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When choosing commercial heating and domestic hot water (DHW) products, there’s plenty to consider. Efficiency, output, controls and installation requirements will all be on the list, but the material the product is made from can make a big difference to how it performs over time. This is where stainless steel plays an important role.
Resistance to corrosion
One of the main advantages of stainless steel is its resistance to corrosion. This comes from the chromium within the steel, which reacts with oxygen to form a thin, protective oxide layer on the surface. If the surface is damaged, this layer can reform, helping to protect the material underneath.
This is particularly important in equipment exposed to water, heat and condensate. In commercial boilers, for example, heat exchangers can be exposed to condensate as well as high temperatures and combustion gases. In hot water heaters, the material is in prolonged contact with the water supply.
Water quality can also affect how different materials perform. Hard water can cause scale build-up, which can reduce heat transfer and increase energy consumption, while soft water can be more corrosive. Here, choosing a corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel can be an important consideration when specifying hot water equipment.
Strength and durability
Another advantage of stainless steel is its combination of strength and durability. This makes it particularly suitable for equipment operating under demanding conditions.
In a commercial boiler, for instance, the heat exchanger needs to withstand repeated exposure to high temperatures while continuing to transfer heat efficiently. In a hot water system, hot water heaters need to cope with repeated heating and cooling cycles over their working life.
Using a material that can withstand these conditions can help support reliable performance over the working life of the equipment and reduce maintenance requirements.
Lightweight and practical
Beyond its performance benefits, stainless steel can also offer practical advantages and help keep costs down during the installation process.
Because stainless steel can be formed from relatively thin material, heating and hot water products are often lighter in weight. This can make them easier to transport, manoeuvre and position, particularly where access to a plant room is restricted. This was an important consideration at The Knaresborough Inn in North Yorkshire, where Dorchester DR-SG stainless steel water heaters helped simplify installation, as part of a refurbishment project.
Long term value
Finally, when choosing commercial heating and hot water products, it’s important to look beyond the initial purchase price. The lowest purchase price doesn’t always represent the lowest cost over the life of the equipment. Reliability, maintenance requirements and service life can all have an impact on the overall cost of a system.
Whilst it could be argued that stainless steel might have a higher initial cost than some other materials traditionally used, such as copper, aluminium and steel, its durability and corrosion resistance properties can help make it a cost-effective choice over the long term. For added peace of mind, stainless steel commercial heating and hot water products are also typically backed by strong warranty coverage, such as our latest generation of Modumax mk4 boilers, which are backed by a market leading 10-year heat exchanger warranty.
Whether you’re replacing a single unit or upgrading a full system, contact your local Area Sales Manager for expert Hamworthy Heating support.
