PEOPLE

Factsheet
PRACTICES

SYSTEMS
Boiler Efficiency

The HVAC and common area lighting systems of a 45 year old associated with grid connected electricity. Various technologies
5,400m² commercial office building in Canberra (Figure 1) have been developed that have seen the thermal efficiency of
were upgraded in 2010, resulting in a NABERS Energy Rating boilers increase from a maximum of 70% thirty years ago to 97%
improvement from 2 to 4.5 stars. This resulted in a reduction in today for a modern condensing type boiler1.
annual energy usage saving $120,000, a 70% reduction in annual
greenhouse gas emissions, and an increase in occupant comfort. Condensing Type Boilers
One facet of the retrofit included an upgrade of the boilers; other
components of the retrofit are detailed in companion factsheets. Condensing boilers have the potential to reduce gas consumption
for space heating by as much as 15%, providing they are
Figure 1: Street view of 4 Mort Street, Canberra carefully selected, monitored, controlled and maintained.
A typical condensing boiler has a thermal efficiency of 92-95%,
in comparison to non-condensing boilers which typically have
efficiencies of around 85%. These higher efficiencies are achieved
by using the waste heat in the flue gases to preheat the water
entering the boiler. Additional heat is extracted by condensing
the water vapour in the waste gases to liquid and recovering its
latent heat2. Condensing boilers also have high efficiency burners
and sophisticated controls which assist to reduce the emission of
greenhouse gases (CO2) and harmful nitrogen oxide (NOX) gases.

Condensing boilers have been successfully used overseas (mainly

in Europe3) for the last 25 years. In Australia, however, condensing
boilers are only just beginning to be used more widely. Design
engineers and contractors may specify and install condensing
boilers without fully appreciating the factors that make them
condense, thereby not realising the full potential benefits. This
Boilers is a well understood issue in Europe, with a recent Chartered
HVAC systems are made up of various items of equipment Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) conference in
including boilers for heating, chillers for cooling, air handling London dedicated to the topic. Given the fact that a condensing
systems for air-conditioning and a range of ancillary components boiler typically costs 30-50% more than a non-condensing boiler
such as pumps and fans. Commercial buildings in colder climates it is important that designers and installers understand the factors
are typically heated by boilers. Boilers produce heat by burning that optimise the operation of these boilers.
fuel (typically gas), the thermal energy from which is used to
The thermal efficiency of a condensing boiler is dependent on
heat water through a heat exchange process. The hot water
its heating flow and return temperatures. Condensing boilers are
is circulated to air handling units, fan coils or radiators which
designed to positively encourage condensing of the flue gasses
supply heat to the occupied spaces. Depending on the climatic
and in order for this to occur, the return water entering the
region, heating makes up 15-25% of a building’s total energy
condensing boiler from the heating circuit has to be below the
requirements. Natural gas is an obvious fuel choice given its
dew point of flue gases (55°C), ideally below 52°C4.
lower cost, convenience of distribution and lower greenhouse
gas emissions, which are as little as 20% of the CO2 emissions

1
As a point of reference the National Construction Code 2012 (formerly the Building Code of Australia) mandates the thermal efficiency for a
new boiler to be at least 80%.
2
When comparing thermal efficiencies of boilers, the convention is to use the gross calorific value of the fuel, rather than the net calorific value.
The former includes the latent heat of vaporisation of the water vapour produced, the latter does not.
3
Boiler efficiency regulations in many European countries are such that non-condensing type boilers are now disallowed in new buildings
and retrofits.
4
As a point for reference, conventional boilers typically have heating flow and return temperatures of 82-71°C.

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Boiler Efficiency

Figure 2 shows typical performance curves of a condensing boiler Although having all boilers of the condensing type will be more
and how the efficiency of a condensing boiler falls fairly steeply efficient, the return on investment may not be sufficient as the
with rising return temperature, up to about 55°C, at which point condensing type lag boilers are unlikely to deliver the energy
no condensation occurs and the boiler only performs marginally savings required to offset the extra capital expense given that
better than a conventional boiler beyond this return temperature. they are operational for such short periods of the year.

