The principles of Heating Systems are simple and are often made over complicated when they being explained to a non-technical person.  At Rigbys we will always simplify and explain system functions in a manner that is understandable to everyone (not just people within the heating industry!).

Heating System Design has many factors that must be considered, the most important one being the customer and their individual needs – both now and in the future.  We take the time to understand as much about the people as their property to ensure that the system design being proposed is:

• Cost Effective and Fuel Efficient
• Easy to use and Maintain

On this page you will find some basic information about heating systems and the type of information needed to help select an appropriate, efficent system.

Choosing a Heating System 

There are many things to consider before choosing a central heating system for your home, office, school or factory.

One of the most common mistakes people make when choosing as system is opting for the cheapest option and ending up with a system that is either costly to run or does not meet their needs.

At design stage one of the most important things to consider is the efficiency of the system, this can only be achieved by doing a full survey of the property and making a detailed list including:

• The number of rooms and their sizes
• Ceiling heights
• The number of outside walls for each room
• The construction materials of walls and floors
• The level of insulation of walls and loft areas
• Size and number of windows
• Ventilation and extract requirements
• The required temperature of each area to be heated and the use of each area.

Other considerations include who will be using the property and how user friendly the system must be to cater for each individual.

Combination Boilers 

Over the past 20 years combination boilers have become very popular as they are compact and supply hot water and heating from one unit. 

There is also no need for tanks or hot water cylinders which can save valuable space in samll premises. Combination Boilers do not store hot water, instead they heat it as you require it, saving on cost of heating water only for it to cool down whist being stored.

The heating side of Combination Boilers is normally in the form of a sealed system (although some models can be installed on an open vented system incorporating a header tank and vent).  At Rigbys, wherever possible, we try to install a sealed system as they are less prone to problems with air and circulation.  In addition, pipe sizes can also be reduced resulting in a  saving on installation costs.

Combination Boilers have many benefits, but in many properties they are not suitable and alternative systems should be used.

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System Boilers and Storage Tanks

Generally larger premises (e.g. multi-story homes, schools, office blocks or hotels) with a large demand for Hot Water and Heating may require a system designed for its paticular use.

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Condensing Boilers

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Technical Requirements 

When we undertake the technical design a system there are a lot of underlying technical requirements that work out based on the customers needs.  For example:

• Correct pipe sizing
• Boiler output rates
• Flue sizing
• Pump sizes
• Required Flowrates for Hold and Cold water
• Zone control
• Safety devices and system controls (including timers, zone management and temperature sensing)

As well as these, there may be a requirement for special heating solutions, for example, in schools we consider areas where children are present and recommend Low Surface Temperature Radiators to reduce the chance of injury.

Everything is designed to provide the customer with a safe and economical system designed specifically for their needs.

Energy Efficiency

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