THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT WITH THE HELP OF UNICO

The transformation of the almost legendary eighteenth century coaching inn, Jack Straw’s Castle on Hampstead Heath is underway. Luxury apartments are being developed including two penthouse suites – one a show residence - which benefit from air conditioning provided by the unique Unico System mini-duct high performance central cooling system.

Developer, Barry Angel of Albany Homes is demonstrating to potential purchasers that homes with air conditioning are viable and the installation does not have to be noisy, expensive or unsightly. Indeed with the Unico System, they are exactly the opposite, with the only visible sign of the installation being small outlets points in the ceiling just 13.3 cm in diameter. And with the heat of the summer of 2003 possibly a sign of years to come, luxury living accommodation in the future may well need to include a Unico System!

The system also provides central heating through the same outlets and it is this combination which was a major attraction to the developer. There was no need to install mains gas and its costly infrastructure for heating. To provide both cooling and heating using a heat pump, the system features just a heat pump coil. Air is pulled across the coils to provide either cool or warm air. This reaches the room outlets through flexible mini-ducts which pass through existing cavities within the walls and ceilings of the apartment. They absorb sound and provide quiet airflow, resulting in virtually noiseless operation.

From an interior design point of view, the Unico System has provided total freedom. No wall or floor space is taken up by radiators or air conditioning cassettes, giving much greater flexibility.

The occupants will be assured of draught and noise free air conditioning in the summer. In the cooler seasons they will get exactly the desired heat levels with a temperature evenness throughout every room. There will be none of the variations resulting from cold spots or from ceiling to floor temperature differentials experienced with traditional water based radiator systems. With the Unico System the difference between floor and ceiling is less than 2 degrees c whilst with radiators it can be up to 8 degrees c.