DBH: YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
March 2022
Jaga’s Dynamic Boost Hybrid (DBH) is a totally unique product. Although it has now been successfully installed in thousands of projects across the world, particularly where low flow temperature heating systems are fitted, it’s still new and probably different to anything you’ve used before, so we understand you may have hesitation when it comes to specifying or installing it. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the questions we most commonly get asked to help you understand if it’s the right solution for you and your project.
WHAT IS DBH?
DBH is not a fan convector and is certainly not an electric radiator. The DBH upgrade set is a booster that was specially developed for Jaga Low-H2O radiators to increase heating capacity and enable low energy consumption cooling.
As radiators with DBH can achieve such high outputs, it makes it possible to greatly reduce the water flow temperature of your heating system to optimise the performance when used with renewable energy technology. Therefore, you can easily switch from a high flow temperature gas boiler (typically operating at 75/65°C) to a low flow temperature heat pump (typically operating at 45/35°C).
The DBH set is made up of small electric activators which, when placed inside a Low-H2O radiator, significantly boost output.
The technology is an enhanced version of Jaga’s former Dynamic Boost Effect (DBE), a well-known and trusted technology widely used across the UK and the world. But DBH has the added benefit of providing low cost, environmentally friendly light cooling (non-condensing) when used with a reverse cycle heat pump providing cooled water.
Watch this short video to learn more about how DBH works with our best-selling Strada.
CAN I FIT DBH TO MY STEEL PANEL RADIATOR?
Regular steel panel radiators are not suitable for a DBH upgrade. DBH is specially designed to be fitted inside a Jaga Low-H2O radiator.
If you are moving from a high flow temperature boiler to a low flow temperature heat pump, you will likely have to increase the size of your steel panel radiators by two to three times that of the original. By using Low-H2O with DBH, you can replace your steel panel rads for ones of equivalent size thanks to the powerful heat outputs it can provide at low flow temperatures.
WHICH SIZE DBH DO I NEED?
Almost all Jaga Low-H2O radiators can be equipped with the DBH upgrade set, including Strada, Tempo, Guardian, Maxi 2020. It simply sits on top of the heat exchanger inside the unit to increase the airflow, therefore increasing the output.
It’s important to note that the height of the radiator does not affect the output DBH provides. DBH can be fitted inside a radiator as small as 350mm H x 500mm L. The output of the 350mm high Low-H2O Hybrid radiator will be the same as the 950mm high of the same length. This makes it a great option where wall space is limited.
DBH comes in two widths, each with various lengths to match the radiator it’s being fitted to.
DBH Unit 10
Slightly narrower & suitable for Type 10 or Type 11 radiator (115mm depth)
DBH Unit 15
Slightly wider & suitable for Type 15, 16, 20 oe 21 radiator (165mm-215mm depth)
Our team can help you select the right DBH units for your radiators, so you don’t need to worry.
DOES DBH USE A LOT OF ELECTRICITY?
In operation, the electricity consumption is on average no more than 7 Watts/metre. The annual consumption is negligible and is more than compensated by the energy efficiency of the Low-H2O technology in the radiator.
The power of the DBH unit remains the same regardless of radiator height but does increase as the radiator length increases. For example, a small 350mm H x 500mm L Strada Hybrid Type 11 will use 5.1 Watts of power, and our longest at the same height and type at 2800mm L will use 31.4 Watts.
Here are some typical examples of the daily cost of running DBH:
Living Room
- Has a large Strada Hybrid 1600mm long
- This would contain 2 x DBH.10F07 (DBH 10 units with 7 thermal activators)
- Electricity consumption = 0.12kWh per day
- Electricity cost = £0.02 per day @ 20p/kWh
Bedroom
- Has a mid-size Strada Hybrid 1000mm long
- This would contain 1 x DBH.10F08 (DBH 10 unit with 8 thermal activators)
- Electricity consumption = 0.08kWh per day
- Electricity cost = £0.02 per day @ 20p/kWh
The above calculations are based on the below assumptions:
- The unit is on and running in comfort mode (speed 2) for 3 hours in the morning and 4.5 hours in the evening.
- The unit is on standby for 9 hours overnight and 7.5 hours during the day.
- Boost mode (speed 3) is operated in 15 min intervals totalling 2 hours during the on period.
- The electricity cost is 20p/kWh.
As a comparison, we can look at the cost of running a TV. Based on a typical 55” LED TV, energy efficiency rating G, in use approx. 2-3 hrs per day, the total electricity cost based on 20p/kWh works out to be £0.06 per day. So running DBH for a typical 7.5 hours per day is a lot cheaper than watching 2-3 hours of TV!
IS DBH NOISY?
It’s important to note, that a Low-H2O Hybrid radiator can provide heat naturally without the DBH operating. In this case, it is completely silent. When the DBH is switched on and the fans are running, the unit operates at a very low noise level.
DBH has three different fan speeds you can select from to achieve desired temperatures. The lower the fan speed, the quieter it is.
- Bedroom mode (speed 1) – max. 26 dB(A)
- Comfort mode (speed 2) – max. 30 dB(A)
- Boost mode (speed 3) – 42-47.8 dB(A)
DBH is selected in comfort mode. This guarantees a quiet operation at a maximum of 30 dB(A). Speed 1 is an extremely quiet bedroom setting with a maximum of 26 dB(A). Speed 3 provides a maximum boost with the very high output serving primarily to heat up and cool down a room as quickly as possible, so is only used for 15-minute periods. In this mode, the noise level is between 42 and 47.8dB(A).
The sound power of the DBH is measured in accordance with ISO 3741:2010. The sound power can be described as the cause of the noise. And the sound pressure, the effect of the noise, i.e., what you hear. That’s why we publish sound pressure in our technical information tables.
How loud is a decibel?
| dB(A) | Perception | Examples |
| 10 | Hardly audible | Breathing, a falling leaf |
| 20 | Just audible | Radio studio, rustling leaves |
| 30 | Very quiet | Library, whispering |
| 40 | Quiet | Living room, quiet classroom, soft buzz, fridge |
| 50 | Limited sound | Air conditioning, normal conversation, dishwasher |
In standard comfort mode, the noise levels of the DBH remains the same regardless of the size of the radiator. For example, a small 350mm H x 500mm L Strada Hybrid will operate at a maximum of 30 dB(A), as will a larger 650mm H x 2800mm L Strada Hybrid. When using the temporary 15-minute Boost mode, this does vary slightly based on the length of the unit. For example, a 350mm H x 500mm L Strada Hybrid Type 11 in boost mode will operate at 38.8 dB(A), and a larger 650mm H x 2800mm L Strada Hybrid Type 11 in boost mode will operate at 47.8 dB(A).
WHAT IS JAGA LIGHT COOLING?
Light cooling (also referred to as ‘non-condensing cooling’) is a form of gentle cooling whereby the water temperature is always higher than the condensing temperature (or dew point), usually around 15°C depending on weather conditions, and therefore no condensation water is formed. This is an energy-efficient way of cooling that’s ideal in combination with low-temperature heating. Watch this 41-second video for a quick overview.
HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES THIS LIGHT COOLING USE?
The energy consumption is lower than with low-temperature cooling systems such as air conditioning systems, especially in combination with a ground source heat pump, so it’s much better for your energy bills and much better for the planet.
GET IN TOUCH
If we didn’t answer your question here, please get in touch with us. Our regional sales team are happy to do demonstrations of DBH in person for consultants, contractors and installers, so you can see it in action and hear how quiet it really is.
You can also visit our DBH and Strada Hybrid product pages using the quick links below:
