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Weather Compensation Myths Busted

5 myths about weather compensation busted

Installers may already have a preference for which of the additional four ‘Boiler Plus’ features they’ll be installing from this month with a combi boiler. But is the technology choice based on personal knowledge and experience, trusted advice or hearsay? Viessmann’s marketing director, Darren McMahon busts 5 myths about weather compensation:

Viessmann has been promoting the use of weather compensation for years. The company even commissioned its own research at Salford University to back up feedback from its installers and customers that the simple sensor saves the typical end-user anything from 10 to 30% off their energy bills, or a good £40 to £100 or more per year.

We’ve worked with government in the formation of the Boiler Plus legislation to support the inclusion of weather compensation, alongside flue gas heat recovery, smart thermostats with automation and optimisation, and load compensation. It’s no surprise then that it is this measure that the German heating systems manufacturer is recommending to the industry now. Over the past decade or so, I’ve been asked every weather compensation question in the book, so we made this series of short videos to addresses my top five weather comp myths.

Myth 1:  Weather compensation is not suitable for older buildings. 

Despite greater heat loss from older buildings and weather compensation’s typically lower, more efficient flow temperatures, the boiler is still able to achieve maximum temperature i.e. on exceptionally cold days.

Myth 2: You must have a north-facing wall for a weather compensation sensor. 

Although a north-facing wall is ideal, there are work-arounds for every orientation. A purpose-made cover can even be made to create shade if needed.

Myth 3: You need new radiators.  

No! We know that most existing radiators are over-sized anyway. If the previous boiler could heat the building with those radiators, the new boiler with weather compensation will manage too as long as its’ maximum heat output stays the same.

Myth 4: The boiler’s maximum flow temperature is reduced.

Although weather compensation prevents the boiler from consuming gas needlessly when maximum flow temperature isn’t required, the controls instruct the boiler to operate at maximum temperature when needed.

Myth 5: Weather compensation is difficult to set up.

Not at all. The sensor is attached to the outside wall by one or two screws; a wire from the sensor clips into two ports on the boiler control board (and the wire is low-voltage, so there’s no need for an electrician); and the boiler knows when the weather sensor is attached and automatically adjusts to weather compensation mode.

For more information, please visit: www.viessmann.co.uk