For housebuilders, it is no longer simply a question of how to heat a new property efficiently. With increasingly hot summers, tighter building regulations and more attention on how to combat home overheating, developers are turning to HVAC systems that can deliver comfortable indoor conditions throughout the year. With the Future Homes Standard signalling the move away from traditional fossil fuel based systems from 2027, renewable energy sources that can be used in conjunction with versatile integrated heating, cooling, ventilation and air filtration solutions are in the spotlight alongside conventional stand alone air conditioning and underfloor heating.

For Springbourne Homes Limited, the multi-award winning property development company, this challenge was particularly relevant at The Dell. This 2026 landscaped exclusive development in Burbage, Leicestershire includes six detached homes and two bungalows priced around the £925,000 to £1.25 million mark. These properties offer an expansive, beautifully crafted open plan living lifestyle, the highest quality fittings and Springbourne’s renowned attention to detail.

“There is more demand from homebuyers for combined heating and cooling. We wanted to incorporate an unobtrusive high-performance energy efficient renewable HVAC solution to complement the design and high specification of each property and create the perfect living space,” says Adrian Burr, Chairman of Springbourne Homes.

Lavoro Heating of Hinckley was brought in to help develop the HVAC strategy for the six houses in The Dell. Owner Kurt Andrews’ experience as a Unico Specialist Installer Partner (USP) proved instrumental in the eventual solution. Founded in 2019, Lavoro’s success and reputation has been built around its expertise and experience in all areas of HVAC and an independent unbiased approach to finding the best solutions for its broad customer base, from developers to individual homeowners looking to upgrade existing systems.

From the outset, at the design stage of The Dell development, Lavoro worked with Springbourne to assess the alternative approaches for cooling and how these could be integrated alongside the underfloor heating  system which would be included for the ground floor. In conjunction with Unico System’s Renewable Energy Warehouse design team, the proposed solution featured the Unico Small Duct High Velocity (SDHV) system operating in conjunction with a Vaillant heat pump.

Crucially, this approach did not require every area of the home to use the same heat-emitter technology. Ground floor underfloor heating would provide the low-temperature heat distribution whilst upstairs Unico SDHV provides a different set of capabilities, delivering heating, cooling, ventilation and air filtration. This combination gave Springbourne greater freedom when designing the building services around the layout and use of each floor.

“This approach avoids treating heating and cooling as separate problems. The Unico System can operate in heating or cooling mode, using the same distribution system to provide year-round temperature control. In summer, the system can counteract solar gains and help address overheating. In winter it can provide warm air to the upper floors,” says Kurt.

The aesthetics of the HVAC system was also a major factor and as a high-end development, interior design considerations for The Dell were paramount. A huge plus for Springbourne Homes was the opportunity to install a non-intrusive heating and cooling system. Inside and outside the combination of the Unico System and Vaillant heat pump was an optimal pairing.

Lavoro recognised that the Unico System, with its almost indiscernible small diameter room ceiling outlets and ultra quiet running, would be perfect as there would be minimal visual encroachment or noise disruption, no unsightly radiators and greater freedom for occupiers when creating individual room layouts. The external Vaillant aroTHERM plus 7kW air-to-water monobloc heat pump with its dark anthracite finish blends discreetly with the brickwork and matching window frames of the properties.

Lavoro found the Unico/Vaillant combination easy to work with as a complete system. Unico specifically designs its SDHV systems to pair seamlessly with air source heat pumps including Vaillant. The system integrates with Vaillant’s proprietary sensoCOMFORT smart control system and myVAILLANT Connect internet gateway for app control. Electrical wiring, zone configuration, weather and load compensation is straightforward for the installer.

There were also key installation advantages with Unico System itself. It features compact, flexible ducting that can be routed through the building’s loft space giving Lavoro more options when working around the structure and architecture of the new homes. The M2430 EC/EC3 air handling unit is compact and conveniently sited in the loft space and overall the system has less space requirement than a conventional ducted AC system.

With high levels of insulation and air tightness in new builds reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency, the disadvantage is that summer overheating can be a significant consideration. Glazing, solar gain and rising external temperatures can all contribute to uncomfortable internal conditions if cooling and ventilation have not been considered at the design stage.

“Rather than specifying a heating system and considering cooling as an optional extra by adding a separate air conditioner, developers need to consider from the outset how the complete HVAC strategy will perform across the seasons. Springbourne Homes has addressed this successfully,” adds Kurt.

The HVAC strategy for The Dell uses the heat pump as part of a broader year-round comfort solution rather than limiting its role to winter heating.  As heat pumps become established in new-build housing, the specification needs to consider what happens when heating demand falls and cooling demand rises. The heat pump can support this scenario, while Unico is able to distribute both heating and cooling through the home.

This flexibility, alongside the capability for occupants to manage heating, cooling and hot water for the entire home from a phone app were major benefits. The ability to easily upgrade the Unico installation in the future by adding UV light air purification to protect anyone suffering from allergies or respiratory conditions was a further significant advantage along the route to an energy efficient healthy home.

Springbourne Homes has more than 30 years’ experience creating bespoke properties with a focus on design, craftsmanship and technology. At The Dell, that approach has been extended and the development demonstrates how the HVAC system can be integrated into the design of the properties rather than dictated by it. ” It is a quality installation by Lavoro and we have been particularly impressed with how discreet and quiet the performance of the Unico System had been in the really high temperatures of this summer,” says Adrian Burr. “The project also demonstrates the value of specialist HVAC expertise at the specification stage to look at the whole-year performance of the homes – rather than simply the winter heating requirement.”

As the performance requirements of new homes continue to evolve, the flexibility of the Unico System looks set to become increasingly valuable  to developers looking to specify HVAC systems that are ready not just for today’s conditions, but for future hotter summers and changing customer expectations of residential comfort.

What was once a renowned coach building and vehicle bodywork workshop in Solihull has been transformed by the Renewal church into a vibrant community space. An innovative indoor climate control solution from Butco, featuring the Unico System, has played a crucial role in making Renewal’s vision a reality. Today, the new Foundation Building is a bustling venue for church community events, live performances, sporting activities, collaborative working and socialising.

Renewal has grown from a small congregational church founded in 1972 into a thriving community welcoming more than 700 people to each of its Sunday services. When its Lode Lane premises were first acquired in the early 1990s, Renewal also purchased the neighbouring redundant bus workshop once operated by Wilsdon & Co, who during the 1980s were a leading British coach bodybuilder. Then, for more than a decade, the building served as little more than as a storage facility for the church during which time essential repairs to the roof were undertaken.

Senior Pastor Jonny Lee, however, had always seen far greater potential for the building. His vision was to make the most of the opportunity that the space offered and create a facility that could be used by all church members and those from the surrounding community, especially young people, to develop their lives and creativity – regardless of age, background, race or interests. The majority of the funding was down to the generosity of the church congregation, with the church also borrowing from the bank which it continues to pay off.

The vision finally became reality and after much work the Foundation Building project was over 90% completed by Spring 2026. Creating such a flexible, year-round facility from a former industrial workshop that was never conceived as a modern community venue, required more than architectural imagination and structural work. For Renewal’s leadership team, retaining the distinctive character of the building with its exposed steel and pipework, high ceilings and historic ambience was a prerequisite. It was also essential to make the most of the flexibility that the space could provide. This demanded an imaginative and unconventional approach to the heating and cooling system – one that could deliver comfort across a building which would have many uses.

Indeed, today the Foundation Building now comprises a reception and communal area, an adaptable break-out area for co-working/ socialising, meetings and conferences as well as a performance venue with tiered retractable seating. There is also a multi-purpose sports hall with changing facilities, an upstairs office with kitchenette with future plans including a dedicated podcast and recording studio. These facilities provide the opportunity to work with local schools in the Solihull area in both sporting activities and podcast recording.

For Andrew Shand, Renewal’s Operations and Generations Manager, whose responsibilities included the planning, architecture and building services for the Foundation Building, an imaginative approach to cooling and heating was needed. An original proposal that focused on conventional air conditioning units and a blanket approach had been rejected as it was over budget, did not offer any facility to customise comfort within individual spaces and did not harmonise with the building’s interior.

