HIU FAQs

A heat network, or district heating, is the communal system within which HIUs are connected to a central boiler room, often known as the ‘plant room’, through a network of pipes which are insulated to limit heat loss within the network. 

The plant room is designed by a mechanical engineer who will determine the specification and output, based upon the likely load and requirements of each property at peak usage periods. 

Having a centralised plant room providing heat to the network’s multiple properties creates an energy efficiency which will financially benefit landlords, tenants or property owners alike, and is also environmentally more sustainable.

The units rely upon the effective working of the plant room to provide clean and heated water, and in turn the plant room’s efficiency is impacted by the efficacy of each HIU.
This is why servicing and maintaining each individual HIU within the network is critical – not only to ensure that the unit itself is efficient and economic, but to also prevent reduction of service and stress upon demand from the heat network and plant room. 

Even a small percentage of inefficient HIUs can have a detrimental effect on the performance of the overall network.

HIUs remove the need to install individual gas boilers in each dwelling, creating money-saving and energy-saving opportunities, as the heat network is designed to supply water which is already at a designated temperature when entering the property. 

Unlike a traditional boiler, which heats water from cold, this reduces the energy needed in each property to ensure that the incoming water supply is at the required temperature.
Modulating valves within the HIU control the supply of hot water to both the heating and hot water within the property.

 
The HIU ensures maximum efficiency, improved reaction time, and control via an internal electronic control unit – meaning that whenever there is a demand, it can be met instantaneously.  

When compared to a traditional individual heating system, HIUs offer benefits to both landlords and tenants:

• HIUs are very responsive, providing instant hot water and heating supply on-demand. 
• No energy is wasted from heat build-up or loss after use.
• Energy bills should be decreased as communal heating is all about improving energy efficiency, CO2 reduction and saving on running costs.* 
• Eliminating the gas supply alleviates any worries about carbon monoxide emissions.
• Occupants have good visibility of energy consumption which promotes energy saving.

*maximum savings require the system to be designed, installed, and commissioned correctly, HIUs to be selected and sized correctly, and for both the plant room and individual HIUs to be serviced and maintained at least annually.