Commercial heating
profitable. Heating is required in a cross section of small, non-domestic buildings – such as doctors’ surgeries, restaurants, shops, community centres and schools – and engineers can fit these products without extra qualifications, so it makes sense to capitalise on commercial opportunities when they come along.
See the light! F
or heating engineers looking to grow or diversify their business, the move to light commercial installations can be very
The installation
Choosing a light commercial boiler can seem like a daunting task for engineers that are new to the sector so here are a few things to bear in mind:
Calculating demand
To choose your boiler, the first thing you will need to work out is know how much heat and hot water the building’s end users are going to need. Closely matching demand and supply will result in the boiler running to its maximum efficiency and the end users being happier with the performance of their boiler. A community centre, for example, may need to heat one or two large spaces a few times a week and provide a small amount of hot water for handwashing and catering areas, whereas a retail space will need heat for most of the day, every day, but very little demand for hot water.
Potterton Commercial’s Paramount four range 50kW wall hung boiler
Your choice of boiler may be influenced by where it will be installed on the premises. Wall hung boilers are very popular and offer a neat and tidy installation. Potterton Commercial, for example, has recently launched a 50kW model, as part of our Paramount four range of wall hung boilers, to meet growing demand for light commercial and large residential boilers. It is lightweight – just 61kg – and is slimline at 480mm wide, making installation easy and straightforward. From now until March 31, contractors will be able to get a free horizontal or vertical flue when they purchase the boiler – saving up to £170. Wall hung boilers do of course have limitations, particularly in older buildings – such as listed buildings or those with unstable walls. In these cases, a floor standing boiler is a better alternative. Newer models have very small footprints and can fit into even the most compact of spaces.
Green appeal
Energy efficiency is always a top priority, whether it’s to reduce monthly fuel bills or cut down on a building’s carbon emissions. Thankfully, finding the most energy efficient
products is very straightforward, as light commercial boilers now come under the Ecodesign of Energy related Products Directive (or ErP Directive). Complementing the Ecodesign Directive is the Energy Labelling Directive. This demands that space and combi heaters of up
to 70kW are labelled to show their power consumption, with a rating ranging from A to G. When used alongside energy efficiency data, these labels can help engineers choose between products which have the same energy rating. The Paramount four 50kW boiler has an ErP rating
of A, and a 6:1 modulation ratio meaning it can meet variable heating demands to deliver carbon and cost savings.
Under control
To further improve the efficiency of a light commercial boiler, it’s worth looking at controls. If areas within a building do not need to be heated in the same way, zone controls may be a good solution. These controls can also be used to reduce heat delivery to areas which are affected by solar gains to maintain comfort levels.
www.heatingandventilating.net
Heating engineers with a current Gas Safe qualification can install boilers of up to 70kW. This provides potential to tap into a whole new revenue stream in the light commercial market. Steven Evans gives his top tips for choosing the right boiler for such projects
Some newer
commercial boilers come fitted with weather compensation controls as standard, which allow the boiler to regulate its output in line with the temperature outside. These are particularly effective when unseasonal conditions occur, and deliver better fuel efficiency as the boiler is fully condensing more often than not.
Extended warranties
Comparing the lengths of various boiler warranties should give you a good indication of the quality of the product you are buying. Nothing shows the confidence a manufacturer has in its products more than an extended warranty. Warranties offer installers and end users added peace of mind against the expense of unexpected repairs. Remember to read the small print on warranties, particularly relating to commissioning, the use of non-genuine parts and servicing requirements, to ensure the terms and conditions aren’t unwittingly broken.
Maintain to gain
Light commercial installations can give heating engineers an additional revenue stream in maintenance and warranty work. Once an installation has been commissioned, engineers should talk to the customer about establishing a maintenance schedule – including servicing and water treatment – ensuring the optimum performance for the life of the boiler and protecting the validity of any warranty offered. In many light commercial applications, boiler
failure costs more than just the call out charge, parts and repairs; it costs the business money in lost revenue so keeping on top of boiler maintenance can pay dividends for both the engineer and customer. Making the change to light commercial is
straightforward and it pays to do your homework to ensure you choose the right boiler. This is the best way to guarantee better quality, efficient installations and more satisfied customers. • Steven Evans is the national sales manager at Potterton Commercial
March 2017
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