Award-Winning Heating Design

Project Overview

Mark Denman of JMR undertook an ambitious project to overhaul the heating system of a 416 square-metre residence, previously equipped with an inefficient 60 kW gas boiler.

This transformation upgraded the home’s heating efficiency and integrated advanced heat pump technology, using h2x’s design software.

Technical Challenges

The original setup featured outdated, inefficient components:

• A large, inefficient gas boiler
• Old panel radiators
• Single-glazed windows
• Solid-wall building

Additionally, the initial assessment using h2x revealed significant heat loss and inefficiencies, indicating the need for a complete system redesign.

Innovative Design Solutions Using h2x

The redesign involved several key enhancements tailored to optimise heating efficiency and system performance:

• Building Envelope Upgrades: Introduction of double glazing, external wall insulation, and 300mm loft insulation to reduce heat loss.
• Underfloor Heating System: A dual-level underfloor heating system, utilising over 3000 metres of piping, to provide consistent and efficient heat distribution.
• Cascade Heat Pump: A cascade heat pump system (Nibe system) was selected to handle the 20.5 kW peak demand, complemented by a 500-litre hot water storage and a 750-litre power tank for the domestic hot water supply.
• Optimised Hydraulic Design: The project included a 2-pipe buffer setup to prevent mixing through the buffer, ensuring maximum heat transfer efficiency to the heating system. This setup helped maintain the system’s volume at an optimised level, reducing the frequency of compressor activation.

Installation and Results

The installation adhered strictly to the h2x-designed plans and sizing whilst also utilising weather compensation controls for system management.

Since its inception in October, the system has operated at an impressive 450% heating and hot water efficiency (live data from the Nibe uplink system).

Furthermore, the internal temperature management has been exceptionally stable, ranging from 21.5°C to 22.5°C, with a night setback to 20.5°C, effectively maintaining comfort without ever dropping below 20°C.

Awards and Recognition

Mark Denman’s expertise and innovative approach to this project earned him several accolades, including:

• Heating Engineer of the Year 2024 at the UK Business Awards
• East of England Engineer of the Year 2024 at the Heating Installer Awards

The Role h2x Played in Achieving Excellence

“Using h2x was pivotal, allowing for precise heat loss calculations and optimal pipe sizing and flow rates for each room.

This level of detail ensured that the heating load accurately matched each space’s requirements, minimising energy waste and maximising comfort.

The strategic placement of heat pumps and careful sizing of pipework were crucial in maintaining minimal pressure drops over an 18-metre distance, a critical factor in system efficiency.”