PHPI catches up with plumbing and heating engineer Tom Smith to see how a warmth pump and underfloor heating mixed at a Cornish self-build.
One of many methods to get one of the best out of a warmth pump is to pair it with the suitable warmth emitter. Underfloor heating techniques are suited to low temperature techniques like warmth pumps as a result of they supply a big floor space via which the system can switch warmth into the room. When set accurately, underfloor heating can obtain and keep desired room temperatures permitting the warmth pump to function at its finest, in a good, balanced cycle.
This was the logic behind a current self-build venture on the outskirts of Truro in Cornwall. The householders needed a heating system that will ship constant consolation however with minimal vitality use. In 2024, Tom Smith of Tom Smith Plumbing & Heating and Greenwave Renewables SW Ltd took on the venture, managing all elements of the plumbing, heating, mechanical and electrical set up. Working alongside Grant UK, Tom and his workforce developed a full-spec, complete home heating answer constructed round low-carbon applied sciences.
“After we began this venture, it was clear that we would have liked to ship a heating system that will be extremely vitality environment friendly,” defined Tom. “That is why we labored carefully with Grant UK to include their newest heating applied sciences which might not solely meet the heating and sizzling water demand of the family however achieve this in such a means that little vitality enter could be wanted.”
Tom mixed and put in a warmth pump, sizzling water cylinder, underfloor heating and photo voltaic thermal system, all merchandise designed to work collectively and complement each other to ship the utmost effectivity for the consumer.
Coronary heart of the system
On the coronary heart of the system is a Grant Aerona 290 9kW air-to-water warmth pump. However to maximise the warmth pump’s efficiency, it was essential to pair it with warmth emitters that suited a low circulation temperature. Underfloor heating was put in all through the property utilizing two sorts of Grant’s Uflex UFH techniques.
On the bottom flooring, a conventional screeded system was used with 16mm Uflex pipe laid into the ground construction. Upstairs, the place a screed was not appropriate, a dry-fitted Uflex Overlay UFH system was chosen. This method additionally makes use of 16mm Uflex pipe, however the pipework is slotted into pre-formed grooves in light-weight boards that are then coated with the completed flooring floor, no moist trades required.
Open loop
Working alongside Neil Sawers, Grant UK’s Industrial Technical Supervisor, and their Design Group, Tom was capable of design an nearly absolutely open looped system with solely the loos being thermostat managed. By choosing an open loop heating system, a uniform temperature of between 21ºC to 22ºC was achieved all through the entire home slightly than the householders having to handle a number of totally different zones with various temperatures.
“The mix of the Aerona 290 warmth pump with Grant sizzling water cylinder, photo voltaic thermal and UFH systems in addition to the opposite options of the property, has resulted in a house which isn’t solely extraordinarily vitality environment friendly however it would have low vitality consumption whereas offering sizzling water and a relentless temperature of between 21ºC to 22ºC all through the 12 months of the yr,” defined Tom.