Space heating (plant)
Support occupants to make effective use of heating controls
- staff & occupants to optimise heating levels and encourage energy saving behaviour (4)
Specify the most efficient primary plant to generate heat/hot water
- select fuels and tariffs that promote efficiency and minimise running costs (5 - section 10.1)
- specify boilers with a SEDBUK rating of A (90% or more efficient) (11)
- segregate hot water services generation wherever possible (5 - section 10.1)
- size plant with appropriate margins but avoid oversizing (5 - section 10.1, 8 - section 2)
- specify condensing boilers (6 - page 70)
- meet base load using the most efficient plant (5 - section 10.1)
Consider controls at an early stage in the design
- include effective controls on primary plant and distribution systems (5 - section 10.3, 7, 14 - n/a N/A)
- incorporate controls based on temperature, time, zones, variable flow based on the requirements of the building (5 - section 10.3)
Consider de-centralised heating and hot water services generation plant on large sites to reduce standing losses and improve load matching
- consider the advantages/disadvantages of centralised and local plants (CIBSE Guide F Section 10 Tables 10.5 and 10.6) (5 - table 10.5 10.6)
Provide effective occupant controls
- occupant controls (e.g. TRVs) in all rooms/areas with separate control of perimeter areas (within 7m of external walls) and the central zone (1 - credit HW15, 7 - page 8)
Check the design
- check installed capacity and energy performance against benchmarks and rules of thumb (5 - section 10.4, 12 - section 6)
Regularly inspect and reset controls to maintain efficient system operation
- controls on multi-boiler systems reset over summer (and in mild weather) so that unneeded boilers are isolated (4)
- controls on unused boilers reset during the summer months so that pilot lights do not switch on (4)
- thermostats reset [reducing temperature setpoints] in areas that do not require full comfort heating (4)
- correct frost thermostat settings (4)
- heating timer controls reset to match occupancy patterns (4)
- heating timer controls reset for holidays (4)
- setpoints and control bands on heating and cooling units in the same room reset to avoid simultaneous operation (4)
- controls reset to avoid unnecessary heating in unoccupied areas but ensure adequate ventilation to prevent moisture damage (10)
Investigate the use of renewable energy technologies or low carbon technologies, such as biomass boilers, heat pumps, CHP
- select the distribution system based on the primary heat source (long lag systems or quick response systems) and the requirements of the system (5 - section 10.2)
Maintain the heating system to keep it operating efficiently
- inspection to ensure boiler house ventilation is unobstructed (4)
- inspection of feed and expansion tanks where automatic make-up filling can indicate system leaks (4)
- boiler combustion efficiency tests (4)
- regular testing of correct operation of all radiator valves (4)
- testing that motorised valves and dampers have full travel from open to closed (4)
- testing tht hot water valves close fully (4)
- regular testing that boilers and circulating pumps shut off when the thermostats and heating timeswitch stop calling for heat (4)
- regular maintenance of boilers including cleaning burners (4)
- regular testing of combustion efficiency, adjustment of air/fuel ratio, optimisation of boiler efficiency and complete boiler test sheet (4)
Minimise heat losses from space heating boilers, pipework and storage
- locate plant to minimise distribution system (5 - section 10.1)
- insulate pipework, valves etc. effectively (5 - section 10.1)
- insulation on distribution pipes, valves and flanges around the boiler area that are not contributing useful heat to work areas (4)
Reference Documents
| Series Number | Publisher | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRE | BREEAM 2006 | |
| 2 | GN 12/97 | BSRIA | Oversized heating plant - a guide to reduce the energy consumption of oversized water or steam heating and DHW plant |
| 3 | Carbon Trust | Energy Consumption Guide 19: Energy use in offices | |
| 4 | Carbon Trust | Focus - the manager's guide to reducing energy bills | |
| 5 | Guide F | CIBSE | Energy efficiency in buildings |
| 6 | 2002 Edition | IoP | Plumbing Engineering Services Design Guide |
| 7 | GPG 132 | Carbon Trust | Controls for wet heating systems in small commercial and multi-residential buildings |
| 8 | Guide G | CIBSE | Public health engineering |
| 9 | Carbon Trust | Energy efficiency in the work place - a guide for managers and staff | |
| 10 | BRE | The Office Toolkit - the guide for facilities and office managers for reducing costs and environmental impact | |
| 11 | TBC | SEDBUK | |
| 12 | ECG 19 | Carbon Trust | Energy use in offices |
| 13 | BR404 | BRE | Building Elements Building services |
| 14 | GIR 40 | Carbon Trust | Heating Systems and their Control |