BSEE


In the meantime, the government has already identified improving the energy efficiency of buildings as one of its Grand Challenge Missions. How well a building is controlled is central to its energy performance.


T


In buildings that rely on boilers for their heating, in­ built and cost­effective controls can maximise heating efficiency for long­ term carbon and energy savings, says Remeha’s Paul Arnold


The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has called for the industry to consider the importance of implementing effective building controls from the outset of building projects to meet current legislation, as reported in the February issue of BSEE. It’s a point well made, as a new generation Building energy Management Systems (BeMS) will typically result in cost savings of 10-20 per cent by ensuring energy optimisation across buildings and sites.


But it’s important not to forget the smaller steps that can be taken to optimise energy control in both new and existing buildings – such as maximising heating efficiency through effective use of boiler controls.


Heating is frequently a starting point for efficiency improvement. As a large user of energy in a building, it’s essential that the system runs as efficiently and effectively as possible to avoid unnecessary waste and needlessly high emissions and heating bills.


Effective boiler control


Commercial boilers continue to be an important component in the heating systems of many non-domestic buildings, whether the sole provider of heat or a crucial part of a hybrid heating system.


In new build developments, the focus in new buildings should be to install only the latest generation of high- efficiency, low NOx condensing boilers to maximise operational performance and minimise environmental impact. In older buildings, building operators should look to replace any dated, inefficient boiler plant with advanced condensing boilers to improve heating efficiency. But while condensing boilers are engineered to achieve near maximum heating efficiencies and minimum emission levels, effective control is critical if they are to achieve optimum results in real world conditions. Indeed, according to the Carbon Trust, inadequate or incorrect application of a boiler control can add 15 per cent to fuel consumption – with a corresponding increase in emissions – compared to a well- controlled system.


In­built control


Applying the appropriate controls will achieve and maintain high boiler operational performance, keeping heating bills and emissions low without affecting comfort levels. And fortunately for installers, designers and end-users, there are opportunities to improve boiler control at little or no extra cost.


Boilers, like Remeha’s Quinta Ace 160, for example, are supplied with time and temperature controls as standard, in addition to using their own complex algorithms to meet heat demand as efficiently as possible.


So what improvements can this make within a building?


Setting time controls enables engineers and building operators to match a building’s occupancy hours more accurately. This will ensure that the environment is comfortable when in use while avoiding a costly, unsustainable scenario caused by heating an empty building over the weekend.


Smart use of temperature controls helps avoid the problem of under or overheating. As businesses will be aware, temperature is proven to have an impact on occupant wellbeing and productivity. A study by the World Green Building Council found that people's performance can fall on average by six per cent if a room is too hot and four per cent if too cold. And if staff are unable to perform as productively as possible, this can have a negative impact on the profitability of the company.


On smaller heating systems, these added controls will support high boiler efficiency with no requirement for additional expenditure. On larger heating systems, look for boiler models that provide connection to the BEMS via in-built 0-10V and free volt contacts. This will enable the boilers to feed in data without the need for additional parts.


22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2019


his year is set to be an interesting one for the building services industry as we await updates on Building Regulations – including a review of Part L that sets standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY Improved control at the push of a button


uAdding a cost­effective boiler control for weather compensation and optimisation, multiple boiler, multiple zone, full time temperature control will lessen energy consumption for more efficient and effective heating


uBoilers like Remeha’s Quinta Ace 160 are supplied with time and temperature controls as standard, in addition to using their own complex algorithms to meet heat demand as efficiently as possible


Full controls strategy


To maximise boiler efficiency, we would advise including weather compensation and optimisation controls in addition to time and full temperature control. Weather compensation adapts the flow and return temperatures of the boiler, ensuring it condenses as much as possible and, in so doing, lessening energy consumption.


Adding multiple zone control is also recommended to help use energy more effectively and efficiently, as different areas of a building will have different heat requirements. Spreading the heat load over multiple fully-modulating boilers, rather than a single unit, enables the boilers to adapt to fluctuating demand for more efficient energy use. Adding a sequential controller to this design rotates the lead boiler, lengthening the serviceable life of the boilers.


Ease of use


It’s important to note that full engagement is required from both engineers and building operators for the significant energy and carbon saving benefits of boiler controls to be reaped.


For this reason, it’s essential that controls are easy and intuitive to use. That means increasing the availability of boiler controls that are easy to install, set, and commission to avoid the need to budget for extra time and labour. Once installed, the controls should be easy to navigate so that the data can be readily accessed by engineers. Improved control at a push of a button is the holy grail for effective commercial heating control.


A well-designed interface will also remove any perceived hassle factor, encouraging building operators and facilities managers to routinely check and adjust control settings for long-term operational cost savings. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree Celsius, for example, could reduce heating bills by as much as 10 per cent with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions.


Collaborative approach


One of the greatest challenges for businesses today is to achieve energy-efficient, healthy, comfortable and productive buildings throughout their lifetime. The goal for the building services industry is to encourage more widespread use of controls as a practical means of achieving that target.


With heating under the spotlight for improvement measures, we at Remeha look forward to supporting consultants and contractors with our high-efficiency heating solutions and in-depth technical expertise, while continuing to innovate with increasingly advanced controls.


remeha.co.uk Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


‘


Applying the


appropriate controls will achieve and maintain high boiler operational performance, keeping heating bills and


emissions low without affecting comfort levels


’


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48