Historic Barn Berkshire

Historic Barn Berkshire

The Perfect Heating Solution for Architecturally Significant Homes

Unico System - Historic Barn Berkshire - Image 1

Summary

Installation Date: September 2014
Unico System: 14kW with Hydronic Coil and 30 room outlets
Energy Source: 14kW Panasonic Air to Water Heat Pump
Controls: 5 x Jackson Systems Room Thermostats and Dampers, 1 x Zone Control Panel

Benefits

  • Even temperatures across the rooms
  • NR20 Sound Level Rating. Very quiet
  • Zone control options
  • Discrete supply outlets
  • Flexible design and installation
  • EC Variable Speed Control
Unico System - Historic Barn Berkshire - Image 2

Property Owner

“We are extremely impressed with how quickly the system heats the rooms on a cold day. The outlets are discreet and provide a very even room temperature, they have also allowed us to maximise our wall space for furniture…”

Ed Cyster

Background

Unico was specifically chosen by the client to provide a heating only solution for all rooms on the upper floor which would not compromise the architectural integrity of this historic building.

Due to the age and construction of the property, the installation of a conventional heating system was not possible and the owners wanted to maximise the limited wall space available for furniture.

After researching “Warm Air” systems, they found the Unico System to provide a design and solution for heating the Upper Floor of the property.

Solution

A 14kW Unico System is installed throughout the loft area to provide heating to three bedrooms including the Master Suite, Hallway gallery and a small annex with an additional bedroom and Kitchenette. The flexible supply ducts connected to discreet, ceiling mounted outlets provide the perfect comfortable environment to the entire Upper Floor.

The Unico System is connected to a Panasonic Air to Water Heat Pump which provides energy efficient heating whilst at the same time allowing the owners to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive payment scheme.

The system provides individual temperature control to five separate zones with variable speed operation.

The Unico System EC fan motor along with the heat pump provides extremely low running costs in this off-grid location.

Self Build Exmouth

Self Build Exmouth

Cool Atmosphere for a Grand Design

Unico System - Exmouth Self Build - Image 1

Benefits

  • Even temperatures across the rooms
  • Very quiet
  • Discrete supply outlets
  • Flexible design and installation

“We decided to have air-conditioning at a very late stage of the build and presented Unico with a serious challenge! They concealed the system exceptionally well and, with so much glazing in the property, it is inconceivable to see how we could have managed without it…”

Unico System - Exmouth Self Build - Image 2

Property Owner

“We believe we ended up with the Rolls Royce of systems. The system is very quiet – you would hardly know it was there.”

Julie Veysey

Background

Built on the beachfront at Exmouth, this property has a Unico System at its core and was featured on the Grand Designs television programme.

With a large frontage constructed from glass, the property needed a comfort system that would provide responsive and effective cooling and heating.

Solution

A 14kW Unico System is installed throughout the loft area to provide heating to three bedrooms including the Master Suite, Hallway gallery and a small annex with an additional bedroom and Kitchenette. The flexible supply ducts connected to discreet, ceiling mounted outlets provide the perfect comfortable environment to the entire Upper Floor.

The Unico System is connected to a Panasonic Air to Water Heat Pump which provides energy efficient heating whilst at the same time allowing the owners to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive payment scheme.

The system provides individual temperature control to five separate zones with variable speed operation.

The Unico System EC fan motor along with the heat pump provides extremely low running costs in this off-grid location.

Bell Plumbing Supplies Signs Exclusive UK Distribution Deal

Bell Plumbing Supplies Signs Exclusive UK Distribution Deal

Bell Plumbing Supplies has been chosen as the exclusive UK distributor and training provider for US-based Unico Systems.

The Missouri manufacturer of small duct heating, cooling and ventilation systems is looking to fulfil increasing demand for domestic air conditioning across Britain.

The Unico System, which is installed in half a million homes and small businesses throughout the US, provides the option of both heating and cooling when matched with a suitable air source heat pump. The system is also compatible with existing boiler and underfloor heating systems.

Brian Intagliata, director of customer service at Unico Systems, said: “This is an exciting new step for Unico systems here in the UK. While we’ve supported some high specification houses, including some of those featured on Grand Designs, this new launch will be the first time we have entered the market at scale. A changing climate means that the UK is now experiencing temperatures more commonly associated with US cities like New York, Washington and my hometown of St Louis. There’s a demand for year-round climate control and we have the experience and systems in place to provide just that.”

The US company partnered with Richard Soper CBE to help select its UK distributor and training provider.

