REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | BOILERS
All for one and one for all A heating system is the sum of its parts, with flues and controls equally as important as the boiler itself. This is why gas engineers should ensure that all these fundamental components are sourced from the same manufacturer, says Sean Keleher, national technical manager at Navien.
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oiler technology is constantly evolving, with new components continously developed to further enhance energy efficiency, while aiding installation, commissioning and servicing. However, there’s more to modern heating systems than just the boiler: it’s important for engineers to consider all the other key components, including the flues and controls. Boilers can be fitted in a wide range of applications but this is only really beneficial if there are also suitable flueing options. As an essential part of any domestic heating system, both in terms of safety and efficiency, gas engineers should consider what flue options are available. The design and diameter of the flue determines its maximum allowable length. Engineers will already be familiar with the Ø60/100 plastic concentric flue system; this is well known for being fitted on gas boilers but it can be used on oil units as well. The flues can be installed either horizontally (through the wall) or vertically (through the roof). However, the distance by which they can be extended varies depending on the manufacturer, due to the total flue lengths being determined by the ability of the boiler. Some flues will only extend to around 6-8m, while other manufacturers can offer lengths up to 21m.
Boilers should be fitted alongside the latest heating controls, which can further enhance efficiency. Consumers have become increasingly tech-savvy and look to embrace the most up-to-date energysaving products, which has led to the growth in smart control technology. Although the boiler will have some integrated controls, advances in technology – as well as the introduction of Boiler Plus legislation – have led to many companies supplying separate devices that can be added into a heating system straight out of the box. As with flues, the features and benefits of controls vary, depending on the manufacturer. Talk to each other If your customer is keen on a third-party device, you can recommend the boiler manufacturer’s own controls. Here, both the controller and boiler will be designed to communicate with each other (and indeed, the rest of the system) using the same digital programming language; this is essential in terms of ensuring accuracy, reliability and efficiency between all components within the heating system. It is certainly the case when a system utilises sophisticated, manufacturerspecific protocols, as third-party products would not be compatible. Manufacturers’ own control
units can provide a wealth of advanced and energy-saving functions. Take weather compensation, for example: this aids efficiency by providing a supplementary line of external system data, resulting in more accurate heating adjustments. If it’s a hot, sunny day, the boiler will adjust the system flow temperature according to external conditions, in turn reducing energy consumption and costs. One of the most appealing aspects of smart controls is their compatibility with smartphone technology, usually in the form of an app. This provides users with remote access to their heating and hot water system, allowing them to program or turn it on or off at the touch of a button. They can receive any notifications or error messages, as well as change the heating and hot water settings if required. Remote functionality also enables a log-in to be shared among a household or family, so that friends or relatives can check a boiler’s performance – something which is not necessarily possible through third-party control systems. Smartphone compatibility features geofencing, where the user’s location dictates how the heating system operates, with the boiler turning on (or off) depending how near an occupant is to their property. This can be set up across multiple handsets.
Of course, no matter what boiler, flues and controls make up a heating system, gas engineers should always explain thoroughly how everything works. Not only will this ensure that users understand all the features, but it will help prevent any misuse, as well as identify the most effective and efficient settings to use. By using all the core system components from the same manufacturer, gas engineers only need rely on one main avenue for all their training, technical support and aftersales requirements, rather than having to manage multiple contacts. They can also attend to all their training needs in one place, reducing time spent away from the tools. ■ navienuk.com
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32 April 2021
10/02/2021 10:21
