May 20, 2019 | News & Events
Compact, high power Condexa Pro condensing boilers from Vokèra by Riello ticked all the right boxes when it came to converting a former council building in Smethwick into modern private offices. Installed on a cascade rig, two 90kW Condexa Pro fully modulating gas boilers replaced the building’s inefficient and outdated boilers and significantly reduced costs by eliminating the need for a Building Management System (BMS). Vokèra, through its parent company Riello Group, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
The modularity of the Condexa Pro system meant output could be accurately sized to suit the new heating demands of the building with maximum efficiency, and in a compact footprint to fit the small, triangular-shaped plant room. Thanks to the boiler’s advanced, built-in features, there was no need to install BMS controls, which saved project time and cost, as the Condexa Pro boiler controls are able to manage the day-to-day operation of the heating system.
Vokèra worked with heating, plumbing and gas specialists, Bog Standard Plumbing, to specify and supply a Condexa Pro system to meet the project’s bespoke requirements, including the confined space in the unusually shaped plant room. This was Bog Standard Plumbing’s first Vokèra boiler installation.
Ronnie McGrory, Managing Director of Bog Standard Plumbing, said, “Because Vokèra is part of Riello, whose burners we know and trust, we were confident that the Condexa Pro boilers would be of the same robust quality and reliability – and they are. Vokèra’s technical team provided excellent support throughout, from sizing the boilers to advice on wiring sequences, and the ordering process and delivery all went very smoothly. As well as combining high efficiency and control, the small footprint of the two 90kW Condexa Pro boilers in cascade configuration fits the plant room perfectly.
“Given the success of this first installation, we’ll definitely be recommending Condexa Pro again. In fact, we’ve already got a quote for another contract.”
Introduced in the UK in 2018, Condexa Pro is the latest addition to Vokèra by Riello’s high power condensing wall-hung boiler range. This A-rated boiler combines latest generation electronic control with modularity and compact dimensions for installation flexibility in a variety of applications, including residential and office buildings, hospitals, schools and manufacturing facilities. From standalone boilers to multiple cascades and with a wide range of optional accessories, Condexa Pro offers seemingly endless configurations that can help specifiers and installers overcome any complex or challenging installation they may encounter.
May 3, 2019 | News & Events
Vokèra by Riello, a leading heating manufacturer, has announced the launch of new commercial training hubs at its facility in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and at its head office in London Colney. Offering free, one-day specialist training courses for installers and continuing professional development (CPD) training courses for specifiers, the new training rooms complement the company’s existing training facilities for domestic installers. Vokèra, through its parent company Riello Group, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
The training hubs focus on the new Condexa Pro high-power wall-hung condensing boiler range, a versatile, efficient boiler that allows installation flexibility for organisations where space is a significant consideration. It is ideal for numerous applications such as schools, hospitals, data centres, manufacturing facilities and residential homes. Displayed at the training hubs are plate heat exchangers and buffer vessels that are compatible with the company’s commercial range, as well as examples of legacy Vokèra commercial heating boilers for maintenance training.
“These are exciting new training facilities that allow us to offer dedicated support to our network of commercial installers and specifiers from locations that are conveniently accessed by road, rail and air,” said Neil Mattock, marketing director and head of technical training, Vokèra. “Our dedicated courses will give them everything they need to recommend our commercial range with confidence, whilst also increasing their expertise and experience with hands-on instruction. We fully believe in supporting the people on the road as much as we can, and these new additions to our installer support services show how much we value these relationships.”
For further information on the full range of courses available, please visit www.vokera.co.uk/trade-professionals/technical-training/
May 3, 2019 | News & Events
Condexa Pro 500 Box, a pre-built floor-standing cabinet commercial boiler from Vokèra by Riello has provided a plug and play heating solution for a prestigious independent preparatory school in Berkshire. The fully modulating gas condensing boiler replaces an outdated oil-fired boiler and oil storage tank at the school and is installed externally, freeing up valuable internal space. Vokèra, through its parent company Riello Group, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
With indoor space at a premium, the ability to install the Condexa Pro 500 Box boiler outside was a key benefit for the school, as was the compact footprint. The self-contained units are supplied with water and gas manifolds, flue exhaust duct and condensate evacuation line already fitted and connected. A water drain for each heating unit is also built in as standard. When required, an internal solution is also available.
