WITH household bills soaring, a Hail Weston company claims to have invented a device that can save people hundreds of pounds on their heating – by using a third less fuel. An invention called HeatingSave uses PC Software to allow customers to turn on t

WITH household bills soaring, a Hail Weston company claims to have invented a device that can save people hundreds of pounds on their heating - by using a third less fuel.

An invention called HeatingSave uses PC Software to allow customers to turn on their heating by using a computer anywhere in the world.

It senses the temperature in the room and outside, it will turn the heating down if the weather suddenly gets hot, it can switch on as you walk through the door and it can turn the heating down when people leave the room.

It can also work out exactly how much people are saving on their heating because it counts the minutes the boiler is on.

Nigel Smith, a director at Tensor, which makes HeatingSave, said: "Over 98 per cent of central heating systems use inefficient controls based on technology that was developed 100 years ago. The beauty of this system is that it retro-fits to your existing heating system without the need to buy a new boiler or alter your plumbing."

Mr Smith said: "Everyone is rather worried about their hearting bills so we have not been surprised by the rate these are selling.

Tensor, which employs more than 100 people, has invented a controller that can reduce by 30 per cent or more, the fuel used by central heating systems.

HeatingSave replaces the boiler time clock of an existing central heating system with a microprocessor controller. This controller constantly monitors the outside air, boiler and room temperatures.

These temperatures are then fed in to a mathematical model that works out the heat loss profile of a building and then fires up the boilers only when necessary. Tensor believes this new system could potentially save homeowners large amounts on their oil or gas bills.

Room sensors also allow the Heatingsave system to automatically turn itself down when nobody is home and turn on when you get home.

With prices starting at £382 plus VAT, the company said the first 50 units flew off the shelves within just a few weeks of the invention coming on to the market. Tensor is taking delivery of 500 units in September and expecting them to sell fast.

Created in two years, from planning stage to marketing the system comes with PC compatible technology allowing users to turn their heating on or off at the touch of a button from anywhere in the world.

"We've had orders from all over the UK, for homes, shops and businesses. We have even had people buying them for their holiday homes in the Lake District. They can use their PC to turn the heating on in their holiday home before they set off so that when they arrive it is nice and warm for them."

INFORMATION: Tensor specialises in clocking-on technology and prison access systems and operates from a 12,000 sq ft factory attached to Hail Weston House. To find out more, visit, www.heatingsave.co.uk or call 01480 223923.

CAPTION: ENERGY SAVERS: Phil Reeves, project manager.