CHP systems have the potential to save your business or household thousands over the year. They are designed to make use of the previously wasted by-product, utilising the energy from the electrification process to produce either heat or hot water. Working with the right specialist, such as the team here at Energimizer, is the best way to ensure the system you choose can meet your specific demands. However, it also pays to have a good understanding of the requirements and specifications that your job requires. In this guide, we’ll look at the location and why you may wish to consider the logistics of your CHP installation in advance.
Why Consider Placement With CHP Systems?
Of all the considerations of CHP systems, placements are one of the least documented. This is largely due to the fact that many businesses are restricted on where their unit can be installed. Packaged CHP units, for example, need to be plugged into your existing heating and electrical system. Therefore, they need to be installed in close proximity and as a means to access the required cords and cables. In residential properties, micro-CHP units are specifically manufactured to replace older boilers. Whilst this gives you more flexibility – it’s easier to move a boiler if necessary – you still have some restrictions around the location it can be positioned in.
For businesses with plant rooms, there is an additional logistical consideration here. The CHP unit that you choose needs to fit within this layout while also having access to the mains systems that it needs and being accessible for maintenance.
Planning Permissions For CHP Systems
When considering the layout and configuration of your CHP system, planning permission plays a key role. Most micro-CHP systems are designed to be internally installed. If all of the work is destined to take place within the property, it is unlikely that planning permission will be required. However, for those systems that have a flue incorporated into the design, you need to consider whether your design sits within the remit of permitted development.
Are the following conditions being met:
- Does the flue sit on the rear or side elevation of the building?
- Is the flue a maximum of 1m about the highest part of the roof?
- Is your property in a listed or designated area?
- Is your property in a conservation area?
- Is your property a World Heritage site? If so, is the flue visible from the highway?
If your chosen design exceeds these specifications, you may need to apply for planning permission. More information can be collected from your local building authority.
While micro-CHP systems are mostly exempt from planning permission, larger installations in non-domestic buildings sit on the other side of the fence. Unless they are contained within an existing site building, such as a plant room, they will require additional planning permission. You need to take into account factors such as:
- Access
- Visual impact on the surrounding environment
- Noise pollution
More information about planning permissions and building regulations for CHP systems can be found on the Planning Portal. You may also wish to consider whether additional storage space is needed for the relevant fuel. If you require an additional unit for wood chips or biomass fuels, there is an additional possibility that planning permission may be required.
Building Regulations
Alongside planning permission, the location of your CHP unit is dictated or structured by building regulations. If a micro-CHP unit operates within the confines of a building, all of the relevant equipment, installation and testing will need to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations And Approved Documents L1a, L1b, L2a And L2b.
Additional Permissions Required
For businesses working on a larger scale and considering commercial/industrial grade CHP systems, locational considerations become more in-depth. Additional authorisation from the Environmental Agency with regards to expected waste and emissions will impact all aspects. For businesses based within urban areas, there will be additional requirements to manage air quality standards and targets or to approve the use of gas as a fuel for safety purposes. Location plays a specific role here, regardless of whether it is adaptable or fixed based on the business premises.
How Can Energimizer Help?
Combined heat and power systems offer a wide host of benefits to many different types of businesses. Working with an experienced and professional team is the best way to make sure you get the most out of the configuration that you choose. Energimizer is a brand developed by Hevac LTD with over 20 years of experience in our industry. We support renewable, low-carbon, sustainable energy-saving systems, providing them to the building services industry and end clients. With the support of our CHP partner, Kw Energie and ESPE Group Italy, our team can help you with everything from design through to installation.
Factors from unit sizing through to location can have an impact on how much your household or business can save from installing a CHP system. There is a fine balance between finding a unit and set-up that meets your energy needs and discovering that your waste/carbon footprint hasn’t altered since installation. During summer, for example, the by-product heat can become obsolete as there is a general shift away from central heating or hot water. However, the right set-up with a condenser accessory or having the unit appropriately located allows you to transform this energy into cooling heat instead.
CHP units are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners and business owners alike. With the right support and specialist team on your side, you can reap the benefits and ensure energy bills are cut significantly over a period of time. If you would like to speak to one of us for more information about the location or our range of CHP smartblock units, please do get in contact with us here today.