Safe discharges from commercial condensing boilers

WaterMatic has developed another innovative product to prevent acidic discharges from condensing boilers, and this will be on display at IWEX next week

Condensafe is designed for all commercial applications to eliminate the environmental impact of acidic discharges from condensing boilers and water heaters that reach the wastewater handling systems of all UK utility companies.

A year on from the success of the launch by sister company Salamander of Condensafe to the domestic market, WaterMatic has now adapted the product for commercial use.

Salamander Condensafe was the first 'in line' product on the market designed to provide a sensibly-priced, fast and easy solution to acidic condensate and has proved popular with heating engineers and homeowners alike by playing a part in maximising the positive effect of high efficiency condensing boilers on the environment.

Using similar technology, the WaterMatic Condensafe works by instantly changing the condensate from pH 4 (medium strength acid) to between pH 7 to 8.5 (near - neutral) making condensing boilers even more environmentally friendly.

It can be mounted into the condensate drain from a boiler/water heater plant room either at the same time as the boiler is installed or retrospectively.

If multiple condensing units are in use then an appropriate sized unit can be installed.

The Condensafe cartridge is designed to fit into a standard 40mm ABS/PCVu waste pipe drain and is fitted with universal couplers to accommodate all makes of 40mm O/D plastic pipe, allowing easy installation and straightforward servicing to change the unit when exhausted.

The volume of condensate that can be handled is sufficient, usually, for a regular service interval to be adopted to change the Condensafe cartridge.

WaterMatic has a system in place to remind customers when the cartridge needs changing.

Sue Clews, Salamander Sales Director, comments: "Condensing boilers are now compulsory in both domestic and commercial situations and when in operation they produce acidic condensate liquid, which is discharged into the drains.

This acid has the potential to damage the environment, and interfere with the operation of sewage works and septic tanks.

"Since Part L of the Building Regulations came into force high efficiency condensing boiler installations have increased dramatically and with this the volume of acidic condensate being put down the drain.

If you consider a typical small commercial condensing boiler will produce 4,000 litres of condensate per year the amount of acid being dumped in our sewers is likely to grow at a rate of half a million litres each week over the next few years.

The potential for environmental damage therefore is enormous," adds Sue: "Today, backed by EU legislation and environmental directives, it is a requirement that trade effluent is discharged to municipal sewers between pH6.5 and 8.5.

Installing Condensafe will ensure that all commercial users that discharge waste to the utilities do so in a responsible way, and without contravening the Water Resources Act".

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