Smith’s Environmental Products Space Saver Product information sheet

Space Saver
Connecting your Space Saver to a central heating system
New
Easy Guide
BEFORE
AFTER

Space Saver
2
Introduction
This document is intended as an easy step-by-step guide to
connecting your Smith's Space Saver plinth heater to your central
heating system. It is aimed at those who are typically replacing a
panel radiator or connecting to an existing central heating system.
We hope it offers an invaluable resource to both professional
installers and competent DIY'ers alike. It will show you what heating
systems are suitable for Space Saver, how to connect your unit to
your existing system and help you get the best performance from
your heater.
This guide is intended to be read in conjunction with the Installation
and User Guide provided with the product. We would stress that
should you have any doubts regarding connection of our product to
the central heating system you should consult a professional. Details
of a local qualified installer can be found by contacting the Institute
of Plumbing and Heating Engineering on 01708 472791 or visit their
Website on www.iphe.org.uk
How Does It Work?
Space Saver is connected to your existing central heating system
pipework. Hot water passes through the unit and transfers the heat
to aluminium fins. Cooler air is drawn in by an electric fan and
heated as it passes through the aluminium fins, and then is gently
blown back into the room via a low level grille. This not only gives a
more even temperature spread, but will heat the room up in less
than half the time of a traditional panel radiator. Space Saver Dual
models have an additional electric heating element to allow the unit
to produce heat when the central heating system is switched off.
Only models designated 12V are suitable for use in bathrooms and
other high humidity areas.
Space Saver grille -
available in a large
range of finishes
Heat
exchanger

3
Is Your Central Heating System Suitable?
Nearly all central heating systems, including
micro-bore, are suitable for the installation of a
Space Saver heater. The only exception is a one-
pipe system (see diagram below), which has been
little used since the sixties and early seventies.
Please note, adding micro-bore pipework to an
existing small bore (15mm) system is not suitable.
The diagrams below will help you identify your
central heating system.
TWO PIPE OPEN VENTED
Gravity fed hot water pumped heating
ONE PIPE OPEN VENTED
Gravity fed hot water pumped heating
TWO PIPE SEALED SYSTEMTWO PIPE OPEN VENTED FULLY PUMPED

Space Saver
4
If you have a sealed system or combination boiler
it's best to locate the pressure gauge and filling
loop which are usually located next to each
other. You will also need the manufacturer's
recommended system pressure information for
when you come to refill the system.
If you are replacing a radiator within a
micro-bore system, you can connect to the
existing pipework. If you are adding to the
system, the flow and return pipes should only
be connected to spare outlets on the manifold.
COMBINATION BOILER
OPEN VENTED MICROBORE SEALED MICROBORE
Combination boiler control panel

5
Connecting your Space Saver to the Central Heating System
Read this guide in conjunction with the Installation & User Guide
provided with the product. Copies are available from the download
centre on www.smiths-env.com or by calling us on 01245 324560.
Before beginning please ensure you read all the safety and guidance
notes within the Installation & User Guide.
You should now have identified your heating system and whether it
is suitable to incorporate a Space Saver heater. Your next step is to
drain the system of water (see page 6) to enable you to cut into the
pipe work at the proposed location of the Space Saver unit.
Positioning Space Saver
Space Saver is primarily designed for installation in the space
beneath kitchen/utility room units, behind the plinth. However,
Spacer Saver can also be installed in other locations such as stair
risers and built-in furniture. Only 12 volt models can be used in
bathrooms and other high humidity areas. Space Saver can be
fitted directly onto the floor (diag A) or raised in a plinth (diag B).
If raised, the product should be placed on a stable level platform.
Cut the plinth as described in the Installation & User Guide.
Positioning the Fused Spur
Now is a good time to work out the best position for the electrical
fused spur. Safety regulations require that the fused spur must not
be positioned directly above the heater and be easily accessible
once installation is complete. Be careful, when placing inside a
cupboard, that objects can't hit the switch accidentally.
Positioning the Pipework
The heater connects to your existing heating system's flow and
return pipes. If you are unsure what these pipes are, or of the
system you have, then refer to the system diagrams on pages 3 of
this guide. System flow and return pipes to the heater must, where
possible, be at the same level or below the heater's own flow and
return pipes. This will reduce the risk of air traps. If this cannot be
avoided, ensure that a finger vent is fitted allowing any air traps to
be vented.
A
B