On-going collaboration between the church and Sutton Coldfield based HVAC specialist Butco resulted in the design and delivery of a unique Unico Small Duct High Velocity (SDHV) heating and air conditioning solution for the key reception and communal area, the performance venue and break-out section. Butco’s expertise in SDHV technology was key to the project and as a Unico Specialist Installation Partner, the company saw the project as representing an opportunity to demonstrate the value of specialist HVAC design. The versatile all-in-one Unico System could provide Renewal not only cooling in the summer, but also heating in the winter.

James Tough, the company’s Business Director, says: “The original air conditioning proposal received by Renewal didn’t reflect the building’s intended purpose or the church’s aspirations. Experience and creativity means that we’re often able to recommend a far more energy efficient and cost-effective alternative HVAC strategy, rather than a one-size-fits-all system. Our solution is designed around looking at a building’s varying uses and this project is a great example of what’s possible when Unico System technology is tailored precisely to the client’s needs.”

Designed in conjunction with Bell Plumbing Supplies, Unico’s principal UK Partner, the installation includes three separate ducted systems for the three areas. There are four compact vertical Unico Green Series Air Handling Units which are discreetly housed within ground-floor cupboards. Each unit features a ECM variable speed motor that automatically adjusts its speed to match the precise airflow demand of the space that it is serving. They are optimised to work seamlessly with four Daikin Altherma Sky Air Alpha commercial split heat pumps as the renewable energy source.

Cooled or heated air is then distributed from the Air Handling Units through specially designed 300mm circular Unico ducting which has been pre-insulated to minimise operational noise and promote energy efficiency. The ducting is on full display and laser cut linear air outlets provide a clean, contemporary look. The exposed black finish complements the building’s exposed steelwork and industrial heritage whilst delivering the required cooling or heating performance.

The project demanded considerable building services engineering expertise. Butco had to overcome the practical constraints resulting from the conversion of an industrial workshop into a modern, multi-purpose community facility. Structural limitations meant that roof members were restricted to carrying just 25kg per metre of ducting, creating significant challenges for conventional HVAC installation methods. Butco changed the original ductwork proposal and a bespoke suspension solution for the Unico System ducting was developed that maximised the available space and respected the structural requirements. A Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit was incorporated into one of the air handlers to bring the additional energy saving benefits of heat recovery.

The Foundation Building now benefits from independent temperature control areas, corresponding to the building’s fire zones. This allows the climate within each area to respond to its particular use. In the live performance venue, different occupancy levels can demand varying levels of heating or cooling. In the collaborative break-out working spaces activities can change throughout the day and consistent, quiet comfort can be achieved thanks to the <30 dB operational noise level of the Unico System. SDHV high-velocity aspiration technology provides near instant temperature adjustment and a fast response time when heating and cooling, distributing conditioned air evenly through the space without cold or hot spots.

Andrew Shand says: “ I have a lot of experience with HVAC systems, but the proposal from Butco offered us something very different in terms of performance, control, cost-effectiveness, design and aesthetics. James listened carefully to our opinions and was realistic and honest in his recommendations. The result is a system that responds to the way we actually use the building and it is not just a standard HVAC installation. Butco’s work has been excellent and they delivered a complete M&E package. One of the most striking aspects is that the Unico System has become part of the building’s aesthetic rather than something to be hidden. It really works.”

For Renewal, the Foundation Building represents far more than a refurbished bus workshop. It is the physical expression of nearly three decades of vision, generosity and community spirit. Over the early weeks of summer 2026, the building has had a “soft start” to its life with group meetings and small events a couple of days a week. The value of the investment has already become apparent during the exceptionally warm summer of 2026, when maintaining a comfortable indoor environment has become important for community venues. Later this year there will be a full  launch with grand opening celebrations. In the meantime, anyone interested in finding out more about the Foundation Building and booking its facilities can visit  https://renewal.church/solihull/

As the year progresses, the versatility of the Unico System will mean it can be switched to heating mode to provide warmth over the autumn and winter months. With plans to lease the building for outside events, the investment in Unico will also be a major selling point. It is a powerful real-world example of how Small Duct High Velocity technology can transform the possibilities for heating and cooling, creating an indoor climate solution that is as carefully considered as the building itself, its character and the space that has been created.

As temperatures soared through the summer of 2026, intense heat waves turned upstairs bedrooms into stifling, sleep-depriving zones. For many modern properties lacking proper ventilation and suffering from airtight construction, sleepless nights became the norm.

