to be available until much later in the summer. WB are putting it about that the non ErP models should all be sold out by May, leaving only the newer, price-increased models to be bought after that. It will be no surprise to learn that WB boilers don't hang around, and most of the supply chain will be emptied in a couple of weeks at most.
Furthermore, on the CDi Classic range, which is already ErP ready and required no modification, they have announced an increase on May 1st of between 4.5% (most combis) and 11% (system and heat only). There is also an increase on all accessories of about 4.5%.
If you are pricing a job with (say) a CDi Classic 30 heat only, a system filter, vertical flue kit and one of the more expensive programmers, you could find the price has gone up by over £150 in total.
So be careful with your pricing and warn your customers, and pin your merchant down.
At the moment, we are guaranteeing all WB models and accessories at pre-increase* throughout May, but we make no promises after that.
*Offer applies to existing customers only. Contractors and other merchants who dont normally use us trying to take advantage may get told to p1ss 0ff
There is no legal requirement for merchants to stop stocking non-ErP product, and no restriction on what installers fit (unless specified by a housebuilder, HA etc)
Manufacturers are using this to cover a price increase. Because the boiler innards have changed, it will get a new part number, and therefore strictly speaking it isnt a price increase - its a change of model. Yeah, right.
However, we were expecting both the older (no price increase) and new ErP (with price increase) stock to be available until much later in the summer. WB are putting it about that the non ErP models should all be sold out by May, leaving only the newer, price-increased models to be bought after that. It will be no surprise to learn that WB boilers don't hang around, and most of the supply chain will be emptied in a couple of weeks at most.
Furthermore, on the CDi Classic range, which is already ErP ready and required no modification, they have announced an increase on May 1st of between 4.5% (most combis) and 11% (system and heat only). There is also an increase on all accessories of about 4.5%.
If you are pricing a job with (say) a CDi Classic 30 heat only, a system filter, vertical flue kit and one of the more expensive programmers, you could find the price has gone up by over £150 in total.
So be careful with your pricing and warn your customers, and pin your merchant down.
At the moment, we are guaranteeing all WB models and accessories at pre-increase* throughout May, but we make no promises after that.
*Offer applies to existing customers only. Contractors and other merchants who dont normally use us trying to take advantage may get told to p1ss 0ff
