Choosing a new boiler or heating system can be a daunting prospect for a business, with everything from financial costs to ongoing maintenance and environmental targets to consider.
As award-winning commercial heating and ventilation specialists, at Lord Combustion Services we have been keeping people warm since 1982.
We offer a wide range of energy-efficient equipment to suit any business need and budget, and our expert team can handle installations quickly and efficiently, including retrofitting new appliances to existing systems.
Our team of nearly 50 staff serve more than 1,000 customers across the West Midlands from our base in Dudley Road East, Oldbury.
Here are some top tips to help you make an informed decision when choosing a new boiler or new heating system for your business:
Assess your heating needs
- Size of facility and heating requirements: Calculate the size of your facility and the total heating load required, taking into account factors like production processes and the number of heating zones to be covered. You will want to ensure that your boiler’s capacity aligns with your heating requirements to avoid underperforming or oversizing.
- Scalability: Consider any future expansion plans and select a boiler that can accommodate increased demand.
- Fuel availability: Consider the availability and cost of different fuel types (natural gas, oil, biomass, electricity).
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Thermal efficiency: Prioritise boilers with high efficiency ratings to minimise energy consumption and reduce operating costs. ErP (energy-related product) labels should provide performance and efficiency information on every boiler.
- Installation costs: The cost of installation will vary between different systems and will also take into account the work needed on existing pipework and fixtures to accommodate a new heating system. Knowing the costs can help inform whether it is worthwhile to invest in a new system or better to modify an existing one.
- Long-term costs: As well as the initial purchase and installation costs, ask your boiler supplier about expected fuel costs, maintenance expenses and potential energy savings when evaluating different options.
- Controls options: The key factor in the efficiency of a heating system is optimum control; some boilers have integral controls or require external controls. Different protocols are available to enable communication between components within your heating system.
Environmental impact
- Emissions: Make sure that you choose a boiler that complies with environmental regulations, minimising emissions and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Sustainable practices: You might want to explore options like biomass boilers that utilise renewable energy sources.
Safety, maintenance and service
- Reliability: Choose a reputable manufacturer with a proven track record of producing reliable and durable boilers.
- Maintenance support: Ask your boiler supplier for reassurance that you will have easy access to spare parts, technical support and maintenance services in the future. You will want to implement a rigorous maintenance schedule to ensure your boiler’s safe and efficient operation.
- Aftersales service: Enquire as to the aftersales service available, including ongoing maintenance services and breakdown response.
- Warranties and guarantees: Always ask about warranties and guarantees before you invest in a new heating system. Most boilers come with the minimum of a five-year warranty, on the condition that annual servicing is carried out. Ask whether your installation company offers any guarantees on their work too.
- Compliance: You will want to verify that your boiler meets all safety standards and regulations.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select the best commercial boiler and heating systems to meet your specific needs, optimise energy efficiency, minimise your environmental impact and ensure a reliable and cost-effective operation.
If you would like to know more about upgrading your heating systems, please get in touch. Contact Lord Combustion Services today by calling 0121 544 4191 or emailing service@lordcombustion.co.uk.
