What Size Commercial Boiler Do I Need?

While most people are aware of what a commercial boiler is, many have limited experience and knowledge about the system sizes their commercial building may need.

If you run a business, your premises may have a commercial boiler, but do you actually know what size commercial boiler is best for your commercial property?

Commercial boiler size considerations

The right commercial boiler size for your property depends on several factors:

• Building size – The square footage and volume of your commercial property is the primary determining factor when it comes to boiler size. Larger buildings will require more substantial boilers to meet heating and hot water demands.

• Climate zone – Buildings in colder climates, such as in the UK, will often require more powerful boilers to keep up with the demands during the winter months.

• Occupancy and usage – The number of occupants and the type of activities in the building will influence what boiler size is needed. For example, a restaurant will likely have a greater need for a larger boiler than an office.

• Hot water needs – If your commercial property requires a lot of hot water, this should be considered when looking at the boiler size. 

What size boiler do you need for your commercial building?

Selecting the right size commercial boiler for your commercial building requires careful consideration of several key factors. 

The general rule of thumb for finding the right commercial boiler for your building is to allow 50 – 60 watts of heat output per square metre or 5 – 6 watts per square foot of space being heated.

Your boiler also needs to be an adequate size to handle your heating and hot water requirements, but it also needs to be as efficient as possible to help keep your energy bills down. 

Often, when an old commercial boiler is being replaced, the selection process of a new boiler is relatively straightforward. For new buildings, it can be a bit more complex since the space will need to be fully evaluated before choosing the correct size. However, when you work with our heating engineers at Lacey Plumbing & Heating, we will provide advice and guidance to ensure your boiler is as efficient and effective for your space as possible. 

How do heating engineers size a commercial heating system?

To establish the right size boiler for your commercial building, your heating engineer will measure the full square footage of the property. From here, they will calculate what size commercial boiler would be best for you based on your property size. 

They will also take other factors into account such as:

• Your overall heating needs
• Which boiler fuel would be best suited to your property (gas, electric, etc.)
• Where the boiler will be located 
• If there is sufficient ventilation