Working with our client's architect to determine how best to heat their new home
Do you need central heating advice? Need to decide what central heating system to specify for your new build home but not sure what your heating system options are? Looking for some expert advice to establish what is the best heating system for your particular needs? Want to consider more eco friendly home heating systems?
Here at CLPM we can help give you all the expert, independent central heating advice you need.
If you’re a self-builder constructing a brand new home we can work with you, and your architect or builder, to set out what heating and hot water system will work best for you and your family.
THE PROJECT
Our clients appointed us to provide central heating advice for their new build project. We had orginally met them at a local event, but our services were subsequently also recommended by their architect, Declan Minoli, with whom we have worked on several projects over the years.
The brief was to give central heating advice for a new 4000 sq ft brick and block construction house in Gerards Cross. We were asked to look at their architectural plans and suggest how our clients should heat their home, and provide sufficient hot water for their needs.
Our role was to ensure that the designs and specifications were correct and complete, and contained all the information that the build team would need to quote against for the construction works onsite.
THE CHALLENGE
This very large property was to be built on 3 floors, and our clients were keen to heat their new home via a mix of underfloor heating and radiators. They wanted to ensure there was always sufficient water pressure and hot water for their needs, and that the system was energy efficient too. Lastly they required help determining how best to zone the heating system – and what control system they should use.
Other advice included how best to organise other ancillary elements and to help make sure that the equipment and pipework was accessible for future maintenance but installed so that it was hidden from view.
THE SOLUTION
We spent some time meeting with, and talking to our clients to understand their needs before reviewing their architectural plans and visiting the site to assess the existing gas and water supply.
Our clients wanted to heat their home via a gas boiler, and we recommended they specify a heat-only gas condensing boiler to supply hot water for the underfloor heating and the radiators. This involved detailing how the house could be split into zones and the best locations for the manifolds, as well as suggesting how the design might be amended to minimise the noise from the circulating pump. We highlighted how the pipes should run through the building and suggested the best ways to hide them within built-in features and cupboards etc.
Our expert noted that the water pressure was not suitable for a new property and suggested that a new supply from the road was required, as well as a booster pump. He also recommended the inclusion of water storage pumps.
In addition he helped advise on what size of wood burning stove to install, as well as suggesting the designs included setting up a bypass circuit for the heated towels rails. Another area he gave advice on was the best way to include a water softener and boiling water tap into their designs.
THE RESULT
Our advice meant our clients and their architects could make the most informed decisions for their new home. Adjustments were made to the plans to accommodate the heating and plumbing scheme we suggested, and then we went on to help them prepare a tender brief that was sent to contractors to ensure that there was accurate pricing.
CLPM Services used by our client:-
Heating and Energy Consultancy.