A commercial boiler is a system that provides heating and hot water to a non-domestic building. Usually, these appliances are pressurised systems that either burn fuel or use electricity in order to produce hot water or steam. This hot water or steam is then circulated around the building via a system of pipes and can be used as required to create a comfortable environment. It is common for these systems to use natural gas as fuel, but they can also burn fuel oil or use electricity resistant coils to generate heat.
When does a boiler become commercial?
If you’re wondering, when does a domestic boiler become commercial, the answer largely depends on size. Boiler size, or output, is measured in kilowatts (kW). Unsurprisingly, domestic boilers tend to have a smaller output than commercial appliances. In many cases, domestic boilers range in size from 24kW to 42kW, although they can be up to 70kW.
In general, appliances larger than this are classed as commercial boilers. These systems are suitable for more sizable premises, whether that’s an office, leisure centre, health centre, college, warehouse, factory or any other type of non-domestic building. Gas and oil-fired commercial boilers are often in the 250kW to 1,500kW range. This huge spread of output sizes helps to ensure that organisations are able to find appliances which meet their specific heating and hot water needs.
The sizing cut-offs between domestic and commercial boilers aren’t quite this straightforward however. Certain commercial boilers have an output of less than 70kW. For example, it is possible to get portable commercial electric boilers ranging from 15kW to 36kW. These compact appliances are a popular choice on construction sites, for example as an aid in the screed drying process. They can also be used in shops, garages, sports halls and a variety of other settings.
How to choose the right commercial boiler for your premises
With so many different types of commercial boiler available, it can be confusing deciding which to choose for your organisation. There are various issues that you should consider when selecting one of these appliances.
Here are some of the most important:
Size
As mentioned previously, commercial boilers differ hugely in terms of size. So, when you’re considering your options, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the heating and hot water requirements of your premises. For example, how large is your building, how many radiators do you need to heat, and how many hot water outlets do you have? Getting a boiler with an appropriate output is critical.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure about your specific heating and hot water needs. You can arrange for an expert from ALL Heating and Cooling to come to your premises and carry out a site survey to ensure you select a boiler that matches your technical requirements.
Fuel type
You might also want to think carefully about the fuel type that your boiler will use. Popular options include natural gas and fuel oil, as well as electricity. However, there are also other less well-known options. One of these is hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). A form of renewable diesel, it is increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional heating oil. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly solution for your organisation, HVO is worth considering. As well as being sustainable, it is efficient to use and offers a high level of performance.
Energy efficiency
Heating and hot water might represent a significant ongoing cost for your organisation, so it pays to think carefully about energy efficiency when you’re looking for a commercial boiler. The good news is, there’s no shortage of highly efficient appliances to choose from. Just make sure that you look carefully into the efficiency information of different boilers before you make a final decision.
Getting a boiler that’s the right size also plays a big role here. You obviously need an appliance capable of meeting your heating and hot water needs, but you don’t want a system with too much redundant capacity as this could mean you end up paying more in fuel costs than you need to.
Support and maintenance
You no doubt want a heating and hot water system that you can rely on around the clock, and this means having a good maintenance and support agreement in place with the boiler supplier. So, when choosing an appliance, check the supplier’s maintenance, support and servicing policies.
How to Size A Commercial Boiler?
Commercial services need to have a properly sized boiler. Your boiler may not generate the needed heat if it is too small. Some would say that if your boiler is oversized, it will likely start an on and off cycle. This will lead to huge tear and wear, which means your building will not be heating effectively.
Therefore, before commercial boiler installation, consider sizing your boiler. Major ways to size your commercial boiler include;
Seek the Experts’ Help
Most boilers’ manufacturers do not make public information relevant to their sizing. However, you are given guidelines known as “H-22”. It simply means Heat Loss Calculation. This is what needs to be done by a software program or calculator to determine the sizing. It is because of this we recommend experts to advise you on how to size your boiler. They are the ones with in-depth knowledge.
Better put, choosing ALL Heating and Cooling for your industrial and commercial boiler heating and plumbing services could save you your business. The company is certified and guarantees its customers proper repair and maintenance in Kent and the South East.
Steam Sizing
Steam needs resizing to fit the needed square feet of radiation. The contractor will be required to go through the house, calculate the square feet, and measure the radiation. Further, in older homes with steam boilers, asbestos insulation may have taken off. This leaves the pipes uninsulated, necessitating insulation before resizing the boiler. Existing structures give a good opportunity for one to design the size of the plant. It is advisable to be keen on boiler pant sizing done by both the engineer and salesman.
Avoid Judging by Its Cover
At some point after commercial boiler installation, contractors may replace equipment with what is readily available. Therefore, it is vital to consider siding on the house, better insulation, and many other things that reduce heat. Also, however easy it may seem to be, never avoid calculating the heat loss. Ensuring the right size saves money for customers and also their energy bills.
With that said, you should be able to size your commercial boiler. If you are making countless calls to your service providers or your boiler isn’t performing as it should then know its time change it.
