Underfloor Heating Underfloor Heating Adapting to lower flow temperatures Adapting to lower flow temperatures

With the new updates to Building Regulations energy efficient – and convenient – are smart controls. energy efficient – and convenient – are smart controls.

Smart controls are an easy-tointegrate measure that improve the lives of residents – from both a comfort and a financial perspective. Their energy-saving functionality and the convenience of being able to operate them from wherever, whenever, makes them an essential piece of kit for the homes of the future.

Smart controls are an easy-tointegrate measure that improve the lives of residents – from both a comfort and a financial perspective. Their energy-saving functionality and the convenience of being able to operate them from wherever, whenever, makes them an essential piece of kit for the homes of the future.

Piping hot

Part L now in force in England and Wales, installers will need to adapt to work with lower flow temperature systems. Here, Dan Love from Polypipe explains some of the key points.

With the new updates to Building Regulations

Part L now in force in England and Wales, installers will need to adapt to work with lower flow temperature systems. Here, Dan Love from Polypipe explains some of the key points.

These changes form the biggest set of Building Regulation updates to impact the heating sector in over a decade and are intended to act as a stepping stone towards a net zero future. The government has also committed to publishing the Future Homes Standard, which is due to come into force in 2025, and aims to reduce carbon emissions from homes by 75%. Of course, this is not something that can happen overnight, which is why the changes to Part L have been brought in as a precursor, with the objective of reducing carbon emissions by 31%.

These changes form the biggest set of Building Regulation updates to impact the heating sector in over a decade and are intended to act as a stepping stone towards a net zero future. The government has also committed to publishing the Future Homes Standard, which is due to come into force in 2025, and aims to reduce carbon emissions from homes by 75%. Of course, this is not something that can happen overnight, which is why the changes to Part L have been brought in as a precursor, with the objective of reducing carbon emissions by 31%.

From June 2023 onwards, all projects must comply with the updated regulations, meaning it is essential that heating engineers ensure that they have an in-depth understanding of the changes. So, we’ve covered some of the biggest updates that installers need to be aware of.

From June 2023 onwards, all projects must comply with the updated regulations, meaning it is essential that heating engineers ensure that they have an in-depth understanding of the changes. So, we’ve covered some of the biggest updates that installers need to be aware of.

Maximum of 55°C

Maximum of 55°C

Perhaps the biggest update to Part L is that newly installed wet heating systems in existing homes and new builds must be designed with a maximum flow temperature of 55°C or lower.

Perhaps the biggest update to Part L is that newly installed wet heating systems in existing homes and new builds must be designed with a maximum flow temperature of 55°C or lower.

Dan Love Head of commercial at Polypipe Building Products

While previous versions of the Building Regulations only applied to new builds, the 2022 updates also cover some areas of existing homes, including maximum flow temperature.

While previous versions of the Building Regulations only applied to new builds, the 2022 updates also cover some areas of existing homes, including maximum flow temperature.

To achieve a lower temperature, installers need to carefully consider their options when it comes to heat emitters, and some radiators will need to significantly increase in size, which may result in space and aesthetic issues.

To achieve a lower temperature, installers need to carefully consider their options when it comes to heat emitters, and some radiators will need to significantly increase in size, which may result in space and aesthetic issues.

A possible solution to this is to choose alternative emitters that have been designed to run at lower

A possible solution to this is to choose alternative emitters that have been designed to run at lower temperatures, as laid out in the new regulations. One of the more obvious solutions to this would be installing emitters which cover a greater surface area, such as underfloor heating. The increased surface area means it can run at lower temperatures – between 33-55°C rather than 75°C. Another benefit of UFH’s lower maximum flow temperature is that the demand placed on energy sources is significantly less, making it ideal for use with low temperature heat sources and renewables, such as heat pumps. temperatures, as laid out in the new regulations. One of the more obvious solutions to this would be installing emitters which cover a greater surface area, such as underfloor heating. The increased surface area means it can run at lower temperatures – between 33-55°C rather than 75°C. Another benefit of UFH’s lower maximum flow temperature is that the demand placed on energy sources is significantly less, making it ideal for use with low temperature heat sources and renewables, such as heat pumps. However, there will still be some cases in which this is not possible. The regulations state that where it is not possible to achieve a flow temperature of 55°C, the system must be designed to achieve the lowest flow temperature possible whilst still meeting the property’s heating needs.

