We’re delighted to see Deer Barn feature in the latest issue of Self Build & Design Magazine which showcases the property’s eco-friendly credentials and tells the story of how the owners took their 13-acre piece of woodland and turned it into a beautiful rural retirement property.
We were chosen by the owners to design, supply and install a MERCURY Atlas underfloor heating system on the property’s ground floor which has been designed to run off-grid in a rural woodland and work in harmony with nature. An existing blockwork barn served as a starting point for the new build with ponds and an ancient lime kiln on the site. It’s a great story, but we don’t want to spoil it so if you can get a copy, it’s definitely worth a read.
We’re seeing a significant increase in low profile installs, mainly using the Mercury Stella underfloor heating system.
There’s no need for screed with this system and by specifying STELLA in your next project, you could save weeks of drying time. Flexibility is also crucial, you can decide to install at the end of the build leaving all other works to be completed first.
Lightweight, grooved insulation panels and low profile structure make it easier to install and can be used on both lower and upper floors with virtually any floor covering. MERCURY STELLA is a fantastic system as it can be used in both new build and retrofit renovations, making it a firm favourite with installers.
It’s no secret that our favourite event of the year is Baking for Macmillan. This year was no exception with a tremendous effort by all staff who baked a mixture of sweet treats from Lemon drizzle cake and Dorset Apple Cake to chocolate brownies, banana bread and much more. We’re still collecting donations but it’s looking like it’s our record year yet and we’ll update you when the final amount is counted.
This is the 4th year that we’ve hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning as it’s a cause that has personally helped some of our staff members and their families. It’s not just about cake, it’s about giving back to this charity so they can continue to provide incredible support and advice for individuals suffering from cancer and their families.
One of the more unique projects that we’ve had the pleasure of working on is the transformation of a Dorset WWII Bunker, which was once part of the RAF Ringstead radar station. The concrete structure, which originally had no windows, is almost invisible from the outside and is in the process of being transformed into a 2 bedroom holiday let.
We’re pleased to have designed, supplied and installed a MERCURY Aurora system into the renovation. This underfloor heating system is commonly used as part of a specified acoustic floor detail, where it is laid directly into the pipe positioning panel, spaced at 50mm intervals, enabling easy installation of the MERCURY pipe.
Not only is this a cool place to stay, but visitors will also be able to relax in year-round ambient temperature, and just check out those views!
The upcoming changes to Part L Building Regulations come into force in June 2022 and are the first step in the Government’s plan to deliver zero carbon ready homes by 2025. All new homes will be expected to produce 31% less CO2 emissions compared to current standards.
What does this mean for new heating systems?
Under the new Part L regulations, any new heating system will need to be designed with a maximum flow temperature of 55°C and have self-regulating, zoned, control devices. Whilst there are several methods to achieve these targets and a focus on renewable energy sources, there is the expectation that heat pumps will become the no.1 driver for primary heating technology for new homes.
Heat pumps with underfloor heating will be a key driver in delivering zero carbon ready homes.
Good news for Underfloor Heating.
All Mercury wet underfloor heating systems that we design, supply and install will easily comply with the new Part L revision and also provide other benefits.
Underfloor heating generates ambient temperature over a greater surface area than traditional radiators. Systems are designed by our in-house team to run at a lower temperature (35-55°C rather than 80°C for gas boilers), for 24 hours a day for maximum efficiency. This means that the underfloor heating system can accommodate the optimal coefficient of performance (COP) for heat pumps, which is achieved when they run at 35°C. Underfloor heating can also be zoned and controlled by a number of modern heating controls, which ticks a crucial regulatory box.
It is important to design and install a heat pump system that delivers maximum efficiency. The Regulatory Assistance project reports the lifetime cost of a heat pump for a UK home is now about the same as a gas boiler for the first time, making this more attractive for millions of households concerned about souring bills. Further savings can be made via the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched on the 1st of April 2022 which provides a £5,000 – £6,000 grant, depending on whether an air source or ground source heat pump is specified, for sufficiently insulated homes and zero VAT for eligible households. Find out more about the scheme here.
Modern heating controls can help to keep energy usage as efficient as possible.
Value for homeowners.
