Changing heating needs – out with gas boilers, in with biomass?

High energy prices continue to be a big concern for businesses across the country. Increased demand coupled with the conflict in Ukraine saw wholesale gas prices soar meaning many are considering their heating needs.

Costs and climate concerns mean that it seems that gas is going the way of coal, to be replaced by more economical and environmentally positive alternatives.

Businesses therefore may be considering how they can switch to cheaper, greener heating systems. At Precision FM, we are proactive in guiding our clients toward an informed choice that saves cash and the planet.

Here are the main alternatives we think will likely replace gas for businesses; together with their benefits and drawbacks.

Electric

No internal combustion of fuel is required for an electric boiler because it uses electricity as fuel. Since there is no outside fuel brought into the system that could accidentally leak or combust, electric boilers are safer and less likely to break down than gas units.

However, electric boilers are not recommended for commercial use because of the limited amount of hot water they can produce.

Another disadvantage of electric boilers is that they are conventionally more expensive than the gas alternative. Yes, gas is no longer as cheap as it once was, but electricity remains the most costly.

Air source heat pumps

Contained in a box about the size of a household fridge, air source heat pumps draw heat from the outside air and use that abundant resource to heat water.

Air source heat pumps are quick and easy to install and might best suit companies that already have underfloor heating. They have a long service life and don’t require much maintenance compared to electric and gas systems.

Unfortunately, the initial purchase price is likely the greatest drawback of the air-source heat system. Since it’s a newer form of heating system, there are also fewer technicians trained who can install them, and that shortage in labour is reflected in the installation price.

Ground source heat pumps

The deeper you travel into the earth, the hotter it gets. No surprise, then, that someone had the idea of conveying that heat to the surface to keep us warm.

A system of pipes is installed underground, through which a refrigerant liquid collects heat. This fluid then returns to the heating system, which is heated further before being distributed to your radiators.

As with the air pump system, the high installation costs for ground pumps will most likely put many companies off. The system’s efficiency can also be compromised somewhat if the soil type around your factory or office is less insulative.

Biomass

Biomass systems are a cross between traditional boiler designs and renewable heating solutions. They operate like conventional boilers using fuel, but rather than running on fossil fuels, they incinerate biomass – organic matter derived from plant life.

There are two types of biomass boilers: manual and automatic. If you decide on a manual one, you must load it with fuel as required. Automatic boilers save on this chore but also occupy more room.

However, biomass boilers need a lot of servicing in comparison to any other form of boiler.

What does it all boil down to?

As an FM business, our long-term aim is always to look for ways we can save our clients’ money. When it comes to replacing an asset like a boiler or heating system, our insight into how that asset is performing can help us to advise our customers on alternative solutions.

Richard Theobald, Operations Director at Precision FM explains: “We would often set up a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedule with our customers in order to ensure we can monitor a variety of assets, including boilers.

“While it might be popular to consider switching to alternative heating sources, the cost of making a switch can be high and so with regular maintenance, we can ensure that customers maximise their current assets.

“Through a PPM schedule, we can help make informed decisions on how best to use capital expenditure and even suggest other ways to improve the efficiency of a building rather than the costly upheaval of changing a heating system.

“By developing partnerships with our customers we can help advise them on the best FM solutions for their building, whether that be in relation to heating systems or ways that they can be more sustainable.”

If you’re looking for a facilitates management company to help you switch to an alternative heating system or would like to discuss how a PPM schedule could help your business, contact us today for a no-obligation chat on 0116 366 6508 or info@precisionfm.co.uk