Heating & Ventilation

UK’S FIRST HYDROGEN HEATING DEMONSTRATION TAKES PLACE

First houses heated by hydrogen gas are showcased, with the use of innovative prototype boilers.

Boiler manufacturers Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch have installed hydrogen burning boilers at ‘HyStreet’, in specially built demonstration houses at DNV GL’s specialist test site at Spadeadam in Northumberland.

The site has been used to complete over 200 tests, researching and proving the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen.

The project is part of H21, a Network Innovation Competition project sponsored by Ofgem. Northern Gas Networks is leading the project with partners Cadent, Scottish Gas Networks, Wales & West Utilities, National Grid, DNV GL and the Health and Safety Executive’s science division. H21 is demonstrating how existing natural gas networks can be repurposed to safely carry 100% hydrogen. For the first demonstration both Worcester Bosch and Baxi Heating have installed combi boilers into the houses on HyStreet. The boilers have been developed as part of the UK Government-funded Hy4Heat programme, which is also supporting the development of hydrogen-ready gas cookers, fires and gas meters.

As around 85% of UK homes currently rely on natural gas for heating and hot water, repurposing the natural gas grid for use with hydrogen would mean a low disruption option for householders to decarbonise their heating without the need for extensive changes to their existing system.

Tackling carbon emissions resulting from home heating is utterly essential and one of the most difficult challenges in achieving net-zero emissions, given the need to make adaptations in almost every home. A growing library of studies and reports conclude that all viable scenarios for the UK to hit net-zero include hydrogen as a vital component. That is why Government and industry are working on various projects across the UK. Tim Harwood, Northern Gas Networks’ Project Director for H21 said: “Seeing the boilers in situ at Spadeadam is an exciting step in the journey to realising our goal of a gas network transporting 100% hydrogen to customers. The hydrogen boiler looks and feels just like the natural gas version we all have today and is just as user-friendly, showing that a transition could cause minimal disruption to customers.” demonstrate this innovative new technology in a real life setting in the UK”

Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch commented: “It is fantastic to see our prototype hydrogen boiler running successfully at this demonstration site. The boiler has operated seamlessly in its first month of operation and continues to provide both heating and hot water.

“It proves that hydrogen gas has great potential as a zero-carbon alternative to natural gas for heating and hot water in the UK and beyond. These initial tests are incredibly encouraging and will hopefully give key decision makers confidence to deploy hydrogen gas as a fuel for the future.”

Dan Allason, Head of Research and Innovation, at DNV GL’s Spadeadam Research and Testing said: “Eight out of ten homes in the UK use a gas boiler to heat their homes and provide hot water and replacing all gas boilers with electric alternatives could be extremely costly. Both of the boiler manufacturers have developed options with their hydrogen ready prototypes to assist the switch to a lower carbon alternative.

“Having these fitted to the HyStreet demonstration project at Spadeadam gives gravitas to the proof of concept and public acceptability of appliances such as these. The boilers are one of the first important steps”

Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Baxi Heating, said: “This is an important step forward on our hydrogen journey and we are delighted to be able to

Stand tall with this years hottest colour

NEW

Vita & Softline Column

Vita & Softline Concord Slimline

Vita & Softline Plan

Vita & Softline Deco

Stelrad Vita and Softline vertical radiators now in stock and available in NEW Anthracite Grey as well as white. Check out stelrad.com for more information.

Not just any rad. Stelrad. Find out more at Stelrad.com

Now there’s even more variety in the popular Stelrad Vita and Softline Series. The Deco, Plan, Concord and Column vertical now available in Anthracite Grey.

The Manufacturers Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC), have launched an online ‘Heat Calculator’ to help consumers choose the right radiator for each room in their home.

Launching today, 10th November 2020, the handy tool is part of the ‘You are What You Heat’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the need to have quality, *CE marked radiators, in order for your heating systems and home to be fit and healthy.

Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs, MARC said: “MARC is committed to product satisfaction and consumer assurance. Members have pledged to raise standards and compliance.”

“MARC wants to help consumers to find the right product. Factors such as room dimensions, window size, and wall material are used to calculate the required outputs of radiators, to adequately heat a room. The MARC calculator can be used to determine the heat requirements of your room. Simply enter the details in the corresponding fields and it will show you how many Watts and ‘British Thermal Units’ (BTUs) you need to ensure your space is always warm, cosy and inviting.” For more information about MARC please visit www.marcuk.com

You can find the MARC calculator here; https://www.marcuk.com/heat-loss-calculator

Members of MARC are; • Castrads • DQ Heating • Irsap • Kudox • Purmo • SBH Radiators • Stelrad Radiator

Group • Terma • Towelrads • Zehnder Group • Vogue • MHS Radiators • Eucotherm • Ximax

For further information contact Laurah on 01926 513743 or email laurah@eua.org.uk www.marcuk.com www.eua.org.uk

“Once you know the size and type of radiator that you need, make sure you only purchase radiators that are compliant with current standards-CE marked. Many consumers are not aware of what they need to be looking for when purchasing a radiator. Which is why we have produced a ‘Consumer guide to Buying the right Radiator’. One guaranteed way that consumers can have product assurance is to look out for MARC membership! All members of MARC must provide proof of product performance (CE marking), together with test certificates.”

Choose the right radiator with MARC’s Heat Calculator

*CE marking - a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area.

developer-update.co.uk

Luxurious Loft Space Showcases the Venture Plank Collection From Havwoods

One of the most recent residential projects from Havwoods, this city centre home has been transformed with an entirely new third floor, creating a distinctively modern refresh and a light, bright interior. Located in the bustling heart of Islington in London, and bordering the Highbury Fields Conservation Area, the new design features stunning wood flooring from Havwoods throughout.

The design brief for this impressive, mid-terraced house was to extend the existing structure and add a new elegantly proportioned third floor within the roof, without compromising the generous ceiling heights of the second floor rooms. By expanding the property upwards, this new loft space now offers a beautifully spacious new study, playroom and guest bathroom.

A natural colour scheme, featuring stunning wood finishes and a light sage and cream palette, is unified by the statement staircase, connecting the different levels and showcasing the Havwoods floorboards to maximum effect.

The Fendi oak board from the Venture Plank collection was chosen, as its appearance, grain and width was the perfect choice for this stunning, contemporary home. The stairs and study desk were chosen and stained to match the timber for a cohesive and unified aesthetic that is guaranteed to impress for years to come.

The Venture Plank collection from Havwoods presents a truly diverse selection of engineered timber boards, characterised by its spectrum of interesting shades and smooth surface texture. The two-layered construction comprises a hardwood surface, backed by a superior-quality birch ply to ensure a greater level of stability. The product is conveniently supplied in standard length planks, with a tongue and groove fit system, so offering a highly convenient choice for home installation but with the visual effect of individual wood planks when laid.

Architect and Designer: JFoster Architects

Photographer: Agnese Sanvito

www.havwoods.com info@havwoods.com +44(0)1524 737000

Voyage by VitrA leads the way in the bathroom transformation

Bathroom design is evolving, and VitrA’s expansive Voyage collection points us towards the look and feel of tomorrow.

Gone are the days when the bathroom was a practical affair, a room only to dash in and out of. In recent years the space’s functionality has melded with tactile materials, sensuous shapes and considered use of colour as it moves further and further from existing purely for cleanliness, to somewhere to enjoy, retreat to, and luxuriate in.

The design of the bathroom and the objects within it have adapted accordingly, in a trend that first saw freestanding baths take on ever more experimental shapes, and slowly trickled through into furniture, brassware and ceramics. As things get increasingly progressive, leading the way is Voyage by VitrA, a 130-piece range by renown Israeli creative Arik Levy, characterised by flowing, sculptural sanitaryware and adaptable wooden storage.

