The existing boilers at Balerno High School had come to the end of their useful life and being non-condensing were not in keeping with modern heating systems. The designers also noted that with a swimming pool to heat and a significant electrical load there was sufficient scope to install a CHP unit. On doing the calculations based on half hourly consumption of gas and electricity use it was predicted that fitting a CHP unit would provide significant cost savings of around 18-20%. Providing a 5.5 year pay back. 

A 6 week programme carried out during the summer season meant no heating demand however we had to maintain constant domestic hot water and keep the pool warm throughout the project. To minimise the cost of hire equipment we utilised one of our own electric temporary boilers which we linked up to the existing system. This had the advantage of no flue, gas or oil connection requirements and allowed use to install it as close to the hot water cylinder as possible to reduce heat loss.

Viessmann were selected as the supplier of choice for this installation and 3 Vitocrossall 200 boilers and a Vitobloc 140kW have been installed. Most of the existing pipework, pumps and electrics associated with the heating system were replaced as part of our package of works. Keeping the project on budget we carried out the majority of the welding off site, this also reduced the quantity of on site hot works.