Hoval has extended its BioLyt range of wood-pellet biomass boilers with the introduction of a 160 kW version. The range now includes sizes from 50 to 150 kW, offering up to 95% efficiency. Automated controls make them as easy to use as gas or oil boilers.

Vaillant’s extensive range of high-efficiency domestic boilers are all SEDBUK A rated and available in a variety of types to suit all applications.

Modern burners and the technology they employ can play a crucial part in reducing emissions and energy consumption. Mike Baker looks at the latest techniques and products that can make such a big difference in keeping costs and emissions down.

Glow-worm’s Ultracom range of high-efficiency domestic boilers can be concerted to LPG — without the need for a specialist conversion kit. The only tools required are a 2 mm Allen key and an electrician’s screwdriver. Once the boiler has been fully installed, all that is needed to make it ready for LPG is a series of very simple adjustments.

A primary school in Flintshire has halved its annual water-heating costs following the installation of three MHS PB 120 kW boilers supported by an Auron DF direct-flow vacuum-tube solar collector. The installation also includes a Gemini 500 l cylinder. The collectors have been installed on a pitched roof at Sandycroft School in Deeside.

Mark Russell explains how a new scheme to guarantee wood and biomass fuel quality will benefit the whole supply chain — from manufacturer to end user.

Gas-fired condensing boilers and water heaters supplied by Lochinvar for Dragon School, a preparatory school in Oxford, to replace existing equipment will reduce energy consumption and emissions. Two CP-M wall hung boilers and three TurboCharger direct gas-fired water heaters serve a large boarding house, the health centre, main kitchen, dining hall, offices and staff accommodation.

The Stokvis Econoflame range of commercial and industrial gas-fired boilers exceed the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations. Heat outputs are from 40 kW to 1 MW as atmospheric and pre-mix versions.

Neglecting boilers and controls can quickly lead to systems becoming inefficient and wasting energy. Tony Willis highlights 10 key considerations.

Condensing boilers from Hamworthy Heating are making a valuable contribution to the excellent environment credential’s of the Hive development in northern Manchester. This new hub for creative businesses provides nearly 7500 m2 of cutting-edge office space and workspace. The project has a BREEAM ’Excellent’ rating and a Grade B Energy Performance rating. Its heating requirements are met by three 250 kW Modumax modules installed in vertical format.

Sabien’s M2G boiler load optimiser is to be installed in all suitable buildings in BT’s estate of 7500 buildings, following extensive pilot trials. Jeff Nash, head of sustainable estates with BT, explains, ‘BT has a clear focus to reduce its energy consumption by 80% by 2016 in the UK. To help it achieve this target requires innovative solutions from suppliers to help save energy. Sabien delivered on our expectations and will have a continuing role to play in supporting BT in these plans.’

Mixing conventional and renewable heating technologies can lead to huge carbon savings and a significant boost in energy efficiency, especially in refurbishment projects says Mark Northcott.

Windhager’s BioWIN wood-pellet boiler has been installed in Netherbury Village Hall in Dorset as part of a complete refurbishment and extension of the building. The project was funded by the Community Buildings Programme from the Big Lottery Fund. The 26 kW boiler was installed by Wessex Ecoheat to replace inefficient electric storage heaters.

The gas bill of Carn Brea, the largest community-based leisure centre in Cornwall, has fallen by 30% since the installation of two Hamworthy Dorchester condensing water heaters and a Wessex ModuMax condensing modular boiler. The new plant replaced old and inefficient 2000 kW gas-fired boilers dating back to the 1970s and has also increased reliability and reduced maintenance. The install­ation of the new equipment formed part of a major refurbishment pro­gramme, which was partly funded by Cornwall Council.

Euroheat now offers a range of biomass boilers that can burn logs or pellets and switch between these fuels automatically. The TDA Thermodual range is made by SHT-Austria and available with outputs from 15 to 40 kW. These boilers can be fired with logs or other dry wood manually; when this fuel has been used up, the boiler will automatically switch over to its built-in pellet hopper.

ATAG’s range of energy-efficient, low-emission, condensing boilers include the A Series and Q Series, both of which are SEDBUK A rated. The A series comprises six models with outputs from 4.4 to 31 kW, all of which are solar compatible and SAP Appendix Q listed. Q Series boilers have outputs of up to 60 kW and can be combined in banks using ATAG’s low-profile cascade flue system. The Q Series includes a solar version with a 3-coil integrated solar cylinder.

Fulton has introduced a modulating burner for its steam raising boilers to reduce gas consumption and maintain a more constant steam pressure. Based on the existing on/off burner, the modulating burner uses a burner-management system to operate two modulating actuators; there are no links. One actuator regulates the flow of gas, and the other adjusts air flow to ensure that optimum combustion is maintained across the full firing range.

Keston Boilers has teamed up with the Plumbing Academy in Edenbridge to raise awareness of the need for engineers to have the correct training and qualifications. Keston has supplied and fitted its Airgen air-source heat pump and Q37 and C36 boilers to the academy to demonstrate the benefits such systems can offer when coupled with the correct training. Also on display at the academy is a Solar Duet and a C40 rig with two boilers.

Remeha has given its Quinta Pro range of commercial wall-hung boilers a design facelift and ergonomic redesign. All five boilers in the range are more compact than their predecessors, with dimensions of just 750 mm high, 500 mm wide and 500 mm deep. All boilers modulate, giving outputs of 8 to 30 kW, 8 to 40 kW, 12 to 60 kW 14 to 84 kW and 17 to 107 kW. Higher outputs can be achieved by installing them in modular configurations of up to six boilers.