Introduction

I have never been interested in warm air heating systems and thus have deliberately avoided the opportunities that were offered from time to time. I had not intended renewing that element on ACS but I now have a customer with upwards of 25 systems on one site, requiring maintenance and Landlord’s Gas Safety Checks. In time inevitably replacement and upgrade.

Be honest, how many do not touch certain types of product because they do not fully understand the nuances ? I unashamedly fall into that category. Not only do I prefer Manufacturer’s Instructions, I prefer Manufacturers understanding and history of development: There has been a long history and certainly an explosion of development at Johnson and Starley.

One Product Type, One Name

I have always been aware there was more than one manufacturer of warm air heating which can be disconcerting if product training is undertaken, only to discover your first few assignments relate to products originally manufactured by others. Do not be put off as any unit likely to be found in the UK has been adopted by J & S and taken into the family. They even supply a detailed list of all known existing heaters with full details of suggested replacements or upgrades.

That is the huge incentive for me to become involved in this niche market which in my view promises potential for installers with millions of units old enough to vote and certainly well over a million having enjoyed a twenty first birthday. I make no apologies for having always sought and exploited niche markets. I intend to make warm air a niche market if experience supports this.

Myths and Legends

J & S produce a handy leaflet for the benefit of consumers in FAQ format. I could easily have written all the questions but not the answers, hence my attendance. Sure, old units were crude with stop / start control supported only by boiler thermostat but so too are most equally old water filled systems I have ever seen. Believe me, all that is now history.

System Design

ACS training is essentially concerned with gas safety, full stop. It teaches us nothing about design and operation. My knowledge of wet systems – not boilers necessarily – is considerable. I had no knowledge whatsoever of warm air system design and there is much to know. Not too much but J & S training gives you a solid foundation of understanding that will enable you to follow a few basic rules in favour of quantifying both adequacy and balancing of systems, which is just as important on warm air as any other system. That surely makes sense. I like to deliver written and quantified results to customers and will now be in a position to do that.

New technology has not escaped this market and for a relatively small investment, which I will be making, you will be equipped to accurately measure temperature and velocity of warm air delivered. In the latter case, adjustments can be made in precisely the same way as a lock-shield valve works. Simple and clever.

Question

You have a complaint of poor heating in a bedroom and find yourself staring at a grill in the ceiling with ‘er indoors stood next to you waiting for words of wisdom. What do you do ?

Learning Curve

As with everything in life there is a learning curve. My considerable investments in new technology, plant and tools has always been matched by a similar initial investment in on-the-job training. Thus in the early days I can expect modest returns as I develop experience. This approach has served me well in the past and will now be applied to warm air. Suck it and see.

Vitally important manufacturer’s technical support is provided on site and following an inventory of my customer’s installations will enlist the support of the local representative to carry out an assessment or schedule of dilapidations as it is known in building surveying.

We all remember well that Saunier Duval keep you at premium rate number arms length on technical support out of guarantee but J & S offer cradle to grave on-site support which has to be worth something.

For my multiple property customers I maintain a Gas Installation Profile portfolio which helps everyone involved as many of these people cannot afford their own full time qualified staff. For a fee of course. Always bear in mind Landlords have ultimate legal responsibility for their gas installations and must be privy to all information.

Backwards Compatible

Now this bit I like. The expression is borrowed from the world of IT but applies equally here. J & S have given a lot of thought to their wealth of replacement units to ensure old connections marry with new units. A series of adaptors exist to simplify the task of replacement thus limiting alteration to little or none. If you do not ask you will never know. I will not therefore accept any criticism on this subject unless the course has first been undertaken. Do not assume something is not available.

I detest wasted time and futile searching. It is inefficient and costly. However replacement units have been developed to replace those older units manufactured by others in the past. I know that whatever I find, J & S will have a carefully developed response on the shelf.

Suppliers

I do not share wholesale the argument that all plumbing products should be restricted to Trade Only but J & S have largely adopted this stance with their range to ensure as far as possible that supplies do not easily fall into the hands of DIY.

Gas Safety

I confess to past concerns about safety on warm air due to misconceptions but the risks are certainly no greater than they are on any other type of gas appliance. Basic training is fundamental to this understanding and the range is well supported with room sealed appliances sporting the now familiar and generous concentric flue options, for traditional location of units. As with all concentric flues, changes of direction add resistance and simple design principles apply.

Control and Conservation

Anyone who knows me should by now understand my devotion to the whole subject of energy conservation, having spent much of the year 2000 studying the subject including a spell in Germany and elsewhere looking at photovoltaic technology. This was beefed up in the practical sense by attendance at the hugely useful CHIC Best Practice course, which is now free and a must for any heating engineer in my view.

