The world's gone mad for renewables. And not so many years ago, it went nuts about condensing boilers. But what about combining the two? Ian Bradley looks at their integration.

MHS Boilers has launched a new range of 34 light-commercial and industrial biomass boilers with outputs from 30 kW to 5.8 MW. The application of Combustor biomass boilers ranges from small offices, retail premises and schools to large factories, hospitals and office complexes. MHS Boilers is working in partnership with biomass-boiler manufacturer Sib Siber and its approved partner companies to provide a full service from site surveys, system design and planning, through to installation and commissioning.

A Broag-Gilles biomass has been featured in the BBC television programme ‘Countryfile’ as part of a report on how burning wood fuel can help combat the pace of climate change. The 1200 kW at West Dean in West Sussex burns fuel from sustainably managed woodlands on the West Dean Estate to heat West Dean College, greenhouses, nine houses, the village church and several other outlying buildings.

The Energy Saving trust has endorsed Vaillant’s entire ecoTEC range of boilers. It applies to 20 natural-gas and 13 LPG boilers. John Collings, UK marketing director with Vaillant Group, comments, ‘Recent revisions to the EST endorsement criteria for natural-gas and LPG boilers means that all appliances have to be retested to meet new, much tougher, criteria.

Two dual-fuel bio-fuel/natural-gas condensing boilers have been supplied by Atlantic Boilers to heat a new workshop and laboratory of Stockport College. Each boiler is rated at 530 kW, and they are supported by a 1160 kW natural-gas high-efficiency boiler. The control system ensures that the bio-fuel boilers meet most of the heating load.

Glow-worm’s comprehensive range of domestic gas boilers is supported by hot-water cylinders and solar thermal systems. The range of boilers include SEDBUK A rated models in the form of Ultrapower, Ultracom and Flexicom, all with low-NOx ratings.

No fewer than 41 models of Glow-worm boilers have been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust in its recently revised scheme for gas and LPG boilers — which Glow-Worm claims is more than any other manufacturer. Katie Cope, brand manager with the company, says that of 74 natural-gas boilers and 32 LPG boilers on the EST list, 26 natural-gas and 15 LPG boilers are from Glow-worm.

Condensing high-efficiency boilers now represent 72% of the commercial market (above 44 kW) in the UK, according to figures from the commercial boiler group of ICOM Energy Association. The rate of growth is described as slower than previous years but showing no signs of abating. Overall, the market for commercial boilers declined by 5.5%, despite the growth in condensing boilers.

Windhager’s BioWIN Plus range of wood pellet boilers have four outputs from 10 to 26 kW and are fully automatic in operation. These boilers modulate down to 30% of full output, and two or three boilers can be linked in cascade to deliver up to 76 kW of heat. This level of turndown means there is generally no need for a buffer tank or accumulator, and the energy can be supplied straight to the heating system via a distribution centre.

Wall hung commercial boilers will prove more important than ever as the country embarks on the massive building refurbishment programme needed to meet carbon reduction targets and cut operating costs, according to Dave Lacey.

Hoval has extended its range of UltraGas condensing gas-fired boiler to 1 MW, so a single UltraGas boiler can cover outputs from 50 kW to 1 MW. Twin UltraGas units offer outputs from 250 kW to 2 MW, complete with common flue and optional pipework/header kits.

Buderus has expanded its 4000 series of energy-management controls for boilers to meet new environmental legislation and the growing demand for renewables. The new modules enable the intelligent integration of Buderus with virtually any renewable heating plant — such as heat pumps, CHP, biomass and solar.

St Mary’s Church in the heart of the walled city of Oxford has recently had its heating system updated with the installation of three Hamworthy Purewell VariHeat 180c condensing boilers. The work is part of a planned £5 million refurbishment programme for this Grade 1 listed building. The boilers were specified by Hoare Lea of Bristol and installed by Lawton BES.

Lochinvar’s TT range of high-efficiency condensing boilers are available as heating boilers or dedicated gas-fired water heaters. Twin modulating premix burners and a triple-pass heat exchanger are design features of this product, which can achieve gross efficiencies of up to 97%. The wide range of control options available provides real potential to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. These boilers also have low NOx emissions.

A condensing version of the Baxi Bermuda back boiler enables existing pipework to be used with minimal modification. The BBU HE room-sealed heat-only boiler takes combustion air from outside and vents exhaust gases up a fully sealed one-piece flexible concentric flue liner. Condensate is disposed of by pumping it through a small pipe. A special reusable ‘flue nose’ helps to guide the new flue system down the chimney.

Six ImaxW 100 kW boilers from Ideal have been installed to improve the efficiency of the heating system at One Facility’s MBDA site in Bristol. Unitary Engineering Services carried out an audit of the old system, which comprised two banks of five boilers, and recommended the installation of new high-efficiency condensing boilers.

Two 145 kW biomass boilers are contributing to making ASDA’s new £27 million store in Bootle the most eco-friendly supermarket in the UK. The boilers were supplied by Remeha and made by Gilles in Austria. They are fired by wood pellets.

Parts Center has boosted its spare-parts service for boilers with the supply of components for the ranges of Keston and Worcester Bosch. The company is also the largest stockist of Baxi Group spares in terms of stock holding and the number of stocking locations.