If you're thinking about installing a micro-renewable heating system in your home to replace or integrate with your existing boiler, please read this section!

retro-fitting renewables in existing buildings

Due to escalating fuel costs, a growing number of customers are becoming anxious to re-examine their heating systems.

You may wish to consider installing (at a minimum) a set of solar panels to assist your hot water requirements.  However, to really help out with your heating and hot water needs, you should consider a ground, water or air source heat pump.  We can either design a heating system for you or propose a solution for replacing your existing boiler with micro-renewable solutions. 

how to get a quote

Retro-fitting involves a bit of work on your part but it'll be worth it in the end.  You can opt for a few choices but at the outset you'll either need to send us a full set of architects' drawings of your property showing side elevations and glazing details or at the least, answer a number of questions which you can download here.

managing your expectations

Installing heat pumps into existing buildings isn't always a "cure all".  In a well-insulated house, it will help considerably but it does need to be understood in the context of the building's construction type, age, insulation levels, hot water requirements and existing heating system.  Heat loss will always be a major factor in older buildings.  Please read our note about insulation below.  There's even more information here including guidance to financial assistance.

We believe that in buildings of all types and age, a mix of renewables will contribute to optimum year-long performance and contribute to a reduction on reliance on conventional heat sources.  An example of this would be a heat pump + solar panels + wood-burning stove to ensure heating and hot water in winter and hot water in summer time.  The thermal store is critical; it has the ability to integrate a range of different heat sources (solar, wood-burner, kitchen range) and your existing heating system. 

insulation
We can't emphasise enough how important it is for you to improve your insulation levels.  Conduct your own energy audit and assess how much heat you're losing.  How recently was your attic insulated - and how well?  What level of glazing have you got?  Is the building cavity-wall insulated? 
Improve insulation and U-values in any way you can in your property to ensure air-tightness and avoid draughts and heat loss.  Radiators heat quickly but also cool down quickly so it’s most important to insulate your property to retain the heat produced – this is key to lower running costs.  If you have an open fire, ensure a damper is installed.    

cop
Remember the water temperature from a heat pump is approximately 45°C using a 407 gas.  This will deliver a COP of up to 1:4.4.  The use of 134A gas will deliver up to 60ºC, however its use means that COP is reduced to 1:3.  Read more about COP here.

mix of heat sources delivers maximum results
Integration of a number of micro-renewables ensures that the end user is not over-reliant on any single heat source.  The subsequent addition of renewable power sources such as solar PV, wind turbine or small hydro can help power your heating and hot water system.  Other heat sources include solar thermal collectors, wood-burning, multi-fuel or pellet stoves (all should be temperature-controlled and be supplied with jackets), existing oil and gas boilers, Rayburn and Stanley ranges.

All IHS systems can be designed for future technology integration - this means that systems can be enhanced over a number of years as your budget allows.

integrating heat pumps with radiators

Many existing houses have radiators - it is possible to integrate heat pumps with radiators but in most cases, radiators need to be increased in size by either 50% or be exchanged for double radiators with fins.  This is due to the lower output of a heat pump (about 45C) in comparison with a conventional boiler (70C).  Radiators therefore need to be increased in size.  A likely exception is older cast iron radiators - they have excellent heat storage capacity (slow to heat, slow to cool) and in most cases, work well with heat pumps.

A heat pump and radiator system will probably have to run during peak electrical tariffs to provide sufficient heat during colder periods. This is why underfloor heating installed in concrete screed is an ideal heat sink and emitter.

If you need to find out if your existing radiators will deliver reasonable output, turn down your boiler to about 45C during the winter months  and see how it feels.   

 
Click to enlarge

The above schematic shows the stratified tank integrating solar collectors with underfloor heating or radiators.  Heating is supplied by heat pump, oil, gas or biomass boiler.

location

Heat pumps and Hygienik Tanks are a substantial size.  You should ensure you have a suitable area in which to install them, preferably at ground level in a boiler or plant room.  They are unsuitable for attic installation.