Simon Worsdall, commercial heating manager at JLA takes you through everything you need to know about boilers in a business setting.
A reliable boiler is key to your business
Boilers are an essential piece of equipment for any organisation. Nobody wants to be left without heating or hot water, and there are some businesses where boilers are critical to their operation.
Hotels, care homes, education providers and are prime examples of this. If a hotel is without hot water it will have to refund customers. If a school gets too cold then the children will have to be sent home, causing disruption for pupils and parents. Similarly, care homes need to remain at a steady minimum temperature to meet CQC regulations and make sure residents are not left feeling cold or uncomfortable.
Unlike residential properties, care homes will likely keep their heating on all day and even throughout the night. That’s why it’s so important that care facilities have an appropriate, reliable boiler.
Other businesses might use boilers as part of their product generation, for example in food production or manufacturing. In these cases, a boiler breakdown can lead to significant downtime which can be costly and let down customers.
How do I know which boiler is right for my business?
Choosing the right boiler option for your business can be challenging. There’s a host of factors to consider such as cost, size, and output requirements. But it’s a decision you really want to get right the first time. If an incorrect boiler is selected, it could greatly shorten the lifespan of the newly installed equipment.
Working with an expert from JLA can help you find the right boiler for your setting. Our team can advise on the different types of boilers and their features to make sure you get the right fit for you.
If the boiler is needed for production processes, such as generating heat for a large mechanical plant, you’ll need one that is capable of reaching higher temperatures. However, if you’re just using the boiler for heating your business environment, the temperature requirement could be much lower. If hot water is your priority, we’ll advise you on whether direct or indirect is best for your setting.
JLA can also offer advice on the right fuel source for your business’ boiler such as oil, gas LPG or electricity. We would also look at renewable technologies such as heat pumps or solar thermal, to see if they provide a potential fit for your business.
If your boiler is going to be used constantly or for extended periods, we’ll help you decide whether you’re better off with a commercial-grade boiler instead of one designed for a domestic application. We can also help you weigh up the initial costs of the equipment vs how many repairs you might have to pay for if it wasn’t fit for purpose.
At JLA, we’ll work with you to make sure you get the perfect boiler for your business. Our experts will help you figure out exactly what you need and how it fits into your budget.
How often should I get my boiler serviced?
There are many different types of legislation around water hygiene and boiler safety. Boiler manufacturers recommend getting your boiler serviced every 12 months, and in a commercial building employing staff, this is also a legal requirement. This annual inspection is also not just for boilers, but for the whole gas installation within the building.
Servicing a boiler must be done by a registered gas safety engineer. At JLA, we have experts who are qualified to carry out these checks, making sure your staff, guests, residents, pupils or visitors are not put at risk. We will also take care of the legal requirements, to minimise the risk of potential penalties.
JLA will be there for you throughout the whole process. From design, advice and consultation, to providing and installing the equipment, we’ll take care of the planning for you. We can also make sure all your compliance obligations are fulfilled, taking another task off your plate. We can also offer maintenance and servicing options to make sure your boiler isn’t at risk of breaking down.
When is the best time to start thinking about heating solutions?
The best time is right now! Make sure your boiler and gas appliance checks are up to date, making sure they’re fully functioning in time for winter. Get in touch with us today and we’ll begin design and planning consultations with you. In these consultations we can discuss any existing issues, allowing us to tailor the best solution for your business before we replace your current equipment. This process can take some time so it’s really important that you get things sorted as soon as possible.