A Climate of Change

Despite the Government's proposed move towards high efficiency in the domestic boiler market, the agreed route for commercial products is still subject to much debate. Demand for energy-efficient products in this sector is on the increase, with local authorities, schools and hospitals in the vanguard. The impending changes to the Building Regulations 2000 are expected to further drive down emission levels from non-domestic properties, with the inevitable increase in demand for commercial condensing boilers. Such developments will concentrate the mind of designers when selecting products in the future.

To date, it is fair to say, that the increase in the take-up of condensing boilers in the commercial sector has largely been due to product attributes, unrelated to the higher operating efficiency of the equipment. Government measures, such as the Carbon Trust’s ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) Scheme, have helped to raise awareness of the benefits of condensing boilers in the commercial sector – although there is much education still required.

Commercial Change

In the last year alone, we have seen the market in the UK for commercial condensing boilers grow nearly 20%, in an otherwise static market. This recent shift has been fuelled by innovation in the size of the boilers, ease-of-installation and siting, as well as flue flexibility.

The Right Choice for the Application?

Each application must be considered in its own right, and condensing may not always be the best solution.

Condensing boilers require both system design and controls to be integrated to provide the ability for lower return temperatures to gain maximum benefit from the unit. Without a supportive system design, a condensing boiler will operate only as well as a standard model.

A boiler will only condense when the controls and system allow it to and, crucially, when the return temperature is maintained below 50°C. At the moment, few existing systems have been designed, or are even suitable for, condensing. These are the key issues that need to be considered if the full benefits of condensing boilers are to be realised, especially in replacement applications, which now equate to over 70% of installations.

There are further issues when considering a condensing boiler in a replacement application, if budgets are limited. In older systems, there is likely to be a significant build up of sludge and debris developed over time. Modern condensing heat exchanger technology, through its compact design, is less likely to be tolerant to these conditions. Also the majority of condensing models require a greater flow rate through the boiler to maximise performance and prevent damage to the heat exchanger. Typically, a system in the UK is designed on an 11°C drop, whereas, most condensing boilers require a 20°C drop. This increased differential can, and will, have an adverse effect on radiator performance.

Product Options

At Ideal, we have been at the forefront of the drive towards high efficiency boilers and recently introduced a completely new range of high efficiency, low emission condensing boilers. These are specifically designed for commercial applications, available in wall-hung, frame-mounted or floor standing models, which meet the proposed changes to legislation.

The Imax range is available in three wall-hung models (45kW, 60kW, 80kW) suitable for natural gas and propane operation, and now seven floor-standing versions with outputs ranging from 80kW to 280kW. Significantly, all models in the range are fully modulating down to 12kW, therefore matching boiler output to system requirements, ensuring maximum efficiency can be maintained even at the lowest outputs. A wide variety of flue options is also available for wall-hung units.

Towards a condensing future?

The current Government’s commitment to the Kyoto protocol will undoubtedly drive the growth in the condensing boiler market. The impending changes to the UK Building Regulations will further force this change, although the debate on condensing technology will not end there as the commercial market is inherently more complicated than its domestic counterpart. The real issue will be how long this process will take, and what is actually feasible within a certain timeframe. Condensing boilers can offer significant benefits, but all the implications of fitting one must be considered before installation; they must not be seen as a panacea for all ills.

For further information on the new Imax condensing range of boilers, please contact Ideal Boilers’ commercial division on 01482 498 690 or email commercial_heating@idealboilers.com