Our Hot Water and Heating ServicesSealed / Pressurised Heating Systems
As the name suggests this is a 'closed' system, eliminating the need of an expansion (header) tank in the roof space. More commonly, these are installed in conjunction with a 'pressurised hot water cylinder' see note, though this is not a requirement. A sealed system also eliminates the problem of air entering the system thus preventing corrosion and sludge build up.
Systems are available that can offer pressurised heating but still use conventional non-pressurised hot water. Alternatively, the system can be combined to offer a pressurised heating and hot water system.
Pressurised Hot Water Systems
In an unvented system the incoming cold mains water typically enters a pressurised hot water cylinder which is heated indirectly by means of a primary heat exchanger, within the cylinder, this being heated by the central heating boiler. The domestic hot water is then forced out by the pressure of the water main, to the outlets, when demand is made: Hence - mains pressure hot water.
Any system utilising a mains pressure supply is only as good as the supply entering the property. A product may boast 30 litres a minute flow rate @ 3 bar - but if your property's incoming supply only provides 15 litres a minute @ 1 bar then this is the best you will achieve.
Power Flushing
It is good practice and a requirement of most boiler manufacturers, to 'power flush' an existing system prior to the installation of a new boiler. This is to remove harmful deposits from the system which could damage the new boiler.
Underfloor Heating
Quality wet underflooring heating systems installed for both ceramic tile (or stone) floors and wood (or laminate) flooring.
Insulation boards are installed under the pipe coils to reduce heat loss into the un-insulated base flooring of the building. These can be installed by the builder or by ourselves.
These systems can be installed in wet areas, such as bathrooms and shower rooms, and are ideal to both heat the room and warm the floor for comfort.
Please note that to use the wet underfloor heating as the primary source of heat in a room, the construction of the room must include good levels of insulation. If this is not possible, it can still be used as floor warming with supplementary heating such as radiators or heated towel rails.
Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar Panels or Solar Collectors are fitted to the roof with south facing being the optimum position. They collect heat from the sun's radiation, even on a cloudy day.
There are two types of collector:
Flat Plate Collectors which comprise of an absorber plate with a glass cover.
Evacuated Tubes that consist of a row of glass tubes each of which contain an absorber plate feeding into a manifold used to transport the heating transfer fluid.
Choosing a system suitable to your needs requires consideration of a range of factors including the area of the south facing roof available, the existing water heating system, and your budget.
A twin coil hot water cylinder is required to couple up to the solar collection via connecting pipework. The bottom coil in the cylinder is heated via the solar collectors and the upper coil is heated via the central heating boiler. Controls ensure that when the solar is available, the heating boiler remains off thus utilising free solar energy as long as possible.