Air source heat pump The installation of low carbon systems into renovation properties can be viewed as a more challenging undertaking than new-build. However, Nu-Heat Underfloor and Renewables has successfully provided low carbon solutions for many such projects. When Paul Pulman of Pulman’s Builders was tasked with converting two derelict farm buildings into three contemporary holiday cottages with eco-friendly, cost-effective heating, he combined Nu-Heat’s warm water underfloor heating with air source heat pumps, with a long-term view of ecological and commercial benefits.
The farm buildings are Grade II listed, so the biggest challenge was to maximise the available internal living space within the existing footprint. Underfloor heating (UFH) was recommended as removing the requirement for radiators can increase room space by up to 15%. ‘The ability to externally position the heat pumps allowed us to make further use of the internal space. We housed the cylinders outside in a purpose-built area at the rear of one of the cottages, which allowed central location of a lot of the pipe-work and kept the majority of the mechanical equipment in one place,’ Paul commented.
UFH is often mistakenly ruled out of retrofit installation because of concerns about raised floor heights. In this project, Paul utilised Nu-Heat’s aluminium ClippaPlate™ on the first floor. ClippaPlate™ is self-supporting and only needs a couple of screws or tacks to fix in before tubing is clipped into place, making installation faster and safer. Unforeseen costs are removed as there is no need for extra battening. On the ground floor, Paul used Nu-Heat’s 14mm tubing installed into a screed construction on the ground floor.
The finished project ‘When combining underfloor heating and heat pump technology, attention must be given to the effect of the lower water flow temperatures that will allow the heat pump to work at maximum efficiency. Nu-Heat carried out an extensive and thorough system design procedure and recommended integrating the underfloor heating with an 8kW air source heat pump linked to a cylinder to satisfy the domestic hot water demand in each of the cottages. The air source heat pump with a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) of around 3.51 was specified. According to our heat pump calculations, this has the potential to reduce the annual fuel consumption of the cottages of around 50% against gas and 58% against oil’ said Adrian Troop, Nu-Heat’s Sales and Marketing Director.
Paul summed up the experience ‘Overall we found working with new technology very straightforward. Information from Nu-Heat was readily available and it helped that we had an installer that was keen to learn new skills.’ The installer received specialist training from Nu-Heat at its bespoke training facility, where courses cover the company’s underfloor heating and renewables product range.
For more information about solar, underfloor heating, heat pumps or renewables training, please call Nu-Heat on 0800 731 1976.
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