Issue 50

GLAMPSITES
SOLAR POWERED SYSTEMS
These systems harness the energy from
the sun to heat water for storage in a
cylinder, and while they can be designed
to supply some heating as well, most solar
hot water systems are just designed to
supply your hot water needs. While solar
powered systems are ideal for energy
conservation, they are dependent on the
weather, so as the available solar energy
varies throughout the year in the UK,
they may also require the installation of
a conventional water heater to top up the
shortfall.
RECOMMENDED HOT WATER
SOLUTION
Taking all factors into account, the
current recommended choice of water
heater for glamping sites and caravan
parks would be tankless/instantaneous
gas water heaters as they offer the
following benefits:
› Instant hot water on demand
› Hot water at a safe, pre-determined
temperature
› Endless supply
› Reduced running costs
› High efficiencies
› Hydrogen-blend ready, supporting
the UK’s de-carbonisation strategy.
VENTILATION OF GAS APPLIANCES
While water heater technology has
changed in recent years, combustion water
heaters remain the most common and
will burn fuel, whether it is natural gas or
propane, which releases by-products such
as carbon monoxide. Internally mounted
instantaneous gas water heaters will need
to be vented to the outside atmosphere to
avoid exposure to noxious gases created
by the combustion process.
Externally mounted water heaters are
also available which are installed on an
outside wall, so the combustion gases are
released directly into the atmosphere.
There is no requirement for flues to be
fitted on externally mounted models.
FROST PROTECTION
As externally mounted water heaters will
be exposed to outside temperatures, they
are fitted with a frost protection feature
that includes electric heating elements. So
as long as the water heater is connected
to the electric power supply, it will be
protected down to temperatures as cold as
-4°F (-20°C).
If the water heater is not to be used for
some time, such as out of season, and
the power has been either switched off
purposely, or there has been a power
failure, the water heater will need to be
drained of all water to prevent damage at
temperatures below freezing.
SIZING YOUR SYSTEM
It is vital that the initial system sizing is
correct by calculating peak hour demand
for hot water which will ensure the correct
water heater is specified to meet even the
busiest time at your site.
If you underestimate how much hot
water you need to meet demand, you
risk running out and upsetting guests.
An undersized system is also likely to
be overworked and may need repair or
replacement earlier. Conversely, if you
overestimate the capacity required to
meet demand, your initial outlay will be
higher as well as your ongoing energy
costs.
It may be best to seek advice from a Gas
Safe Registered engineer as to the specific
output you require to meet the demands
of your site, so that you can then decide
which system will best suit your demand.
MODULAR SOLUTIONS
Where more than one appliance is
required to meet the demands of your
shower block or kitchen facilities,
modular hot water solutions guarantee
considerable cost savings over other forms
of hot water generation. The relatively
compact footprint of these systems means
they can optimise plant room space and
safeguard accessibility for maintenance
and servicing.
The systems we supply at Factory
Heaters incorporate two or three water
heaters, with flues for internal models, to
be mounted in a pre-fabricated cascade
frame fitted with cable trays, pipe work
and electrical connections – providing
a complete turnkey solution. All that
is needed are the final connections to
the associated services, so downtime is
reduced dramatically. Where plant room
space is limited, externally mounted
versions are available which can even be
mounted on a suitable roof space.
These modular systems have been
developed to guarantee the maximum
amount of affordable, ecologically friendly,
safe temperature controlled hot water
required at any one time by even the most
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