‘VitrA’s Voyage collection breaks bathroom boundaries with its unique interpretation of ceramicware, and forward-thinking approach to space saving and flexibility’ says Graeme Borchard, Managing Director at ukbathrooms.com. ‘The range is a glimpse into the future, showing us that contemporary spaces will be imaginative, impactful and approached differently to today.’

Serene ceramics

The collection clearly plays into the bathroom’s new role as a room for relaxation. Sanitaryware is modern and elegant, circular or oval basins merged with roundcornered rectangular trays, which invoke a deeply calming feel, thanks to the smoothness of the shapes and the clear craft involved in combining the forms. These pieces speak of poetry, artistry and a soothing softness.

Wet or dry?

In a further challenge to the bathroom norm, Voyage basins blur the boundaries of the wet and the dry, with the tray surrounding the bowl creating a mid-point between the two and initiating a new dialogue between countertop and bowl. Will this extra area be used for product storage, to catch water, or in ways we are yet to discover?

Total flexibility

Voyage is entirely wall hung, an innovation which makes it incredibly versatile and entirely customisable to specific spaces and needs. Storage focuses on simple timber boxes – inspired by the time designer Arik Levy spent living in Japan – units and wall panels that can be placed horizontally or vertically, in five natural tones including light and dark oak as well as white, grey and forest green.

Signalling a change in bathroom design, Voyage works in rooms big and small, crucially embracing individual needs and preferences, and inviting the user on a journey to build their own personal space to unwind in.

Geberit grows its offering with two newly-named Collections - Select and Aspire

Geberit has extended its offering to housebuilders and developers following the launch of two newly named bathroom collections.

The announcement marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Geberit in the UK. The new Geberit Select Collection offers developers more choice across the mid-market and, with 11 ranges, the new collection embodies the very essence of Geberit - opening up a host of functional, affordable and on-trend design solutions including slim-rim basins, new furniture options, space-saving concealed cisterns and wall-hung technology.

The collection includes several ranges that were formerly branded as Twyford, including the popular Twyford E100 and E200, which will be rebranding as the Selnova bathroom series and will now incorporate a variety of different designs including Selnova Square S for a modern bathroom aesthetic. Geberit has also introduced the Renova Plan washbasin and furniture range to the collection, which is available in a wide range of finishes and a handleless design.

Alongside the Select Collection, the Aspire Collection is now the new name for Geberit’s premium offering, formerly known as the Geberit Bathroom Collection. This exclusive collection includes well-known ranges such as Smyle Square, Acanto and iCon – as well as additional ones such as the innovative Geberit One range, which integrates behind-the-wall sanitary technology with stylish ceramics to maximise space and create additional storage.

In addition to the new bathroom collections, Geberit will now focus its Twyford brand in the commercial sector, as it aims to build the brand with new range extensions in the affordable housing, health and education sectors.

Mark Larden, Managing Director of Geberit, said: “Everything is changing at Geberit. Whether you’re new to the Geberit brand or an existing partner, we’re continuing to optimise and evolve our products and services. That’s because we understand the importance of meeting the ever-changing business requirements across our sectors.

“With the introduction of these new collections, we’re opening up a wider range of choice for housebuilders and developers across the mid-premium and basic-mid bathroom segments. These exciting changes mean that they can optimise their offering and help sustain buyer demand with a host of added-value specification packages and upgrades.

“With all of this said, in many ways, nothing is changing. Our Twyford Alcona and Option ranges are here to stay as we continue to build the Twyford brand across the commercial sector. We also remain dedicated to working with developers to provide the same great service they have come to expect from Geberit, including planning and design, logistics and availability as well as end-customer and technical support.”

Mark added: “From wellbeing and design to technology, hygiene and sustainability, we’re setting the standards in a new era of bathroom design.”

For more information visit www.geberit.co.uk