New Boilers which outperform the tried and tested developer and engineer favourites

Based in Ross-on-Wye, Mitchell & Son Homes is a well-respected housing developer currently working on a project to convert a barn into nine properties, and construct five new properties alongside. The development is a mixture of one, two, three and four bedroom properties, and each of them is being fitted with the FlowSmart package.

In the past, Mike Mitchell, a director of the company, has always selected boilers from another well-known boiler manufacturer. However, representation from both the local branch of PTS and the Alpha technical sales team convinced Mike that the Alpha alternative was the better choice.

There are three main reasons why FlowSmart is the ideal choice for this particular project. First of all it is capable of easily meeting the high DHW demands that the majority of these properties have and secondly because it features a combi boiler rather than a traditional boiler it frees up valuable space by eliminating the need for a bulky unvented cylinder.

Even with the smaller 25 litre thermal store, the FlowSmart system more than matches the hot water performance of a traditional boiler with a 200 litre unvented cylinder. Over a 20 minute period, it delivers 18 litres of hot water per minute at a minimum 50C. This compares favourably with a traditional system incorporating a 200 litre unvented cylinder which, at 18 litres per minute, delivers water at less than 50C after approximately 10 minutes dropping to 30C after 20 minutes.

Thirdly, FlowSmart uses less gas than a traditional boiler and unvented cylinder set-up, typically achieving a 25% reduction where DHW provision is concerned. So, in addition to the long-term savings on energy costs for the homeowner, the environment also benefits as the system achieves significant carbon reductions.

As well as obtaining SAP Appendix Q recognition, the NHBC (National House Building Council) has confirmed that it will accept domestic heating system designs that incorporate FlowSmart in accordance with Chapter 8.1 of its standards, regarding simultaneous draw-offs up to 18 litres per minute.

PTS sector manager Richard Pinkney who works out of both the Gloucester and Hereford branches did the ground work' in this particular project. As he says: "I'm always keeping my ear to the ground' to find out about likely projects and this was one of them. Having found out about the scheme, I contacted Mike and suggested that he and I meet up with the Alpha Technical Sales Manager covering this area."

Mike Mitchell takes up the story: "I had seen FlowSmart advertised in a number of magazines in the past, and when Richard Pinkney emphasised the value of the product, I felt it was worthy of inclusion in the specification.

"I have, for many years, fitted boilers from another reliable and well-respected manufacturer, but was getting quite a few niggly' problems of late. Although their installer support was very good, I was looking for an alternative that was less problematic. Added to this, I was interested in the energy saving aspects of the Alpha heating option."

The environmental credentials of the package bring a further sales aid to the developer. As Mike states: "While I don't do the heavy sell' about environmental issues when showing prospective purchasers around a property, I do feel that the FlowSmart package is a useful plus point that may well swing the decision."

Mike has also been impressed with the operational qualities of the boilers: "The first two are now up and running, and I was impressed by the fact that they both fired-up first time. In my experience, this is quite unusual. In the past I have often had heating engineers and boiler representatives visiting sites in an effort to get boilers working properly. No such problems with the Alpha units. Also, I can't believe how quiet they are in operation."

At the heart of the FlowSmart system is the CD35C combi boiler. Offering 35kW of central heating output and SEDBUK Band A' rating, it comes with a host of innovative features including a built-in seasonality valve to automatically adjust the DHW flow based on the temperature of the incoming main supply. This allows greater flow in spring, summer and autumn.

Cold water comes into the system via the GasSaver unit which is mounted above the boiler. This recycles heat from boiler flue gases to preheat this water to a maximum temperature of 50C.

This pre-heated water then passes through a copper coil heat exchanger in the thermal store, where it is heated to a maximum of 70OC by surrounding water from the primary system.

When domestic hot water is required, pre-heated water from the thermal store is blended to an optimum temperature of 30C before entering the boiler. This reduces the work-load on the boiler which, in turn, significantly reduces gas consumption.

On this project, a mixture of 25 litre and 50 litre stores will be fitted, depending on the size of the property.

New Boilers which outperform the tried and tested developer and engineer favourites

By: Andy

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