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When it comes to managing a business, cutting costs is always on the agenda. However, there are some areas where saving in the short term can lead to much bigger expenses down the line. Neglecting regular heating system maintenance is one such area. While it might seem like an easy way to reduce overheads, the financial and operational risks of skipping routine checks can quickly spiral out of control.

Skyrocketing Energy Bills

A poorly maintained heating system works harder to achieve the same results, consuming more energy in the process. Dirt, debris, and wear can reduce efficiency, causing your energy bills to climb month by month. Regular maintenance ensures your system runs at optimal performance, keeping costs predictable and manageable.

Unexpected Repairs

Heating systems are complex, and small issues can snowball into significant problems if left unchecked. Without routine maintenance, components such as pumps, valves, and heat exchangers can fail unexpectedly. Emergency repairs not only cost more but can also cause severe disruption to your business operations.

System Downtime

Heating is critical to maintaining comfortable and safe working conditions for employees and customers alike. A sudden system failure during colder months could force a temporary closure, resulting in lost productivity, revenue, and customer trust. Scheduled maintenance minimises the risk of such downtime.

Reduced Equipment Lifespan

Heating systems represent a significant investment for any business. Skipping maintenance can lead to premature wear and tear, shortening the equipment’s lifespan. With regular checks, you’ll extend the system’s durability, delaying costly replacements.

Compliance and Safety Risks

Neglecting maintenance can lead to safety hazards such as gas leaks, carbon monoxide exposure, or fire risks. Additionally, businesses are often required by law to adhere to health and safety regulations, including routine checks on heating systems. Failing to comply can result in fines, legal issues, or reputational damage.

Impact on RHI Payments

For businesses participating in Government schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), annual servicing is more than just good practice—it’s essential to ensure continued payments. Ofgem requires strict adherence to servicing schedules. Failure to meet these requirements can result in payments being suspended or agreements being cancelled altogether.

Additionally, after a 10-year period, businesses must ensure that new heat meters are installed to remain compliant. Neglecting these obligations not only jeopardises financial benefits but could also lead to costly penalties and disruption.

Why Choose NRES for Heating Maintenance?

At NRES, we understand the importance of keeping your heating systems in peak condition. Our tailored maintenance services are designed to prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy waste, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. With our experienced team on hand, you can focus on running your business, knowing your heating system is in safe, reliable hands.

Don’t let neglect cost you more

Schedule your heating system maintenance with NRES today and protect your business from the hidden costs of skipping maintenance.

We’re always happy to discuss your energy requirements. Contact us on 07889 105050 to talk to us about your needs.

As the warmer months approach, businesses often shift their focus away from heating systems and boilers, with thoughts turning instead to sunny weather and outdoor activities. However, neglecting your commercial boiler during this time can lead to costly consequences when the colder weather returns. We understand the importance of proactive maintenance for commercial heating systems throughout the year, and here’s why servicing your boiler in summer is crucial for your business:

Ensuring Efficiency and Reliability

A commercial boiler is a significant investment for any business, providing essential heating and hot water services year-round. Regular servicing during the summer helps ensure that your boiler operates at peak efficiency when demand increases in the colder months. By addressing any potential issues early, such as leaks, faulty controls, or inefficient burner operation, you can prevent breakdowns and maintain reliable performance when it matters most.

Extending the Lifespan of Your Equipment

Just like any mechanical system, regular maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your commercial boiler. Components such as pumps, valves, and heat exchangers undergo wear and tear over time. Routine servicing allows our qualified engineers to inspect, clean, and lubricate these parts, reducing the likelihood of major repairs or premature replacements. This proactive approach not only saves money in the long term but also ensures uninterrupted operation during critical periods.

Compliance and Safety Standards

Business owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their commercial heating systems meet safety and regulatory standards. Regular servicing by a certified technician helps identify and rectify any safety issues promptly. This includes checking for gas leaks, ensuring proper ventilation, and verifying that the boiler operates within permissible emission limits. By staying compliant with regulations, you protect your employees, customers, and business premises from potential hazards.

Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency

A well-maintained boiler operates more efficiently, consuming less fuel to produce the same amount of heat. This translates into lower energy bills for your business. During a service visit, our engineers can fine-tune the boiler’s settings, clean heat exchanger surfaces, and inspect insulation—all of which contribute to improved energy efficiency. Investing in regular maintenance pays off in reduced operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint for your business.

Minimising Disruption to Business Operations

One of the key advantages of scheduling boiler servicing in summer is minimal disruption to daily business operations. With reduced heating demands, any maintenance or repairs can be completed without affecting comfort levels for employees, customers, or guests. Proactively managing your servicing schedule ensures that your heating system remains reliable and efficient throughout the year, providing peace of mind when you need it most.