In addition to its space-saving design, the Condexa Pro Box boiler offers exceptional efficiency versus return water temperature. Units incorporate a highly efficient heat engine, resulting in an extremely low return temperature/flue exhaust gas temperature (temperature differential). To assist specification, Vokèra’s technical team is able to calculate how much clients could save on their annual energy consumption by installing a Condexa Pro Box, based on their existing fuel tariffs. The boiler’s impressive energy efficiency is complemented by minimum polluting emissions due to the controlled pre-mix burner and micro-flame burner combination.
The Condexa Pro 500 Box boiler specified for the replacement project at the school features four heat exchangers in cascade configuration, offering 200kW total output. The innovative design enables easy access to all components from the front, and each combustion unit can be individually serviced and maintained without loss of other units, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
Condexa Pro Box fully modulating condensing boilers also boast the latest generation electronic control. Although the compact in-line solution installed at the Berkshire school is connected to an existing Building Management System (BMS), the boiler’s sophisticated heating control and monitoring may negate the need for a BMS in some applications. The advanced remote control facility allows a maximum distance of 100 meters and makes it possible for end-users to manage functions such as setting the boiler’s on and off timings and weekly programming of the circuit.
Apr 15, 2019 | News & Events
As the first anniversary of Boiler Plus approaches, Alister Maclachlan of Vokèra by Riello assesses the impact of this initiative and how the Government’s proposed policy review in April 2019 will be an opportunity to clarify some aspects of the legislation for installers and their customers.
Greater choice
Introduced in England by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in April 2018, Boiler Plus set new minimum performance standards for domestic gas boilers and made fitting timers and room thermostats a requirement to reduce energy costs for consumers. With the consumer at the heart of the legislation, Boiler Plus was designed to give people greater choice and more information about the products that are available to help them achieve optimum comfort and energy savings. But what’s the reality nearly one year on?
Although Gas Safe registered installers haven’t had to undertake any additional training to comply with Boiler Plus, it is obviously important that they understand the different options within the legislation in order to be able to advise their customers on the best solution for their particular needs. In this respect, Boiler Plus has placed greater responsibility on installers’ shoulders and so it is essential that they have the information they need regarding the benefits of each solution and the knowledge and skills to ensure best practice is followed.
Clearing the confusion
Going by the number of queries to our Technical Helpline since the new standards were introduced, there is some confusion surrounding certain aspects of the legislation. For example, an installer in the process of fitting one of our water heaters was asked by the householder if the unit complied with Boiler Plus. Unsure of the answer, the installer called our helpline and a member of our team was able to confirm that water heaters are outside the scope of Boiler Plus. Whilst it is unlikely that the legislation will be extended to cover water heaters, DHW demand does appear to be on the increase in many modern households. Delivering instantaneous hot water to multiple outlets at high flow rates, the latest high efficiency water heaters, such as Vokèra by Riello’s new AquaNova LE, can offer a reliable, energy saving domestic hot water supply for showers and other domestic applications.
Affordable option
Under Boiler Plus a new combination boiler must incorporate one of the following measures within the system:
- Flue Gas Heat Recovery (FGHRS).
- Weather Compensation.
- Load Compensation.
- Smart Controls featuring automation and optimisation functions.
I suppose it is inevitable that end-users and installers will be attracted to the measure that combines compliance with affordability, yet which still provides additional efficiencies without compromising comfort. Since Boiler Plus was introduced in April 2018 Vokèra has seen sales of external weather compensation sensors rise by approximately 60% compared with the same period in 2017. Clearly, this measure is regarded as a relatively low cost means of complying and the easiest to install compared with, say, smart controls or FGHRS. Perhaps it is not surprising that the FGHRS option is not proving particularly popular. These usually large, rather bulky units aren’t very attractive and there isn’t always enough space above the boiler to fit them.
Not so smart
Smart controls (complete with automation and optimisation) can provide an effective additional efficiency measure. However, some areas of the industry are calling for the definition of a smart thermostat within the context of Boiler Plus to be stipulated as an internet-connected device offering remote control of the heating system using a smartphone app, for example. Clarifying this in the forthcoming policy review would certainly distinguish a Boiler Plus compliant control from cheaper so-called ‘smart’ thermostats that are non-connected and which don’t offer consumers the same level of efficiency or convenience.
