Heating equipment supplier Rangemoor has entered a supply agreement with Sanyo Air Conditioners to supply the latter's range of low carbon energy products.
Rangemoor is also setting up a new green energy division called Energy Specialists to promote and install Sanyo's ECO CO₂ heat pump heating system.

The joint venture, with backers including industry figure Martin Hook, will be based at Rangemoor's head-office at Winkleigh, Devon. The company will train and appoint a network of installers to install and service the Sanyo equipment in the South West, Northern Ireland and Channel Islands.

Andrew Baker, managing director of Rangemoor, said: 'The sharp rises in the cost of oil has had a major impact on the economics of heating homes in the countryside off mains gas. The Sanyo ECO CO₂ system is a great solution as it runs on electricity, and protects people from future oil price shocks. It's very reliable and one of the few heat pumps able to perform in really low temperatures.'

He said a demonstration model installed at the company's premises continued to perform impeccably throughout the recent harsh winter 'despite the site being covered in a sheet of ice for two weeks'.

The new division has already sold Sanyo units in the South West.

Graham Wright, head of Sanyo's heating division, said: 'The new venture brings together a wealth of experience in heat pump technology, specialist installer training and knowledge of the needs of the market. We believe it is a winning formula.'

The company will also supply Sanyo's HFC-based heat pump system for use in applications not requiring the exceptional energy performance of ECO CO₂.