Along with compliance with the coming changes to Part L and thermal comfort, installers can also promise homeowners that they will benefit from reduced running costs. An underfloor heating system will be between 15% and 40% cheaper to run compared to traditional radiators. It will also require very little maintenance and with a 50-year guarantee supplied with all Mercury pipework, households can be reassured that the system will run smoothly.
Aside from future-proofing new properties in line with the incoming Part L revisions, professionally installed underfloor heating offers safety, health, and wellbeing benefits. Underfloor heating offers design freedom, radiators become a thing of the past, freeing up precious wall and floor space. Health benefits include relief for asthma sufferers, studies show a reduction in dust particles by a huge 80% which is good news for the 60% of UK residents who say dust mites trigger their asthma symptoms (Asthma.org.uk).
There’s also a relief for arthritis sufferers, whose symptoms in their feet, ankles and legs can be alleviated by the constant, ambient temperature provided by an underfloor heating system.
Underfloor heating is safe, preventing injury and burns often associated with radiators.
How UFHN can help.
As the industry strives toward providing energy-efficient solutions and technologies to meet the Government’s green agenda, we are uniquely positioned to help meet regulatory changes by offering advice and system design expertise. We can also supply a range of systems and products to comply with the latest regulations, or even help with installation. Give the team a call on 01202 894976, email sales@ufhn.co.uk or send in your plans via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to help.
UFHN are delighted to add another trophy to its list of accolades with the Corporate Livewire Prestige Award for ‘Best in Underfloor Heating Solutions’ for the South of England 2021/22.
The judges assess whether a business provides the best product and service within its industry and is awarded based on service excellence, industry recognition, marketing & branding and customer feedback. The judges commented, “We are very pleased to provide recognition as we can clearly see UFHN are incredibly knowledgable in the field and with a certain personal touch, are able to tailor solutions specific to the requirement of the client”.
This latest award is in addition to the company’s success at the H&V News Awards for the past 3 years. Paul Lines, Managing Director adds, “This award is a credit to all the staff at UFHN. They’re all highly skilled and experienced and as a result of our outside-the-box approach and attention to detail, we find we are usually first on the list for more complex projects involving private residential, listed or heritage buildings, multi-residential accommodation, health facilities, schools, leisure and much more. I’m thrilled that our work and skill of our staff has been recognised as we continue strong growth across the company”.
L-R. Paul Lines, Managing Director. Sarah Daniels, Marketing Manager. Ben Anderson, Technical Sales. Craig Davis, Contracts Manager.
Construction Enquirer News recently reported that England’s key regional cities are set for significant growth after a strong bounce-back, mainly driven by big residential schemes.
Activity across the midlands and north regions, especially in cities such as Birmingham and Manchester have seen a record amount of project starts, with Leeds leading the way with growth in residential, student and office schemes. This mirrors Glenigan’s report of levelling up regions in the North East that are also seeing a flurry of significant new contract awards in 2022.
This is encouraging news for UFHN, as we are pleased to announce we have expanded our operation beyond our traditional geographical areas of the South West, London and South East to the Midlands and North, where demand for our service offering is significantly increasing.
Paul Lines, UFHN Managing Director comments, “The focus on the Government’s net-zero targets have put companies such as ourselves under the spotlight as we can design, supply and install energy-efficient solutions in all types of property. This is of particular relevance at a time when we are all faced with energy price hikes. Underfloor heating uses less energy than conventional heating methods and can be teamed with heat pumps, making this a heating method of choice for new build and renovation projects”.
For further information or to discuss a new project pipeline call 01202 894976 or email sales@ufhn.co.uk
There’s no doubt that our winters are getting colder and if the thought of Spring is leaving you with that warm, fuzzy feeling, perhaps a professionally designed and installed underfloor heating system can help to turn up the heat in your property.
Whether you choose warm water or an electric system, here’s 5 reasons why we love underfloor heating!
Design Freedom
If you’re thinking of a property renovation, extension or new-build, underfloor heating can offer you the design freedom that you’ve never had before. As heat will be radiating from beneath the floor, radiators can become a thing of the past, freeing up precious wall and floor space, allowing you to furnish and decorate exactly how you want.
You can also decide whether you want underfloor heating in just one room, or throughout the property. There’s a wide range of floor coverings that can be installed over the top including wood, tile, stone and even carpet, as long as the tog level isn’t too thick.
