water heating – Building Specifier

FUSION: Next Generation Packaged Electric Water Heating From Adveco

The next generation FUSION range from hot water specialists Adveco is a complete range of packaged electric and packaged renewable electric water heaters for commercial projects. FUSION is a modern, future-proof system that embraces electric water heating and the option to incorporate air source heat pumps (ASHP) to lower carbon emissions in line with government calls for net zero.

As an all-electric system, it uses familiar technology that is relatively simple and quick to install, cost-effective and reduces carbon emissions. With an increased heating capacity over first generation Adveco FUSION systems of up to 34 kW, the next generation of FUSION systems offers greater versatility for meeting domestic hot water (DHW) demands across a range of commercial properties. Projects with small to medium basin and sink-led hot water demands – such as cafes, restaurants offices or gyms – taller buildings with basement plant rooms and organisations that depend on 24/7 hot water provision for continuity of service all gain advantages from using FUSION.

The packaged format enables flexibility to specify from a range of cylinders, primary electrical heating, air source heat pumps for pre-heat, and immersions for back-up all supported by Adveco’s bespoke controls to ensure optimal, efficient operation.

FUSION cylinders (ATSI & ATST) come with dedicated mounting points for the ARDENT electric boiler, simplifying and reducing the chance of installation errors. By mounting the electric boiler directly to the cylinder FUSION is a more compact, space-saving option when specifying or having to refurbish an existing plant room. The cylinder connections and clean-out plate are all arranged on the front of the tank for easy access when connecting pre-built pipework with a choice of left- or right-hand side connection, and for regular maintenance. This arrangement also enables FUSION to be situated tightly into a corner, again maximising available space.

The use of the 9, 12 or 24 kW ARDENT electric boiler replaces the use of a single immersion for primary heating. ARDENT, with multiple immersions inside its sealed storage tank provides automatically balanced usage to prolong system life. The typical cause of immersion failure is the creation of limescale in hard water areas, production of which is accelerated by the higher heat intensity of electrical water heating. This is avoided in FUSION, as the ARDENT is used in a sealed ‘primary’ loop to an indirect coil in the system’s cylinder. The ARDENT electric boiler heats the same water continuously so there is only a small, finite amount of scale in the system which will not damage the elements, effectively eliminating damage to the immersions by limescale.
FUSION cylinders offer single (ATSI) and twin-coil (ATST) variants with capacities ranging from 200 to 500 litres.

Single coil cylinders (ASTI) are used for standard electric indirect water heating with an ARDENT electric boiler (FUSION-E), and the option of an immersion for resistive heating ‘directly’ to water in the cylinder (FUSION-Eplus). Dual-coil cylinders (ATST) enable the addition of a 6 or 10 kW FPi32 monobloc air to water heat pump. The ASHP is connected to the lower coil and supplies indirect pre-heat to the vessel, while ARDENT is connected to the upper coil to provide primary indirect heating (FUSION-T & FUSION-Tplus).

FUSION E systems come with a thermostat and overheat thermostat as standard, but for renewable variants featuring dual-coil ATST cylinders and ASHP, optimisation within the FUSION system comes from Adveco’s purpose-built FUSION Control Box. This smartly balances the two heat sources enabling the water in the cylinder to be heated in the most efficient way. The heat pump’s contribution is maximised, achieving a working pre-heat flow temperature of 50°C under UK weather conditions, even if the ambient air temperature drops as low as -25°C.
With the cylinder water pre-heated by the ASHP, the ARDENT boiler is not required to work as hard to raise flow temperatures to the 65°C demanded by commercial applications. Electrical demand on the boiler is reduced by as much as 30%, delivering operational savings and reducing carbon emissions by up to 71%. This variant is perfect for organisations seeking to invest in a water heating application as part of a decarbonisation strategy without losing sight of higher operational costs associated with all-electric systems compared to equivalent gas-fired water heating.

Where hot water demands become a business-critical service, such as in restaurants or GP’s surgeries, FUSION will also support the addition of an Adveco backup immersion providing additional resilience ensuring there is no single point of failure for assured service provision. When only used as an emergency heating source, or during periods of unplanned excess demand, the inclusion of an electric immersion can be extremely advantageous. For FUSION systems incorporating the additional backup immersion (FUSION-Eplus & FUSION-Tplus) controls are further extended to incorporate SMS output to advise building managers of a fault scenario and automated engagement of the immersion back-up to guarantee business-critical hot water supply.

For commercial organisations specifying a hot water system for new buildings faced with regulatory changes on new gas connections, or planning to move from existing gas-fired systems to electrical alternatives FUSION provides an impressive range of choice whether cost, sustainability or business security are the driving factors for specification.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

July 26, 2023/0 Comments/by Lyn

Rinnai Solo has multiple advantages

Interiors

The Infinity Solo condensing and low NOX condensing water heater is the first Rinnai product for the UK to bring together the advanced technology of its wall mounted continuous flow water heaters with a stainless steel storage cylinder in one compact footprint.

