The Problem

Every day we generate waste through our lifestyles creating inefficiencies and more importantly damaging the environment. We regularly waste food, water, fuel, time, heat and money.Furlong Innovations looks at ways of reducing these inefficiencies and reducing the depletion of natural resources.

More specifically?

The inspiration for CombiSave came from our Mole Group customers. As installers of replacement underground water mains, customers would be delighted with the improved water pressure, allowing appliances to work better. There was was repeated disappointment, however, with the length of time combination boilers still took to deliver hot water and the amount of water wasted in the process.

It is not unusual to wait 60 seconds or more for water to run hot which is a waste of resource and money. The large volumes of water run off before temperature is reached takes excess time, wastes gas and water which costs money, and, according to the Energy Saving Trust, "boilers account for around 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home".

There was an opportunity therefore to improve performance of a basic requirement - the delivery of hot water and make savings in the process.

We have had support and encouragement from some excellent organisations such as Envirolink, C-Tech, University of Lancaster, Energy Innovation Centre, Manufacturing Advisory Service and Salford University. A working CombiSave can be seen on the amazing Energy House at Salford University.

Salford University Energy House:
Built to showcase energy-saving and retrofit technologies.