PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2026 28 Water Heating& Cylinders Tankless


technology to the rescue


Greg Banham explains how upgrading Belfast City Hall’s ageing hot water system delivered improved effi ciency, performance and space utilisation, demonstrating how modern tankless solutions can meet the evolving demands of busy commercial venues.


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n many UK hotels, civic buildings, leisure centres and catering venues, ageing hot water systems are increasingly ineffi cient,


maintenance-heavy and space- hungry. As a result, forward- looking customers are exploring alternatives to traditional setups, creating opportunities for installers where solutions meet modern commercial demands.


A recent example is Belfast City Hall, a landmark in the city centre and a key venue for weddings and events. Its Grand Hall kitchen relied on fl oor- standing storage heaters that developed pinhole leaks and became uneconomical to repair. Located in a tight plant room, removal was diffi cult, while the busy kitchen required high output and reliable performance. After assessing output, scalability, access and long- term maintenance, Navien UK’s NPE-24SWE tankless units were installed, resolving immediate issues and delivering a more effi cient, future-ready hot water strategy.


Why tankless While the Belfast City Hall project provides a clear illustration, interest in tankless water heating systems refl ects wider trends across UK and European commercial and multi-occupancy buildings. Rather than replacing all existing solutions, tankless technology is increasingly being considered where space, demand variability and energy effi ciency are key drivers. Tankless water heaters – sometimes referred to as instantaneous or on-demand systems – heat water as required, rather than storing and maintaining large volumes at temperature. In applications with fl uctuating or intermittent demand, this can help reduce energy used during periods of low or no usage. According to the Energy Saving Trust, instantaneous water heating systems can outperform


 Belfast City Hall’s commercial kitchen now benefi ts from plentiful hot water supplied by Navien’s NPE- 24SWE tankless system


Greg Banham Commercial director for Navien UK


PROJECT DETAILS


JOB LOCATION Grand Hall kitchen plant room in Belfast City Hall


EQUIPMENT 2 x Navien NPE-24SWE units


SYSTEM TYPE Tankless (on-demand / instantaneous) hot water system


CONFIGURATION Installed in cascade (linked operation of units)


traditional storage solutions by eliminating standby heat losses from keeping large volumes of water hot. When properly specifi ed for suitable commercial environments, they can deliver energy savings in the region of 15 - 30%, depending on usage and demand. In an era of rising energy costs and strict effi ciency targets, this makes tankless systems an attractive choice for operators assessing long-term running expenses. Beyond energy effi ciency,


tankless units off er simplifi ed maintenance, longer service life and a lower risk of leaks compared with large storage vessels. Their compact, wall- mounted design also saves plant room space, making them ideal for retrofi ts, heritage buildings, or sites with limited or shared plant areas. These factors combine to make tankless water heaters a compelling, future-ready option for modern commercial installations.


Adopting a


compact, cascade- capable tankless solution delivered immediate operational benefits and long- term flexibility


On demand At Belfast City Hall, installers faced a familiar scenario: ageing equipment, restricted access and the need to maintain operational continuity. Heaters were beyond economic repair, and their removal required planning to avoid disruption. The installation of Navien


NPE-24SWE units addressed these challenges. By delivering


hot water on demand, the system removed the need to heat and store volumes overnight, reducing energy use. The compact form factor and light weight allowed installers to manoeuvre units through restricted access points and install effi ciently. Output and scalability were key to the specifi cation. The kitchen’s demand varies with event size and nature. The NPE-24SWE’s high output and cascade operation ensure capacity can be matched to demand without oversizing, supporting effi ciency and future fl exibility. Following installation, the site reported immediate 60°C hot water at point of use, consistent peak performance and removal of the daily energy requirement associated with heating a cold-water cylinder each morning, while additional plant room space simplifi ed future maintenance.


What to consider While tankless systems off er clear advantages in many applications, they are not a universal solution. Correct sizing remains essential, as underspecifi cation can aff ect performance during peak demand. Installers must also carefully assess expected fl ow rates, simultaneous usage and peak draw scenarios, and in larger commercial environments,


cascade confi gurations may be required to ensure a reliable supply. For instance, the NPE- 24SWE can cascade up to 16 units for increased hot water production. Fuel supply, venting and fl ue arrangements also need careful consideration, particularly in retrofi t projects where existing infrastructure may need adjustment. Ongoing maintenance remains important too; while tankless systems avoid issues associated with stored water, periodic servicing and descaling are essential to maintain effi ciency and performance over time. When specifi ed and installed


correctly, however, tankless water heaters can deliver a strong balance of effi ciency, reliability and fl exibility, making them a valuable option within the installer’s toolkit.


Growing market The growing interest in tankless hot water systems refl ects wider shifts across the UK construction and building services sector. Rising energy costs, evolving effi ciency standards and the need to maximise usable space are all infl uencing how hot water systems are specifi ed. As more commercial and heritage buildings are refurbished or upgraded, installers who understand a range of technologies – and when to apply them – will be well positioned to support customers eff ectively. In the case of Belfast City Hall, adopting a compact, cascade-capable tankless solution delivered immediate operational benefi ts and long- term fl exibility. For installers, the key takeaway is not that one technology fi ts all, but that selecting the right system for the right application can make a measurable diff erence. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/45


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