CHP

Maximise energy efficiency and performance with our advanced CHP (Combined Heat and Power) solutions.

Maximising Efficiency with CHP:

The Importance of Planned Maintenance

The pressure is on for the building services industry to support businesses and organisations in identifying cost-effective solutions that will lessen their building’s environmental impact and operational costs. Reducing energy consumption makes perfect business sense, lowering energy costs while improving the comfort levels in buildings, for increased occupant wellbeing and productivity.
 Heat is the largest single-end user of energy in a building, making it a natural target for improvement measures. As the government highlighted in its Clean Growth Strategy, reducing waste from heating is also essential if the UK is to achieve its steep carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050. It recommends nurturing “low carbon technologies…that are as cheap as possible” – low carbon technologies like combined heat and power (CHP).
 A core component of heat network schemes, CHP also offers compelling financial, environmental and strategic advantages as a standalone heating system in buildings with a high, constant heat demand. As such, a well-maintained CHP system is set to play an increasingly important role in the years of change ahead.

Energy and security

CHP generates heat and power in a single process at the point of use. Unlike traditional power stations which reject ‘waste’ heat to atmosphere, with CHP the heat is recovered onsite and used for space heating, domestic hot water or heating swimming pools. In this way, a low carbon CHP system is around 30% more efficient than using traditional heating plant and electricity supplied solely from the grid.
And by generating electricity on site, CHP can produce electricity at lower gas prices. All of which adds up to significant financial savings and improved energy security for businesses, particularly during the triad periods when grid power demand surges.
Of course, CHP will not be the right solution in every building. But in buildings with a high and constant requirement for high grade heat and power, CHP is a cost-effective tool to long-term economic and carbon savings and increased energy security. Residential care homes, student accommodation blocks, leisure centres with heated swimming pools, and schools and universities with extended hours are all examples of sites that will benefit from CHP.

Planning ahead

It’s impossible to discuss CHP without emphasizing the importance of accurate sizing to ensure maximum performance and benefits. When correctly sized, a continuously running CHP unit can generate low-cost, low-carbon electricity as a by-product of producing base load heating. The hydraulic design is equally crucial, as CHP systems operate more efficiently at lower system return temperatures. Connecting the CHP return to the lowest available temperature maximizes running hours and economic benefits. These design factors must be considered early in the project, especially since 80% of a building’s lifetime costs occur during the operational phase—making it essential to plan for future maintenance from the outset.

All heating equipment, including CHP systems, benefits from regular maintenance to ensure efficiency and reliability. Quality suppliers offer various service levels, with inspections typically scheduled every 6,000 operating hours for a 20kWe unit. These services include checking and replacing key components, analysing engine oil and water quality, and preventing costly breakdowns. When investing in CHP, choosing units with system separation—often achieved via an integrated plate heat exchanger—can help protect the system from debris and contamination, extending its lifespan.