Transitioning from a fossil fuel system such as individual gas boilers or a gas boiler supplied heat network to a low carbon heat networks requires the consideration of many factors. Poorly thought-out low carbon heating installations in existing buildings can lead to high capital costs and high heat costs for residents, that should not be the case. To avoid these issues, FairHeat conducts options appraisals of potential central heat generation technologies. Using experience from our new build team and utilising extensive data sets, peak load and hourly load modelling is undertaken to ensure that the systems are optimised and not oversized. The appraisal also includes an assessment of the capital and operational costs and any potential risks associated with the proposed options.
With the phase out of gas boilers, alternative low carbon heating systems will become more attractive in existing buildings. In some situations, the optimum approach from a cost and resident experience perspective will be to retrofit a low-carbon heat network into an existing building. Due to safety concerns, this is a particularly attractive approach in existing high-rise developments with individual gas boilers in each dwelling. FairHeat works with clients with existing systems that could convert to low carbon heat networks by undertaking site audits, Stage 3 “Plus” design drawings with equipment and pipe sizing, M&E specifications, design risk assessments, and overall project management.
There are many existing heat networks that require replacement of plant, equipment, and pipework due to the age and poor performance of the system. For these networks, a like for like replacement will result in a missed opportunity to improve the performance and operational costs for customers and allow for the decarbonisation of the heating supply. FairHeat works with heat network operators with end-of-life networks and can undertake site audits, Stage 3 “Plus” design drawings with equipment and pipe sizing, M&E specifications, design risk assessments, and overall project management.
FairHeat works with clients to ensure that the right contractor with correct expertise is appointed to carry out work on retrofit heat network projects. This support can be through the development of tender documentation, reviewing the technical and financial responses to tenders and interviewing potential contractors during the tender process.
Developers can face issues with Installed equipment not meeting specification and identify where there has been poor workmanship, this could significantly impact performance and/or equipment lifetime. Additionally, developers can experience substantial issues with poor commissioning activities on heat network systems. These issues will lead to sub-optimal outcomes with respect to water quality, equipment operation and reliability of heat supply.
FairHeat engage with clients to avoid these issues by:
Reviewing progress of the installation against specification on site to ensure that any issues are picked up early, with a consequent minimisation of impact on performance and/or program.
Reviewing progression of the mechanical installation on site an appropriate set of intervals, with site support, witnessing and site visit reports to detail the outcomes and actions required after each site visit.
Monitoring the commissioning activities for the plantroom with the aim being to ensure that systems are properly commissioned, with correct operating conditions (e.g., water quality) at the point of handover and completion of the works.
Reviewing commissioning documentation for key equipment and water test results.
Witnessing equipment and BMS commissioning (e.g. boilers and BMS points)
Witnessing the final performance test of plant room equipment via load test
Reviewing handover / O&M documentation with summary note, outlining any issues identified and the updates required
Transitioning from a fossil fuel system such as individual gas boilers or a gas boiler supplied heat network to a low carbon heat networks requires the consideration of many factors. Poorly thought-out low carbon heating installations in existing buildings can lead to high capital costs and high heat costs for residents, that should not be the case. To avoid these issues, FairHeat conducts options appraisals of potential central heat generation technologies. Using experience from our new build team and utilising extensive data sets, peak load and hourly load modelling is undertaken to ensure that the systems are optimised and not oversized. The appraisal also includes an assessment of the capital and operational costs and any potential risks associated with the proposed options.
With the phase out of gas boilers, alternative low carbon heating systems will become more attractive in existing buildings. In some situations, the optimum approach from a cost and resident experience perspective will be to retrofit a low-carbon heat network into an existing building. Due to safety concerns, this is a particularly attractive approach in existing high-rise developments with individual gas boilers in each dwelling. FairHeat works with clients with existing systems that could convert to low carbon heat networks by undertaking site audits, Stage 3 “Plus” design drawings with equipment and pipe sizing, M&E specifications, design risk assessments, and overall project management.
There are many existing heat networks that require replacement of plant, equipment, and pipework due to the age and poor performance of the system. For these networks, a like for like replacement will result in a missed opportunity to improve the performance and operational costs for customers and allow for the decarbonisation of the heating supply. FairHeat works with heat network operators with end-of-life networks and can undertake site audits, Stage 3 “Plus” design drawings with equipment and pipe sizing, M&E specifications, design risk assessments, and overall project management.
FairHeat works with clients to ensure that the right contractor with correct expertise is appointed to carry out work on retrofit heat network projects. This support can be through the development of tender documentation, reviewing the technical and financial responses to tenders and interviewing potential contractors during the tender process.
Developers can face issues with Installed equipment not meeting specification and identify where there has been poor workmanship, this could significantly impact performance and/or equipment lifetime. Additionally, developers can experience substantial issues with poor commissioning activities on heat network systems. These issues will lead to sub-optimal outcomes with respect to water quality, equipment operation and reliability of heat supply.
FairHeat engage with clients to avoid these issues by:
Reviewing progress of the installation against specification on site to ensure that any issues are picked up early, with a consequent minimisation of impact on performance and/or program.
Reviewing progression of the mechanical installation on site an appropriate set of intervals, with site support, witnessing and site visit reports to detail the outcomes and actions required after each site visit.
Monitoring the commissioning activities for the plantroom with the aim being to ensure that systems are properly commissioned, with correct operating conditions (e.g., water quality) at the point of handover and completion of the works.
Reviewing commissioning documentation for key equipment and water test results.
Witnessing equipment and BMS commissioning (e.g. boilers and BMS points)
Witnessing the final performance test of plant room equipment via load test
Reviewing handover / O&M documentation with summary note, outlining any issues identified and the updates required
