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.

And, until June 30 2008, because of our commitment to recycling we will be offering any customer who wishes recycle and trade-up their Aga a discount between £250 and £1,250 - and 70% of the old Aga will, of course, be recycled and made into a new one, thus completing the cycle.

Renowned for its longevity: the Aga keeps going for generations

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.

But 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.

And already, some Aga models are 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 Electric Aga - which runs on a standard 13-amp connection - now comes with the option of the hugely innovative Aga Intelligent Management System (AIMS).

The system means you can adjust the temperature of your Aga to suit your lifestyle. 

AIMS is a sophisticated - but wonderfully easy to use - program, which allows you to adjust the output of your Aga to suit your way of life.

In short, it means that your Aga can sleep when you sleep and only operate at normal power when you need it.

Aga AIMS: use this remote to programme your Aga and save energy

It can be fitted to all 13-amp electric heat-storage models and is operated by a beautifully simple and exquisitely stylish remote-control handset.

The AIMS program is ultimately flexible - it is supplied pre-set, with two active periods each day. In this mode, your Aga will be at normal temperature ready to cook breakfast in the morning, drop down to a lower temperature during the day and then return to normal temperature ready to prepare dinner in the evening. After dinner, the system automatically enters 'slumber' mode, its lowest temperature.

But you can program easily your 13-amp heat-storage Aga to perform exactly as you need it. For those days when you are not planning on using your Aga in the morning, for example, you can over-ride the default settings and choose two completely different cooking times.

Alternatively, you could, of course, have it running at 'normal' temperature all day - perhaps if you were planning on doing a lot of baking or wanted to raise the ambient temperature of the kitchen over a winter weekend. The system can also be set to 'holiday' mode, which will keep the Aga on either the lowest energy setting (or off) during the selected dates, before automatically restarting in time for the family's arrival back home.

This setting allows for full day/month/year selection to allow for longer holidays and any program setting can easily be overridden by the simple pressing of a button on the Aga itself.

6.  The  Aga  can  replace  so  many  other  smaller  appliances

Versatile: 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
The Aga's radiant heat is perfect for drying or airing clothes and - folded on to the simmering plate lid for a short while - they will also turn out without creases.
· No need for radiators in the kitchen and surrounding rooms
The Aga's ambient heat makes the kitchen the heart of the home.

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.

But 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

Hybrid Aga: versatility and fuel savings

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.

With 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 - plus two extra conventional ovens and an integral grill, which runs 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 - the hybrid Aga 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.

But that radiant heat also means there is usually no need for any radiators in the kitchen - and often in neighbouring rooms. And that, in turn, can mean reduced annual central heating bills.

 

For more information on Aga's green credentials, visit Aga online.