VOKÈRA’S EVOLVE RANGE HAS THE ANSWERS FOR FAMILY HOME RENOVATION

Dec 12, 2018 | News & Events

Bournemouth-based Absolute Plumbing Services recently completed a major home heating system upgrade for a residential customer using Vokèra by Riello’s new high-performing evolve boiler. Installed in combination with its BeSMART control system, the new system represents a significant improvement for the homeowner that will deliver substantial performance, efficiency and ease of use benefits.

The key driver behind this new installation for the three-bedroom, one-bathroom property in Bournemouth was the failure of the existing back boiler that had served the home for more than 40 years. Absolute Plumbing Services recommended a complete overhaul of the gravity fed system that included disconnecting the back-boiler unit, pump, controls and tanks in the loft along with the removal of the existing hot water cylinder. Original galvanised pipework and out of date radiators would also be removed and replaced. A Vokèra by Riello evolve, operating on a pressurised system with a BeSMART controller, provided the perfect, simple to operate boiler replacement solution.

Darren Rice of Absolute Plumbing Services takes up the story. “With the back boiler clearly beyond repair, this was the right time to review how and where we could make improvements for the homeowner. Our primary focus was to take advantage of the latest, most fuel-efficient technology to reduce running costs. Using an evolve combi, together with a BeSMART control, ensured we could deliver on those promises, and more.”

The evolve is a cutting-edge range of combi and system boilers capable of meeting a wide variety of applications. The 32C model installed in this project offers an A-rated space heating efficiency of 94 percent under the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive. By adding Vokèra’s BeSMART internet-connected thermostat to the system with weather compensation enabled, the solution is rated an A+ heating package under ErP. As the OpenTherm protocol is embedded in the evolve range, BeSMART acts as a Class VI control, improving the heating system efficiency by 4 percent. This control solution also complies with the new Boiler Plus legislation that came into force in England in April 2018.

The boiler also provides a ‘comparative hot water efficiency’ of 77 percent under the UK Building Regulations’ Standard Assessment Procedure. It will condense in domestic hot water mode thanks to its next generation plate heat exchanger and provides class leading domestic hot water flow rates into the house.

Specifically designed to be quick and easy for installers to fit and service, the evolve helped Rice and his team complete this renovation project within just five days. With no available room for the boiler in the compact kitchen, they located the evolve in an adjacent space, with a right-hand side flue option. The boiler’s pre-fixing jig, complete with its built-in filling loop, saved important time in running and connecting new pipework and installation while integral frost protection made possible its location in an unheated space.

The REC10 liquid crystal display user interface saved set up and commissioning time. The full text menu-driven control helped Darren quickly navigate through evolve’s parameters and settings.

“This is the first time I’ve fitted an evolve unit and I was very impressed. It’s a well-designed, good-looking and extremely efficient boiler, even more so when you add the BeSMART control. Along with the other improvements, we’ve made to the system, the homeowner will save energy, enjoy better water flow rates from a pressurised system and there’s no risk of water leakage from the old tanks in the loft. BeSMART makes control of the system much easier too – even allowing remote control of the heating over Wi-Fi for extra convenience.”

The evolve also displays system pressure which can be monitored remotely via the BeSMART. As an added safety feature, the boiler incorporates a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor and alarm, which checks the level of CO and will shut off the boiler if excessive CO is emitted.

This installation is covered by a 10-year warranty available on evolve boilers when fitted with BeSMART and registered via the Vokèra Affinity loyalty and reward programme. More details on evolve and its accessories can be found here: http://www.vokera.co.uk/evolve/.

TESTING, QUALITY

Sep 19, 2018 | News & Events

High standards of quality and reliability are vital in the development and manufacture of today’s high efficiency boilers for commercial and domestic applications. Alister Maclachlan, Product Director at Vokèra by Riello, looks at the five key stages of quality testing in the journey from product concept through to market launch and beyond.

1. Research and development
Technology is constantly innovating and evolving all around us and the heating industry is no exception. As a result of significant investment in research and development by manufacturers, modern gas boilers are more reliable than they’ve ever been. Now accounting for around 80% of the domestic boiler market the combination boiler, for example, has come a long way since it was first launched in the UK over 30 years ago. The perceived vulnerabilities in earlier generations of this popular appliance were addressed through intense quality testing of individual components and overall design. And it is this commitment to optimum quality and reliability that has given manufacturers the confidence to offer much longer warranties on their products, which is great news for installers and their customers. For example, a free 10-year warranty is now available on selected Vokèra boilers installed with our BeSMART Wi-Fi enabled thermostat. This is a major advance in the boiler market, particularly when you think that the average life expectancy of a traditional gas boiler was generally considered to be between 12 and 15 years, subject to the appliance being well maintained and serviced annually.