Originally envisaged as a single installation product for light commercial operations such as B&Bs, small hotels and schools, Infinity Solo is now being manifolded by installers for larger projects including a recent major primary school installation.

There is no restriction on the number of units that can be linked together as the installer can simply work out the volume of hot water required to determine the number of units required.

This versatile newcomer has also very quickly carved itself a niche in new build and refurbishment housing projects where it is being installed in larger three – and four-bed houses where specifiers have identified it as a cost effective hot water provider for a family bathroom, ensuite and a downstairs cloak room/shower.

Several of the 24kW-59.5kW Infinity Solo range are renewables compatible and supplied pre-fitted with a coil, ensuring the primary energy source will always be from renewable gains and the complementary Rinnai water heater will only apply the precise amount of gas to boost the difference in temperature.

The Solo cylinder is stainless steel, greatly reducing the weight compared to glass lined models, which makes transportation and installation a whole lot easier. The cylinders also boast extremely low heat loss (as low as 1.41kW/h day), which means the customer pays less to maintain the heat within the tank.

Rinnai’s new Solo range incorporates 35kW and 54kW appliances, ensuring that even sites with a smaller gas meter can utilise its advanced technologies.

The larger Infinity Solo model will also act as a high-efficiency alternative to other current forms of gas fired storage appliance. The cylinders also have extremely low heat loss figures (achieving 1.41kW/h day), which means the customer pays less to maintain heat within the tank.

Integral controls on the units ensure optimum performance and efficiencies whether locally or when integrated into a building management system. And there is also Legionella protection available too. Rinnai has invented technology for secondary return DHW systems in the form of additional controls which allow for safe running of water at 42°C core temperature during the day and 60°C at a time when the building is closed. By the time the building reopens, core temperature is 42°C for safe use.

The Rinnai Infinity brand carries the widest range of condensing water heaters on the market today with the most impressive efficiencies in operation, leading the field in technological innovation.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

September 26, 2017/0 Comments/by Product News

Decentralised continuous flow hot water heating systems – an alternative to central plant

Interiors

Centralised plant rooms for heating and hot water systems are a traditional solution and have been so for many years. But we live in different times where economic and energy efficiency – and legislative compliance – are demanded by users, premises owners and managers in both public and private sectors.

An alternative solution that marries high efficiency and wide ranges of modulation with simplicity of installation and design is the gas fired continuous flow hot water heating unit. These can be manifolded into a hot water system capable of coping with virtually any size of site or application. This system is a process of delivering a continuous flow of hot water at a constant temperature, without the need for storage. Continuous flow will only ever utilise energy whenever heat is needed i.e., the turning on of a tap in a washroom or a kitchen. When the units are in operation and heating water – gas is used – when the user is finished, so is the energy usage. With continuous flow systems, the user can set the required temperature of hot water to suit the needs and demands of the site. So, vulnerable users, such as children, the elderly or less able, can be safeguarded from the risk of scalding. Also, where the site has a secondary recirculating system the temperatures can be set at a level to further minimise the possibility of the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

Condensing continuous flow hot water solutions qualify for additional energy efficiency points, boosting building energy performance as they far exceed energy efficiencies called for in Part L Building Regulations (Conservation of fuel and power). The systems are also ‘A’ rated under ErP.

Current thinking on the design of systems is moving towards separating the hot water production from the heating system completely as it can give better efficiencies all round. Buildings need hot water all year round. However, better insulation in most buildings, and a greater awareness of energy efficiency, means there is a reduced need for heating input.

In large commercial buildings, centralised heating and hot water systems have traditionally adopted the thermal storage design. These systems are frequently over-sized at the design stage in relation to actual usage on the not too scientific basis of ‘just in case’. This ‘hedging of bets’ approach to system design often leads to excessive safety margins, which in turn adds to the expense of purchase, installation and running costs.

A storage type, conventional system of hot water that must be heated 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure hot water is always available is an anachronism in today’s energy and cost-conscious world. Even if no hot water is drawn off, a standard cylinder, just for example, can lose a maximum of 3Kw of heat a day as a standing loss.

All cylinders suffer from this to some extent and it equates, over a year, to 1095Kw of energy wasted. If you also look at the gas saving alone it equates to 101.8m₃ of gas used.

Decentralised hot water provision was recently installed at a luxury country club and spa in the leafy and very affluent Cheshire countryside. The site operators, having both the contractor and the consultant make calculations on usage and life cycle costings, was adamant that a stored hot water system was not in the frame for the new fit out as it would be “inefficient and expensive”. The company went on to specify 19 gas fired condensing continuous flow units over the whole site to fulfil its huge demand for 20,000 litres per hour of safe, temperature controlled hot water. The heavy-duty units feed executive soaker showers, poolside showers and all changing room ablutions.

Within this complex, the water heaters feed the showers directly so there is no need for re-circulation around the building. With no centralised boiler room having to be incorporated into the plans.

Elsewhere, one local authority in North Wales is currently in the process of replacing its stored hot water systems with manifolded continuous flow systems. The council is set to make considerable savings on running costs. When the water isn’t running the continuous flow, system is not using fuel, which is ideal for the schools’ shut down during the holidays, for example.

These claims and assertions have been borne out by independent scrutiny. Recent independent testing – by AECOM – of continuous flow hot water systems showed a clear advantage in terms of initial capital costs, as well as life cycle costs over 20 years, when compared with indirect stored and stored hot water systems.
The AECOM findings, after extensive deliberation, found that the brand’s continuous flow water heaters are 7.5% more economical than ‘traditional’ stored hot water systems.

Decentralised water heating saves energy and money, but it also offers flexibility. If, for example, a hot water store cylinder should burst or break down, the whole system is shut down – no more hot water until the problem is fixed. With a manifolded system one unit may be at fault but this doesn’t stop the whole system shutting down.

The problem of potential legionella proliferation is also better maintained in the design of a manifolded continuous flow system. In a continuous flow unit, water temperature for distribution is accurate to ±1˚C. The fact that there is no stratification as there is no storage ensures permanent even temperature and because of this there is no requirement to heat a volume of water just to ensure the elimination of legionella. Another plus is, if demand grows, additional plant can easily be added in a modular fashion at a later stage if required.

In addition, smart controls can be added to commercial condensing continuous flow systems to boost and govern the performance of the hot water system.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

July 3, 2017/0 Comments/by Product News

Rinnai creates ‘system efficiency’ solution for longer life

Interiors

Limescale can be a major contributor to a loss of efficiencies for water heating systems of any type, so leading continuous flow water heater manufacturer Rinnai has taken steps to maintain superior efficiencies throughout the life of the system by incorporating a proven limescale inhibitor that will significantly reduce the impact of limescale, thereby maximising efficiency over the product’s lifetime.

Rinnai has teamed up with electrolytic in line inhibitors, pioneers in limescale inhibitor technology, to maximise system efficiency on its range of A rated commercial water heaters.
This electrolytic scale inhibitor kit is for commercial hot water systems. Independently tested, it is a low-maintenance way to protect against the damaging and expensive impact of limescale on hot water systems.

Not only does it offer long lasting protection against the formation of hard limescale it also ensures bacteria has fewer places to hide as a result of cleaner surfaces, so in a secondary return DHW system the problem of Legionella is also heavily reduced. The independently tested and proven technology protects capital investment and occupier health.

The electrolytic zinc anode technology used in this solution is mentioned in the Part L Building Services Compliance Guide, whereas “external to pipe” water conditioning techniques are not.

The system’s low level zinc additions change the water chemistry to inhibit the formation of limescale by transforming calcite in such a way that they do not stick to the interior of the unit or pipework.

The system delivers value engineering as it does not decay after dosing and its effectiveness is not impacted by water storage or agitation caused by passing through a booster set.

Rinnai has recently supplied its system efficiency systems for London-based SGA Consulting, a specialist in low energy buildings, after liaising with the practice’s mechanical engineer Vivek Devan on two restaurant projects. Devan says “The Rinnai units are compact and their smaller footprint both physically and environmentally made them a good choice here. The scale inhibitor technology was also a factor.” Devan spoke with Rinnai technical experts before specifying the units and heard that Rinnai is actively promoting and selling scale inhibitor solutions following the successful results obtained from various trial sites.

The electrolytic unit may be installed in the rising main, before the water heater and booster set. Capex cost savings are probable because the rising main pipe size is often a smaller diameter than the hot and cold water distribution pipe sizes. Therefore, just one inhibitor system will treat the whole location, also offering an attractive value engineering opportunity.

The inhibitor is widely specified and installed in a range of sectors such as manufacturing, hotels, retail and supermarkets, healthcare and education as well as public authorities.

For buildings using BMS systems, a Pulse Splitter is an option that provides water flow rate or water usage data directly to the BMS from the water meter in the system.

The inclusion of the electrolytic system in Rinnai’s A-rated continuous flow water heating systems delivers peace of mind to installers and end users as performance is maintained throughout the lifetime of the appliances.

The scale protection units are available in a variety of pipe sizes – large 67,76 and 108mm; medium 28,35,42 and 54mm; and small 22mm.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

April 19, 2017/0 Comments/by Product News

Rinnai creates ‘system efficiency’ solution for longer life

Interiors

Limescale can be a major contributor to a loss of efficiencies for water heating systems of any type, so leading continuous flow water heater manufacturer Rinnai has taken steps to maintain superior efficiencies throughout the life of the system by incorporating a proven limescale inhibitor that will significantly reduce the impact of limescale, thereby maximising efficiency over the product’s lifetime.

Rinnai has teamed up with electrolytic in line inhibitors, pioneers in limescale inhibitor technology, to maximise system efficiency on its range of A rated commercial water heaters.

This electrolytic scale inhibitor kit is for commercial hot water systems. Independently tested, it is a low-maintenance way to protect against the damaging and expensive impact of limescale on hot water systems.