Heating systems

Low carbon link-up

Water heater and boiler manufacturer Lochinvar has joined forces with solar panel supplier Rayotec to offer bespoke systems that combine gas-fired water heaters with solar heating products for industrial and commercial applications.

The two companies will work together to provide low energy solutions by twinning Lochinvar water heaters with solar thermal installations, which use solar gain to pre-heat the feed water.

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Domestic wood pellet boiler

The EcoFlex wood pellet boiler from Nu-way is aimed at the domestic market. Its compact design and simple maintenance regime make it a clean, reliable renewable energy option.

It has separate connections for heating and hot water circuits, with automatic ignition. The ash bin only requires emptying once a month.

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Slim-fit radiators

Bisque Commercial has unveiled three new models in its low surface temperature range of radiators. Designed with the commercial specifier and all budget requirements in mind, the range includes the BPL, BLT and B75 – named because its depth of 75mm makes it the slimmest radiator of its type.

New high output copper and aluminium emitters with steel casings and aluminium grilles stand up to rigorous cleaning, while the slim profiles make the range especially suitable for installation in corridors where wheelchair access may be required.

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Burner offerings

Riello Burners has six new models in its R-Series range of medium power gas and oil burners. The RS34 and RS44 gas burners are available for one-stage (on/off), two-stage (high/low) and fully modulating operation, while the RL34 and RL44 oil burners come in one- and two-stage versions.

With the RS25/M BLU and RS35/M BLU gas burners, the company now offers any output from 15kW to 12,000kW with low NOx capability. These two burners are offered for fully modulating operation and can be configured for two-stage operation.

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Bio-fuel CHP

EC Power’s micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems have now been configured to run on renewable bio-fuels. The company offers its 13kWe model on bio-gas or its 17kWe diesel unit on 100% bio-diesel.

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Biomass boiler

Clyde Energy Solutions has added a biomass boiler to its sustainable energy range.

The Clyde Unical Trio is a high-efficiency three-pass steel boiler that runs with the company’s Iwabo wood pellet burner.

Available in five models, providing outputs from 30-200kW, the boiler is suitable for both domestic and commercial applications.

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Green machine

Heatline’s eco-friendly Heat Pump range is designed to offer simple, cost-effective domestic hot water heating. The heat pump is used to charge a 300-litre storage tank to a temperature of 55ºC.

The standard model is the WO5030 E; the WP5030 EW connects to the boiler system; and the WP5030 Solar can be connected to a solar thermal array.

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Renewable eco-heating checklist

Renewables are now a key part of any energy plan, but which heating system should you use? How should it be designed and will it deliver? Viessmann UK suggests completing this checklist before making any decisions.

• Is the building properly insulated?
• Is the existing heating system as efficient as it can be? Are boilers condensing types and are they weather sensor controlled? Most renewable systems still need a conventional system as a back-up and saving energy is nearly always a better economic bet than generating it.
• Do you know the present and potential future energy use within the building? How much energy is used for heating, hot water and other applications?
• Review all the available renewable options for your project.
• Which is the most effective investment to reduce energy use? Installing a solar heating system for a few wash-hand basins isn’t economically viable.
• Have you picked partners – designer, contractor and manufacturer – who have experience in projects using the equipment and system you’ve chosen?
• Does the equipment come from a manufacturer who can offer integrated solutions, ie can the solar controls ‘talk’ to the boiler?
• Have you planned time to ensure the system is set up and understood by its users?
• Is there a monitoring system to see if savings are being achieved. If not, what actions should be taken?

Biomass advice

Thinking of using biomass technology in a commercial application? Dr Robin Cotton, managing director of Wood Energy, has some advice:

• Consider the requirements of the installation at early planning stages; biomass boilers are easier to install in new-build than retrofit applications.
• Is a fuel supply readily available? Wood chips are much cheaper than pellets but require local supply.
• Fuel storage space (20 tonnes wood pellets = 40m3) and delivery access need to be considered. A biomass boiler also requires a buffer tank with sufficient space and support.
• Check grants to offset installation cost. See the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
• If installing a biomass boiler in an urban environment, what is the local authority air legislation?
• Remember biomass technology provides the most cost-effective way to meet CO2 and renewable obligations.