A New Business Owner’s Guide To Boilers

Whether you’re acquiring a business, launching your very own venture or you’re simply tasked with assisting, there are a number of essential systems required within any warehouse or site. One such crucial component is a boiler set-up, tasked with heating a space, supplying hot water and generally making for a more comfortable and productive space. Within certain industries, everyday tasks would be impossible without a functional boiler, while depending on where you’re based and the requirement for a sufficiently heated space, a boiler may be crucial for employee comfort. 

No two boilers are the same, and you’ll want to ensure the option you have installed is ideal for your premises, which is where Caledonian Heating & Plumbing come in. Let us take you through everything from common issues, to leading boiler types for you to consider. 

A Necessary Asset 

Immeasurably important for businesses everywhere, boiler systems are a necessary asset within workplaces, much as they are within the home. These advanced pressurised systems will burn combustible fuel or use electricity to heat water and produce heat throughout a building. While some types of boiler use hot water itself, others will rely on water that has been turned to steam, which can then be circulated via pipes throughout a commercial facility. 

The big difference between traditional domestic boilers and their commercial counterparts is that more technical and complex commercial boilers are larger and more powerful than home systems. With potentially thousands of square feet to heat instead of just a few hundred inside domestic buildings, it isn’t hard to understand why commercial systems are quite so complex. While domestic boilers only tend to have about 70kW of output, commercial boilers are often in the 250kW to 1500kW range.

The Nature Of Your Business

The need for a brand new or improved commercial boiler system will vary from business to business, though if your existing boiler has been in place for some time, a newer energy efficient boiler can help a business to make significant savings long-term. A well serviced and maintained commercial boiler will last 10 to 15 years generally, though a replacement may be deemed necessary if circumstances become unsafe, or if you encounter an issue (some of which are detailed later in this blog).

A commercial or industrial heating system installed carefully by Caledonian Heating & Plumbing can reliably be designed around your business premises and your needs, offering an array of benefits including improved working conditions for staff, a consistent temperature inside of your building as well as lower running and energy costs. You can also expect greater reliability and less instances of your boiler failing to operate as you would like it to. 

Boiler Types

Naturally, not all boiler variants are ideal for every workspace, therefore you’ll want to do your research before settling on a system. Caledonian Heating & Plumbing can provide you with guidance in this respect, providing sensible recommendations based on your business needs and general requirements:

Firetube Boilers

Firetube boilers are often for smaller industrial facilities with lower operating pressures, therefore they may be a desirable choice if your workspace is on the less-demanding side, but still requires a large boiler with significant output. These types of boilers offer a cost-effective heating solution, representing a simple design with minimal maintenance compared to other variants. The most common designs utilise one or more large furnace tubes.

Watertube Boilers

Differing in design, watertube boilers operate at a larger capacity with the ability to handle greater pressures and higher temperatures compared to the previously mentioned firetube boilers. Within watertube boilers the hot gases from combustion flow between tubes filled with water, while these boiler variants use two or more drums with specifically bent tubes, to allow the transfer of water between these drums.They allow for a more compact design and thermal shock resistivity.

Electric Vertical Boilers

Using electrical energy, vertical boilers can be configured for steam or hot water applications, the sustainable choice as they promise zero emissions.Vertical boiler designs include both tubed and tubeless types, allowing for a much smaller carbon footprint. These boiler variants are ideal for areas where length and width dimensions are too constraining for a standard horizontal boiler, with our team able to specify whether electric vertical boilers are suitable for your premises.

Electric Condensing Boilers

Electric condensing boilers are a popular pick for commercial settings. specifically built for high efficiencies that other standard boilers cannot achieve. Making the most of a specially designed heat exchanger, condensing and capturing extra energy from condensation, steam boilers can utilise a condensing economizer to gain energy from the flue gas. Among our most common installations, ask about electric condensing boilers for a detailed explanation.

Common Issues 

Unfortunately, commercial boilers aren’t without issue, especially those that have been in use for many years, or those that have been poorly maintained throughout their lifecycle. Reluctant to invest in a costly new installation or looking for a sensible fix? We’ve addressed some of the leading commercial boiler issues below:

Poor Heat Production

Poor heat production can be caused by a number of problems, often the result of dirty burners that block heat from getting through. Dust and debris that get trapped in the burners can pose a serious fire hazard, though you can prevent accumulation by checking regularly. Other potential causes of poor heat production may include a faulty ignition, broken or inaccurate thermostat, a broken pump, or a faulty safety switch.

Low Pressure

Low pressure can prevent you from completing regular tasks as you require them in your commercial setting, with steam leakage one of the primary causes of low system pressure. Over time the more steam your boiler loses, the more inconsistent the water pressure and heat distribution system will be, therefore this issue can be an indicator of a faulty or damaged feed pump or steam trap, both problems we’re well-equipped to clarify.

Shutting Down Unexpectedly

A boiler system shutting down unexpectedly can trigger all sorts of problems, though there are several reasons the system itself may automatically shut down without warning. It could be that the thermostat isn’t working properly and gives inaccurate temperature readings. On the other hand this shutting down could be due to a significant loss of air pressure, a damaged pump, or blockages. If your boiler system is shutting off on its own, you should schedule a service appointment.

Leaking Fluids

Leaking fluids from your commercial boiler system are never a good sign. Water that’s leaking directly from your boiler tank is a guaranteed sign that the inside of your boiler tank is most likely severely corroded. Less serious reasons for water leaks could be condensation (which is normal) or a broken pressure relief valve or expansion tank. You’ll want clarity in any case, as these minor issues could signal more significant system problems.

Caledonian Heating & Plumbing: Industrial Gas Boilers And Commercial Boiler Servicing

Your business heating infrastructure is something you need to rely on 24/7 to ensure your organisation runs efficiently, and at Caledonian Heating & Plumbing, we work with clients to create tailored services to suit your needs. Helping with your working treatment, industrial heating and plumbing, we’re the professionals to consult at the earliest stage, offering a wide range of services throughout Edinburgh, Dundee and surrounding areas. We pledge to provide the highest quality service at competitive rates that help rather than hinder your business.

Quickly expanding and looking to diversify our offering to assist a wide array of commercial customers with their boiler needs, we can help maintain infrastructure systems to ensure compliance and continuity. We’ve worked with commercial and industrial organisations of all types through the years - everything from local authorities and art galleries to sports stadiums and churches, so contact at your earliest convenience to learn more about our services, or to obtain a specific quote.