The boiler is one of the most important aspects of a comfortable, efficient commercial building, providing hot water and heating on request for your facility. The primary function should be that it serves the needs of the facility in size, energy efficiency, cost, and after sales servicing and warranty options.
Without the boiler no home, industrial works or business unit will function as intended. It is the one piece of equipment that allows people to work in comfort. It controls the temperature of different areas in the building where specific thermal levels are required and provides a comfortable environment inside, regardless of external conditions.
Here at Atmostherm Ltd we are experts in commercial boiler system design and installation. Take a look at our hints and tips on choosing a commercial boiler below:
Is the Size of a Commercial Boiler Important?
Boiler size like anything else is important and directly relevant to what it is being used for. While some commercial buildings might be able to cope with smaller boilers you could expect in a domestic home, others require a lot more heating output.
Commercial boilers are measured in kilowatts, the bigger the capacity, the higher the kilowatt output will be. When choosing a commercial boiler the size should relate directly to the hot water needs of the building. What is it being used for and what type of heating will it need? Considerations include the flow rate, number of radiators, bathrooms, mains pressure and air space.
For instance a multi-use facility like a leisure centre will need to cope with periods of high demand if it has sports pitches requiring plenty of hot water storage. Whereas a busy high street store will need to be able to ensure a comfortable temperature for long periods of time and heating a lot of hot water won’t be as important. A commercial boiler that emits more energy than needed will risk producing too much heat, waste energy and increase bills.
How important is energy efficiency when choosing a commercial boiler?
Energy efficiency can cut bills and emissions and are especially important for public or local authority buildings like community centres but equally for private businesses too.
There is now more focus than ever for businesses to concentrate on energy efficiency initiatives. This includes the possibility of financing, like the Carbon Trust’s Energy Efficiency Financing (as well as from private financing) which provides funding for businesses to invest in newer, more efficient heating systems and technology which help reduce carbon emissions.
Having an energy efficient commercial boiler though also has as much to do with having the correct sizing as well as being installed with the proper considerations that match the demand and supply.
Will my industrial boiler installation fit in the right place?
Some boilers are easy to fit, and some suppliers will have made them as light as possible to fit any size requirement. But the size and aperture are only half of the installation. When choosing a commercial boiler there will also be a cost and consideration to both existing and new pipework (and fixtures) that might need updating
Some cost consideration must also be needed when installing newer, energy efficient systems, especially if substantial changes are needed to accommodate it. But these should be balanced out by lifetime efficiency expectation and the cost savings it will produce in the long term.
Safety, maintenance and aftercare: The warranty you should expect
Commercial boilers, like any constantly used piece of engineering coming into regular contact with steam, water and pressure, will require some degree of maintenance. When choosing both a boiler and contractor to install it, having regular safety and preventative maintenance schedules, alongside a lengthy warranty will be added cost-benefits when installing a new commercial boiler. Atmostherm Ltd offer commercial boiler repairs and maintenance contracts to businesses across Manchester and the North West.
With regular after care from your commercial boiler supplier, risks arising from leaks and faults will minimise the potential for injury and damage to employees, customers and the building itself. Regular maintenance will also ensure the boiler keeps working as efficiently as when it was first installed.
Other considerations to be aware of when choosing a commercial boiler
Choosing a commercial boiler isn’t just about getting the size, efficiency and warranty right there are also other important aspects worth being aware of:
The boiler life costs – Will the manufacturer provide ‘whole life costing’ to predict the energy a commercial boiler will use and the cost to run it?
Replacement parts – Are replacement parts readily available or will they take a long time to procure which can affect business downtime in the event of breakdown.
Water treatment – With good quality water circulating, heating systems perform better, does your provider offer a water treatment service?
Technical support – Does the provider or manufacturer offer after-sales support and advice?
Know what you want from your commercial boiler
When choosing a commercial boiler size is never just about making a boiler fit a space, it is ensuring that it manages the demands of the business, so that energy isn’t wasted. Understanding the installation costs against the whole life cost should be noted too, especially if systems and installation procedures require pipework changes. With commercial boilers lasting upwards of ten to fifteen years, having a clear, comprehensive warranty will provide an indication of reliability as well as peace of mind. But above all, consider the safety and maintenance requirements of the boiler to get the best possible system for your needs.
Atmostherm Ltd are established HVAC contractors in Manchester and are experienced at planning, design and installation of industrial and commercial boiler systems for all types of businesses across the North West.