When retrofitting condensing boilers to existing heating systems

Figure 2: Typical performance curves for a
it is likely that the existing heat exchangers will be somewhat
condensing boiler5
oversized for the required duties, given traditional oversizing
100 160 90
of systems and improvement to the thermal performance of
140 80
the systems and the building façade over time. Under such
95
circumstances the best design option is often to install a
Condensate - litres /kWh (x10-3)

120 condensing boiler as the lead boiler, to schedule the heating flow

Flue Gas Exit Temperature °C

90 70
temperature upwards as demand increases and then to sequence
Boiler Efficiency %

100
85 60 the conventional boilers.
80
80 50 Figure 3: Boiler load profile for 4 Mort Street Canberra
60
75 40 70

58.53%
40

70 30 60
20
Percentage of Year at Load

60 0 20 50
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
40
Return Water Temperature °C

30
Condensate Boiler Efficiency
12.75%

Flue Gas Exit Temp Dew Point 20

7.34%
6.68%
4.62%

10
2.41%
1.48%
1.07%
1.03%

0.86%

0.69%
0.59%
0.45%

0.45%

0.31%
0.31%
0.28%

0.14%
0.03%
0.00%
Boiler Sequencing
0
Typical office buildings will have a seasonal heating demand
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
5
0
25
50
75
10
12
15
17
20
22
25
27
30
32
35
37
40
42
45
47
50
profile similar to the one in Figure 3 where a large majority of
Boiler Load (kW)
heating demand only uses a small proportion of the maximum
boiler capacity. Therefore, correct boiler sequencing is necessary
For small applications (where heating demand does not
to operate the boilers efficiently.
exceed around 600kW), it may prove cost effective to use a
Boiler sequencing involves the correct staging of a number of modular boiler arrangement with all condensing type boilers.
boilers working in combination to deliver optimal performance. Some manufacturers offer these types of products including
The lead unit would generally be a condensing type boiler which modularised heating pipe headers and flues. The simplicity along
will operate in condensing mode for the majority of the year. If with improved space and energy efficiencies of such units can
the heat exchangers are sized for conventional flow (82°C) and make them more cost effective than the alternative options
return (71°C) water temperatures at maximum capacity, they can required for a mixed arrangement. As shown in Figure 4, a
be operated during low load conditions with the flow and return modular triple condensing boiler arrangement was installed at
temperatures reduced, to enable condensing conditions at the 4 Mort Street, Canberra.
boiler. As the heating load increases (during colder weather and/
The building’s BMS and its correct programming are integral to the
or early morning warm up), the boiler flow temperature can be
proper functioning of condensing boilers. Poor outcomes result
automatically increased by the building management system
when engineers specify condensing boilers without including an
(BMS) and if the heating demand is such that the condensing
appropriate controls strategy in the BMS for achieving condensing
boiler has reached its full capacity with flow temperature at
conditions whenever possible.
around 82°C, other condensing or non-condensing type boilers
can be sequenced. Such an arrangement is referred to as lead-lag
operation and the condensing boiler will always operate as the
lead unit with the others providing reserve capacity.

5
Source: Building Research Establishment, Department of the Environment, UK.

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Boiler Efficiency

Figure 4: Modular condensing boiler arrangement if replacement is overlooked.

installed at 4 Mort Street, Canberra
System Cleanliness

When retrofitting condensing boilers (or any modern boiler with

compact heat exchange passages) to an existing heating system,
it is essential for the system to be thoroughly flushed and water
treatment chemicals added. If the existing system is extensive
like in a hospital or a campus type establishment, it is advisable
to install a good quality dirt separator in addition to conventional
strainers in order to effectively remove high quantities of finely
dispersed debris typically found in these systems. Such debris,
if not removed, can block the fine heat transfer passages in
modern boilers.

Back End Corrosion in Non Condensing Boilers

Condensing boilers have heat exchangers made out of materials

that withstand acidic condensate. If conventional boilers are
used with return water temperatures below 55°C for prolonged
periods, they will eventually suffer from corrosion and premature
failure due to acidic condensate attacking the heat exchangers.
This is termed ‘boiler back end corrosion’. The replacement cost
Other Factors to Consider
of the boiler will far exceed any energy cost savings associated
with running the conventional boiler in condensing conditions.
Flues
When conventional boilers are operated in conjunction with
Condensate from condensing boilers contains carbonic acid condensing boilers, it is important the return water temperature
(H2CO3) which has a pH of 3. Significant condensation occurs to the conventional boilers is always maintained above 58°C, or in
in condensing boiler flues when operating under optimal accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
conditions, therefore it is important that the flues are made
from acid resistant materials such as stainless steel or high Quality of Boiler and Boiler Maintenance
temperature plastics.
It is important to assess the build quality and service provision
The integrity of flue joints is also important. Where spigot/socket of the condensing boiler. The quality of the secondary heat
type joints are used, the sockets must face upwards. Horizontal exchanger is important because it has to withstand corrosion. It is
flue joints must either be flanged/gasketed or have generous important that units are installed and commissioned strictly in
overlapping spigots/sockets with a high temperature silicone accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and maintained
sealant applied where appropriate. as recommended by competent contractors with the necessary
specialist knowledge. Unless the owner and the designer give
The flue discharge from a condensing boiler has very little residual
consideration to these factors, it is unlikely that the condensing
thermal energy and appears as a plume of vapour. The plume,
boiler will deliver a good return on investment.
although harmless, will be visible and may cause aesthetic
issues to occupants of the building, neighbouring properties,
or passersby. 4 Mort St Retrofit
The heating plant installed at 4 Mort Street consists of three
Condensate Removal 150 kW condensing boilers. The boilers were supplied by
the manufacturer as a modular unit ready for site assembly,
Copper, cast iron and lead drainage piping are commonly found
complete with primary circulators, header pipework and acid
in old buildings. Acidic condensate from a boiler and flue must
neutraliser kits.
not be drained through these types of piping as it will corrode the
materials over time. In commercial boiler installations, condensate Since the heat output requirement was relatively small (450 kW) it
should be neutralised prior to connection to drainage6. was decided to have all boilers of the condensing type rather than
Manufacturer supplied acid neutraliser kits need to be replaced to have a condensing boiler as the lead unit supplemented with
periodically. These ongoing maintenance requirements need to conventional boilers. The arrangement used was more compact
be included in operating and maintenance manuals, as expensive and cost effective for the relatively small duty required.
remedial work may be required to copper or cast iron sewer pipes

6
This may be a local authority requirement in order to avoid trade waste charges.

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Boiler Efficiency

Since the air handling units were sized with heating coils suitable
for low hot water flow temperatures (65°C rather than 82°C), the
boilers operate under fully condensing conditions when there is
a heating demand. Also, the heating demand is minimised by the
use of CO2 sensors for controlling the amount of outside air drawn
into the air handling units and the absence of re-heating systems
in the building.

HVAC HESS
The Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning High Efficiency
Systems Strategy (HVAC HESS) is a ten year strategy under
the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency that aims to drive
long term improvements in energy efficiency of HVAC systems
Australia wide. Under the Energy Efficiency Working Group
(E2WG), the Commercial Buildings Committee (CBC) manages the
implementation of the HVAC Strategy. The CBC is comprised of
representatives from Australian, State and Territory Governments.

The Strategy takes a whole of life perspective in targeting HVAC

efficiency improvement, encompassing the design, manufacture,
installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance stages
of the HVAC lifecycle. The Strategy consists of a number of
complementary measures that fall under the three broad
initiatives - People, Practices and Systems. This BMS factsheet
specifically relates to Systems. It is one of a suite of factsheets
developed to provide a quick overview and reference to inform,
educate, and encourage energy efficiency in the HVAC industry.

Acknowledgements

The Commercial Buildings Committee wishes to thank Lasath

Lecamwasam, Building Services Group Manager GHD Canberra,
for his contribution to the suite of 4 Mort Street Factsheets.

This and other HVAC HESS factsheets can be found on the

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website at:

www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/hvac-hess

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