2. Accelerated life testing
Introducing the innovation and style the market demands, without compromising quality and reliability, can be a challenge for boiler manufacturers. Needless to say, the solution to this comes back to testing and more testing. Every component is thoroughly tested under laboratory conditions before it can be considered for use in one of Vokèra’s new products or as an upgrade to an existing appliance. Typically, components will undergo MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) testing and accelerated life testing. MTBF is a method of testing large quantities of components for a specific period, let’s say 100 components for 1,000 hours, in order to calculate the failure rate over a longer period, for example, 1 million hours. Only when these tests have been completed to the R&D team’s satisfaction can a product progress to the next stage – extensive field trials. These trials are designed to see how the appliance performs in real-life conditions. Ideally, field trial boilers should be installed where they will be subjected to normal or even adverse operating conditions. Only when these trials have proved successful can the move to mass production be considered.

3. Batch testing
During assembly, further inspections are conducted and settings such as combustion readings are checked. After assembly each appliance is subjected to what is generally referred to as the ‘final test’. At Vokèra we also undertake batch testing at this stage, which means taking 2% of these appliances for stringent retesting lasting around two hours per appliance. An additional 0.5% of all appliances are then selected for further rigorous testing in our laboratory which takes a minimum of 12 hours per appliance. This ‘drill down’ quality test ensures that our ‘final test’ procedure is reliable and also acts as an early warning of any potential component batch issue.

This intense level of testing helps to ensure that ‘out-of-the-box’ reliability is consistently high. And we believe it is important to continue component testing to maintain, or even improve, product reliability in the field, particularly in the light of today’s longer warranties. Reporting systems enable our engineers to fast track any quality issue they encounter directly to the quality department via their PDA in real time. If required, corrective action can then be carried out quickly, minimising any potential impact or inconvenience to customers.

4. Lifetime reliability
Feedback from the field is invaluable for monitoring the inherent quality and reliability of products and individual components not only during an appliance’s warranty period but also throughout its lifetime. The Weibull or ‘bathtub’ curve is an established engineering model for plotting component reliability during a three-part timeline. This starts with a decreasing failure rate known as “early failures’, through to the relatively low failure rate of “normal or useful lifetime”, and thirdly the increasing failure rate at the “end-of-life” phase. Together, these three segments look like a bathtub with two steep edges and a flat bottom – hence the name. Indeed, we have used this model to identify key areas where action can be taken to extend product reliability periods.

5. Improvement strategies
Many modern manufacturing environments have adopted recognised techniques and tools to improve quality and productivity in all areas of the production process. Among these is Kaizen, a Japanese concept meaning ‘improvement’, which we have deployed in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Kaizen involves employees at all levels working together proactively to achieve regular, incremental improvements to the manufacturing process. It embodies positive strategies for productivity improvement, total quality culture and zero defects. The widely used ‘Just In Time’ practice is part of Kaizen and is proven to bring benefits to all types of process including shortened lead times and reduced inventory. In addition to Kaizen, Vokèra uses Six Sigma – first developed at Motorola in the 1980s as a method to improve process quality and reduce variability – the enemy in every aspect of business. By decreasing process variation companies can achieve defect reduction which, in turn, will lead to improvements in product quality, customer satisfaction, profits and employee morale.

When an appliance leaves the factory we don’t know who will install it, where it will be sited, or to what type of heating system it will be connected. With so many unknowns and variables, a commitment to upholding the quality and reliability of each and every product is paramount. Extensive testing before an appliance gets to market, and continuous performance monitoring when it does, helps to ensure a successful, and most importantly, safe installation every time.

BOILER MAINTENANCE

Aug 30, 2018 | News & Events

Getting a gas boiler inspected on an annual basis by a Gas Safe registered engineer is key to maintaining boiler efficiency, reliability and, most importantly, safety. But we often get asked what is the difference between a boiler ‘safety check’ and a ‘service’? Darren Payne, operations director at Vokèra by Riello, offers his thoughts on the differences.

When it comes to booking a boiler service we know that some consumers will be driven purely by price and choose the cheapest options available without fully understanding what will and won’t be covered during the engineer’s visit. However, not knowing the difference between a service and a safety check could prove to be a false economy and may even invalidate any manufacturer’s warranty. That’s why we always advise engineers to make the differences clear to their customers. Let’s start by looking at the basic checks to ensure the safety of the user and the appliance.

Safety check
First and foremost, always start by asking the customer whether they have had any issues since your last visit, as much can be gleamed in a five minute conversation with the customer before you put your toolbox down.

