An example of bespoke design
As Nu-Heat Underfloor and Renewables reaches “adulthood”, Sales and Marketing Director Adrian Troop reviews how the core ethos of the company has proved to be a key strength in the continuing success of the business.
Nu-Heat Underfloor Heating was set up in 1992, and over the past 18 years the business has developed with the market from being a supplier of underfloor heating (UFH) in domestic applications to its current position as an industry leader in renewable technology. As a company we have seen many changes and a great deal of growth during this time, but the original concept of providing design, innovation, expertise and service in a one-stop shop remains at the heart of our enterprise.
In 2007, Nu-Heat built on its experience with emerging green technologies to incorporate an exciting range of renewables that now includes Hitachi, NIBE and Stiebel Eltron heat pumps and Roth flat plate solar panels. It seemed an appropriate juncture to rename the business as Nu-Heat Underfloor Heating and Renewables.
Nu-Heat’s heat pump offering includes ground source, air source and exhaust air, and the range can meet any load requirement, from 1kW with an exhaust air heat pump to 60kW using a ground source heat pump. These can be fitted independently or combined with Nu-Heat’s UFH systems. Likewise, the in-roof and roof-mounted solar kits can be used alone or as part of an integrated system.
Design: taking care of the hard work for you!
Nu-Heat designs and supplies complete packages ready for installation. The design process establishes the most suitable system for each individual project.
For underfloor heating this includes working out the complicated heat loss calculations associated with warm water UFH systems using our specialist Optimiser™ software. This establishes the most suitable floor heating scheme for the building and determines the various technical requirements including correct tube spacing for each room, optimum water flow temperatures and recommended boiler capacity.
With the full range of heat pumps available, from ground source to air source or exhaust air, Nu-Heat will specify the correct model for a project. When heat pumps are used with UFH great care is needed to factor in the lower water flow temperatures that will allow the heat pump to work efficiently and gain maximum benefit from the warm water it provides.
The easiest way to find out whether a customer’s project is suitable for use with solar is to provide information such as roof orientation and number of people in the household, and let Nu-Heat take care of the detailed system design. Our design and sizing process uses its own unique calculation package to specify the ideal configuration of cylinder, solar collectors and ancillary components for the project.
By using one supplier it should go without saying that all products and parts will be compatible, with one point of contact and no conflicting advice to confuse things!
Innovation: pioneering technology
Being a success has given added momentum to Nu-Heat’s pioneering spirit, and we have created innovative and practical solutions for installers by listening to what they need and finding the means to fulfil the requirement.
For example, UFH, particularly when used with renewable technologies requires an accurate match of floor output to heat loss of the room. The designer needs to choose the right tube spacing then make fine adjustments with the flow rate settings. Nu-Heat’s floating floor panel TriPanel™ offers three centres – 115mm, 175mm and 230mm – and allows the most suitable tube density to be selected for appropriate flow rates. The panel is approximately twice the width of other floating floor products with easy snap points, meaning there are fewer panels to fit, saving the installer both time and money.
We are also dedicated to adding to the versatility of our offering to ensure that installers have access to the best solution for a project. The Stiebel Eltron heat pump models, for example, are of interest to installers working on commercial contracts as they can be fitted in cascades to provide an output of up to 500kW.
Expertise: support and technical know-how on tap
Nu-Heat’s commitment is to both the customer and to the installer for the life of the heating system. Our wealth of experience of both UFH and its integration with energy-efficient technologies ensures complete product support for any installer considering them for the first time. Our technical support team is only a phone call away, and we also offer on-site and commissioning support on the entire range of heat pumps.
Nu-Heat’s comprehensive, award-winning installation and user manuals are supplied with every system, and the Nu-Heat User Guide explains how to get the best from the system. A free No-Nonsense Guide to Underfloor Heating & Renewables DVD is available for those installing the system for the first time. Designed to support the manuals, it gives a practical step-by-step demonstration of a standard installation and the integration of renewable technologies, and is a great tool for anyone wishing to learn more about what’s available.
Additionally, Nu-Heat can offer advice on the Code for Sustainable Homes and assistance with queries on Part L and Part E of the Building Regulations when incorporating UFH or any renewable technology supplied by Nu-Heat.
Service: how our customers rate us
Perhaps the most important element of business success is customer satisfaction. Nu-Heat works tirelessly to make sure that installers and their customers are happy with the service they receive from us. We recently conducted our own survey and service levels were rated at an impressive nine out of ten by 97% of the respondents.
We believe that Nu-Heat provides a service that is not widely available in the marketplace. Not only do we offer three of the most popular energy saving products – UFH, solar thermal and heat pumps – all under one roof, we also give a complete, integrated solution and support to every project, however large or small. This includes NICEIC approved courses available at our award-winning training centre.
Even at 18 we realise that there is no time to stand still and rest on our laurels. Nu-Heat is looking to this next decade for further opportunities. Watch this space!
For more information about solar, underfloor heating, heat pumps or renewables training, please call Nu-Heat on 0800 731 1976.
|
0800 731 1976
’)