From an installation point of view, there are a number of floor systems that can be considered depending on whether the pipework is to be laid within screed, placed on top of solid timber of floated over joisted floors. Screed is often the most popular option for a new build, however, if it’s a renovation and you are limited with floor-to-ceiling height space then there are well-performing low profile options available. Also, with new product development, UFHN can significantly reduce installation time by offering systems that don’t need screed, meaning that your next underfloor heating installation can be easier than you think!
Underfloor heating has many health benefits and is considered a safe option for people who suffer from breathing difficulties or dust allergies. Radiators can exacerbate these conditions as they use convection currents that move air in a circular motion, redistributing dust particles, which then float freely making them easier to breathe in.
Underfloor heating gently heats a room via radiation (no, not that kind!) which means there is far less air movement for dust particles. Studies show a reduction in dust particles by a huge 80% which is good news for the 60% of UK residents who say dust mites trigger their asthma symptoms (Asthma.org.uk).
There’s also a relief for arthritis sufferers, whose symptoms in their feet, ankles and legs can be alleviated by the constant, ambient temperature provided by an underfloor heating system.
Safety
We all know that radiators can get very hot. Whether it’s a family home, elderly care facility, nursery or workplace, underfloor heating can provide a safe option in all settings by eliminating the risk of burns or injury from radiators.
Saving you money
Whilst the outlay for underfloor heating will cost more than a traditional radiator system, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. How and where you heat the property can be managed easily with smart heating control and as we mentioned earlier, underfloor can be used in some rooms and not in others and can also connect to an existing boiler system.
There are many variables that will determine the cost of running an underfloor heating system from insulation to glazing and when calculated properly will improve overall EPC ratings. Whilst every system and property is different, underfloor heating is a proven efficient heating solution which can provide savings ranging from 15% – 40% against traditional heating methods.
Compatible with heat pumps
Underfloor heating is commonly connected to gas boiler systems, however, we are seeing significant demand for heat pumps and the government are hoping to achieve a staggering 600,000 installations every year by 2028. This low-carbon initiative is the result of the ban of gas boiler installations into new homes by 2025.
It is well documented that underfloor heating and air source heat pumps are the ideal partnership for heating a property. Air source heat pumps become more efficient when operated at lower temperatures, same for a well-designed and installed underfloor heating system. The two systems working in harmony is a very desirable option for many homes, not to mention environmentally friendly.
The Government’sRenewable Heat Incentive Scheme is coming to a close for new applicants on the 31st March 2022 and will be directly replaced by the Green Heat Grant scheme (or boiler upgrade scheme), a proposal to provide eligible homeowners with grants of up to £5000 for the purchase of Air source heat pumps or £6,000 for ground source heat pumps.
Now is the ideal time to speak to us about your next underfloor heating system. We can manage your project all under one roof, from expert design, supply, installation, commissioning and service options and cover all parts of the UK, from the South West up into the North.
We look after your underfloor heating so you don’t have to!
We’ve been looking back at our jobs throughout October and Deal in Kent has to be one of our favourites. Fast becoming one of the top destinations to live in Kent (according to the Sunday Times), we particularly like this install in a period property along the seafront which the owners are carefully updating, whilst keeping the original features of the building.
Once again our team designed a low profile underfloor heating system that features within all four floors of the property. From the basement up, we’ve installed Mercury Stella, a system we’ve introduced this year and enjoy working with for a number of reasons.
Mercury Stella is a versatile system and particularly suited to a retrofit installation thanks to its low 18mm build-up. The multi-directional panels are covered with 100-micron foil which provides fast heat response time and even heat distribution. No screed is required either, so installation is super speedy and means it’s suitable for use with most floor finishes.
For more information about Mercury Stella or if you’d like us to quote on your next underfloor heating project, get in touch.
Over the course of the year, we’re lucky to see some lovely properties and this private residence in Hampshire was no exception. The owners have built a generous kitchen/diner extension and incorporated underfloor heating into the build.
Our in-house team designed a Mercury Apollo system, insulation is installed beneath the concrete slab and a 4mm Multifoil is laid over the top. MERCURY P16 pipe has been used in this instance, laid in continuous loops, fixed into clamp track with plastic nails and hooks.
The final result is a lovely, neat installation and Heatmiser Slimline thermostats finish the job off nicely.
If you’re looking to incorporate underfloor heating into your new build or property renovation, contact us and we’ll do the rest.