• Visual inspection of appliance and entire flue system to ensure there are no signs of distress and installed as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Flue gas analysis (room sealed boiler) to verify combustion characteristics; including but not limited to leaks within flue system and adequate supply of air for combustion.
• Check ventilation is adequate for appliance type and/or location.
• Gas rate check to ensure adequate fuel supply with inlet working pressure and burner pressure as necessary.
• If a sealed system, relieve pressure in the water circuit and check expansion vessel pressure is correctly charged.
• Refill a sealed system to the correct operating pressure and disconnect the filling loop or link. (Permanent connection to class one potable water without fitting a specialist valve can be subject to a fine).
• On an open vented system, locate the feed and expansion cistern to check the ball valve is operating correctly, that there is sufficient water in the cistern and that gaps between water level, overflow outlet and ball valve outlet are correct (these provide the expansion space and backflow prevention). Also ensure Open Vent Pipe is free to discharge back into the tank.
• Ensure the condensate outlet(s) from the flue or heat exchanger are clear, free running, with sufficient fall (Vokèra recommends at least 3°) and terminated correctly.
• Visually inspect the condensate trap, but preferably dismantle, clean, refill and complete an operational check.
• Remove combustion box or cover to inspect seals on internal automatic air vents and check for evidence of any leaks.
• If a sealed system, check any pressure relief devices for signs of leakage or malfunction.
• Check operation of all safety devices to ensure they are working as intended.

Annual service
In addition to these safety checks, manufacturer’s instructions may also include

• Removal of burner door / cover and physical cleaning of heat exchanger flueways, inspection of flame rectification probes, spark gap etc.
• If appliance has a separate secondary heat exchanger, remove access cover and clean inside.
• Inspect insulation panels / shields.
• Replace door seals as required by manufacturer when reassembling.
• Check dilution levels of inhibitor and top-up if deemed necessary.
• Bleed any vent points around the system.
• Record Service Intervention in Benchmark Log, typically located in back of manufactures instruction booklet.

Integrated service reminder
By adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions, the appliance can be maintained in good order and used safely. Additionally, most current Vokèra boilers include an integrated service reminder/timer based upon the boiler’s true condensing operation that will alert the user or engineer whether a full service is required (the boiler operates as normal but the display or status LEDs will remain illuminated to draw attention to the fact in a manner similar to that in a modern car).

Don’t wait until winter
And while we are on the subject of service reminders, It’s worth mentioning the benefits of encouraging homeowners to book a service before the winter, rather than leaving it until the cold weather starts to bite and then discovering their boiler isn’t working as well as it should. A summer service will uncover any technical faults that need fixing to be sure of a warm home come the winter

Simplifying servicing and repairs
Through the development of smart heating controls, such as Vokèra’s BeSMART, servicing is also becoming a much easier process for installers, homeowners and landlords. For example, when a compatible Vokèra boiler is connected to BeSMART, the intelligent control system will alert the homeowner if a fault is detected. And with permission from the customer, installers can also gain access to a protected technical menu of which offers them information and the ability to adjust parameters where necessary. This development makes some of the elements of servicing and repairs a far simpler, quicker and smoother process for all.

ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME WITH A NEW BOILER

Jul 31, 2018 | News & Events

Neil Mattock, marketing director at Vokèra by Riello, considers a recent study that reveals how installing a new boiler will net the biggest profits when it comes to selling a property.

When people are considering making renovations to their home the thought of adding value to the property can be an important factor. However, experts have found that while most improvements will increase the potential asking price, the added value is not always greater than what was spent in the first place. The insurance comparison website, GoCompare, teamed up with property expert Henry Pryor, to identify the upgrades that are really worth the money – and you may find the results surprising.

According to the experts, the most profitable home improvement is installing a new boiler for a cost of less than £2,000, which is estimated to add £8,000 in value, making a profit of £6,000. In contrast, the study found that updating kitchens and bathrooms is unlikely to add more value than the cost involved. For example, at an average cost of £7,000 a new kitchen will add £4,000 in value, while spending £4,250 on a new bathroom will add just £2,000.

Investing in a new boiler is clearly a good investment and homeowners can maximise that investment by choosing a boiler that combines industry-leading efficiency and ease of installation with a highly competitive product warranty. With all these requirements in mind, Vokèra’s evolve range of A-rated combi and system boilers feature a space heating efficiency of 94% under the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive. The majority of Vokèra’s domestic gas boilers also come pre-configured for load and/or weather compensation via the OpenTherm protocol, so also easily comply with the recent ‘Boiler Plus’ legislation.

On top of this, evolve comes with a 7 years out of the box warranty, which is upgraded to 10 years with a Vokèra BeSMART (Internet connected) thermostat installed and the installation registered via Vokèra Affinity installer loyalty and reward programme. Also, by including BeSMART, the system becomes an A+ heating package under ErP – adding even more value to the installation. As well as giving end-users more control of their heating from anywhere at any time via the dedicated App, BeSMART provides installers with access to a protected technical menu, enabling them to adjust the boiler parameters.

With energy prices always on the rise, improving the green credentials of a house to make it more energy efficient will make it more attractive to potential buyers. So perhaps it is not so surprising that fitting a new high efficiency boiler is rated among the best value home improvements that will deliver the benefits of warmth, comfort and long-term performance to a property’s current and future owners.

To find out more about this, and other relevant subjects take a look at Vokèra’s YouTube channel.