With sustainability and affordability a key consideration in the design of 105 new family homes in Tower Hamlets, a comprehensive Hep2O underfloor heating system from Wavin has been specified to provide cost-effective and energy efficient heat distribution throughout each home – helping the building to achieve the highest level Code for Sustainable Homes with a credit score of 6.
Designer Team Homes’ approach to the homes on Parmiter Street was to create 100% family housing using modern methods of construction on an inner city site. Along with a prefabricated concrete panel system, photovoltaics, and rooftop allotments, these innovative and low energy homes feature the Hep2O underfloor heating system which combines high comfort levels and low running costs with a fast, simple and non-intrusive installation.
“Due to the block and beam construction, the challenge for the customer was to provide a limited acoustic construction which gives a good heat output but was still affordable. They also had to achieve a good Sustainable Homes credit score,” commented Graham Hicks, Plumbing and Heating Manager, Wavin Group.
For the screeded floor construction, the specification of the Hep2O Pocketed Polystyrene panels meant that a less expensive acoustic layer could be used, because the finished system has a higher sprung mass. Although the screed costs more than the chipboard structure for the floating floor the overall cost was significantly less, plus the system’s performance was much better.
Plumbing contractor WJ Brown installed a 35mm thick Pocketed Polystyrene insulation layer alongside more than 520 linear metres of Wavin continuous pipe with a diameter of 16mm – finished with a 75mm thick screed.
Developed for new screeded floors, the pocketed polystyrene system grips the underfloor heating pipework in pre-cut channels within the floor insulation and so is protected from site traffic. The system cuts installation time because the layout of the pipework is already set and because it can reduce the depth of screed required and so cut down its drying time.
The Hep2O system is manufactured and Kitemarked to BS EN ISO 21003, and under a Quality Management System which satisfies BS EN ISO 9000 requirements. It is also covered by a 100 year guarantee against defects in material or manufacturing – offering the client total peace of mind.
Comprising panels, piping, manifolds and heating controls, the Hep2O system made the installation simple, fast and straightforward. As well as making little difference to the floor depth, they are also lightweight, easy to cut and handle, can withstand point loadings and can be installed by just one person if necessary.
With this affordable family housing development now complete, the residents are set to benefit from an energy efficient, high performance and cost-effective underfloor heating system for many years to come.
