If you are building a new home, choosing the right heating system is a key decision. Where do you start? In this blog post, we will explain all you need to know about heating your self-build home.
When choosing a heating system for your self-build project you will be presented with a number of options and you may not realise it at the time, but it will be one of the most important decisions you make – after all, it determines your comfort level and running costs of your home for years to come.
Heat Loss Calculations
At the starting point for your home heating system design journey, you need to calculate how much heat is needed in the first instance.
For new build homes, using your house plans, our technical specialists carry out room by room heat loss calculations in line with SR:50 requirements. This information provides the heat load requirement for each room and helps to prove compliance with Part L of the building regulations and calculate the heat pump output, the hot water demands, and underfloor heating and/or radiators for your home.
Choosing your main heat source
Once heat loss calculations are finalised and the heat load for each room within the property is known, our team will correctly size and specify the best suited heating products for your property. This is also based on your requirements at the time and to meet your changing needs in the future.
Many self-builders are choosing renewable technologies like heat pumps to be the main heat source for their home. The A+++ rated Grant Aerona3 R32 air to water, air source heat pump provides an energy efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to heat a home.
The energy source used by a heat pump is electricity which can be renewable, so by installing a heat pump, homeowners can immediately reduce their carbon footprint. Although a heat pump will require more investment than a conventional fuel boiler, the running costs and comfort levels will be improved over time provided that the house is adequately insulated.
Choosing your hot water storage
Once the heat source for the property is identified, a high performance, energy efficient hot water cylinder will be selected to support the system’s overall efficiency and work effectively with the air to water, air source heat pump.
The Grant pre-plumbed cylinder range is designed to heat water faster and more efficiently than standard cylinders and ensure that homeowners have hot water 24/7. All pre-plumbed and pre-wired features are conveniently located to ensure quick and easy installation.
These highly versatile cylinders can work effectively with an air to water air source heat pump and are configured for two heating zones but have options for two further heating zones and a domestic hot water zone.
Selecting Underfloor Heating, Aluminium Radiators or Both and Temperature Controls
Underfloor heating and aluminium radiators are great choices to heat individual rooms in your new build home. Designed to effectively distribute heat within the home, modern heat emitters offer versatility to support the overall design and architecture of the space whilst also creating comfort.
Underfloor heating works effectively with an air to water, air source heat pump, helping to save energy and money as both systems work at low temperatures to use less energy. In addition to providing a balance of warmth throughout a room, underfloor heating offers increased hygiene due to reduced air circulation and ensures more space to design and decorate a room without blocking radiators with furniture.
The Grant Uflex underfloor heating system is ideal for new builds offering easy installation, optimal control with individual zone heating, and comfort. The system is embedded in the floor construction and is designed specifically for individual areas. It is especially suited under tile and hardwood flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, and open plan areas. A room’s look is an important consideration for homeowners and today’s market offers a range of options, broadening the horizons beyond traditional radiators.
Aluminium radiators, such as the Grant Afinia range, are aesthetically pleasing, highly efficient, and compatible with high and low temperature systems. They have excellent conductivity and with vertical and horizontal combinations available, deliver flexibility with installations. With the ability to expand these radiators from 6-20 panels, the Grant Afinia range offers easy installation and adaptability to suit the unique needs of the homeowner.
Heating Controls
Installing smart heating controls to your home heating system can reduce your energy usage by up to 20%. If you do not have heating controls, you may find you are incurring unnecessary energy wastage and you have higher heating bills. This is due to the lack of control you have over the amount of heat you are using to heat your home and hot water.
Grant supplies the necessary controls to operate Grant Uflex underfloor heating and Grant Afinia radiators as efficiently as possible with the touch of a button. Launched in early 2021, the Neo system can be controlled by the neoApp, which is available to download on both Apple and Android smartphones. The neoApp is designed to work perfectly with the neoHub system, together they offer an advanced heating control solution that is perfect for modern property owners with ‘on-the-go’ lifestyles. The neoApp supports multi-location and multi-users, enabling homeowners to share full or restricted access to the neo system and control the central heating system from wherever they are.
Having the ability to control a heating system from any location is vital in maximising a property’s energy efficiency. To ensure an environmentally friendly performance, the neo system and app include built-in geolocation technology. This technology ensures that users never waste energy in heating an empty house, by automatically reducing the temperature when a property is empty and increasing the temperature when the homeowners return.
Home Heating Design Service
The good news is that we can make your home heating journey straightforward and hassle-free with our free of charge Home Heating Design Service. Our team has been helping new build projects to meet compliance required under building regulations and design the best-suited home heating solution for homeowners. By working with our technical specialists, you can optimise your home heating investment and achieve long-term financial and carbon savings.
These benefits are delivered by a smart, bespoke heating system, consisting of correctly sized heating technologies, designed with the unique needs of both you and your property in mind. Having delivered reliable, efficient home heating solutions for over four decades, Grant is a trusted partner for those working in the trade and our technical specialists work effectively with your appointed architects, BERs, specifiers, engineers, installers, electricians, suppliers, and builders for your project.
Take advantage of our free of charge Home Heating Design Service in 3 easy steps:
- Send planning drawings, a contact number and your preference of underfloor heating, radiators or both to heatpump@grantni.com
- Grant technical specialists will be in touch to discuss your requirements
- Full property specifications with recommended Grant products will be provided
Think Heating. Think Grant.