However, there will still be some cases in which this is not possible. The regulations state that where it is not possible to achieve a flow temperature of 55°C, the system must be designed to achieve the lowest flow temperature possible whilst still meeting the property’s heating needs.

In the zone

In the zone

Heating controls are another key element of the Building Regulations. New systems in homes with a floor area of 150m2

Heating controls are another key element of the Building Regulations. New systems in homes with a floor area of 150m2 or greater now need a minimum of two independently controlled zones, with each room or zone requiring its own smart or thermostatic controls. By splitting into zones, residents can control the levels of heat being emitted in certain areas and can therefore choose to heat only the parts of the property that are in use and turn the heating off in any rooms where heat is not required. This will result in less energy being wasted, as well as reduced bills. or greater now need a minimum of two independently controlled zones, with each room or zone requiring its own smart or thermostatic controls. By splitting into zones, residents can control the levels of heat being emitted in certain areas and can therefore choose to heat only the parts of the property that are in use and turn the heating off in any rooms where heat is not required. This will result in less energy being wasted, as well as reduced bills.

Obvious solution

Obvious solution

Again, underfloor heating provides an obvious solution to this as it is naturally designed and installed into zones meaning that it can be installed in the same way it always has been – no additions required. Underfloor heating manifolds are able to control multiple zones at once, allowing each area – or room – to be warmed to a different temperature depending on the user’s requirements. There are a range of controls on offer for zonal systems, but one of the most

Again, underfloor heating provides an obvious solution to this as it is naturally designed and installed into zones meaning that it can be installed in the same way it always has been – no additions required. Underfloor heating manifolds are able to control multiple zones at once, allowing each area – or room – to be warmed to a different temperature depending on the user’s requirements. There are a range of controls on offer for zonal systems, but one of the most

Another major update to be aware of is that any new pipework now also has to be insulated, including primary circulating pipes for heating circuits, pipes that pass into voids or ducts, pipework for domestic hot water, all cylinder pipework and all secondary circulation pipework. On top of this, all pipes connecting to a hot water storage unit need to be insulated for at least 1m from where they connect to the unit. In existing systems where the boiler or cylinder is replaced, any new exposed pipework must now be insulated. Plus, all pipes need to be heat pump ready and have a diameter of at least 15mm. This is important on every installation but when working on new build projects, installers must now need to provide photographic proof.

Piping hot

Another major update to be aware of is that any new pipework now also has to be insulated, including primary circulating pipes for heating circuits, pipes that pass into voids or ducts, pipework for domestic hot water, all cylinder pipework and all secondary circulation pipework. On top of this, all pipes connecting to a hot water storage unit need to be insulated for at least 1m from where they connect to the unit. In existing systems where the boiler or cylinder is replaced, any new exposed pipework must now be insulated. Plus, all pipes need to be heat pump ready and have a diameter of at least 15mm. This is important on every installation but when working on new build projects, installers must now need to provide photographic proof.

Getting results

There is no denying that the new legislation is a positive step for the industry, as it will not only help to decarbonise our homes but will also improve the efficiency of our heating systems, relieving pressure on the planet and homeowners’ wallets. However, many aspects of the new regulations have a significant impact on how engineers design and install new systems into both existing properties and new builds, so installers must ensure that they are familiar with all the updates.

Getting results

There is no denying that the new legislation is a positive step for the industry, as it will not only help to decarbonise our homes but will also improve the efficiency of our heating systems, relieving pressure on the planet and homeowners’ wallets. However, many aspects of the new regulations have a significant impact on how engineers design and install new systems into both existing properties and new builds, so installers must ensure that they are familiar with all the updates.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/623/34

◼ phamnews.co.uk/623/34