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With the popularity of condensing products continuing to rise with no signs of slowing,Ken Percival,Director and General Manager of Potterton Commercial explores more about how this technology is being developed and applied in today’s market.
Condensing technology has had a huge impact on the commercial boiler sector over the last few years and with the impending Part L implications due to be announced at any time,this trend will continue.The introduction of new products and the associated benefits has seen a large shift in the market towards the mspecification of condensing boilers,particularly wall hung products which continue to dominate the market as they offer such space saving versatility.
But as well as the increasing appetite for wall hung boilers,the vast capability and modularisation opportunities mean that floor standing condensing boilers are also continuing to flourish.With the total market share for commercial condensing boilers predicted to exceed 50 percent this year,the importance of these products is evident.
The market is responding to meet the rising demand for larger premises,with the introduction of new products and extensions of ranges.This is further enhanced as more businesses come to terms with the effects of the CCL on energy costs and the space saving advantages gained from using new products.
As heating systems become more complex and commercial premises are increasingly designed to be more individual and aspiring,it is important for specifiers,building service engineers and installers to consider all of the options available to ensure the best possible boiler system is selected for each client.It is equally important for manufacturers to provide products capable of meeting the desired criteria.In order to understand the options available it pays to be aware of the key factors that are having a mounting effect on the selection of boiler products.
With wall hung products like the Potterton Paramount and floorstanding condensing products like our Eurocondense Plus range, which offers outputs between 90kW and 500kW,now established in the marketplace,innovation through heating system design and product manipulation will continue to be a major focus for the commercial condensing market.
With so many options available,it is important to ensure that the condensing boiler actually condenses.This is why opting for products with comprehensive control options is vital as heating systems need to integrate with a building’s overall management system. Technological advancement in control systems is every bit as critical to the energy efficiency of heating systems as the boiler technology itself because the true benefits of even the most energy efficient boiler will be diminished if the boiler is not utilised properly.
This means ensuring that heat is provided only when a building needs it,that the system can automatically adjust to seasonal conditions or unusual fluctuations in temperature with quick and easy diagnosis of any system failure.Modularisation is the key to building efficiency as it ensures that only the correct amount of energy is used at any one time and energy is not being wasted running a boiler at full output,for example in the summer when minimal usage is required.The extensive modular control systems also allow for alternate boilers to be activated so that the pressure is not always focused on one product,thus ensuring even usage of all boilers.
One example of how this condensing modular approach is working involves the state-of-the-art new build project,the Marden City Learning Centre in North Tyneside.This building is a first class example of design and craftsmanship and was commissioned by the North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council,to service the needs of the local community - helping to educate individuals of all ages.
Benefiting from the very latest in building management systems, the centre - which has more than 70 visitors a day made up of school children and adults who use its 75 computers - has been designed to make each individual as comfortable as possible throughout their visit.In keeping with the modern energy efficient building design, they required a solution to power a seven zone under floor heating system and the specifiers decided to install two Eurocondense plus 200kW floor standing condensing boilers from Potterton Commercial.
The mechanical co-ordinator for North Tyneside,John Humberstone,had a lot to consider when choosing which type of system to install as he and his team had designed the building to offer the best possible environment for all who work and visit it.
As a new build project they were obviously mindful of Part L2 regulations and the principles highlighted by the Egan ‘Rethinking Construction’ report,but they also wanted to take advantage of the very latest in systems and equipment to optimise the performance of the building, while keeping running costs to a minimum.
Maintaining the balance between performance and capital cost was also a major concern and this is why they specified the use of two Eurocondense plus 200kW boilers,as this modular combination offered a cost competitive but highly energy efficient boiler plant option that could be integrated into the overall building management system (BMS).
Installed in a purpose built boiler room the modular Eurocondense plus boilers provide enough heat to cope with the building warm up load and with the return flow kept to a minimum the boilers are able to condense,achieving optimum performance and reducing fuel costs.
North Tyneside is aware of its remit to reduce CO2 levels;therefore the process of achieving optimal boiler performance throughout the year was exceedingly important.By installing a modular arrangement for high load requirements,both boilers can operate effectively, whereas for base loads the control system can fluctuate boiler usage to obtain the best performance,while ensuring both boilers are used for a similar amount of hours to keep maintenance costs to a minimum.
In addition to heating, air management equipment has also been installed, replacing stale air with fresh to maintain the overall air quality.Having two dedicated computer rooms the building also benefits from comfort cooling to maintain the temperature of these specific areas.All controlled from a central BMS,the Marden City Learning Centre is a triumph for modern design and building management.
The centre which has been open to the public for some months has been closely monitored by John Humberstone and his team who are pleased with the results.Although still at an early stage to gauge the overall heating system’s performance,their predictions for the running costs of the system have already been reduced,thanks to the energy efficiency of the condensing boilers used.
While it is great to see modern design play such an important role in providing premises that can enhance learning,while conserving energy,it is also encouraging to see building managers utilising energy efficiency products like the Eurocondense plus in a modular format,integrating it into a total BMS.
However,with increasing legislative pressure for reduced emissions and higher efficiency,there can be little doubt that condensing technology will continue to increase in the marketplace,especially when considering new build projects,as these products lend themselves well to being incorporated into management systems.
Therefore,with numerous condensing options available and new product offerings just around the corner,the continued growth of the market is a certainty,but it is up to specifiers and building service ngineers to ensure that the benefits of such technology are fully explored through good boiler plant design and the best use of vailable products.