Partnering with NRES for Your Servicing Needs

At NRES, we specialise in servicing and maintaining commercial heating systems across North East England and South East Scotland. Our team of experienced engineers is dedicated to keeping your business running smoothly by offering tailored maintenance solutions that align with your operational needs and budget.

Contact us today

Don’t wait until the colder weather arrives—schedule your commercial boiler service with NRES today. Our proactive approach ensures that your heating system remains efficient, reliable, and compliant with industry standards. Click here to book an appointment today. Let us help you maintain optimal comfort and efficiency for your business, all year round.

We’re always happy to discuss your energy requirements. Contact us on 07889 105050 to talk to us about your needs.

In the quest for a greener, more sustainable future, cities around the world are reimagining their energy infrastructure. One innovative solution gaining traction is the implementation of district energy systems. Nothing new here really the technology has been around for decades, however these systems represent a fundamental shift in how we produce and distribute energy, offering numerous benefits for communities and the environment.

What are District Energy Systems?

At their core, district systems are centralised networks that generate and distribute thermal energy and/or electricity to multiple buildings or facilities within a defined area. Unlike traditional decentralised energy systems, where each building operates its own heating system, district systems utilise shared infrastructure to serve entire communities.

How Do District Energy Systems Work?

These energy systems typically consist of one or all of three main components:

1. Energy Generation

Heat and/or electricity are generated centrally using a variety of sources, including natural gas, biomass, CHP as well as solar and wind power.

2. Distribution Network

Hot water, steam, or chilled water is circulated through a network of insulated pipes to deliver thermal energy or cooling to connected buildings. This eliminates the need for individual boilers or air conditioning units in each building, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

3. Energy Transfer Stations

Within each building, energy transfer stations transfer heat or cooling from the district network to the building’s internal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, providing comfort to occupants.

Benefits of District Systems

District systems offer a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits:

1. Energy Efficiency

By centralising energy production and eliminating the need for individual heating and cooling systems in each building, district systems achieve higher levels of energy efficiency compared to conventional approaches.

2. Reduced Emissions

The use of cleaner energy sources and improved efficiency contribute to lower carbon emissions and air pollution, helping communities combat climate change and improve air quality.

3. Cost Savings

Shared infrastructure and economies of scale often result in cost savings for both developers and end-users, making district energy systems an attractive option for urban development projects.

4. Resilience and Reliability

Centralised energy production and redundant infrastructure enhance resilience against disruptions, such as extreme weather events or equipment failures, ensuring a reliable energy supply for communities.

5. Flexibility and Integration

District systems can accommodate a variety of energy sources, including renewables like solar and wind power. Integration with emerging technologies, such as energy storage and demand response, further enhances flexibility and grid stability.

The Role of Solar PV in District Systems

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology holds significant potential for integration into district systems. By harnessing sunlight to generate electricity, solar PV complements traditional energy sources and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. When combined with energy storage solutions, such as batteries, solar PV can provide reliable and resilient power for district networks, especially during peak demand periods or grid outages.

Conclusion

District energy systems represent a smart, sustainable solution for meeting the energy needs of communities. By centralising energy production, improving efficiency, and integrating renewable energy sources like solar PV, these systems offer a path towards a cleaner, greener future. As communities continue to grow and evolve, embracing district systems will be crucial in building resilient, sustainable communities for generations to come.

Contact us

Ready to embrace the future of energy? Contact us on 07889 105050 to explore the possibilities of district systems and join the movement towards a more sustainable world.

When to service your commercial heating system

When’s the right time to think about servicing your business’s heating system in tip-top condition? When we’re heading into the autumn? When we’re on the brink of winter? When you’re ready to turn the heating system on for the first time in months?

While the best time to service your commercial heating system is actually during the spring or summer months, it’s vital that it is professionally serviced before the winter. In the same way that an athlete will warm up before an event to reduce the risk of injury, a heating system needs to be serviced annually to ensure it runs at its optimum level.

Typically, the heating isn’t used during spring and summer and so when you flick the switch for the first time in the cooler months, there’s a strong possibility that it won’t function as efficiently as it could if it hasn’t been serviced or maintained.

Servicing of heat pumps, Biomass, CHP, gas and electrical solutions can help generate greater savings by maintaining their efficiency. As standard, our annual servicing plan includes:

• Full inspection of components
• Settings & reports check
• Brine testing
• Expansion vessel check
• Filter clean
• Pipe insulation check
• DHW check
• Sentinel inhibitor top-up
• Sensor calibration
• Outdoor fan unit clean

We can help ensure your heating system runs well this winter. It might even prevent your team from Googling what the legal minimum working temperature is – for info, guidance suggests 16°C as the minimum!

