BSEE BOILERS & HOT WATER


Darren Finley, Chief Commercial Officer at Ideal Commercial Boilers, highlights some common commissioning and operational issues that facilities managers should consider in order to extract the best out of their commercial boiler.


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LOOKING AFTER YOUR INVESTMENT Getting the most out of your commercial boiler


lthough your chosen boiler may boast top class energy efficiency


credentials, it is important to consider


other factors that could affect its efficiency. It’s accepted that modern boilers are far superior in terms of efficiency than their predecessors, so much so that after installation many don’t consider what else they could be doing to drive down costs and decrease fuel consumption.


But there are a number of reasons why modern condensing boilers installed as a replacement for older standard efficiency boilers might not be performing at its optimum efficiency.


Old system, new boiler


In order to get the most out of your new condensing commercial boiler it’s vital to think in terms of the whole system. For example, it is counterproductive to install a new boiler into an existing system that contains debris and dirt.


So-called dirty water is an inevitable consequence of an aging system, but if transferred into the new boiler it will affect its ability to run efficiently, and can lead to boiler breakdowns and even failure. To overcome this, we encourage building managers to consider the process of water treatment. This will ensure the longevity of the boiler by protecting internal parts from corrosion and the build-up of scale over time. System separation should also be considered when introducing a new boiler to an existing system via a plate heat exchanger. This approach physically separates the boiler’s primary circuit from the potentially poor quality water, providing protection without compromising performance. A plate heat exchanger works by transferring heat from the primary circuit to the second via heat transfer and without coming in direct contact. However, it is important to understand that a heat exchanger will only function at its peak efficiency when the water velocity passing through it is maintained within prescribed parameters, requiring accurate sizing of the plate heat exchanger before installation.


uCompact Evomax Boilers offer ease of maintenance and installation.


Making use of controls


An important aspect of achieving efficiency in buildings is ensuring the


end user knows how to control the system and is committed to keeping energy use low.


Contemporary controls can do far more than switch a boiler on and off according to time or temperature. They give the flexibility to manage when and where the heating system is used, avoiding heating circuits or zones that aren’t required at a given time or under certain circumstances, and allow the boiler to modulate effectively. This all combines to lower emissions and minimise waste, saving money while benefiting the environment.


In a mixed-use development with a central plant room and boiler arrangement, for example, controls can be deployed to differentiate the distribution of heat and hot water to different parts of the building. In this scenario, the differing demands of residential apartments (peak heat and DHW demand in the mornings and evenings) and retail units (typically modest demand during daytime) can be managed efficiently, again reducing fuel use.


Outdoor weather sensors can also add to the efficiency of a boiler by controlling the heat output based on the temperature of the external environment. These should also be considered to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.


A well‐managed system is an efficient one


Once your new efficient boiler is installed it is important that the heating system is then well-managed to truly sweat that asset. Routine inspection and preventative maintenance is essential to keeping boiler efficiency up and fuel costs down, but I’d also encourage users not to overlook the simple stuff either. For example, it pays to monitor your gas bills as they are a good indicator of a boiler’s efficiency. A new boiler should result in a decrease in fuel consumption, so if this isn’t the case, you may need to look at the system to ensure everything is running as it should be. We also advise building managers to regularly audit usage patterns in their building to ensure the system is configured to serve only those zones requiring heat.


Frequent maintenance


Regular servicing will ensure a boiler is running at its best but it’s also a critical requirement of most warranties. Many


manufacturer warranties are reliant on an annual service from an accredited technician.


The Ideal Commercial’s Evomax range of boilers, for example, come with a five-year warranty when commissioned by Ideal Commercial and serviced annually by an engineer who has attended one of the UK training centres for the free Evomax course. This approach encourages best practice to ensure that our products continue to operate as designed.


With servicing playing an important role throughout the life of your boiler, it is also important to consider the positioning of the boiler at the time of installation to ensure easy access. Maintenance is of course also key for avoiding downtime due to mechanical breakdown. The consequences of downtime vary from building to building and can range from simple inconvenience to life threatening, and for many facilities managers operating to an SLA, failure can also have financial penalties. So, a well-sorted system is not just about delivering efficiencies, but also about avoiding penalties and maintaining good customer relations. None of the above steps are expensive or complex to administer yet it’s surprising how common it is to find comparatively new boilers that are not meeting their owner’s expectations, or suffering with issues as a result of poor commissioning or an inadequate management and maintenance strategy.


Taking an informed and proactive approach will ensure your new boiler investment will stand the test of time, deliver the efficiencies desired, and will keep your building serviced long into the future.


To find out more speak with an Ideal Commercial BDM. Locate yours at:


www.idealcommercialboilers.com/contact ‘ 14 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2017 Contemporary controls can do far more than switch a boiler on and off


according to time or temperature. They give the flexibility to manage when and where the heating system is used, avoiding heating circuits or zones that aren’t required at a given time or under certain circumstances, and allow the boiler to modulate effectively.


’ VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk


uIdeal Commercial’s Evomax boilers come with a five‐year warranty when commissioned by Ideal Commercial and when serviced annually by an engineer who has attended one of the UK training centres for the free Evomax course.


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