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 Aga: the facts
Worried about energy prices or green issues? Check out these 10 interesting points about the legendary Aga:
1. You’ll never find an Aga on a landfill site
Unlike other types of cooker, every Aga is almost completely recyclable. Since the very first model was made more than 80 years ago, 70% of each Aga has been made from previously used material. Car gearboxes, guttering, old machinery, cookers, door fittings, drain covers, lamp-posts and much more can all be found in the world’s most famous cooker.
2. The Aga keeps going
The Aga is renowned for its longevity; it keeps cooking for years – usually for generations, some say a lifetime. Typically people buy 3-4 ordinary cookers during their lifetime, whereas you only need one Aga. Such longevity is of real benefit to the environment and – in today’s disposable culture – it’s difficult to think of another product that will give so many years of faultless service.
3. You can choose the fuel option that suits you
Choice of fuel is also becoming increasingly important – especially in a climate of unpredictable oil prices. That’s why models in the Aga collection are available with several fuel options, including LPG, but also natural gas, diesel, kerosene heating oil and electricity. In recent years natural gas has led the way as the cleanest and lower-cost energy source. The introduction of a simple 13-amp electric model has sparked enormous interest, thanks in part to the ease of installation and reduced maintenance costs.
2-oven and 4-oven Aga models are already available with special pressure jet burners, which can run on kerosene oil or diesel. They will also be capable, with minor alterations, of utilising biofuels once they become more widely available and Aga is working with several key industry players and leading universities to remain at the forefront moves to bring this new energy source into domestic homes.
4. Aga is working on renewable energy sources
Another significant new area of opportunity will be micro-generation of electricity. Running in parallel with Aga’s key product design and development work is a programme to work with other alternative energy specialists, notably wind power, solar power and heat pumps.
A key issue facing micro-generation projects is how to store energy for use later. This can involve batteries, hot water systems or the resale of electricity back to the National Grid. But the Aga may be a really green alternative – because it is, of course, a kind of ‘heat battery’ utilising a small heat source and the tremendous heat storage capability of cast iron to effectively hold heat and power ready for when it is needed.
5. There’s an Aga you can programme designed to save fuel
The much-praised 13amp Electric Aga now comes with the Aga Intelligent Management System (AIMS) as standard click here to find out more
6. The Aga can replace so many other smaller appliances
Think of the myriad smaller appliances taking up valuable space. Now think of how well the Aga can do the jobs those appliances do:
No need for a toaster – the Aga makes the best toast just the way you like it
No need for a toasted sandwich maker – the Aga makes perfect toasted sandwiches
No need for an electric kettle – the Aga boils a kettle faster than any conventional cooker
No need for an electric bread-maker – the Aga is known worldwide for its fantastic bread- making ability
No need for a tumble drier
No need for radiators in the kitchen and surrounding rooms
Think not only of the energy saving potential of not using those electrical items, but also the manufacturing miles saved in not opting for myriad gadgets imported from far afield.
7. The Aga can run on biofuels
As part of its ongoing commitment to the environment, Aga has developed biofuel-ready cookers. However, the green customer needn’t wait until these fuels become widely available – in the meantime the cookers will run on either oil or diesel. Once biofuels are readily commercially available, you will only need a minor modification to the burner. This will be necessary because until the fuels are mass-produced, it will be impossible to understand their exact make up.
So, customers who buy a biofuel-ready Aga can be confident that, as soon as biofuel becomes available, Aga can modify the Aga’s burner and make any other minor adjustments, so they can be among the first people to use this new fuel in a domestic setting.
8. The Aga is made in Britain
Every Aga is made here in Britain at an historic foundry in Shropshire, listed as a United Nations World Heritage Site because of its importance as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Think of the manufacturing miles saved – and the protection of valuable skilled jobs. It’s also a pioneering site because of Aga’s commitment to the environment – more than £7 million has been spent to ensure emissions from the Aga foundry are as clean as the air you breathe.
9. An Aga with Integrated Module – the best of both
Much is made at the moment about hybrid technology and it’s often described as a new innovation. In fact, a ‘hybrid Aga’ has been around for more than 15 years. If you purchased an Aga with an Integrated Module, you get all you would expect from a traditional heat-storage Aga – which can be run on oil, electricity, gas, LPG or diesel, and two extra conventional ovens and an integral grill, which run on electricity and a choice of ceramic or gas hob. As well as offering additional capacity and cooking versatility during the winter months – when cookers tend to be used more heavily – an Aga with an Integrated Module offers the option of turning off the heat storage part of the Aga during the summer, thereby making significant fuel savings.
10. The Aga’s ambient heat can save on home heating bills
The ambient heat provided by the Aga is much loved. Indeed, owners say it makes the kitchen the heart of the home. However, that ambient heat also means there is usually no need for any radiators in the kitchen – and often in neighbouring rooms. In turn, this can mean reduced annual central heating bills.
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