The colder months often inspire many Kent business owners to upgrade their commercial heating units and systems. This isn’t a decision to take lightly, however, as this is invariably a large change that requires careful consideration.
When it comes to upgrading your current heating system, it’s important to bear a few essential factors in mind before making the inevitable switch. Ultimately, the quicker and safer any renovation work is, the less disruptive it is to businesses, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid looking at your existing heating system.
Assessing your current heating needs
Business owners with commercial premises in Kent should regularly assess whether their current system is up to snuff. You may find that your existing system doesn’t offer the energy efficiency or cost savings that you need, but depending on the available fuel and power sources in your area, a complete technological overhaul may be out of the question. Therefore, your upgrade choices may be limited.
However, as a guide, you can get a sense of your available heating upgrade options by asking yourself the following questions:
- Does it reliably supply enough heat and hot water for your needs?
- Is your current system struggling to keep up with demand?
- Is it energy efficient or wasting money through heat loss and high gas or electricity bills?
- Is boiler maintenance and repair disruptive and costly due to an ageing and dysfunctional system?
Ultimately, the money you save on regular boiler repairs and higher costs may be recouped in the long-term investment of an alternative, eco-friendly heating solution like solar panels or heat pumps. Alternatively, commercial or agricultural sites with established oil-based heating solutions, and retrofitted, durable steel oil tanks on-site, may have to jump through additional, costlier hoops to find a gas-powered alternative.
Examining the performance and reliability of your current system over an extended period will allow you to make an informed decision about where improvements can be made.
Why upgrade your commercial heating?
Upgrading an ageing or insufficient commercial heating unit can provide many attractive benefits:
Lower energy bills
Newer, energy-rated systems can drastically cut monthly energy costs with the help of improved heat retention and more conservative use of energy in heating and hot water. Programmable heating controls like thermostats and smart sensors also give building owners more oversight into preserving more energy and wasting less. With energy prices soaring in recent years, savings made on bills can be invaluable.
Greater reliability
Modern heating systems are often more reliable and durable thanks to more resilient parts, components, and fixings. Many units are manufactured to be weatherproof and resistant to power cuts or water supply disruptions, often using the Internet as a backdrop for smart monitoring. An upgrade to a less volatile system will result in fewer outages and minimal costly downtime, as well as fewer system malfunctions and breakdowns.
Improved comfort and usability
With the help of smart heating systems, building owners can implement zone temperature control to suit comfort levels based on occupancy and foot traffic. They can programme heating systems to offer better temperature regulation based on external conditions too, all with the help of a single application programmable via a smartphone.
Enhanced environmental sustainability
Many businesses are conscious about hitting net zero targets and making environmentally friendlier switches. Renewable systems like heat pumps (ground or air source), solar panels, or biomass boilers offer businesses an easier route to comply with tight, stringent environmental regulations, particularly in low-emission zones. There is a business and branding benefit to this, as more consumers are prioritising sustainability in their choices.
Commercial heating costs and funding
Upgrading a large commercial heating system is a significant investment, and costs are hard to predict. They will largely be influenced by the age, type, and model of the existing system, and the building requirements, with extra costs likely if new radiators, pipework, insulation, and others are needed. However, it’s fair to say that the upfront costs associated with an upgrade will be worth it, with investments likely to recoup in a matter of years through lower heating bills and operational or maintenance savings.
Luckily, business owners are eligible for government-backed financial incentives to help them front the costs of installing eco-friendly heating systems. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) (formerly the Clean Heat Grant) provides upfront capital grants to support the installation of heat pumps or biomass boilers in non-domestic buildings. Similarly, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 Scheme is a grant umbrella scheme that offers grants for efficiency measures, particularly for premises experiencing fuel poverty.
Please note that the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI) closed to new applicants on the 31st of March 2021, so this is no longer an option for those not already on the scheme.
It’s worth checking your eligibility criteria for government schemes well in advance of getting quotes for upgrading works. While options for commercial upgrades seem sparse, consulting with resources like UK Energy Support or Ofgem will go a long way.
Investing in a robust commercial heating upgrade can pay long-term dividends for your business, without coming at a cost to working conditions. The immediate overheads will be worth the environmental improvements, energy bill savings, and greater control you’ll receive with a proactive upgrade.