Energy efficiency Grid Boilers
Central heating
DHW
Water heater
Controller Exhaust
Low loss header
Pre-heat
Natural gas
mCHP How CHP sits within a wider heating and hot water system
maintenance and energy and then start reaping the rewards of operating CHP. Rather than using just gas or electric water heaters for all the domestic hot water (DHW) needed for washing, cleaning, showers and baths, CHP will supply heat captured from its operation to warm or preheat stored water. CHP can supply as much as 90 per cent of the hot water needed by a care home, while the water heaters ‘top up’ the water temperatures and meet periods of high demand. CHP is also a great way to guarantee consistent hot water. Typically, a care home system will operate two or more water heaters, but should one fail it would result in a reduction in available hot water. With the addition of CHP that is able to preheat at least 60 per cent of the hot water a care home needs, residents and staff should
not see any obvious change in the provision of hot water should a water heater fail.
Of course, cost is the deciding factor for many managers. When calculating operational cost savings, it is necessary to deduct the cost of the incoming energy, ie the price of the gas and maintenance costs, from the cost of the offset electricity and thermal energy. The other key variable is the number of hours per year for which the CHP appliance will operate.
A CHP system is very different to a boiler, which other than an annual service or breakdown you would typically forget about. Inside the CHP casing is a gas powered car engine with moving parts that require potentially costly repairs over time that could reduce savings. So, you need to protect your investment
CHP has a number of benefits, which include environmental benefits and cost savings, but it only provides a payback case on capital expenditure in the right type of building
March 2020 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
with a maintenance plan to reduce the risk of additional costs. Once the cost of maintenance is decided, operating costs can be determined based on electricity and gas prices.
CHP is typically supported by two maintenance offerings. Firstly, pay as you go for maintenance and repair or secondly, a full maintenance and repair programme, which is charged by the hour.
Upgrading to CHP
If you wish to upgrade your plant room, why include CHP? The technology has a number of advantages. A micro-CHP is easier to install as it will pass through a standard 60 cm doorframe and can be fitted internally, avoiding the need for external space or rooftop placement, which would be needed for solar photovoltaics (PV), for example. CHP also offers better payback than air source heat pumps (ASHP) and you can benefit from additional energy generated by selling it back to the grid at a guaranteed price. The smart export guarantee (SEG) is an obligation set by the government for licensed electricity suppliers to offer a tariff and make payment to small-scale low-carbon generators for electricity exported to
27 Buffer vessel Cold inlet
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