The heat is on
Choosing the right heating system can prove a bit of a minefield for developers, but the wealth of choice and exciting new technologies available is making heating a hot topic for the eco and design conscious alike. Linda Grabham reports.There was once a time when a developer's heating decisions were fairly straightforward. Choosing between gravity-fed or mains pressure was pretty much a no-brainer and, on the side of aesthetics, it was white rads all the way!
Today the situation is altogether more worrisome. Boilers account for around 60 per cent of all domestic carbon dioxide emissions so, with the government declaring an eco-war (announcing a reduction in CO2 emissions of 20 per cent by 2010 and 60 per cent by 2050), the emphasis on heating systems in new builds has to be on saving energy. Fortunately high efficiency condensing boilers (now compulsory for all new installations) are improving emissions in leaps and bounds, but for many that's simply not good enough. Increasingly developers need to consider heating combinations that harness natural resources to reduce the levels of gas, electricity or oil used by as much as 60 per cent per annum. As we storm headlong towards meeting the government's vision of zero carbon homes by 2016, the choice of heating system available to the developer grows - seemingly by the second. And, since many of these new technologies remain unproven in the real world, the pressure is on to ensure that the heating system specified not only lives up to its claims, but also doesn't break the bank at the offset.
This latter point is one that is causing major headaches on building sites across the nation, not least because the cost of installing eco-friendly technology still far exceeds the reality of what consumers are prepared to pay for their eco-pally property. "While it is now almost becoming the norm to have some form of eco heating system, there is certainly no evidence that the additional costs associated with putting in these systems are reflected in additional sales prices. There have been several surveys recently that suggest that buyers are keen on green credentials, but when compared to economics, money talks. However, this is changing as eco technologies are becoming more efficient, reliable and affordable," comments Nick Vaughan, director of Hamptons International.The eco-options
At present many of the eco-friendly heating systems revolve around supporting rather than replacing more conventional boilers. This undoubtedly increases the costs of a new development but for the moment a dual-powered system is crucial when it comes to the peace of mind and demands of purchasers, who have become used to the instant hot water and heat provided by mains powered systems and are not ready for the tree-hugger lifestyle. This growth in the dual system is also being led by the government's code for sustainable homes.
According to 'The Code', Level One requires the installation of a high efficiency condensing boiler but to achieve Level Three, developers require a high efficiency condensing boiler, plus a district heating system or low/zero carbon technology such as solar panels or biomass boilers to help heat hot water. Thus many of the leading boiler manufacturers are introducing solar panels into their portfolios, not least because they require some of the same components as a standard heating system, such as storage cylinders and thermostatic controls.
"Solar is the 'quick win', as it can be easily added to a central heating system, and there is a widespread market for it. Solar is not only environmentally friendly, it also allows for savings of 50 to 60 per cent on the average household energy bill," explains James Parkinson, Brand Marketing Manager for Vaillant, which has recently fitted its auroTherm solar panels with high efficiency boilers within a housing association development in Staffordshire.
In fact, social housing and government funded developments are leading the way when it comes to introducing eco-friendly solutions because they have to achieve Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, while private developers can still get away with Level One, making the former a market to watch.
Another eco area that is proving popular with heating manufacturers is Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), and while the take-up is still small, it's a growing sector. Based upon a similar principle to a refrigerator, ASHP's retrieve energy from the air and are able to provide hot water and heating even when the outdoor temperature is minus 20¼C. Custom housebuilders Belvedere, which operates in Surrey, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, is installing an ASHP system in its exclusive Wentworth Estate development. "Our favoured eco solution is definitely air source heating. It is relatively cheap to install and when linked with air conditioning it is highly effective. Trotsworth, our new Wentworth home under construction, is totally air conditioned with no radiators, no underfloor heating and no gas. Air source heat pumps are 200 per cent efficient - for every kilowatt of energy you put in, you get 2kw out. By 2011 we are going to have to comply to very stringent carbon neutral regulations. At Belvedere we have found a great solution, and one that we know we will be able to source replacement parts for in the next decade, not a system that is going to become obsolete," explains Keith Da Costa, director of Belvedere.
