Navien’s LCB700 Oil Boiler brings zoning and advanced control to a Cambridgeshire home

Packed with stunning architecture, cobbled streets and bustling markets, Cambridge is a city that celebrates quintessential England while embracing pioneering scientific research and modern innovation.

Another place that balances past with present is Balsham Boilers, a servicing, repair and installation company that has been run by the Powell family for three generations. With decades of experience in the heating industry, the family has had a front-row seat to the evolution of heating technologies, giving them the expertise to match the right solution to the application.

The perfect fit

One of their most recent projects was a boiler installation for a three-bed, two-bath bungalow. Noticing that their boiler was nearing the end of its lifespan, the homeowners contacted Balsham Boilers for advice on the best solution for their home.

Taking into consideration that the bungalow had not only two bathrooms to heat but also a separate office space, Balsham Boilers’ engineer Dave Powell knew they needed a heating system that could be split. This would allow the office space and main house to be heated and controlled separately. To fulfil this demand, he recommended the Navien LCB700 28kW oil-fired internal boiler. Dave chose this for its three-zone-ready functionality and compatibility with the Navien Smart Plus Controller, which would enable the homeowners to control multiple zones in their home from one central hub.

After doing some of their own research, the homeowners were ultimately impressed by Navien’s 10-year parts and labour warranty and the overall efficiency that the LCB700 offered. They were also impressed by the fact that they could heat their office separately from the main house. By choosing the Navien LCB700, they would also benefit from a modern oil boiler with stainless steel heat exchangers for durability, HVO compatibility and ultra-low NOx emissions.

When it came to the installation, the LCB700’s lightweight, compact floor-standing design made it a straightforward process. Weighing only 70kg and with handles for an easy two-person lift, the boiler was an instant upgrade compared to the previous boiler, which was more than double the weight. The LCB700’s flexible pipework arrangements, combined with PRV/condensate drain and compact internal layout, are also designed to support a cleaner and more efficient installation. The kit also includes an isolation valve as standard to save the installer the chore of draining the dirty radiator water and refilling the system.

Advanced control

Since the installation, Dave Powell shared that the system has been working well for the homeowners. He commented: “The split heating arrangement has been particularly useful, allowing the customer to manage the outhouse office and the main house separately rather than heating both areas together. This gives them better day-to-day control, especially when the office is in use at different times to the rest of the property.”

The homeowners can control the LCB700 via both its clear text-driven display and the Navien Smart Plus Controller. Crucially, the controller helps to bring ease and comfort to their everyday lives. It also enhances the already high-efficiency LCB700 with the potential to achieve A+ efficiency once they are paired.

Over time, the homeowners will be able to compare oil usage, running costs and comfort levels against their previous boiler. They anticipate tangible differences now that they are no longer heating the office and main building together unnecessarily.

You can watch the full case study here.

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