Space Saver
6
Draining the System
1.Turn off the electric
isolation switch normally
adjacent to the boiler.
2.If you have an open vented
system turn off the mains
water supply to the feed
and expansion tank. The
stopcock valve is normally
located near the tank. If
there is no stopcock valve
tie the ball cock (float arm)
in the up position using a
batten to keep the valve
closed.
3.Attach a length of hose to
the main draincock, usually
located on the return pipe
near the boiler. Place the
other end of the hose to
a suitable drain. Open the
draincock with a key or
adjustable spanner and the
system will start to drain.
4.Water may be held in
the radiators due to the
vacuum that is created.
To release the water, work
from the highest radiator
down and open the bleed
valves on each radiator to
release the trapped air.
5.Close the bleed valves and
the water will continue to
drain from the system.
6.Lastly drain any inverted
pipe loops. Pipes are often
run through ceiling voids
and drop down walls to
individual radiators. This
is called an inverted pipe
loop. Each loop should have
its own draincock. It is only
necessary to drain the
inverted loop you are
working on.
Connecting the Space Saver
1.Cut and prepare the
pipework and connect the
heater as detailed in the
Installation & User Guide.
Refilling the Heating System
Important
We recommend the use of
central heating protectors
as these provide long term
protection of domestic central
heating systems against
internal corrosion.
If your system has been
treated with a central heating
protector you should refer to
the manufacturer’s
instructions for topping up and
refilling your heating system.
Information regarding previous
treatment may be with your
heating system installation
and user guides, on a label
near the boiler or if fitted,
on a label near the feed and
expansion tank.
Untreated systems must be
thoroughly cleansed and
flushed before treating as
existing debris can damage
the installation. If in doubt
seek professional advice.
1.First check that you have
closed all the draincocks
and radiator bleed valves.
2.Turn on the supply to your
system. If you have an open
vented system turn on the
valve to the expansion tanks
or untie the ballcock. If you
have a sealed system your
system feed will most likely
be located at the boiler.

7
Lockshield!
valve
Thermostatic!
or wheelhead!
valve
Balancing the Central Heating
System
The balancing of the system
should be carried out by a
qualified person; the following
notes are for guidance only.
The balance of your central
heating should not be affected
by installing a Space Saver as
part of the system. If however
you get little or no heat output
from the Space Saver heater it
may be that the balance of the
system was not correct prior to
the installation.
Prior to balancing, you should:
a. Check the power supply is
switched ON.
b. If fitted, ensure the room
thermostat is calling for
heat.
c. Increase the boiler water
temperature.
The purpose of balancing is to
achieve equal heat distribution
and heat output across all heat
emitters (radiators, etc) on
your central heating system.
Generally, upstairs radiators get
hotter quickest because hot
water is lighter than cold water
and so naturally rises.
Consequently, radiators that are
farthest from the boiler, and
those at the lowest level, will
need a larger volume of hot
water.
To achieve the correct balance,
it is necessary to restrict the
flow of water through each
radiator by adjusting the lock-
shield valve. For best results,
the temperature of water
leaving the radiator should be
10% lower than that of the
water entering the radiator.
This will ensure maximum
efficiency and give a longer
life to the boiler.
The Space Saver within your
system does not need
balancing but you should
ensure the isolating valves
supplied are fully open.
3.In an open vented system
the water will stop filling
the expansion tank when
the system is full. In a
sealed system the system
is full when you reach the
required pressure as
recommended by your
boiler manufacturer.
4.As the system fills up air will
be trapped in the top of the
radiators. You will have to
bleed each one, this time
starting from the lowest
level radiator and working
upward. You may also have
to bleed the circulating
pump.
5.As you bleed the air out of
the radiators it will need to
be replaced by water. In an
open vented system this will
be fed automatically, but in a
sealed system you will have
to let more water in to keep
the pressure at the correct
level. It's a good idea to
have two people during this
procedure, one bleeding the
radiators and one topping up
the water.
6.Check all draincocks and
bleed valves for signs of
leakage and tighten if
necessary.
Completing the Installation
1.Refer to the Installation
and User Guide to complete
the commissioning of your
Space Saver.

Smith’s Environmental Products Ltd,
Blackall Industrial Estate, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5UW
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Sales E-mail: [e-mail] General Information E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www: smiths-env.com
As part of the policy of continuous product improvement,
Smith’s Environmental Products Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without prior notice.
For the Republic of Ireland, contact MT Agencies (Ireland) Ltd on Tel: [phone]