Installers have been reminded that from 15 June 2022, changes to Part L of the Building Regulations mean all new heating systems in England and Wales must now run on lower flow temperatures.
Underfloor heating company Continal has explained this means that instead of the 80°C flow temperatures that installers are used to, installers must now design systems with a maximum 55°C flow temperature.
These changes don’t affect existing systems where installers are simply replacing an older boiler, but if a completely new system is being fitted, or an older system ripped out and replaced entirely, then it must comply with these lower flow temperature requirements, the company said.
“For installers who are used to working with high-temperature systems, these changes may prove an initial challenge, but help is out there as you adjust to the new rules, and the new ways you will need to design these systems.
“To provide your customers with the warmth and comfort they expect from their heating systems, especially on colder days, lower-flow temperature systems will need larger heat emitters with a much greater surface area. This could present difficulties for installers who are used to fitting systems with a modern boiler and half a dozen standard radiators, as the radiators would need to be “significantly larger to deliver sufficient heat outputs, taking up precious wall and living space.
“A simple alternative, especially in newbuild properties and where homes are being extensively refurbished with completely new heating systems, is to consider an alternative such as underfloor heating (UFH). UFH turns the floor into a giant heat emitter, making it the perfect choice for a low-temperature system. UFH is also proven to be significantly more efficient than radiator systems, helping to reduce fuel bills at a time when everyone is searching for ways to reduce living costs,” a statement by Continal added.