Heating
All about Heat Interface Units
The use of Heat Interface Units (HIUs) and centralised plant to deliver heating and hot water to individual properties within multi dwelling developments is becoming increasingly common. Jon Cockburn, head of marketing at Heatrae Sadia, answers some frequently asked questions about the approach.
What are HIUs? HIUs provide central heating – and sometimes, domestic hot water – to individual properties within a multi dwelling development (such as a block of flats or apartments, or a larger district heating scheme) served by centralised heating plant. HIUs can be heating only or heating with domestic hot water production. They are sometimes called ‘heat boxes’. The Hi-Max Instant ID from Heatrae Sadia has a compact design and comprises two generously sized plate heat exchangers – one for the hot water, and one for the heating system – to ensure that the primary return temperatures going back to the centralised heating system are very low, maximising the operating efficiency of the system.
What is district and community heating? District heating supplies heat from a central
source to a variety of buildings – which might include houses, blocks of flats or apartments, offices, schools, shops and community centres. The heat is delivered through a network of pipes carrying hot water. Community and communal heating follow the same principle,
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but on a smaller scale – sometimes serving a single block of residential flats or apartments.
Why are HIUs used in these schemes? Historically, in multi dwelling schemes, individual heating systems – typically comprising combi boilers or electric heaters – were installed in each property. Centralised heating plant can help developers to meet increasingly demanding new build targets, whether using traditional fuels or low-carbon and renewable technologies. But if centralised plant is used to serve multiple dwellings without a HIU there will be issues with temperature control and the metering/billing of an individual household’s energy use, because there will be no way to control the heating or monitor usage. In the case of HIUs, the amount consumed by an individual household is recorded by a meter, making them very attractive for councils and those operating a large portfolio of buildings. Meter readings can even be carried out remotely, making HIUs a much more viable option for registered social landlords, who can then bill their tenants. Metering can also be a positive incentive for occupants trying to lower
Centralised heating plant can
help developers to meet increasingly demanding new build targets, whether using
traditional fuels or low-carbon and
renewable technologies.
their energy consumption and can help to reduce fuel poverty among vulnerable groups. A controller monitors and regulates the heating and hot water system in order to optimise performance, working with the room thermostat.
Where are the HIUs installed? HIUs can be installed within each individual dwelling, or in the dividing wall between each
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