The rising cost of fuel has made us look for ways of reducing our fuel consumption and also has steered us to investigating alternative energy sources such as ground, air, sun, wind and wave energy. Although there is still much controversy as to the pay back times for these technologies we do, at some point, need to embrace them as sources of fossil fuels deplete.

Underfloor heating has been successfully partnered with ground and air source heat pump technology. Because underfloor heating is required to run at a temperature several degrees lower than a conventional radiator heating system, a heat pump can provide sufficient heat for a wet underfloor heating system. Underfloor heating systems are more costly to retro fit so they are more suited to newbuild properties.

Since April 2005 it has become a legal requirement that when a central heating boiler comes to the end of its life it must be replaced by a condensing boiler as these run at maximum fuel efficiency. The condensing boiler is designed to extract the maximum amount of heat from the usable energy. This includes unused heat from the escaping flue gases. Once the heat is removed, the cooled flue gases condense. So unlike the conventional boiler, the condensing boiler has an extra large heat exchanger made of a robust non-corrosive material such as super alloy stainless steel or aluminium. A 40-mm plastic pipe is required to drain the condensed liquid as it drips down the heat exchanger within the boiler. The condensate can be directed to the most convenient kitchen waste pipe or outside drain. Approximately one litre of condensed water vapour is produced per hour.

The length of plastic flue and air intake pipes can be run up to ten metres away from the boiler, either vertically or horizontally so siting the boiler is flexible and is not restricted to being placed on an outside wall. However, care should be taken in the positioning of the flue outlet. It should not be too close to a door or opening window because of the plume of gases that could blow back and cause a nuisance.  Never discharge your flue onto a neighbour’s property.

Most types of heating systems and components are represented at The Building Centre including electric, gas and oil boilers, under-floor heating, heat pumps, solar heating, photovoltaics, radiators, wind turbines, radiators and controls. You can order or download manufacturers’ technical product brochures from the website.

Within our range of Information Sheets you may find the following of interest:

• 3 Wood-burning Stoves
• 3a Flueless Gas Fires
• 16 Aluminium Radiators
• 20 Modern Gas fires
• 25 Solar Energy
• Heat Recovery