BSEE HEATING A


Proacvely preparing for winter helps keep a building’s heang service running opmally and avoids costly or disrupve emergency situaons. Paul Arnold, Product Manager at Remeha, looks at the preventave measures that can be scheduled in before winter starts to bite.


fter the summer heatwave, the severe weather conditions brought by the Beast from the East last winter might have faded to a distant memory. But autumn is settling in fast. With


many non-domestic buildings relying on commercial boilers for their heating, what low-cost measures can be carried out to ensure optimal boiler performance?


Maintenance


Like people and cars, boilers need looking after so that they can continue to operate reliably and effectively. That’s why manufacturers recommend that a regular servicing and maintenance programme is implemented to keep both boiler efficiencies and comfort levels high.


An approved engineer should carry out a full boiler service on an annual basis, as per manufacturer instructions. This normally includes cleaning both the heat exchanger and condensate trap, undertaking flue-gas analysis and checking the gas pressure.


Controls – 15% savings


Assessing the control strategy is the next step. Effective control enables a boiler to operate at top efficiency levels while creating a consistently comfortable environment for building occupants and reducing plant maintenance costs. Improved


Adversing: 01622 699116 Editorial: 01622 687031


TAKING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Ensuring optimal boiler performance


control can deliver substantial savings of up to 15%, according to the Carbon Trust. We recommend that the minimum control strategy should encompass weather compensation, optimisation, full-temperature control, and sequential controllers for multiple boiler arrangements. These must be fully integrated into the Building Management System to maximise energy savings.


Once fitted, building operators and FMs should be advised to check and adjust control settings on a regular basis. Turning the thermostat down by just 1°C could reduce heating bills by 10%, according to the Energy Saving Trust.


Water quality – 7% savings


Water quality is another consideration as this can affect both the performance and lifespan of boilers and the heating system. If left untreated, sludge and debris can accumulate overtime in pipes and radiators, affecting the circulation of water in the primary circuit and heat output, and reducing the efficiency of the overall system.


In hardwater areas, lack of water treatment in hardwater areas can lead to the build-up of limescale in the boiler’s heat exchanger. This creates an insulating layer, inhibiting heat transfer to the water. A 1mm layer of limescale will cause a 7% increase in energy input to the boiler to meet the same heat demand.


Water treatment can resolve both issues. This should be carried out annually by a qualified


uA mulple boiler design lends itself to proacve, phased boiler replacements.


18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2018


VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk


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  |  Page 49  |  Page 50