Boilers are at the very heart of a heating system which is why the correct specification is so important. In recent years, technology and innovation has led to significant changes in boilers as the focus moves to towards eco-friendly and energy efficient products. Jonathan Kidner, Product Engineer at Alpha Heating Innovation, provides insight into boiler specification and why the ability to understand a customer’s needs will go a long way when it comes to the selection of the most appropriate heating systems.

Installers should consider the size of the boiler and its output as it makes no sense choosing a boiler with insufficient kW output to cope with the heating and hot water requirements of a family home. Under-specifying will lead to the boiler being unable to match the demands of the household; but be careful not to over-specify either, as this will waste energy and make the boiler less efficient.

With heating accounting for approximately 55% of the total spend on energy bills each year according to the Energy Saving Trust, the energy efficiency of a boiler is a key consideration for any customer. There are plenty of low carbon options in the marketplace, but instead of a radical overhaul of a traditional heating system, products such as Alpha’s GasSaver, FlowSmart and SolarSmart maximise domestic heating and hot water system performance to achieve significantly improved energy efficiency and carbon emissions levels. In addition, smart thermostat controls can make it easier than ever for homeowners to control their heating from anywhere using a smart device. It means a home can be monitored 24/7 and only heated when needed, saving energy and money in the long run.

Warranties

While a standard one-year warranty is a given with all boilers and can often be extended, many leading manufacturers are now offering extended warranties of up to 10 years on premium boiler models. Similar to an insurance policy, it’s important to read the terms and conditions of a warranty. A yearly service is a requirement of a warranty and will keep a boiler in good repair, so that in the event of an internal fault, the customer will be protected and will have any problems rectified in a timely and satisfactory manner.

Technical support is often much under-valued and is a service which goes beyond answering the phone to queries and complaints. Most manufacturers offer pre-sales and aftersales support, including on-site support for those tricky installations. They can also provide the most up-to-date information regarding new products, legislation and general design/installation advice. It’s why Alpha Heating Innovation places so much value on the technical support it provides boiler installers and their customers. 

Lastly, always encourage your customer to register their boiler once it has been installed, so it is traceable. It will reflect badly on the installer and the company if the homeowner rings to inform their boiler isn’t working and the manufacturer has no record of it.

For more information on Alpha Heating Innovation and its range of condensing boilers, visit: www.alpha-innovation.co.uk