FEATURE
DOMESTIC BOILERS
& RENEWABLES
“The adoption of innovative unvented
water heaters can provide the answer
to both upgrading existing stock and
improving the quality of future homes”
Is unvented the future
for social housing?
Stuart Doggrell, water heating general manager at Fabdec,
discusses how innovation in water heating can power
efficiencies and sustainability for housing associations and help
them improve standards for residents.
Housing associations and local
authorities are facing a major
challenge – maintaining a
consistent stream of homes while
guaranteeing quality in both new-build
and existing stock.
Following the announcement of the
government’s social housing green paper,
this emphasis on quality has come into
sharp focus. Former housing minister
Dominic Raab stated the green paper
would aim to “strengthen the role of the
regulator” and “empower residents as
consumers and give them the voice and
ability to hold landlords to account”.
Those comments echo the sentiments
contained within the recent Building
Homes, Building Trust report into social
housing which called for social landlords to
improve their service standards.
With political pressure increasing, as
continuous attempts to tackle Britain’s
long-standing housing crisis falter,
there exists an opportunity for housing
associations to innovate and bring existing
stock up to the high standards set by newbuild
developments.
RENOVATE AND RETROFIT
When revitalising existing housing
stock, or ensuring quality in new-build
developments, authorities should
look to leverage the benefits provided
by technological
developments in
unvented water heating
technology.
This can help drive
energy efficiency and
create more sustainable
housing, with lower
long-term costs, that
provides tenants with a
more reliable service.
Technology in
this area has been
through three major
evolutions, beginning with tanks that
require an expansion vessel, through to the
introduction of floating baffles, and finally
the use of the innovative Venturi effect.
Taking full advantage of the Venturi
effect negates the need for floating baffles
and expansion vessels. It does this by using
the reduction in pressure that results when
a fluid flows through a constricted section
of pipe with no discernible restriction to
the volume of water flowing through.
In the process, a fluid’s velocity must
increase as it passes through a constriction
(volumetric flow remains constant) while
its static pressure decreases. Any gain in
kinetic energy a fluid may accrue due to its
increased velocity through a constriction is
balanced by a drop-in pressure.
This results in the mixing of liquid with
air – or more specifically the induction of
air bubbles into the water. It is this process
that makes the patented 3S technology
(Self-Sustaining System) unique, with the
system now able to maintain an internal
air gap as hot water is drawn off further
upstream in typical usage. As it replenishes
the internal expansion device permanently,
there is no need for recharging or regular
servicing.
It’s this enhanced reliability and lower
reliance on repair work that makes the 3S
technology and the unvented option ideal
for housing associations and residents
of their developments, whether that be
through retrofitting existing stock or
new-builds.
The minimal number of moving parts
in the system means that residents and
landlords need not worry about disruptive
servicing and repair work, as the tank
is able to deliver high performance
consistently on a long-term basis.
It is a futureproof option that can
remove the stress and interruption caused
by management teams accessing properties
to carry out necessary repairs.
Minimising disruption in this way can
help housing associations and social
landlords improve the service they offer
to their tenants – who in turn have to deal
with fewer potential problems within their
property and the associated interruption to
their daily routines.
EFFICIENCY BENEFITS
There are further efficiency benefits for
housing associations and social landlords
too – with more reliable solutions allowing
them to streamline their maintenance
schedules.
In addition to delivering the high-water
pressure required for high rise blocks, and
lower costs and down-time necessitated by
repair work, 3S technology allows water
heaters to be contained in streamlined
space-saving housing. This means that in
smaller developments installers can safely
and reliably install units quickly, while
allowing for greater living space for those
that will eventually occupy the housing.
As we look forward, it’s clear that the
spotlight will shine on housing associations
upon the release of the social housing
green paper and the government’s pledge
to contribute an additional £2 billion
to this area, as they look to improve
standards.
As housing associations respond, the
adoption of innovative unvented water
heaters can provide the answer to both
upgrading existing stock and
improving the quality of future
homes.
Their use is an important
consideration for any social
landlord looking to improve
sustainability and tenant service
standards as part of a costeffective
strategy that embraces a
sustainable future.
ENQUIRY NUMBER 118
An unvented hot water cylinder with internal floating
baffle within installation schematic
48 Heating & Plumbing Monthly | OCTOBER 2018 | www.hpmmag.com
/www.hpmmag.com
