Keeping control: The Benefits of CHP Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring of heating and hot water systems may not be a new concept, but we are seeing more intuitive web-based systems being developed which allow customers on or off site to access their own platform and monitor their system’s performance data via their web browser.

Performance analysis

CHP modules are usually sized in relation to their thermal output and should reference the base load of a building. They are also perfectly suited to the likes of care homes, hospitals, and swimming pools, where there is a constant demand for heating and hot water, day and night. With this type of application however, comes the need to ensure the system is running 24/7.

One of the main benefits of monitoring a system remotely is that all parties can be notified via text message or email immediately if a CHP module stops working for any reason so any issues can be resolved as soon as possible.

Remote monitoring can also benefit the supplier or manufacturer of the equipment as the analysis of historical trends can help to resolve particular issues. The monitoring system places the responsibility back on the manufacturer to manage and react to individual requirements as and when they occur, which can often be before staff on site are even aware.

Maximising service levels

As CHP technology becomes more familiar in the UK and the benefits of large systems are realised, many service level agreements are demanding that a given site’s CHP module must run for a guaranteed period per year.

With growing pressure on manufacturers to ensure their CHP module runs seamlessly day in, day out, the ability to monitor its performance remotely can greatly improve performance and maintenance. The manufacturer can view how many hours the appliance has run for and when the next service is due, as well as keeping an eye on any performance shortfalls. This means that the CHP module can be repaired pro-actively, rather than in response to a breakdown.

Automatic restarts can also be actioned remotely under certain fault conditions, without sending an engineer to site, and maintenance staff responsible for a daily check of the CHP system, can do so from their own desk.

Once the benefits of remote monitoring become more widely known, it will soon become a must-have addition to any modern plant room. Beyond this, we are excited to see what other adjustments can be made to monitoring systems to make them even more intuitive.