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Why businesses should consider the WHOLE life costing of a boiler

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It’s important, when looking at the cost of a new boiler, to consider the ‘whole life cost’ of the product rather than just the initial purchase price. When working to a budget it’s easy to be distracted by the capital cost of a new boiler and how it will affect finances short term, forgetting the operational costs that are equally important to bottom line business profits.

In order to reduce overall expenditure, ‘whole life costing’ must be contemplated as part of a budget. The expected life of a boiler would likely include: a review of anticipated energy usage, installation costs, maintenance and servicing costs – in addition to the initial cost of the item. This will offer a more realistic cost analysis of the overall operation, maintenance and repair of the boiler.

The type of boiler purchased for your business can make a massive difference to overall expenditure; deciding to invest in one particular product over another could result in a massive saving over time. For example:

  • Condensing boilers can achieve over 90 per cent thermal efficiency compared with 70 to 80 per cent with non-condensing models. Replacing a non-condensing boiler and updating controls can save up to 25% per cent of energy costs, depending on consumption.
  • A boiler’s modulation range (the difference between its maximum and minimum output, normally expressed as a ratio can have an effect on overall energy use (and cost): a wide modulation ratio is particularly useful for premises with varying demands, as the boiler can modulate its output accordingly.
  • If a boiler is not properly maintained, it will have a shorter life span and heating costs can increase by up to 30 per cent.

In a nutshell, looking beyond the gas boiler to the whole system and building could result in even more efficiency gains and reductions in energy use.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Sources: Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer, Hamworthy Heating

Harmann’s Orchard

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The CH team was pleased to carry out a scheduled 12-month maintenance check on  a project that we completed last year. This particular project achieved near PassivHaus standard (leading international low energy, design standard) levels – of which we are extremely proud, especially because the work was tough.

The project posed many challenges for us as the mechanical installer, owing to logistical constraints and very low energy standards that made project planning onerous. In spite of the obstacles, the pro team at CH Systems installed: an LPG boiler, wet underfloor heating, solar thermals as well as MVHR and Zehnder radiators, with apparent success.

(We could not have chosen a better day to visit the dwelling in North Kent as the building, grounds and view were absolutely awe-inspiring. Take a look:)

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Plumbers champion water conservation in big business

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Did you know that the UK is one of the least wasteful countries in the developed world when it comes to water use per capita? Only Denmark, Luxembourg and Czechoslovakia trump the UK in their efforts to save water.

America is the biggest culprit with regards to water waste, followed closely by Canada, Australia, Portugal and Italy.

Interestingly, most water usage isn’t at home; it’s in industry, commerce and agriculture – particularly farming.

If you are the manager or owner of an industrial plumbing system it is important to ensure that water is used in as economic and efficient a manner as possible – for both ethical and practical, money saving, reasons.

From a large scale industrial perspective one of the best ways to ensure minimum water waste is to check for leaks in the system, and then get them fixed. Post a hotline in bathrooms and kitchens to report leaks or water waste to facility managers or maintenance personnel. Also have maintenance personnel regularly check your facilities for leaks, drips and other water waste.

Another way to save water is to shut off water to unused areas of your facility in order to eliminate waste from leaks or unmonitored use. It is also a good idea to implement a water management plan for your facility, and then educate employees on good water habits through newsletters and posters.

A drop per second could waste up to 3000 gallons of water per year. And here’s another interesting little stat: for every leak fixed an average of 10,000 litres of water is saved per year – enough to fill over 300 baths.

Plumbers are at the forefront of the fight for safe, clean, drinking water for all. Offices and factories may not be aware that their water consumption is unnecessarily high, which is why it is important to ascertain a professional opinion and service when it comes to all things plumbing – most especially if it’s on an industrial scale.

Feel free to contact the C H Systems team for more information on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc

And for further tips on how to conserve water on an industrial level, visit Waterseitwisely.com “We’re All In The Business of Saving Water”.

**Statistics sourced from Ableskills.co.uk.

New combi boiler by Worcester

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There is nothing worse than trying to fit a giant boiler into a miniscule space – especially if you’re relying on aesthetic appeal to sell a product or service, like a restaurant or hotel.

Commercial or industrial heating systems also have the penchant for hogging space, and thus encroach on employees’ ability to work efficiently. There’s nothing like moving around a restaurant kitchen whilst playing ‘dodge the boiler’ as you fry a cordon bleu steak.

With this in mind, Worcester has expanded its Greenstar range with the launch of a brand spanking new combi boiler.

Described as one of the smallest boilers on the market, Worcester’s Greenstar CDi Compact measures 690mm x 390mm x 280mm, and is available in outputs of 28kW, 32kW and 36kW. The boiler’s compact size means that there is greater scope for where it can be fitted – in the cupboard, behind the door (out of site out of mind!).

Of course it’s all good and well having a lovely boiler that fits the practical/aesthetic dimensions of a business but the real question is whether it will save money – is it energy-efficient? Worcester says it is!

The combi boiler aims to be high performance with low emissions, and also features a revolutionary ultra-compact heat exchanger, manufactured using cutting-edge technology adopted from the aerospace industry and the military. Said exchanger uses less than 1W of electricity when in standby mode; although that may seem like not such a big deal, the savings will accumulate over time.
It is recommended that the boiler be serviced on a yearly basis (to keep it in good working order) and there is even an optional setting ‘service reminder’ that will help you to remember to call the experts when maintenance is due.

Worcester is currently offering a great deal on the Greenstar CDi Compact; if you buy it before June 2013, it comes with a 5 year guarantee. Bonus!

If you own a small business and are interested in Worcester’s combi boiler, do not hesitate to contact the C H Systems team for more information on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc