Stroma Certification Ltd CPD Guide: Secondary Heating This Guide has been created to tackle areas of poor knowledge relating to secondary heating. There is a question section at the end of the Guide for you to complete in order to pass this section of the CPD. If you have any questions regarding topics covered in the Guide, please email certification@stroma.com with details of your enquiry. Alternatively, please call Stroma Certification on 0845 621 11 11. Date: 19 January 2015 Revision: v1.1 Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 1 of 13
Contents Secondary heating: errors... 3 How secondary heating is evidenced... 3 When and how to include secondary heating: guideline... 5 Secondary Heating Question Sheet... 6 Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 2 of 13
Secondary heating: errors Secondary heating has the most common errors at audit stage that we have had in Q1 and Q2. Secondary heating errors almost always result in the audit failing. 84% of the time it is a major audit error, meaning the audit has surpassed the SAP point limit, or the error has resulted in a change of statement on the EPC. The errors with secondary heating are a mixture of: Secondary heating evidenced, but not entered into the software Secondary heating not evidenced, but entered into the software The most common way that the secondary heating is evidenced, but not entered into the software is where a back boiler has been entered as primary heating, but the fire which the back boiler sits behind has not been entered. If the back boiler provides space heating, and the heating fuel is not solid fuel or oil, then you should enter the back boiler as main heating, and the gas fire as secondary heating. This is because separate efficiencies apply to the boiler and the room heater; hence they should be entered separately. If the back boiler provides space heating, and the heating fuel is oil or solid fuel, then the boiler and the room heater should be defined as just the main heating system. This is because the efficiency is an overall value, so there is no need to split the systems into main heating system and secondary heating system. How secondary heating is evidenced Identifying a back boiler is fairly simple. You will see water pipes coming from the appliance, plus radiators and a water tank will be present in the property, but there will be no boiler present in the usual places that you would expect it to be. You will then be able to identify the presence of a back boiler by removing the plate at the bottom of the gas fire to see the boiler thermostat, and usually the boiler ID plate. You will often find the programmer located close to the back boiler, often on the chimney breast. A common gas fire with a back boiler. This should be entered into the software as: Primary heating: Back boiler to radiators Secondary heating: Gas fire (in this instance a pre- 1980 gas fire). Another way in which the secondary heating is evidenced, but not entered into the software is where the secondary heating tab has been completely missed out on the software. The secondary heating section is on a different tab on the heating system section, so it is important to ensure that you have filled out the section fully and properly, as it is easy to fill in the main heating system details and move on without realising that the secondary heating system has been missed out. The software prefills the secondary heating as none present and this does allow the EPC to be lodged. It is extremely important that the heating system page is filled in correctly and checked to ensure the accuracy of the entry. Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 3 of 13
Evidence of secondary heating is a mandatory requirement, so if it is entered into the software and then not backed up with evidence, this will result in a failed audit. An assessor should not confuse a secondary system with a main or an additional main system. A secondary system is a room heater heating individual room(s) either as a supplement to the main heating in the room (e.g. a wood burning stove in the main room) or for rooms not heated by the main system(s). A secondary heating system should be included if it is a fixed emitter in a habitable room, regardless of whether the main system(s) heat all the rooms. In situations where there is more than one secondary heating system, an assessor should select the system that heats the greatest number of habitable rooms. If this value is the same, an assessor should select the system that uses the cheapest fuel. If both secondary systems use the same fuel, an assessor should select the system with the least efficiency. Portable heaters should not be included in the assessment, since the software assumes portable heaters are present at the property. Focal point electric fires located in a fireplace can be included in the assessment and recorded as electric panel heaters not as portable electric heaters. As per the convention: Main systems 1 and 2 cannot be room heaters except in the case of the dwelling s heating consisting solely of room heaters. A main system is generally one that would be described as central heating (a heat generator providing heat to several rooms via a heat distribution system), although the term does also include, for example, storage heaters and fixed direct-acting heaters in each room. Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 4 of 13
When and how to include secondary heating: guideline A guideline of when and how to include secondary heating for room heaters with back boilers is detailed in the methodology manual and as copied below: Example Primary Heating Secondary Heating Water Heating A room heater has a back boiler providing hot water to a central heating system This should be entered as the primary heating system. The room heater also provides direct heat to the room; therefore it should also be entered as secondary heating. Primary selection: Central heating systems with radiators or underfloor heating Gas boilers (including LPG) pre-1998, with balanced or open flue Back boiler to radiators Gas (including LPG) room heaters Gas fire, open flue, 1980 or later (open fronted) sitting proud of and sealed to fireplace opening with back boiler unit Heating type: From main heating system Enter cylinder details as appropriate A room heater has a back boiler providing hot water to a cylinder only There is no other form of heating in the property; therefore the room heater should be entered as the primary heating system Primary selection: Room heaters Gas (including LPG) room heaters Gas fire, open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted) with back boiler unit No secondary heating present Heating type: From main heating system Enter cylinder details as appropriate A room heater has a back boiler providing hot water to a cylinder only and the property is heated by another system (such as storage heaters or a warm air system) The room heater should be entered as secondary heating and the water heating as from secondary system Primary selection: Warm air systems Gas fired warm air with balanced or open flue Ducted or stub-ducted, on-off control, pre 1998 Gas (including LPG) Gas fire, open flue, 1980 or later (open fronted) sitting proud of and sealed to fireplace opening with back boiler unit Heating type: From secondary heater Enter cylinder details as appropriate A room heater has a back boiler providing hot water to a cylinder only; there is also a modern regular boiler in the property providing heating and hot water The room heater should be entered as secondary heating, but the water heating is from main system because the back boiler is considered an additional method of water heating Primary selection: Central heating systems with radiators or underfloor heating Gas boilers (including LPG) 1998 or later Regular non-conditioning with automatic ignition Gas (including LPG) room heaters Gas fire, open flue, 1980 or later (open fronted) sitting proud of and sealed to fireplace opening with back boiler unit Heating type: From main heating system Enter cylinder details as appropriate Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 5 of 13
Secondary Heating Question Sheet Now that you have read and digested the CPD provided due to the failed audit, you are now required to complete this sheet. Below are a set of questions relating to secondary heating and the associated entry into the RdSAP software. Each question is multiple choice and there is only one correct answer for each question (excluding question 1). You must answer ALL questions correctly to pass this section of the CPD. 1. When should a secondary heating system be ignored? (select 3 answers) a) When the home owner does NOT use it b) When it is condemned c) When it is portable d) When it is has an open chimney e) Where it has been removed and no longer resides in the property f) When it is in an un-habitable room g) When it is not in the living room h) When it is in a separated extension Only one answer should be selected for the following questions 2. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted), (with or without back boiler) b) Condensing gas fire c) Decorative fuel effect gas fire to open chimney d) Flueless gas fire, secondary heating only 3. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted), (with or without back boiler) b) Gas Fire, Open Flue Pre1980 or Later (open Fronted) Sitting Proud of, and Sealed to Fireplace Opening (with or without back boiler) c) Gas fire or wall heater, balanced flue d) Gas fire, close fronted, fan assisted Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 6 of 13
4. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted), (with or without back boiler) b) Gas Fire, Open Flue Pre1980 or Later (open Fronted) Sitting Proud of, and Sealed to Fireplace Opening (with or without back boiler or fan assist) c) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, sealed to fireplace opening (with or without back boiler) d) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, fan assisted sealed to fireplace opening 5. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire, close fronted, fan assisted b) Condensing gas fire c) Decorative fuel effect gas fire to open chimney d) Flueless gas fire, secondary heating only 6. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted), (with or without back boiler) b) Gas Fire, Open Flue Pre1980 or Later (open Fronted) Sitting Proud of, and Sealed to Fireplace Opening (with or without back boiler or fan assist) c) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, sealed to fireplace opening (with or without back boiler) d) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, fan assisted sealed to fireplace opening Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 7 of 13
7. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, sealed to fireplace opening (with or without back boiler) b) Decorative fuel effect gas fire to open chimney c) Flush fitting live fuel effect gas fire, open fronted, fan assisted sealed to fireplace opening d) Flueless gas fire, secondary heating only 8. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire open flue, pre 1980 (open fronted), (with or without back boiler) b) Gas Fire, Open Flue Pre1980 or Later (open Fronted) Sitting Proud of, and Sealed to Fireplace Opening (with or without back boiler or fan assist) c) Decorative fuel effect gas fire to open chimney d) Flueless gas fire, secondary heating only 9. How should the following GAS secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Gas fire, close fronted, fan assisted b) Condensing gas fire c) Decorative fuel effect gas fire to open chimney d) Flueless gas fire, secondary heating only Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 8 of 13
10. How should the following SOLID FUEL secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Open fire in grate (with or without back boiler, no radiators) b) Closed room heater (with or without back boiler, no radiators) c) Stove (pellet fired) (with or without back boiler, no radiators) 11. How should the following SOLID FUEL secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Open fire in grate (with or without back boiler, no radiators) b) Closed room heater (with or without back boiler, no radiators) c) Stove (pellet fired) (with or without back boiler, no radiators) 12. How should the following ELECTRIC secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Panel, convector or radiant heaters b) Water- or oil-filled radiators Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 9 of 13
13. How should the following ELECTRIC secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Panel, convector or radiant heaters b) Water- or oil-filled radiators 14. How should the following ELECTRIC secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Panel, convector or radiant heaters b) Water- or oil-filled radiators 15. How should the following ELECTRIC secondary heat source be entered in the software? a) Panel, convector or radiant heaters b) Water- or oil-filled radiators 16. What type of heater is this? a) Panel b) Convector c) Radiant Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 10 of 13
17. What type of heater is this? a) Panel b) Convector c) Radiant 18. What type of heater is this? a) Panel b) Convector c) Radiant 19. If an open fire in a grate is not used, how should this be entered into the software? a) It is recorded in the open fire place section of the software alone b) It is not recorded at all c) It is entered into the additional heating tab d) It is recorded in the secondary heating tab 20. If a central heating system is entered as the main and there are 2 panel heaters located in 2 bedrooms, how should this recorded? a) In the additional heating tab b) In the secondary heating tab c) They should both be ignored d) One should be entered in the additional heating tab and one should be entered in the secondary heating tab Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 11 of 13
21. If a room heater has been specified as the main and there are 2 panel heaters located in 2 bedrooms, how should this be recorded? a) In the additional heating tab b) In the secondary heating tab c) They should both be ignored d) One should be entered in the additional heating tab and one should be entered in the secondary heating tab 22. If there is only portable heating in the dwelling, how should this be recorded? a) It is entered into the additional heating tab b) It is recorded in the secondary heating tab c) It is not recorded at all d) It is entered in the main heating tab 23. If a GAS back boiler has been specified as the main heating system and it also heats the water what should be entered next? a) The fire should be entered in the secondary heating tab b) The water heating section should be filled in c) The fire should be entered in the additional heating tab d) Nothing, the assessment is complete 24. If an OIL back boiler has been specified as the main heating system and it also heats the water what should be entered next? a) The water heating section should be filled in b) The fire should be entered in the additional heating tab c) Nothing, the assessment is complete d) The fire should be entered in the secondary heating tab 25. If a SOLID FUEL back boiler has been specified as the main heating system and it also heats the water what should be entered next? a) The water heating section should be filled in b) The fire should be entered in the additional heating tab c) Nothing, the assessment is complete d) The fire should be entered in the secondary heating tab Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 12 of 13
26. If an open fire is located in a bedroom and there is already a main system in place how should this be recorded? a) It should be recorded in the secondary heating tab b) It should be recorded in the additional heating tab c) It should be recorded in the main heating tab d) It should not be recorded at all for the purposes of heating 27. If there is an electric focal point fire located within the dwelling that is not wired in how should this be entered? a) It should be ignored b) It should be recorded in the main heating tab c) It should be recorded in the secondary heating tab d) It should be recorded in the additional heating tab 28. When should an open fireplace be entered in the open fireplace count? a) Never b) If there is an open chimney above it c) If there is no fuel present d) If it is in a bedroom Secondary Heating CPD Guide v1.1 Page 13 of 13