Can’t understand the technical jargon?
Balanced flue
A flue system designed by the boiler manufacture, which permits flexibility in terminal location i.e. low level, vertically or horizontally.
Bio-fuel
An energy source derived from renewable material (such as wood, wheat or oilseeds) that be burned to generate heat, power or motion.
Bio-liquid
A liquid bio-fuel.
Bund
An enclosure inside which an oil storage tank can be located which is capable of holding the contents of the oil storage tank plus 10% so as to prevent oil damaging the environment in the event of a leakage or spillage. Bunds use to be known as catchpits.
CIRIA
Construction Industry Research and Information Association
CLG
Communities and Local Government
Combination Boiler
A boiler that provides domestic hot water on demand. Also provides space heating
Condensing Boiler
A high efficiency boiler that recovers the heat from the flue gases which would otherwise be lost to atmosphere.
Cylinder thermostat
A switching device fitted to the domestic hot water cylinder which controls the temperature of stored water. This should not be higher than 60 degrees centigrade.
De-aeration Device
A device fitted in the oil line close to the heating appliance to help the draw of oil up to a level higher than the level of oil in the tank. It does this by removing the air and vapour create when the pump in the oil boiler applies suction to the high level oil line.
DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Domestic hot water cylinder
A storage vessel normally made of copper in which domestic hot water is stored. Inside the cylinder is a coil of pipe through which water from the boiler passes to heat the water, which becomes available through the hot water taps.
Electronic Gauge
An electronic gauge includes a transmitter, probe and receiver. The transmitter sends a signal indicating the level of oil in the oil storage tank to a remotely located receiver and display unit. The probe is a sensor located within the oil storage tank that detects the level of oil in the oils storage tank, this is connected to a transmitter. The receiver picks up the signal from that transmitter and displays the level of oil in the oils storage tank.
EPBD
European Performance of Buildings Directive
Gas Oil
Of a higher viscosity than kerosene, a clean burning oil commonly used for commercial oil firing installations. Also known as 35 second, Class D to BS 2869
Heating Appliance
Boiler and Roomheater
HIP
Home information Pack (by 2007, sellers or estate agents will have to produce a Home Information Pack before marketing any property for sale. Requirement of the Homes Bill
IDHEE
Institute of Domestic Heating Environmental Engineers
Integrally Bunded Tank
An oil storage tank that is constructed at the factory to include a bund facility plus a lid to keep the bund clear of rain water.
Kerosene
This is a light, low sulphur and very clean burning heating oil suitable for use with most types of oil and cooking appliance. Also known as 28 second, Class C2 to BS 2869
Motorised valves
An electrically powered valve for the control of water flow through pipes, it can be operated by a time switch or thermostat.
NACS
National Association of Chimney Sweeps
Open flue
A chimney taking flue gases from an appliance which terminates in the open air, usually above roof level. Masonry chimneys must always be fitted with a flexible flue liner to prevent the gases coming into contact with the chimney itself. The liner needs to be replaced each time a boiler is fitted. An appliance connected to an open flue must be provided with a combustion air supply directly from the outside.
Pressure Jet Burner
The type of burner commonly used on all modern boilers and a number of cookers. Oil is injected, via a nozzle, into an airstream created by a fan. The oil is then vaporised and ignited by a spark.
Programmer
A time activated switching device used to regulate the times when space and water heating services will be operated by the boiler. A single channel programmer uses one set of times to operate both services. For space and water heating control it is better to use a two channel programmer which enables services to be operated independently to each other.
Regular Boiler
A boiler that heats water. This heated water is then pumped around the system to provide space or water heating
Remote Acting Fire Valve
A valve fitted in the oil line external to the building which incorporates the sensor that is located inside the boiler casing so as to shut off the oil supply to the building externally in case of a fire or overheat at the appliance.
Room thermostat
A device which switches heating control equipment on and off according to the temperature which has been set by the user.
SAP
Standard Assessment Procedure (measures the energy in buildings).
SBSA
Scottish Building Standards Agency
SEDBUK
Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK
Sight Gauge
A transparent tube fitted in the outer pipe close to the tank and run vertically up to just above the highest part of the tank. Where the tube joins the draw off pipe there is a push bottom valve which when depressed enables oil to rise up the tube to the same level as the oil in the tank.
Space Heating
Providing heat for rooms
System Boiler
Like a regular boiler, but often includes a circulating pump, expansion vessel and safety pressure relief valve within its casing.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves
Non electric valves with regulate water flow through a radiator in accordance with the amount of heat required to maintain a pre set temperature in a room.
Vaporising Burner
A type of burner often used in cookers and roomheaters, which burns the oil by heating it so that vapour is given of to maintain a flame. Silent in operation
Water Heating
Providing heat for domestic hot water.
Zoning
Providing separate space heating control for different parts of a building.
OFTEC’s helpful guide to those mind boggling terms!
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