FAQ

How does the system work?
MK Controls and Systems are designed to save energy by applying time proven techniques to control the boilers in order to minimise the firing time whilst maintaining required temperatures and comfort conditions.

MK systems use microchip technology combined with electronic sensors and dedicated software to manage the heating system to its optimum efficiency.

The electronic sensors monitor on a second by second basis all variable temperatures and the changing demands on the system. This information is relayed back to the central control panel and interpreted directly and very accurately varies the boiler output temperature to meet the demand being imposed.
The MK System incorporates the use of the following:

Optimum On/Off

Conventional time switches will switch the heating on and off at the same time each day irrespective of the outside conditions. The 'on time' will be set to ensure the internal temperature is raised to comfort levels during the winter period when the outside temperature is zero and below. When the building is first occupied i.e. time clock on 07.00 hours, building occupancy 09.00 hours. The 'off time' will be set to coincide with the finishing time, i.e. 17.30 hours. During Spring and Autumn and indeed many days during the Winter the outside temperature will be at 10 - 15 degrees centigrade but the time clock will still switch the heating on and off at the same times it would do if it were freezing.

It stands to reason therefore that the comfort level within the building will be reached well before 09.00 hours when the staff arrives at the premises i.e. 08.00 hours, 08.30 hours etc. Similarly when the heating is turned off at 17.30 hours during mild conditions the building will stay within the comfort band well after all the staff has left.

MK controls have the facility to switch the heating on and off at a time that will maintain comfort levels without having unnecessary boiler firing times. This feature can reduce the daily programming time by
15 - 20% saving up to 10% of the energy consumed.

Weather Compensation

Most heating systems rely on the boiler thermostat as a crude means of controlling the building temperature, they are normally set to provide comfort conditions during the winter when the temperatures may be zero or below.
As the outside temperature rises the heat losses through the building fabric become less and the inside temperature rises. All MK controls have automatic weather compensation which will reduce the boiler temperature as the outside temperature increases this provides energy conservation and improves comfort conditions during the milder periods, approximately 10% of consumed energy can be saved with this feature.

Variable Thermal Response (VTR)

The boiler will cycle on its thermostat as the flow temperature rises and falls under low demand situations this can be quite rapid leading to short cycling of the boiler. Variable thermal response will reduce the cycling time in line with the demand thereby reducing the firing time and energy consumed. This will also reduce the wear and tear on the mechanical components of the boiler.
Savings attributed to VTR are up to 15 - 20%.

Night Set Back

When 24 hour running is required e.g. nursing homes, hospitals, etc., energy reductions can be made by reducing the building temperature during the night. Depending on the MK model, this may be achieved by either reducing the flow temperature or reducing the controlled space temperature. Night set back can mean an 8 - 10% reduction in energy consumption.

Multi-Boiler Control

Where more than one boiler is installed on a common pipe header the MK controller will incorporate step control and sequence changing. The former will only fire the number of boilers required to meet the demand, the latter means that the lead boiler will be automatically changed each day thus evening out the running time for each boiler.

How do we know it works?

We have comprehensive lists of satisfied clients and fully documented trial results..We will conduct a trial free of charge to substantiate our claims.

What does the MK System do that a Building Management Systems doesn't do?

We directly control the firing of the boilers.

How can we prove savings?

We install digital monitors to measure fuel usage and when in test mode the MK System will operate on a day on - day off basis demonstrating the difference in burn time between a controlled day and an uncontrolled day.

 

Who maintains the system?
We guarantee the system parts and labour and its savings for a minimum of five years

In what types of buildings have you saved energy?
Hotels, Schools, Universities, Leisure Centres, Libraries, Civic Buildings, Warehouses, Depots, Factories, Commercial Offices, High Rise Flats, , Residential Homes, Care Homes, Hospitals, High Rise Office Blocks, HM Prisons.

What about reliability?

All MK Systems have a fail safe microchip installed so in the unlikely event of a malfunction the system will Automatically shut down and allow free firing of the boilers.

Is it suitable for all heating systems?

The MK Enermatic System will control all multiple boiler installations of any size with the exception of Steam Boilers.

I have Constant Temperature Circuits - I must have high constant temperatures?

Even though circuits have been designed for constant temperatures your local room sensors and comfort control will exercise control of mass hot water flow to the CT heat exchangers. If the MK system, through its profiling, decides that lower primary temperatures can be used your local control system will simply call for a greater mass flow of hot water to the heat exchanger.

Will your system interfere with my BMS ?

The MK system will interface with any existing heating control system. It will operate within the supervision of Building Management Systems in terms of scheduling, frost setback and even its weather compensation control, as long as it has total temperature and sequencing control of the boiler. It is installed with full consideration given to the function of existing intelligent controls.

Can the MK systems control and save fuel for CHP units?

No not directly, but most CHPs work with back-up boilers, which can be controlled in an energy effective way by the MK system. The MK system effect on the heating system is to reduce or eliminate the frequency at which the CHP dumps waste heat if return temperatures are too high for engine cooling.

What happens if we do not hit the agreed level of savings?

We will if necessary determine why saving levels are falling. If we cannot correct the drop in savings we will credit the customer with a refund of the difference of what was saved against what they should have saved.

Are your systems suitable for a domestic house?

We have a control especially manufactured for installation in a private dwelling with an expected saving of 30% on fuel used.