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Geothermal and solar thermal are established,
efficient and very cost-effective heating options for your domestic build,
light industrial or community clients. At
present condensing boilers meet current carbon regulations and insulation must
meet the Part ‘L’ 50W/m2 limit. Heat pumps are the lowest
carbon emitters (only that for the electricity element) except for renewable
wood or wood product fuels, but of course much cleaner and simpler to operate. The
two systems can complement each other. Ask for our architects information
pack.
Very little different than for other systems. For most efficient function,
the ground floor would usually be provided with wet underfloor heating and
be tiled or flagged. The floor slab acts as a heat store which radiates
throughout the 24h period with very little temperature fluctuation. The
first floor is usually a compromise using inter-joist underfloor heating under
floorboards; which using ‘economy 10’ tariffs now available gives
off-peak heating from 00.00-05.00, 13.00-16.00 and 20.00-22.00, although a
concrete floor as the first floor still provides the most efficient operation
and heat storage.
The Heat pump is a similar size (h950x550x550) and emits similar
noise levels to an oil boiler and is ideally placed in a block enclosure or
cupboard against an outside wall and in a room not usually inhabited (e.g.
utility, basement, garage etc.). There are of course no requirements
for a flue.
Outside, the underground heat collection coils are buried 2m deep
in the area around the house. For each kW of energy required (approx 8kW for a 160m2
building) 10m of trench is required. The trench can be subdivided (i.e.
if 80m is required it can be 2x40m) so long as parallel trenches are not closer
together than 5m. The layout and shape of the trenches is immaterial.
Solar
collector panels are usually fitted into the roof prior to slating or tiling
but can be retro-fitted onto a completed roof. They have the approximate
profile of a conventional roof light. No water storage is required
in the loft space and such a space is not actually required – so it allows
more flexible designs. Any solar shortfall of supply over demand is made
up by off-peak electric immersion heating.
Our recommended system is integrated
into a pressurised unvented hot water system to provide both hot and cold water
at mains pressure without a need for shower pumps etc. The unvented hot water cylinder would normally
be in an airing cupboard on the 1st floor or can be in the loft space. The
hot water cylinder is ideally at the high volume end (i.e. about 250L for a
family house) which allows storage of maximum amounts of solar energy.
The system
is simply controlled like any other central heating system by room and hot
water thermostats.
Contact us at an early stage and we can advise on a general
approach and particluar design implications. We can then examine plans
and make a formal quotation for the work.
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