HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 71


PLANNING WARMTH INTO NEW HOMES


Peter Mintoft from Charlton & Jenrick considers how electric fi res can support comfort, design fl exibility and clear homeowner expectations within increasingly effi cient new build homes and developments.


s new homes become more energy effi cient, the way residents use heat is changing. Better insulation, airtightness and system control reduces the overall energy needed to maintain a stable temperature within the home. owever, purchasers still value the comfort, ambience and focus created by a fi replace. or housebuilders, the opportunity lies in treating an electric fi re as a planned element rather than an accessory added after the room layout is fi xed.


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The distinction between primary and secondary heating is essential. The  edition of pproved Document  for dwellings is scheduled to take effect in ngland from  arch  for building work not connected with higher risk building. Setting out how the energy and emissions impact of secondary heating should be included in the approved calculation. It also states that a heat pump should meet the full design demand without assuming support from secondary heat sources. n electric fi re therefore needs a defi ned role. It may provide local comfort and visual ambience, but it


should not compensate for an undersized primary heating system or weak building fabric. Secondary heat sources can add complementary short-term, rapid response for these comfort warmth needs. When that role is established early, the specifi cation can support the wider design strategy. lmost all new electric fi res allow the low energy fl ame display to operate independently from the heater, so the feature can contribute to the character of a living space throughout the year. When warmth is reuired, local temperature, presence and time controls can help residents use the fl exible heating function for defi ned periods in the room they occupy. Developers should present this as a desirable choice for rapid response and comfort rather than a guaranteed energy saving, since actual use, tariff, controls and the effi ciency of the primary heating system all affect running costs.


arly coordination also protects the architecture. The fi re infl uences the width and depth of a feature wall, the position of a television, the route of electrics, and the need for future service access. If these


points are left to the fi t-out stage, you may risk an awkward projection, trailing cables or a layout that limits furniture placement.  coordinated approach allows the appliance, surrounding materials and adjacent joinery to read as one part of the room. It also gives the electrical designer and fi re manufacturer an opportunity to confi rm power reuirements, clearances and any enclosure ventilation provisions before work gets underway.


Standardisation can make this approach best practice across a development.  housebuilder may select a small number of confi gurations matched to popular house types, with each arrangement supported by a clear drawing and specifi cation. The base build can include the necessary power supply and wall depth, while the fi re itself is offered as standard in selected plots or as a buyer option for a turnkey property. This reduces late variations and gives site teams a repeatable template. It also helps procurement teams compare costs on a consistent basis, including the appliance, framing, fi nishing, electrical work and commissioning.


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