37-year era of HO boilers ends

As part of the programme of Capital Works being undertaken in Head Office, the existing boilers, which control the heating to A&B Blocks, are being replaced after more than 37 years in operation. These 10,000V 1 MW boilers were cutting-edge technology at the time of installation and operate by passing an electric current directly through the water being heated. The boilers operate at night utilising night-rate electricity and the resulting hot water is stored in large capacity insulated storage tanks for subsequent distribution.

While quite common on the continent, very few of these boilers were commissioned in Ireland or the UK, and spare parts for this particular type of boiler have become very difficult to source over the last 10 years. The lifespan of most commercial boilers is 15 to 20 years. However, the lifespan of these boilers were prolonged by the expertise, intimate knowledge and regular careful maintenance by Property Facilities staff (pictured above). It is safe to say that without them the boilers would have been decommissioned years ago.

The replacement 400V 1MW electric boilers are being installed by Kirby Electric and are due to be commissioned in September, in time for the next heating season.