Yet another eco option that's working for new developments is the concept of Combined Heat and Power systems, more commonly known as CHP, which sees development schemes built on CHP zones that have a shared heating system. At Ipsus Development's Ipsus01 site in Wandsworth Town, 103 new apartments are heated via a shared biomass boiler system combined with underfloor heating that's in-line with the property's modern aesthetics. "We were looking for a heating concept that achieves both our aesthetic and technical requirements. The size of the scheme meant that we had to use renewable technologies to fuel the heating system which is consistent with our environmental philosophy anyway and the use of a biomass boiler system for heating and hot water was felt to be the best solution," explains director Nick Pendelbury.
Traditionally the demon of energy saving, electricity is also now coming back into the spotlight, especially since it has the potential to be fuelled by renewable resources. Thanks to improvements in insulation and new material technologies, companies such as IQ Glass and Heat Electric are developing electricity fuelled heating systems that boast incredible efficiencies and are future-proof. "Gas and oil will deplete and will become more expensive and unreliable over the next 40 years. Electricity is the way forward as it's the only fuel that has optional sources and when fuelled by wind, solar or hydro, our Heat Electric radiators are completely carbon neutral - something impossible to achieve with gas or oil central heating," says David Garrity, managing director of Heat Electric.Hot designs
Underfloor heating (UFH) is undoubtedly enjoying the greatest signs of growth that it has ever experienced - according to AMA Research's latest report the UFH market is one of the fastest growing sectors within the building market, and is now an integral part of an overall heating sector estimated to be worth over £2.4 billion. However, when it comes to appealing to potential buyer's design needs, the traditional fireplace is still going strong. In short, home is where the hearth is.
Gas and wood-burning fireplace specialists Gazco have reported a definite demand for new build homes with such focal points, particularly in top end developments. In urban and suburban areas, Gazco's Studio range of gas fires are perfect for providing a clean, contemporary look and boasts fuel efficiencies of up to 81 per cent. In rural areas, the company reports a strong interest in wood-burning appliances whether stoves or, increasingly, cassette fires, which use a renewable resource that is carbon neutral - when logs burn they release the same amount of carbon dioxide that was absorbed during growth of the tree. "Whether gas fires or wood-burning stoves/cassettes are fitted, these appliances are used as secondary heating sources that provide a superb ambience of glow/flames on a winter's night and augment a gas or oil central heating system," explains Kelvin Hopkins, marketing manager at Gazco.
Fireplaces also have a role to play when it comes to the external look of a property, particularly for traditional styles which benefit from the additional of an external chimney stack. "The fireplace and chimney stack are therefore both functional and decorative. However instead of leaving the fireplace open, these days we install energy-efficient wood-burning stoves such as the SCAN 45 and we find that purchasers appreciate the attractiveness of being able to have a traditional fire - without wasting fuel - in the winter months and can also use it in the spring and autumn seasons to warm the house just enough to avoid the need for any central heating," comments Roger Carson, Managing Director of Rosemullion Homes.
It's not just fireplaces that are currently winning fans when it comes to design, the latest style-led radiators are a very different kettle of fish to those white boxes of yore and are increasingly being specified to add that all-important wow-factor to new homes. Popular materials right now include stainless steel, particularly within open-plan kitchen-diners, which may have stainless steel appliances, as well as aluminium, which offers quick heat up times. "Today's consumers shun the traditional white panel radiator as they no longer cut the mustard in terms of aesthetics against the variety of other options now available. Designer radiators, so called because of their construction from high quality materials and high design element, are most definitely worth the investment. Consumers should see radiators as an integral part of their homes interior design, not something to hide behind the sofa," reports Geoff Jones, Director, Aestus.