Specialists in central heating systems.
Looking at home heating, considering central heating? You've come to the right place. We will guide you through the choices you need to make to decide which central heating system is right for you.
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A 3 step process: use our calculator to determine your heating needs, then select the components of your customised central heating system.
Central Heating
Radiators & Underfloor
Boilers & Fuel
Global Warming
Solar Heating
Heat Pumps
Looking at Central Heating?
What is Central Heating?
Central heating refers to a system of heat generation and distribution. This is usually radiators or under floor pipes, a boiler and distribution pipes. In warm air systems there’s ductwork, vents and a furnace or heat source. Both allow heat to be circulated throughout a building’s entire interior at once. The heat is typically generated in one location and distributed through the home or building. Despite the name, the location of heat generation (boiler) does not necessarily have to be in a central location or room, but can be found anywhere within or near the structure.
What is Hydronic Central Heating?
A hydronic radiant heating system relies on hot water to heat a room or home. The hydronic heating process starts at a boiler, a pump sends the water through a distribution system of piping in the home for emission by (usually) either radiators or the floor itself. As the water cools down, it travels back to the boiler for re-heating.
Water moves heat far more effectively than air making hydronic heating systems highly energy efficient and very effective. The result is low operating costs compared to many other systems. Radiant heat is also more comfortable for occupants, compared to forced-air heating. Hydronic radiant heating creates very even heat without drafts.
Installation Options
- New homes – underfloor, radiators or a mix of both, easy when planned early before construction commences.
- Existing homes – adding central heating retrospectively is possible, especially with radiators, if one of two conditions is met: the building is undergoing a refurbishment or there is reasonable access under the house.
Examples of Heating Performance
Single Source Heating (Fire)
Heatpump
Radiators
Underfloor
What is heat-loss?
Heat energy travels from warm to cool, it cannot be stopped but it can be slowed down. Here’s a way to think of this: Imagine a bucket of water with a hole in the bottom, the height of water in the bucket is the difference in temperature between inside and out (if there is no difference there is no water or heat loss, but the bigger the difference the faster the out-flow).
The more insulation you include in the building the smaller the hole becomes but it cannot be closed completely.
How is all the energy we put into our homes used?
Space heating 34%
Hot water 29%
Refrigeration 10%
Lighting 8%
Cooking 6%
Other appliances 13%
So the cost of heating and hot water eats up on over 60% of your energy!