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Renewable Energy Kerry Renewable Heating Systems Sustainable Energy Water Heat Pumps

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating are a very clean and simple form of heating, ideally suited to today’s well-insulated, low-energy and airtight buildings in Cork, Limerick and Kerry.

Why would you choose underfloor heating?

Comfort: The most compelling reason to choose underfloor heating is comfort. Radiation, like the heat we get from the sun, is the most natural and comfortable form of heating. Research has shown that people feel more comfortable when they experience warm feet and a cold head. An underfloor heating system produces these conditions naturally, there are no localised hotspots, just a gentle feeling of warmth throughout your home.

Energy Efficient & Cost-Effective: The underfloor heating system uses radiant heat most people find they are comfortable at temperature settings several degrees lower than with other conventional heating systems. Lower your thermostat setting while enjoying the same level of comfort and reducing your heating bills by anything up to 40%. Underfloor heating is energy efficient and cost effective in any building commercial or domestic.

Underfloor Heating Pipe Matrix

How Underfloor Heating Works

Your water (25-40°C) is circulated through a series of polyethylene piping installed and integrated within the floor make-up. The pipe is then connected to a centrally located unit. The temperature of each room can be individually controlled as required via room thermostat. Each room thermostat can be set at 2°C lower than a room heated by radiators.

This is because underfloor heating delivers 70% radiant heat and 30% convection heat as opposed to radiators, which emit 30% radiant heat and 70% convection heat. This means that an underfloor heating system is a more efficient way of heating your home. Each room can be controlled by a programmable room thermostat allowing each room to have time and temperature control, when any one of these thermostats call for heat they open an electronically operated valve (actuator) that is fitted to the top body of the manifold, this would then turn your pump on and fire up your heat source. Each loop on the manifold is capable of having its own control typically one loop per room.

Radiators distribute heat by convection currents, which can result in draughts and hot spots. Radiators transfer heat into a room largely by convection from a hot metal surface. Because the surface of the radiator is small, in comparison to the volume of the room, it needs a high heat input and doesn’t spread the heat evenly. Convection currents circulate allergens, dust particles, fumes and germs which are then distributed around the building, contributing to an unhealthy atmosphere.

Underfloor Heating is easy to install, requires low maintenance and is very cost effective to run. The room is heated mostly by radiation, like the heat we get from the sun, the most natural and comfortable form of heating. An underfloor heating system creates an even temperature, comfortable environment with no hot or cold draughts, just a gentle feeling of warmth throughout your home. Rooms with high ceilings such as churches, sports halls or industrial units gain even greater benefits. With radiator systems, some of the heat is immediately wasted as it rises to the ceiling. With an underfloor heating system, the heat is concentrated at floor level where it is most needed. In rooms with large areas, underfloor heating is the only way to heat the centre of the floor area effectively.

Underfloor Heating systems goes hand in hand with heat pump installations

An underfloor system heating circulates low temperature water. Most conventional heating systems circulate warm water, usually between 50ºC to 80ºC whereas an underfloor heating system circulates water between 25ºC to 40ºC. A heat pump is most efficient when heating water at lower temperatures, the heat pump efficiency goes up bringing your running cost down.

Main features & benefits

Underfloor Heating also referred to as geothermal heating have become a firm favorite for those undertaking new build projects and the benefits are clear:

Comfort: Since radiant heat is the most natural and comfortable form of heating. An underfloor heating system will provide true comfort levels, giving a gentle feeling of warmth throughout your home.

Saves you money on energy bills: With underfloor heating the thermostat of each room can be set at 2°C lower than a room heated by radiators. You can save up to 30% on your heating bills.

Perfect working with heat pumps: Underfloor heating goes hand in hand with heat pump installations. An underfloor heating system circulates low temperature water. A heat pump is most efficient when heating water at low temperatures.

Invisible: No radiators, you are free to position your furniture however you would like in your home.

Health and Hygiene: An underfloor heating system reduces the circulation of airborne pollutants. It also helps to reduce house dust mites as the moisture content is too low to allow dust mites to live. This is great news for anyone with allergies or asthma.

Increased Humidity: With underfloor heating the heat comes from hot water, this also introduces moisture into the air and can reduce health problems caused by air which is extremely dry.

Safety: The hidden heating elements of an underfloor heating system is also a safety bonus since you no longer need to worry about children burning or tripping.

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Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Kerry Renewable Heating Systems Sustainable Energy

Exhaust Hot Water Heat Pumps

Exhaust Air Heat Pumps

The benefits of exhaust air heat pump are numerous?

Buildings must be ventilated

  • An all-in-one units – Heat-recovery ventilation, Heating & Hot water.
  • Ideal for smaller new homes or Passive House that will be at a high level of air-tightness and low heat loss
  • Usually less cost than buying separate traditional solutions and a stand-alone heat recovery unit.
  • Good solution for multiple small dwellings such as apartments, more cost effective than district heating, more environmentally friendly than multiple gas boilers etc
  • We have a choice of different models to suit different requirements
  • Connects easily to Solar Thermal – in fact the on-board controls of all our heat pumps can control solar thermal systems.
  • Works well with a room sealed stove (separate air supply for combustion)
  • Possible to dock with a Nibe EAHP with a gas boiler as back up for extreme weather

If the building will be more than 150SQ M, or has a total heat loss of more than 2-3 kW then consider one of our ground source or air to water units with an integral ventilation module .

For air-tight, low energy builds, where ventilation is a must, choose an Exhaust Air Heat-Pump. This will re-cycle the heat from your house’s ventilation system. These machines are ideal for apartments and more compact air-tight low energy or passive homes. Air is drawn through ducts to the heat pump from the bathrooms, utility and kitchen areas. The cold waste air is discharged to outside through another duct, and condensation to a drain.
Not only that, the additional heat generated internally from lighting,
people and domestic appliances is also used through heat recovery.

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Demand Control Ventilation Heat Recovery Ventilation Renewable Heating Systems Sustainable Energy

On Demand Control Ventilation Systems

Driver Renweables supply and install of DCV Equipment in Cork, Limerick and Kerry. (DCV) is a method of providing automatic regulation to the ventilation system depending on the requirements of the building and upon the needs of air change rates number of occupancy, pollution loads, general environmental factors. Demand Control Ventilation a suitable sensor and without user intervention.

Sustainable Energy
This approach can be applied to any of the system types above and has been very popular in Europe for decades. Demand Control is now a common feature of quality s continuous mechanical extract ventilation and passive stack ventilation systems.

Our Demand Control Ventilation systems, extract and supply air flow rates. These can be regulated to ventilate where and when needed, achieving an overall reduction in air renewal and associated heat losses.

Recent studies carried out in Europe demonstrate that DCV results in at least 30% reduction in ventilation losses compared to natural ventilation with conventional extract fans. It can also reduce the primary energy use of associated fans.

Extensive monitoring also shows that demand-controlled mechanical extract ventilation achieves excellent indoor air quality leaving your house fresh all day.

Benefits of DCV

  •  Low electrical running costs (from 0.27-0.5 W/l/s).
  •  No filter changes.
  •  Silent operation.
  •  Continuous demand driven extract ventilation.
  •  No occupier interface required.
  •  Humidity sensitive strips with 30 year guarantee.

The results with DCV is a system that is comparable in efficiency to heat recovery, cost effective and simple, but most importantly, quietly monitors and manages air quality. DCV is not constrained by air tightness levels, so it is suitable for all house types and all ages, new builds and commercial unit to hotels and privately owned dwellings in Cork, Limerick and Kerry.