With government targets clearly focussed on reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of every home, the popularity of energy-efficient products such as heat pumps, solar and underfloor heating, is set to continue in 2008.

Underfloor heating and renewable technology suppliers are encouraging installers to promote ‘green technology’ to their clients and Nu-Heat has calculated that installers could potentially earn in the region of £1,300* in commission when ordering both an underfloor heating and heat pump system from the company.

This article looks at how installers can establish whether a project is suitable for use with heat pumps, considers some of the benefits of renewable technology and looks at how to integrate underfloor heating with heat pump and solar thermal technology.

* Information correct at time of going to press

Heat pumps

Firstly, installers can quickly determine whether their clients’ projects are suitable for use with a heat pump by answering a series of short questions (such as detailing the approximate internal size of the property and confirming whether insulation is present) as set out in Nu-Heat’s online ‘heat pump guide’. The answers selected will give a general guide to the likelihood of a heat pump being able to deliver both the heating and domestic hot water needs of the property. Visit www.nu-heat.co.uk/heatpumptool for more information. 

Heat pumps – a brief overview

Ground source, air source and exhaust air heat pumps are designed to replace conventional gas or oil-fired boilers. They are at their most efficient when the water produced is between 35˚C and 45˚C, far lower than would be practical for a conventional radiator system typically needing water at 65˚C or higher, but ideal for warm water underfloor heating.

Heat pumps are perfectly capable of producing water of a higher temperature but the Coefficient of Performance* (CoP) suffers, falling to between 3 and 4 when delivering water at 50˚C, still impressive, but falling short of its potential. Under test conditions, the Nu-Heat ground source model has exceeded a CoP of 5 and Nu-Heat will always work in consultation with installers to maximise the energy performance of each project.

* A CoP of 5 means that for every kilowatt of electricity put in, you get five kilowatts of energy out in the form of warm water.

Combine heat pumps with UFH to further enhance energy savings

The efficiency of any heat pump is improved when the temperature of the water flowing to the heating system is reduced. This makes warm water underfloor heating the obvious choice as most underfloor heating systems are designed to operate with a flow temperature of between 35˚C and 45˚C.

Installing underfloor heating need not be complicated, increase build costs or alter established construction methods. Whilst the rise in steel prices has contributed towards more expensive radiators, the rise in sales of underfloor heating has resulted in a more competitive market. The wide range of different design options now available guarantees straightforward integration into any floor construction.

The benefits to end-users – a sales tool for installers

Here are just a few of the benefits you customers can enjoy:

• heat pump technology, when integrated with warm water underfloor heating, can generate fuel savings of up to 70 per cent


• ground source heat pumps can produce around 50 per cent less carbon dioxide, compared to a conventional boiler


• air source heat pumps, when working efficiently, can reduce energy consumption for heating by up to 50% when compared to conventional heating systems


• Solar energy can provide the average home with more than 50 percent of its hot water needs over a year
  

Solar thermal

Solar energy is an unlimited resource that produces no harmful emissions and requires no transportation or supply pipelines. Any household can generate a good proportion of its hot water needs using Nu-Heat’s modern, maintenance free, well engineered solar energy system. Solar thermal systems are ideally suited to work with underfloor heating, given its low operating temperatures.

In line with Nu-Heat’s policy of supplying complete packages, the company’s range of collectors fully integrates with both its underfloor heating system and heat pump offer or can be fitted independently. All components are designed, manufactured and rigorously tested to the highest standard.

With flat panel and evacuated tube collectors available in a full range of sizes, any project can be catered for. Nu-Heat’s experienced designers will advise on the correct system configuration to fully achieve optimum efficiency for domestic hot water, underfloor heating or both, depending on project requirements.

It is currently one of the most affordable renewable technologies and, if sized correctly, can provide the average home with more than 50 percent of its hot water needs over a year.

One-stop-shop

Nu-Heat has invested heavily in product development and training, with new products and floor constructions designed specifically to meet the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations, and to enable heat pumps to work at optimum efficiency. Expert guidance on suitable heat sources and Part L compliance strategies is provided and Nu-Heat is well placed to lead installers through the design process of a combined underfloor heating and heat pump system as the company now provides both energy-saving products. Purchasing the heat pump and heating system from one supplier means they will be totally compatible; there is just one point of contact; and no conflicting advice.

All Nu-Heat designs meet the precise needs of each individual project with detailed installation information shown on layout drawings. The process is straightforward, requires no prior experience or specialist tools and is supported by award-winning documentation.

See an example of a docking drawing, PDF format (392kb)

Finally, provision of a Nu-Heat user guide will ensure that homeowners fully understand both the underfloor heating system and the heat pump and how to gain the most benefit from their energy efficient features.

For more information on the products included in this article, or to discuss your project in more detail, please call 0800 731 1976. Alternatively visit www.nu-heat.co.uk.