GLOSSARY

Amps Calculation

kW x 1000 = Watts; Watts ÷ 230 volts = Amps

Ancillary Appliances

Appliances that do not utilize Mains Borne Signaling or Pilot Wiring Switching Systems (e.g Water Heaters, towel rails etc…)

Background Heat

A lower heat level than full heating and normally used to keep the chill off the room.

BEAB Approved

The mark of the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board signifies that the appliance bearing it has been produced to stringent safety requirements for domestic electrical appliances as laid down by EN60335.

Bi-metal Damper Control

A metal arm within a storage heater that is closed during charging periods and then as it cools can be opened to release the trapped heat at a rate required by the user.

Boost Function

Many heaters have this facility which enables the user to extract additional heat from the heater as and when required and boost the room temperature

Charge Controller

Controls the amount of electrical charge taken during the charging period (i.e storage heaters)

Comfort Level

This is the level of preferred heat required as selected by the individual(s). This is usually in the main areas where a warmer, more comfortable temperature is required.

Convected Heat

Feels like hot air. The heat is pushed upwards and is thrown out of the top of the heater, as the heat drops it cools and is circulated back through the bottom of the heater to be used again on a continuous cycle. The heat is not directional like radiant heat.

Dash

Direct Acting Space Heating, often referred to where electric heating systems use day rate energy only, e.g panel heaters.

Direct-Acting

This is a heat source that provides heat instantaneously when switched on. (i.e panel, convector, fan heater etc….)

Direct Water Heating

The Dimplex SCXd cylinders are an efficient way of heating water with electricity. The Immersion elements are in contact with the water inside the unit and heat the hot water directly. A boiler is not required and therefore is ideal for electrically heated properties or properties without a gas or oil boiler. The units are unvented, which means the cylinder is fed direct from cold mains water supply with no open outlet/ vent pipe. This provides high flow rates of hot water for use with multiple bath and shower rooms. They are easier to use and more cost effective to install than an indirect system in situations where there is no existing electric/gas/oil boiler.

Dry Element

These are usually associated with towel rails which do not contain liquid. The wire inside the tube heats up, heating the outside tube which radiates the heat out.

EcoHomes

An environmental rating for both new and renovated homes, sponsored by the NHBC.

Element

The internal component of a heater which provides the heat.

Energy Efficiency Commitment

The name for the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance Scheme (EESoP) which is overseen by the EST. Funding is obtained from a levy on energy bills to provide grants for the energy saving projects.

Energy Saving Trust (EST)

A non profit making organisation funded by the government and the private sector, to stimulate energy efficiency in the UK.

Energy for Sustainable Development (ESD)

A global initiative that focuses on the provision of energy services for use by people (heating, cooling, illumination) rather than looking at energy supply online.

Fan Heater

A normal heating element that heats up with a fan behind it to circulates the warm air around the room.

Free Standing Fire

This type of fire is stood freely against a wall.

Frost Protection

Automatic thermostat that switches heater on, if the room temperature drops below 5ºc.

Fuel Poverty

A household is said to be in fuel poverty if more than 10% of its gross income needs to be spent to maintain satisfactory heating levels.

Green Tariffs

For every unit of electricity used, the power company will generate or buy the equivalent amount from a renewable source other than a fossil fuel.

Guarantee

Length of time manufacturer will cover repairs / replacements free of charge.

Heatstream

A combination of radiant & convected heat available with the Burlington fire.

Indirect Water Heating

The Dimplex SCXi cylinders are heated via a coil in the cylinder that allows heat to be transferred to the stored water from a source away from the cylinder such as a gas or oil boiler. Where a gas or oil boiler is used to provide space heating this is a useful method of heating the hot water from the same heat source.

Input

What energy is put in to a product (i.e charge into a storage heater)

Inset Fire

This type of fire sits within a cavity [for example a chimney or fire surround] and only the edge of the fire is visible.

