P
when designing low energy homes I often consult a M&E engineer to confirm/ design heating systems. It really depends on what the set-up is. I find that getting a competent heating engineer that is willing to put in the time and willing to learn new technologies will cost a premium.I'm encouraged to hear that it is becoming more common, as it strikes me as being fairly sensible. I would be keen to get a properly designed system, but who would design it and how would I know it is fit for purpose?
IMO when you build a house it is wise to employ an architect. But who do you employ to design a bespoke heating system?
One thing I have noticed on the forum is that you rarely get consensus. Building regs and custom and practice often clash. People with a great deal of experience often can't agree. Doctors differ and patients die.
If I had a better understanding of the over-riding principles I would be more confident. Is there anywhere I can find information about, at the very least, what to avoid?
Just wondering, is there such a person as a heating engineer in this country and if so, where does one get such a qualification? I'm not sure is there such a qualification/engineering degree available in any Irish university/Insitiute of Technology.when designing low energy homes I often consult a M&E engineer to confirm/ design heating systems. It really depends on what the set-up is. I find that getting a competent heating engineer that is willing to put in the time and willing to learn new technologies will cost a premium.
sorry, my bad, i'll stick with the terminology that - plumbers (deal with water, sewerage & gas pipework) and Mechanical and electrical engineers (specify heating systems) and heating engineers (deals with specific heat units/appliance's and certified to install/ service)Just wondering, is there such a person as a heating engineer in this country and if so, where does one get such a qualification? I'm not sure is there such a qualification/engineering degree available in any Irish university/Insitiute of Technology.
I know that heating services/control comes under the many aspects of Building services engineeriing.
The architect has put solar tubes on the south facing hip of the cottage roof with the tank upstairs in the extension next to the main bathroom. Summer hot water sorted.
We want to cook with gas. Its a strong personal preference. So the architect suggests that a gas boiler for days when you don't want to light a stove or for a quick boost in the morning, or for when you are away etc. would be a useful addition.
The thing is, fossil fuel prices are only going one way so I don't want to be totally reliant on them. But the advantages of having gas or oil as a back up for space and water heating are significant. And as we want gas for cooking anyway.........When I look at it seems that I want to have my cake and eat it but I'd rather work this out now than have to revisit it when the job is done.
Is this overly complex? Maybe there is a better way? I have experience of dual systems not working well or efficiently becasue they have not been installed correctly.
Any observations would be welcome.
Just wondering, is there such a person as a heating engineer in this country and if so, where does one get such a qualification? I'm not sure is there such a qualification/engineering degree available in any Irish university/Insitiute of Technology.
I know that heating services/control comes under the many aspects of Building services engineeriing.
Make sure there is enough room for the amount of tubes/panel on this location. In my experience hip locations can be fairly tight and most can only fit 20 tubes. You must take account that Regs stipulate that panels must be a minimum of 500mm from any roof edge.
Have you Natural Gas or LPG? There will be a significant price difference in running costs.
Secondly, I would not like to combine a gas boiler directly with solid fuel. Gas boiler heat exchangers are far more restrictive than say an oil boiler's exchanger and therefore can lead to expensive repairs down the line. Solid fuel system waters will always be much sludgier than other systems as the heat is always uncontrollable, therefore pitching can sometimes occur when overheated. This will re-oxygenate the system in time and create a sludged system affecting the gas boiler.
You could install a buffer tank that would tie all the systems, for example, gas boiler into buffer directly and have the solid fuel through a coil or vica versa, keeing the solid fuel as an open vented system and the gas boiler & heating circuit as a pressurized system. The buffer would not have to be huge, enough to cope with the demand of the solid fuel boiler and it could be wired with a cylinder stat to switch on the pump to circulate from the buffer to the radiators indepently of the gas boiler. The gas boiler will of course be able to bring on this pump also through a relay to eliminate any back feeds.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?