COMMERCIAL HEATING & COOLING
MARK WILKINS, TECHNOLOGIES AND TRAINING DIRECTOR AT VAILLANT ANSWERS SOME FAQS FROM INSTALLERS ON LIGHT COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THESE CAN PRESENT…
ASKTHEEXPERT: Light commercial installations
L ight commercial installations can often be overlooked by installers when they’re adding new services and all-important revenue streams. As a domestic installer, you already have many of the transferable skills and knowledge needed to make a successful transition. Here I answer some of the most common queries that might be holding you back from diversifying your business: Is anything under 70kW classed as a domestic boiler? While it is correct that any boiler under 70kW output would be covered by the domestic gas safe regulations, it’s important to note that boilers under 70kW are not solely used in residential applications. In fact, boilers under 70kW could be used in both small commercial applications (i.e. a doctor’s surgery) and in larger domestic properties. In this example, both applications would be covered by the domestic gas safe
regulations, presenting installers with an opportunity to widen their installation portfolio to include small commercial projects. Are light commercial boilers only used within commercial applications? This is not true. What we’re seeing now is growing numbers of larger residential properties with increased heating and hot water needs and heat loss requirements where a light commercial boiler is often specified as the ideal solution. When do I need to install a low loss header? This will depend on the system requirements. Typically, low loss headers are installed in smaller commercial heating systems to ensure the system maintains the correct flow of water through the boiler. They are also required when multiple heating circuits with different temperature and flow requirements are
needed i.e., with underfloor heating. In this instance it is always recommended to give a neutral point for the system water to circulate and then introduce pumps further downstream of the low loss header. As a general rule, installers should consider installing a low loss header for both domestic and light commercial systems that require two or three zones. What about a heat plate exchanger - why and when are these required? The traditional method of distributing heated water from a boiler to a building heating system circuit uses a low-loss header to connect the primary boiler circuit with the secondary distribution. There are, however, circumstances where it is advantageous to separate the system water from the boiler. This can be achieved by replacing the low loss header with a plate heat exchanger. The installation of a plate heat exchanger
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