GRANT EFFICIENCY OPTIMISER

IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES

Fuel prices are increasing year on year and this is having a major effect on domestic heating costs. Although the price of fuel cannot be changed, steps can be taken to reduce the amount used. Recent amendments to the Building Regulations have increased the use of far more efficient Condensing appliances in both gas and oil, but unless the control of these boilers is also considered at the time of installation, the full benefit of their high efficiency may not be gained.

AVERAGE FUEL INCREASE FOR THE UK

HOW MOST HEATING SYSTEMS WORK

When air temperatures in the house fall below the setting on the room thermostat, a signal is sent for the boiler to fire and warm the house. Unfortunately a disadvantage of this simple arrangement is that the thermostat only tells the boiler to turn on or off when the house is too cold or too hot, respectively. Some systems are even installed without a room thermostat (boiler interlock), relying solely on individual thermostatic radiator valves. In either case no consideration is given to maintaining the correct flow and return temperatures that enable a boiler to operate in condensing mode; or to any external temperature fluctuations. Looking at it another way, how many miles per gallon would a car get if the only method of controlling speed was to accelerate until it is going too fast and then apply the brakes? That is exactly how most heating systems work

HOW HEATING SYSTEMS SHOULD WORK

Boiler flow and Return temperatures should be monitored and controlled, and the system must be able to react promptly to internal and external air temperature changes. Using the car analogy, an accelerator pedal is adjusted carefully to maintain a comfortable driving speed and good fuel economy. Why not the same with a domestic heating system? By installing a Grant Efficiency Optimiser (GEO360) the water temperature in the heating system is constantly measured to maintain comfort and improve efficiency.

To download the Grant Condensing Range and Controls brochure, please click on the following link: