Electric boiler uses off-peak electricity

Heating to radiators and instantaneous hot water for a bungalow in rural Buckinghamshire is provided by this boiler that uses off-peak electricity to heat stored water.

Faced with one of his winter electricity bills exceeding £1000, much of it for the electric underfloor heating system and hot water, Kevin Collins has installed a Thermaflow electric combination boiler in his bungalow in Hardwick, Bucks. This unit uses off-peak electricity. It has a capacity of 330 l and runs 10 radiators and two towel rails, as well as hot water.

Hot water is provided at taps in under 5 s, and radiators achieve maximum temperature in 3 min. The integration of a stainless-steel internal pre-heat heat exchange and an Alfa Laval brazed plate heat exchanger provides hot water at high flow rates, serving up to three power showers simultaneously without the need for a booster pump.

Kevin Collins and his wife discovered the Thermaflow range, invented by Thermal Innovations (UK), at the EcoBuild exhibition. He explains, ‘We live in a rural area, so there is little chance of being connected to mains gas. The oil and LPG gas alternatives were unattractive and expensive because of the fluctuating costs. I was also very surprised at the figures quoted for heat-pump systems, which were eye-watering.’

George Curtis of Thermal Innovations put them in touch with approved installer Solar Geo, which then installed the system.

Thermaflow boilers are designed to operate on off-peak electricity. Energy availability is controlled by radio signals, and the boiler is hard-wired to a tele-switch via a 2-pole isolator or by the Thermaflow off-peak time control, depending on which tariff is available. The boiler rarely has to operate outside the off-peak electricity periods.

These boilers can accept solar input by adding a solar kit made by Thermal Innovations.

For more information on this story, click here:Sept 09, 103
Related links:
Related articles:



modbs tv logo

New Sustainability Director for Wates Group

Wates Group, a family-owned development, building and property maintenance company, has appointed Cressida Curtis as its new Group Sustainability Director.

Domus Ventilation appoints new contractor sales managers

Ventilation systems manufacturer Domus Ventilation has announced the arrival of three new Contractor Sales Managers.