I am able to readily reconcile that CHIC training with modern warm air technology. CHIC was not as I, perhaps cynically expected, a sales pitch for leading manufacturers of condensing boilers. Indeed none were mentioned. Regardless of heat producing system used, the emphasis is on insulation, design and all important controls. Modern warm air affords superb control and I have not forgotten hot water needs.

There is however more. Uniquely, warm air can offer a sealed environment - flued heat recovery - which actually enhances the motivation behind Building Regulations Part L changes and with readily fitted modern air cleaning – not filter – accessory working down to one micron control is a must for anyone with allergies, moggies or those who choose to ignore Her Majesty’s Government health warnings on tobacco.

I was impressed by a range of heat recovery units where introduced external air is pre-heated via a substantial air to air heat exchanger which keeps extracted stale air completely separate but recovers much of the heat ordinarily lost.

The warm air range is underpinned by the Modairflow principle which as the name suggests modulates heat output to ensure a gentle and consistent air flow appropriate to each room.

Maintenance

It is no secret that I have misgivings about sedbuk.com which is overly simplistic, offers the consumer no comfort on the questionable reliability of modern appliances and makes no mention of performance in a world where neglect of gas maintenance is the norm. It also ignores thermal storage technology. In my view owners of sophisticated but neglected combination boilers will enjoy no more benefit in the longer term than if they had used more traditional technology, equally neglected. This remains to be proven but my gut instincts never let me down.

Hot Water

In short, whatever you need J & S can deliver in tandem or separately. This includes linking to the much neglected new technology of high recovery units, thermal storage systems and their own unvented hot water storage system which as you know requires you to prove competence under Building Regulations. It also includes a clever manifold for connection of cold water feed to ensure balanced pressures on an otherwise lethal shower given the delivery potential.

I have not forgotten the State water heaters which I admit I have not met with before. Very impressive and very powerful. I can’t wait to get my hands on one (my number is in contacts).

References

My now ancient and awful pun applies here when I say that proof of the pudding is in the heating. I have studied literature on recent warm air installations both on Housing Developments and Public Buildings. This includes in each case a key conservation motif with, much to my delight, the serious introduction of solar photovoltaic technology. In the latter case there are obviously no issues of concern as there are with water filled solar technology, which does affect design. That is a bonus.

Options

Given the range of enhancements and choices my use of the words warm-air should be regarded loosely as it is something of an understatement considered in isolation. Returning to the expression Total Home Comfort Systems, air cleaning, ventilation and condensation control needs are also fully catered for in all aspects of construction including a clever cooker hood with built in heat recovery unit. There are 26 models in the Dryflow range of fans.

Not least I was sat next to the CleanFlow Petite, a substantial and portable air cleaner much smaller than a de-humidifier but unfortunately too big to fit in my briefcase (405x290x200). That kept me alert all day despite a “ heavy “ Thursday night when another installer led me astray (thanks). I’ll certainly be after one of those soon.

Manufacture

The course included a tour of production management and I was able to share a few words with a number of individuals on finishing and quality control. Gas valve and burner assemblies are subjected to rigorous soundness testing. The integrity – gas tightness – of welded components is reassuringly managed and of considerable interest was the final test rig where all units are fired to maximum and sustained under operating conditions. The primary purpose of this is to burn off the various manufacturing process lubricating oils completely as well as testing including burner pressure.

Hospitality

In short second to none. I will say no more, discover for yourself. For the vehicle security obsessed as I am, your chosen mode of transport will be perfectly safe and within constant sight of reception. J & S supply a list of local hotels but I have a name if you need one which is only £ 4 away from J & S if you choose a play-safe taxi as we did on Friday morning. Entertainment courtesy of Chicago Rock which is only a sobering walk away.

Answer to Question

The officially recognised optimum position for a water filled radiator is under the window, though the modern fashion for long curtains thwarts the benefit of this, particularly as the TRV is suffocated. Not so with warm air. I still see the same location as being relevant but with warm air introduced at ceiling level sufficient velocity is required to ensure the necessary circulation. In crude terms therefore a smaller ceiling diffuser may be the answer, subject to other checks. Measurement of velocity is obviously important.

Conclusion

I spent two full days at Johnson and Starley so my summary must be inadequate. I hope however I have said sufficient to enable you to form a reliable judgement on up-to-date awareness of warm air. I am obliged to recommend the course to anyone who is thinking of engaging with that technology.

Being a sceptic I will proceed as I always do one step at a time and never lose sight of my business focus which I often quote as being my guiding light. I make every effort to improve efficiency but if something cannot be made to pay for some reason, I drop it quickly.

Looking back I have always sought and exploited niche markets and will continue to do so. I believe I may have found a new one in warm air but I’ll keep you informed and look forward to my return to Johnson and Starley for the maintenance course.

This course adds a recognised ten hours to CPD.