Whilst there are a number of compliant smart control solutions, it is worth looking for any additional features that will add to the usability of the control, ensuring the homeowner can make the most of their heating system, manage their energy efficiently and maximise comfort. The OpenTherm protocol RF control from Vokèra, for example, enables energy saving modularity and includes a handy ‘holiday’ function. Our BeSMART Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat also offers full compliance and is very easy to install and intuitive to use. As an internet-connected device it allows homeowners to manage up to 8 different heating zones from anywhere in the world through the BeSMART App. In addition, a weather compensation function can be added that adjusts boiler output to reflect ambient temperature with no need to fit an external sensor. As a further benefit, BeSMART can alert customers (who have subscribed to remote monitoring) and the Vokèra Service Centre if something goes wrong, minimising disruption.
Positive change
We know change can be daunting and it can take time for industry to adjust, but we believe Boiler Plus should be seen as a positive change that will help tackle climate change and keep household energy costs down. At Vokèra we also welcome any initiative that steers installers towards fitting more advanced controls, thereby increasing their technical skills and bringing energy saving benefits to their customers. Nearly one year on, there are clearly some areas of Boiler Plus that could be improved – let’s just hope the distraction of Brexit doesn’t prevent the Government from addressing these issues and keeping its pledge to review this important legislation in April.
Mar 15, 2019 | News & Events
Space-saving design, system flexibility and advanced electronic control make Vokèra by Riello’s all-new Condexa Pro condensing boilers an ideal solution for a luxury hotel in Sheffield. The Best Western Plus Kenwood Hall has replaced six outdated boilers serving hotel rooms, kitchen, restaurant and public areas with three compact Condexa Pro 90 units. Vokèra, through its parent company Riello Group, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
The new boilers are installed in a linear cascade configuration on a precision-engineered framework, purpose-designed to assist installation and allow easy access to all components from the front. In addition, logic integrated in the electronic control allows each boiler to operate either as a primary or a secondary in the cascade, ensuring constant operation, even while being serviced.
The Condexa Pro units replaced boilers that had become increasingly unreliable and inefficient. Sim Cowen, Managing Director, B P Dempsey Ltd, the local commercial heating specialists, recommended replacing them with Condexa Pro units.
“Cowen recommended Vokèra by Riello and his advice was spot on,” said Gary Dodd, Maintenance Manager at Kenwood Hall. “Our new Condexa Pro 90 boilers haven’t missed a beat since they were commissioned. In fact, they will probably be our preferred choice when the time comes to replace the remaining existing boilers at Kenwood Hall – and possibly across the group’s other hotels in the area,” he added.
Vokèra’s sales and technical team provided a comprehensive support package for the project, including a pre-sales report showing the proposed Condexa Pro 90 cascade configuration and how this would fit into the confined plant room space. Vokèra was also able to handle the requirement for an extended external flue to clear the roof of the hotel, which saved the cost of a specialist flue contractor.
“Kenwood Hall was my first Vokèra by Riello project but I’m sure it won’t be my last,” Cowen said. “The new Condexa Pro offers excellent value for money and it is designed to adapt to the most varied plant requirements. It’s also very compact and powerful, which meant that we were able to replace six old boilers with just three 90kW Condexa Pro which are more than able to meet the hotel’s heating needs in terms of output and efficiency.”
Vokèra by Riello’s new range of Condexa Pro wall-hung condensing boilers extend from 35 up to 131kW and offer solutions for new plants, replacements or renovations of old heating systems. Each versatile appliance forms the principle element in a system with almost limitless configurations, from simple standalone solutions to modular cascade systems, as at Kenwood Hall, that can accommodate specific requirements thanks to the wide range of accessories.
Among the most innovative components of the new Condexa Pro is an optimised stainless steel heat exchanger, designed and manufactured by Riello, with single or double coil patented sections and premix burners for high turndown ratio and low emissions. In addition, the calculation speed and advanced management algorithms of the electronic control system allow regulated ambient temperatures and the best possible operation performance both for standalone boilers and for multiple cascades up to 10 units.
Feb 7, 2019 | News & Events
John Smith, National Service Manager UK at Vokèra by Riello, offers advice on keeping condensing boilers running reliably and efficiently during a winter freeze.
Whilst it may be too early to predict whether the UK will suffer another ‘Beast from the East’ this winter, it is always better to be prepared for whatever the weather has in store. As any installer will know, when the temperature drops and central heating thermostats are ‘turned up’ the number of calls to fix ‘broken’ boilers goes up too. Whilst modern boilers are designed and tested to deliver optimum quality and reliability they still have moving parts that can be affected by general wear and tear, as well as parts that have a natural lifespan and need to be replaced. However, ensuring that an inconvenient and potentially costly breakdown doesn’t happen when the appliance is most needed could be avoided.
