to helping you design and build better homes.

 

Architects & Builders

 

There are many areas where we at DPS can help you. For example, a typical new-build system will provide:

A Free Loft Space. Our Heat Bank Thermal Store systems heat mains water instantaneously, removing the need for any cold water storage. Central heating systems can, off course, be sealed, removing the need for a feed and expansion tank. The end result is a centralised system that allows freedom to position radiators or hot water outlets as high as you wish.

The removal of the Overflow, and Regular Servicing. Represents huge potential savings in both design time, building costs, and maintenance costs.  Whether you use a cold water tank or an unvented cylinder, there is a requirement for an overflow, to be taken to a visible outside drain, that nearly always ends up dripping and resulting in some form of servicing. Heat Bank Thermal Stores can overcome this, so for example, electrically heated units only need two pipe connections for cold mains in and hot out - No discharges.  As stores are not pressurised, there is no need to regularly maintain safety components.

Accessible, Easily Available Components. The last thing we want is for a service engineer to be faced with components he does not understand, and cannot find spare parts for easily. To this end we have tried to keep fittings and controls simple, avoiding the use of microprocessor controls, or exotic PCBs. Often, a twelve terminal junction box is all that is used. Hot water control is provided by a standard 1" Caleffi or Honeywell blending valve, time control by standard Danfoss, Honeywell or Grasslin timers and programmers, and pumps by Grundfos. This standardisation helps a great deal when fault finding as engineers will be faced with components they recognize and can get from a local merchant. All components are arranged to be easily accessible with isolating valves fitted on all pumps.

A large range of Capacities and Dimensions. We have often come across contracts where certain cupboards turn out to be too small for the 'standard' size of unit. Other jobs have required short squat units that fit under a worktop. For us this is not a problem. Store diameters come in sizes 480mm, 530mm, 580mm and 680mm, with heights up to 2metres. Resulting capacities vary from 80 to 500 litres. All units are cased as standard, with a plastic coated steel and include 40mm CFC free foam insulation to lock heat in - surface temperatures are much cooler than expected.

Options for Very High Output. Our standard Heat Bank Thermal Stores provide over 100kW of hot water, however if required this can be increased to over 150kW with a larger heat exchanger. For even more hot water, a second heat exchanger will provide a total of over 300kW, giving enough hot water to supply any house we have yet encountered. Hot water temperatures are set by a fitted thermostatic blending valve(s), and if required, hot water temperatures of up to 65°C cab be obtained, even with the coldest of mains supplies. As standard, the blending valve is set and locked to 55°C.

More Options that you hoped for. Pick your heat source - Electric, Gas, Oil, Solid Fuel, Central Boiler. If you would like to tweak a system, say by adding a couple of spare bosses, secondary return controls, or even a solar heating coil, then we will be glad to accommodate you. We also have considerable experience with cutting edge technologies - underfloor heating, solar, CHP, and heat metering to mention a few. Controls can be supplied from a number of manufacturers, with pipe sizes to suit.

Installer Friendly. Experience with a vast range of installers has provided us with considerable feedback as to what can go wrong with an installation. It has always been in our interest to talk to installers and get their views as to what improvements can be made. This is taken on board and the designs updated. The end result is that systems have evolved to the point where installers have great difficulty making a mistake. Improvements have included:

Pre-wire power cables, heat resistant butyl to the correct gauge. 2m or 3m lengths. Ends stripped and ferruled.
Metal push-fit Tectite fittings, allowing rapid and very reliable pipework connection.
Captive filling loop caps to ensure loops can be safely disconnected on site. Clear labels on unit to disconnect and cap after use.
Optionally fitted immersion heater timer to avoid the need for wall mounted devices and reducing on-site wiring.
Option to combine system and immersion heater supplies into a single electrical supply - only one spur, less wiring.
Tamperproof cylinder thermostats, avoid the accidental setting to of store temperatures too high or low.
Visible calibration stickers showing the temperature cylinder and immersion heater stats are factory set to.
High quality ball-type pump valves that do not weep if used repeatedly.
Laminated wiring diagram for complete system stuck to the outside of store, in clear view.

After Sales Service. We take pride in the fact that none of our systems have ever been removed in disgrace. When you specify a DPS system you are doing so in the knowledge that we always do our utmost to keep the end user happy. Our contact details are clearly labelled on the unit, and we can advise users over the phone as to how to operate systems. It is common for instructions to go missing on sites, and we are always happy to post or email copies as requested. We have always provided on-site servicing where necessary, and work closely with installers to provide training and overcome any problems encountered.