CASE STUDY: Heating an Eco-home
The project, based in rural Kent, comprised of three four-bedroom homes, each approximately 200m² in size, and required a heating solution which could work seamlessly with a ground source heat pump – a pump that would need to heat both the ground floor and first floor systems, something the owner was struggling to find.
Approaching Polypipe Building Products, the team worked closely with the owner, his builders and his plumber during the initial design of the comprehensive heating solution. Polypipe’s Overlay™ and Red Floor Panel solutions were suggested as Polypipe's Underfloor Heating systems work seamlessly with ground source heat pumps.
Polypipe's Overlay came with its own pump manifold and temperature regulators, which meant it was easy for those living in the homes to operate. Developed specifically to maximise comfort and offer ease of control for end users, Polypipe’s range of controls incorporates both dial and digital display thermostats that allow time control per room or per manifold as required, with all options available in either hardwired or RF (wireless) versions with the ability to time control up to four different manifolds from one single hand held unit.
Following the installation of the Overlay™ system to the first floor of the three properties, it was decided that each property would also benefit from OverlayTM in the annex above the garages. Designed to be used when family and friends visited, the installation of Overlay™ in the annex meant the space could be warm, comfortable and efficient all year round.
Elsewhere in the properties, a Solid Red Floor system was identified as the ideal underfloor heating system for the ground floors, which were solid and required cutting to size. An important benefit to using this system is that the pipe layout ensures heat output is consistent across the entire floor area whilst very easy to control.
These comprehensive solutions were also complemented by other energy-saving measures installed in the properties, including three 5000 litre rainwater harvesting system, also supplied by Polypipe.
