PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 32 DomesticBoilers


Harnessing all the benefi ts of AI technology


With energy price rises continuing to put a strain on household budgets, many consumers will welcome some advice on what they can do to reduce their energy use. Gavin Edwards, training manager at Navien UK, highlights how recent advances in boiler technology and the introduction of artifi cial intelligence can help to deliver those savings.


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t has long been accepted that combi boilers are unlikely to be suitable for use in large multi- occupancy properties,


especially those with several bathrooms or en-suites, as they are often unable to provide enough hot water to meet the needs of the whole household – a problem that has usually been solved with the installation of a bulky cylinder. However, the introduction of


our ‘ON’ technology eff ectively leaves this practice in the past by delivering a combi boiler without the need for a cylinder, the slow heat-up times, or the low fl ow rates. The NCB700 ON Combi


Crossover is a pioneer, transforming perceptions of a combi boiler’s capabilities and creating a fresh approach to home heating. At a time when homeowners are more mindful of their energy usage, the Combi Crossover boasts fl ow rates of up to an industry- leading 22 litres per minute, an impressive turndown ratio of 15:1, and maximised recirculation of domestic hot water (DHW) to signifi cantly reduce water and energy wastage while delivering instant hot water to several outlets at the same time. This is possible due to a


built-in secondary circulation pump and the NaviCirc device which exclusively comes with the NCB700 ON Combi Crossover. This handy accessory is designed to halt the secondary circulation if it senses that the water temperature has gone above 35°C. It achieves a fast hot water draw-off time and guarantees consistently warm water for the home, with the


Gavin Edwards Training manager at Navien UK


whole process taking just seconds to complete – boosting water and energy savings. It also has an ErP A+ rating when used with our Smart Plus controller.


And there’s more... Now imagine all the above benefi ts with the addition of artifi cial intelligence (AI). At Navien UK we are


AI is going to become a major feature of heating technology, so installers who get to grips with it now will gain first mover advantage


committed to exploring all the potential improvements and benefi ts that AI can bring to the domestic heating sphere. Coming this year, ON AI works seamlessly with our existing ON technology and features a variety of diff erent tools to make homeowners’ and installers’ lives easier when it comes to using the Combi Crossover. As well as giving homeowners more control over their heating systems, it off ers new commercial opportunities for installers and heating engineers through more sales, more installations and higher fi rst-time fi x rates. Homeowners will be able to


use the Smart Plus ON AI app and Navien Smart Plus ON AI controller to create a network of integrated heating controls throughout their home, helping them to cut down on energy usage and lower their energy bills. Imagine a heating system


that checks the weather and adjusts the temperature accordingly, or learns the homeowner’s water consumption behaviour so it knows when to have hot water ready for your morning shower. The same technology will also be able to predict a boiler fault before it even has the chance to occur. It sounds futuristic, but integrating these changes into a household


is a sure way of not using more energy or water than is needed – and it is now all possible thanks to ON AI.


Getting smarter Out Smart Plus controller and Smart Plus App already boast two important features which help to both boost comfort levels and reduce energy costs: Geofencing and Smart Forecasting. Geofencing creates digital


boundaries up to a radius of 5km from the home. Users can set the boiler to switch on or off when they cross that line – for example switching it off when leaving for work to save energy or turning it back on when they’re coming home so the property is at the right temperature from the minute they walk through the front door. Representing a step change


in comfort and convenience, the Smart Plus controller also harnesses data from the OpenWeatherMap platform to maintain the property at a comfortable temperature by responding intuitively to the changing weather conditions outside. The Smart Plus ON AI app


and ON AI controller will harness the potential of AI to give users even more control with the addition of Smart Diagnostics, HEMS reports (Home Energy Management System) and FOTA (Firmware Over the Air) which ensures the software is updated automatically without the need for an engineer. Smart Diagnostics is a big


win for your customers – and for you. Through the ON AI app, the Combi Crossover’s overall health can be checked at the touch of a button,


meaning potential faults can be identifi ed before they have the chance to cause disruption or even downtime for the household. This is crucial for preventative maintenance and means fewer callouts for you. As an installer or heating


engineer, you can also wave goodbye to manually updating a system. With FOTA, the entire process is automated and uses wireless technology to download and install updates. For further user


convenience, the ON AI app can also set their hot water demands, heating times and temperatures. The monthly usage can be monitored closely through the HEMS report available on the app, giving your customers clear insight into how much they are spending.


Major advances On its own, the NCB700 ON Combi Crossover brings amazing water savings, energy savings – and even space- saving benefi ts due to the lack of cylinder. However, Navien’s ON AI technology takes these benefi ts one step further, ensuring your customers have access to an intuitive system of integrated heating controls at the touch of a button. As their heating engineer


or installer, customers will be looking to you for advice on how to combat the energy price cap increase, and Navien’s ON and ON AI technologies seem the logical place to start. AI is going to become a major feature of heating technology, so installers who get to grips with it now will gain fi rst mover advantage. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/49


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