The situation was unbearable for Lee Mitchell – homeowner, heating professional and owner of Green Dragon Heating near Neath, South Wales. Upstairs in his family’s modern three-bedroom detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac, thermal imaging recorded indoor temperatures hitting 31°C. Lee was forced to sleep in the downstairs conservatory, the coolest spot in the house, and even spent one night outside on a sun lounger!

Opening windows risked noise and indoor air pollution, and standard room fans were insufficient for the upper level. Lee needed a high-performance indoor climate control solution that could integrate seamlessly without disrupting his existing Vaillant ecoTec 28 condensing combi boiler set up for radiator heating and hot water. While traditional wall-mounted air conditioning cassettes were considered for the bedrooms, the family rejected them due to their visual intrusion.

Having recently completed fully certified training to become a Unico System Specialist Installer Partner (USP), Lee saw a prime opportunity to test the company’s Small Duct High Velocity (SDHV) HVAC system in his own home. If successful, it would serve as a strong proof-of-concept for Green Dragon Heating’s diverse client base, which includes housing associations. “I went into the project with an open mind and we have been delighted with the results,” says Lee.

The property features a traditional brick-and-block cavity wall construction. Because the downstairs boiler and radiators handled heating reliably, Lee wanted to leave the ground floor untouched. “The beauty of the Unico System installation upstairs is that it is independent of the downstairs heating,” says Lee. “There has been zero disruption to the efficient existing heating system and we haven’t had to consider a massive, whole-house HVAC renovation to incorporate air conditioning.”

In August 2026, Lee personally installed the system, pairing it with an externally wall-mounted Daikin Perfera 6kW split-system air conditioner and heat pump, positioned above the garage. The Unico System’s modular, small-duct design allowed for a retrofit into the upper floor with zero structural changes.

The core Unico 1218 Series Air Handling Unit, featuring a blower, heating/cooling modules and refrigerant coil, was tucked away in the loft. A compact main plenum feeds 12 small-diameter, sound-attenuating flexible supply ducts routed across joists and ceiling voids. Discreet ceiling outlets distribute conditioned air into the rooms: two round white outlets in each children’s bedroom, three in the main bedroom and five across the large landing area, while the air intake is hidden in a landing airing cupboard. “Installation was very straightforward and I received good backup from Unico,” Lee comments. Beyond solving the heat issue, the low operational noise of the Unico System has protected the family’s sleep. “Even when the fan was working at 100%, you could scarcely hear anything,” says Lee.

The Unico System is capable of delivering both renewable cooling and heating, allowing Lee to switch mode for the approaching colder season while keeping existing upstairs radiators turned off. System control is managed via Bluetooth through a mobile app interfaced with a Daikin indoor room controller linked to the heat pump.

The set-up also offers future flexibility, as Lee can easily drop additional flexible ducting through an existing cupboard to extend the Unico installation to the ground floor. “Over the summer, the existing landing outlets provided some cooling downstairs anyway,” he notes. “At some stage we can dispense with the combi boiler, use the heat pump, and go completely green step-by-step.” The intrinsic value of the installation is this ability to extend it the future by upgrade it by adding an air purification module if needed. It is a system for today and the future.

This project highlights how homeowners can avoid all-or-nothing upgrades. By pairing a traditional downstairs combi boiler and radiator set-up with an upstairs Unico SDHV system and heat pump, properties preserve robust reliability downstairs and whisper-quiet climate comfort upstairs.

Green Dragon Heating specialises in designing and installing full ranges of air conditioning, heating, and plumbing systems across South Wales. “Professional AC installations providing high efficiency, improved air quality, and year-round comfort are in higher demand than ever,” says Lee. “As a Unico Specialist Partner (USP), we have the expertise in SDHV systems to offer sustainable cooling without expected disruptions. My home is a showcase for the technology. Over the coming months, we will record indoor temperatures and run cycles to calculate costs per kWh, highlighting comparative running costs and potential savings to our prospective Green Dragon customers.”

By deploying a high-velocity, small-duct setup alongside a heat pump, homeowners can achieve zoned, whisper-quiet climate control without disrupting existing infrastructure or aesthetics.