Instantaneous Water Heating

Products such as the Dimplex DEH and DEE water heaters heat the cold mains water as it is used, so there is no stored water in the unit. As water is heated on demand the energy usage is minimised and the supply of hot water is continuous. To provide the high flow rates a 3-phase 415 volt supply is required. A further example of an instantaneous water heater is the Handyman.

Integral Controls

Product has built in controls

IP Rating

A legally required rating that identifies which area within a wet environment an electrical product can be placed to comply with IEE Regulations

kW

Kilowatt = 1000 watts of heat

kWh

Kilowatt Hours – Energy companies provide energy costs in Kilowatt Hours (i.e how much one kilowatt of heat costs per hour) - Storage Heaters are measured this way and not in kilowatts as conventional heaters are.

Loading

The maximum input of a product

Neon Indicator

LED light on a product which indicates it has an electrical current running through it and/or is either switched on and in operation.

NHER

National Home Energy Rating scheme – a measure of a homes energy efficiency similar to SAP, but taking into account other energy uses, such as lighting and cooking.

Off Peak Tariffs

This is the cheapest form of electricity and different energy companies have different tariffs. The most common tariff is Economy 7 which is available from mid-night to 7am, although there are a variety of other tariffs around including Economy 10, and some with daytime boosts. Please speak to energy suppliers in your area for details of the tariffs they offer.

Output

What energy a product releases (i.e level of heat)

Output Dissipation

The heat lost within a 24 hour period - kWh ÷ Hours = kW

Panel Heater

Direct-acting heat source which will work for 24 hours (off/on peak) if required. They have built in thermostats and can be controlled by a timer (either built in or as an accessory).

Peak Tariffs

This is the more expensive form of electricity.

Radiant Heat

Same warmth as is felt by the sun. The heat is directional and is of a constant temperature until it is lowered (manually/automatically) or turned off. Radiant heat is more readily absorbed by the human body so usually less radiant heat is needed to heat a person fully than say a convected heat..

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is derived from inexhaustible sources such as wind, the sun, sea, or replaceable sources such as waste products and crops. It's a long-term way to tackle climate change.

SAP

Standard Assessment Procedure – the tool for measuring compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.

Semi Inset Fire

This type of fire is partly inset into an open cavity (half in / half out) and part of its edge is visible.

Sustainability

The key to sustainability is two-fold, focussing on reducing power requirements through improved efficiency, and incorporating more renewable sources of energy into buildings.

Storage Heater

A heater that works by taking an energy charge during off peak energy times (usually over night) converts it to heat and then releases the heat throughout the day.

Thermostat

A built in temperature sensor that automatically instruct a heating product to release more heat to maintain a required level.

Timer

Some products are fitted with timers’, others are compatible with accessory timers. These timers can be set to turn the product on/off at certain times of the day

Unvented Water Heating

These take water from the cold mains supply and heat the water in a pressurised environment. The units provide high volumes of hot water suitable for single or multiple hot water outlets. Sizes range from 7-15 litre undersink units, which can be located either under the sink or near the point of use; mid-range 30-75 litre units which can supply commercial sinks or multiple basins; through to the larger SCx units with 80-305 litre capacities and can provide water to domestic properties or light commercial. Unvented units come with safety valves and require specialist knowledge or qualification (for units >15litres) to install. Dimplex examples include the SCX cylinders and SU/SUTP ranges.

Vented Water Heating

A vented unit stores water at atmospheric pressure and provides a low-cost means of providing hot water at the point of use. A tap is usually fitted in the water supply before unit, so that the outlet is always open to the sink allowing the heated water to expand and drip into the sink, eliminating the build up of pressure. For safety reasons the vented unit must always have an unblocked or ‘open’ outlet and shuld therefore be used with taps provided with the unit or those specially designed for this purpose. A tap is fitted in the water supply before application, so that when the water expands it can still drip out of the appliance, eliminating the build up of pressure. For safety reasons, it is essential that the vent pipe is properly installed. Once the water flows into the application, it has to drip out. Dimplex don’t currently manufacture vented water heating units.

Wet Heating Systems

A heating system which uses radiators filled with water which is heated by a central electric, gas or oil boiler.