Getting a gas boiler serviced on an annual basis by a Gas Safe registered engineer is key to ensuring a boiler won’t let the homeowner down when the cold weather arrives and please remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, on sealed system boilers it is important to check that the system water pressure is correct as it may have dropped while the heating has been idle during the summer months. The expansion vessel also needs to be sufficiently charged and radiators may require bleeding, however remember to top up the system water pressure after. The heating system is tested to ensure it is operating correctly and should any problems be found these can be dealt with ensuring that the homeowner stays warm during the colder months.
Frozen condensate
When servicing high efficiency condensing boilers, now widely installed in UK households, condensate traps should be checked and cleaned where necessary for any combustion debris as this can lead to blockages, which will eventually cause the appliance to malfunction.
Prolonged periods of extremely cold weather can create another problem in this part of the boiler – frozen condensate. This happens when the condensate discharge pipe on the boiler freezes and becomes blocked with ice, eventually causing the boiler to shut down. This was an all too common reason for calls to boiler service companies during the severe winter in early 2018. So how can installers minimise the risk of freezing and keep their customers’ condensing boilers running whatever the weather?
Golden rules
A correctly installed and commissioned condensing boiler will extract latent heat from the flue gases and produce condensate, which must then be removed from the boiler. Building Regulations advise the correct way of terminating condensate discharge pipes and currently allow these to be run either internally or externally or a combination of both. A boiler shutdown due to a blockage caused by frozen condensate usually occurs when the pipe has been installed externally for some of its length and is, therefore, exposed to very low temperatures. A guide for installers to prevent frozen condensate in discharge pipes has been published by the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC), stresses the importance of adhering to relevant standards and the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Vokèra fully supports HHIC in its efforts to promote best practice among heating installers and by following ‘Golden Rules’ to avoid a frozen condensate.
1. Disposal method
Where possible, an internal condensate disposal method should always be the preferred option to keep pipework within the thermal envelope of the building. However, it should be noted that installing in unheated ‘indoor’ locations, such as a loft or garage, should be considered as ‘external’.
2. Pipe runs
External runs should be as short as possible, preferably no longer than 3 metres. Also, any external boiler condensate pipe must be a minimum internal diameter (ID) of 30mm, and insulated using suitable waterproof and weatherproof insulation.
Any internal condensate pipe should be a minimum of 19mm ID and upsized to 30mm minimum ID before passing through the building structure to the outside.
3. Adequate fall
Providing adequate fall is a critical factor as this allows the condensate to drain away correctly from the boiler under gravity and so prevents it from collecting in the pipe and freezing in winter. Vokèra recommends a minimum 3 degree fall, with bends and fittings kept to a minimum. It is also worth mentioning that this minimum drop must be maintained from the boiler right through to the discharge point.
4. Above the line
Where condensate pipework terminates externally to an outside gulley or drain, the pipe must terminate above the water line, but below the grate by at least 25mm, with the end cut at a 45 degree angle. A drain-guard should also be fitted: these steps help to minimise the risk of blockage or freezing through wind chill.
5. Checklist
Details of the condensate drainage installation should be recorded as part of the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist, a nationally recognised scheme managed by HHIC.
6. Electric Trace heating
Where an external condensate discharge pipe is installed, the customer should be made aware of the risks and consequences of its freezing and can be offered the option to fit trace heating (or other measures approved by the boiler manufacturer or service company) but must follow installation instructions of the trace heating manufacturer.
Promoting Best Practice
According to a report by the HHIC, during the peak of the extreme weather experienced in early 2018, the UK’s gas emergency number control room took over 40,000 calls from members of the public. It is interesting to note that the vast majority of these calls were not boiler fail emergencies but people seeking help because their gas boiler had stopped working due to the condensate pipe becoming frozen.
We have to accept that there are circumstances in which there is no other option but to install condensate discharge pipework externally and as a result that pipework will be at risk of freezing in extreme weather conditions, particularly when there is a high wind chill factor. It is therefore vital for installers to follow manufacturer’s instructions and current regulations/standards to minimise this risk. For its part as a leading boiler manufacturer, Vokèra will continue to work with industry bodies like HHIC to emphasise the importance of correct condensate discharge installation and to improve compliance through product innovation, training, and good practice guides.