Contact us

Is it time to service your heating system? We can help.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to find out more about our servicing and maintenance servicing, or to book your appointment.

What is a solar carport?

A solar carport is a steel structure that provides shelter for vehicles at the same time as generating clean renewable energy from the sun. The energy generated can be used in place of, or in conjunction with, traditional energy used onsite. There is an option to add electric vehicle (EV) charge points so that any EVs can be charged whilst they are parked.

Solar carports can be installed as complete units in their own right, or by installing a roof-mounted solar PV system onto an existing roof space.

Are solar carports aesthetically pleasing?

As you would expect with any solar PV system, the carport would need to be positioned to ensure it receives the strongest sunlight. The great thing about solar carports is that they can be designed to fit into the natural surroundings of your business.

A solar carport’s added benefit is that it creates a great parking experience by protecting your staff, visitors and their vehicles from the elements, while generating green energy.

So as well as being functional, yes, they can be aesthetically pleasing!

A managed solution

When managing the installation of a solar carport, we will manage the project from start to finish. This will include the planning, foundation works, and construction, through to the installation of the PV components and connection to the grid.

As solar carports grow in their popularity, the technology behind it improves. Today, a solar carport is a turnkey construction, making it a fast solution to design and install.

Typically, we also carry out the servicing and maintenance of your solar carport to ensure it continues to run as it should.

Make a sustainability statement

If you’re considering investing in a solar carport, you can choose from a dual parking space right through to an entire commercial carpark. Obviously, the size you choose will impact the financial outlay and associated solar return on investment; the bigger the carport, the greater the investment, but the greater the sustainable rewards.

Regardless of the option you decide is best for your company and/or budget, you will still visibly make a sustainability statement which can help improve corporate reputation.

What is the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)?

The good news is that eligible businesses can apply for support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge points through the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).

The WCS is run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the DVLA. Businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply for the voucher-based scheme so long as the system is installed by an OLEV-approved installer.

There is a separate grant for state-funded education institutions to provide support towards the costs of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints. Read more about it here.

Contact us

If you’re considering installing a solar carport and want to discuss it further, we would be happy to advise you.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to talk about your commercial solar carport needs.

As with any energy solution, whether it’s run by fossil fuels or sustainable energy, it is important to ensure it’s regularly serviced – ideally, every 12 months. By servicing your commercial gas boiler regularly ensure it continues to run efficiently and cost-effectively. An unserviced gas boiler can quickly under-perform and, as a result, cost more in breakdown repairs than a service would have cost. Servicing of a commercial gas boiler is also essential for insurance purposes.

Maintaining your gas boiler

A gas boiler service must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will inspect and clean all of the parts inside the boiler, such as the pipework and seals which will also be examined for leaks. In addition, the pressure will be checked and the boiler flue will be fully inspected to ensure it is safe.

Typically, the service will also include inspections of the burner and heat exchanger. These will be cleaned to remove any dirt generated from the gas burning process. The expansion vessel will also be tested to ensure is has the correct pressure in the system.

While the annual servicing of a residential gas boiler is highly recommended, it is a legal requirement for businesses. An insurance policy can become null and void if a servicing is missed or late; ignorance is not an accepted excuse.

Gas certification

For businesses with gas appliances in commercial kitchens, an annual Gas Certificate is also required, for insurance purposes. As part of this servicing work, the ventilation and extraction systems are checked to ensure they continue to work effectively and safely.

Renewable energy alternatives to gas boilers

If you are considering moving away from your commercial gas boiler to something which is more sustainable, there are a few options to consider:

Biomass

Commercial biomass heating is an efficient way of heating an area and/or hot water, and is typically a great alternative to a gas boiler. It can significantly reduce your environmental impact with lower C02 emissions through its use of carbon-neutral wood pellets. In addition, biomass heating delivers fuel cost savings of between 50% to 80% compared with fossil fuels.

CHP Systems

Our Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems are bespoke solutions ideal for businesses with high electricity and hot water demand, such as hotels, spas, swimming pools as well as the hot water processes such as cleaning of food-use tankers and equipment. A highly efficient technology, CHP units can reach efficiency ratings in excess of 80%.

Air Source Heat Pump

An air source heat pump (ASHP) transfers heat absorbed from the outside air to an indoor space. It works via the wet central heating systems to heat radiators and provide hot water. A heat pump system can provide all the heat your business needs while running at much lower temperatures than a gas boiler, thereby reducing your energy bills.

Contact us

Our technicians are Gas Safe Registered Engineers, as well as HETAS approved technicians. This means we can provide the servicing and maintenance of commercial gas boilers as well as renewable energy solutions, such as CHP systems, across the North East of England and the Central Belt of Scotland.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to book your gas boiler service.