Brian continued: “We have more than 33 years’ experience in the US, but it was important to us that our UK partners had a deep knowledge and understanding of heating and ventilation in the UK. Both Richard and Bell Plumbing Supplies have provided invaluable support and we’re looking forward to a long and prosperous partnership together.”

Richard Soper CBE commented: “Having lived on both sides of the Atlantic I’ve become increasingly aware of the need for more-effective domestic ventilation here in the UK. Climate control and comfort is widespread in our public spaces and cars, but when it comes to our homes the majority of us have no way of effectively maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer. Our aim is to provide home comfort and climate control throughout the year.

“The Unico System offers that much needed cooling, but is also highly compatible with existing heating systems, making it a strong option for both the new-build and refurb sectors.”

Calvin Pope, commercial director at Bell Plumbing Supplies, said: “The Unico System provides a compelling offer for installers, contractors, self-builders and the refurbishment market across the UK. Through our purpose-built training facility, we will be able to provide hands on support and demonstrate how the Unico System can be used in conjunction with existing heating systems, whether underfloor heating, boilers or air source heat pumps to provide constant and consistent all year temperatures.”

Lancaster Gate Apartments

Lancaster Gate Apartments

Luxury Cooling & Heating

Unico System - Lancaster Gate Apartment - Image 1
Unico System - Lancaster Gate Apartment - Image 2

Benefits

  • Energy Efficient
  • Even temperatures across the rooms
  • Very quiet
  • Discrete supply outlets
  • Flexible design and installation

 

“The Unico System provides design freedom to decorate an interior without having to consider the clutter of radiators or pipework.”

“There is less than 2°C temperature difference floor to ceiling.”

“The system is suitable for installation benefitting all types of rooms found in an apartment.”

Unico System - Lancaster Gate Apartment - Image 4
Unico System - Lancaster Gate Apartment - Image 3

Background

A twenty one mini-duct Unico System with high performance central cooling and heating systems has been installed at new luxury apartments in Lancaster Gate, London.

This is a high profile development with apartments expected to sell at the higher end of the London market.

Solution

The Unico System delivers both heating and air conditioning through small unobtrusive outlets at ceiling level. The whole system operates from a heat pump and overall it delivers 3kw of energy for every 1kw input, making it extremely energy efficient.

To provide both air conditioning and heating using a heat pump as the source, the Unico System features a heat pump coil. Air is pulled across the coils to provide either cool or warm air. Each apartment has its own system, whilst some of the larger apartments have two.

Residential Belgravia

Residential Belgravia

The Most Discreet Heating and Cooling System for High-End Residential Homes

Unico System - Residential Belgravia Property - Image 1

Summary

Installation Date: January 2013
Unico System: 2 x 14kW with DX coil and 60 room outlets
Energy Source: 2 x 14kW Mitsubishi Electric Inverter Heat Pumps
Controls: Fully integrated with Crestron BMS system

Benefits

Even temperatures across the rooms
NR20 Sound Level Rating
Very quiet Zone control options
Discreet supply outlets
Flexible design and installation
EC Variable Speed Control

Unico System - Residential Belgravia Property - Image 2

Blue Interiors

“To see a design on paper is one thing, to actually fit it in and not see it is another. The supply outlets fit seamlessly into the space and the response of the system is extremely quick and impressive.”

Rod Pyke

Background

The owners of this prestigious London property tasked their project manager to find the most discreet heating and cooling system which would not compromise the new interior and architectural features of this period property.

After researching “discreet air conditioning”, he discovered the Unico System which was perfect for this new living space.

During the full renovation, the ceiling was dropped slightly to allow access for the main ducts. This provided enough scope to design the system into an extremely challenging building.

Solution

Due to restraints in the building, the whole system was first designed and modelled in 3D to ensure every component would fit into the space.

Two 14kW Unico Systems were installed in the loft space with main ducts running to each of the four floors below. All supply outlets were plastered into the ceilings, leaving just discreet 50mm holes delivering the conditioned supply air.

Return air from the rooms was done through bespoke transfer grilles above the doors and returned to the Unico Systems via the central staircase.

Both Unico Systems are interfaced with Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and controlled through the Crestron BMS System.

The Unico System provides the perfect heating and cooling solution for this high end residential property.

Truman White House

Truman White House

Historic Renovation

Benefits

  • Electric Heat
  • Hot Water Heat
  • Chilled Water Loops
  • Steam Heat
  • Radiant Floor Heat
  • Inadequate or No Ductwork
  • Limited Space
  • Inadequate Cooling on Upper Levels
  • Baseboard Heat
  • Radiator Heat
Unico System - Truman White House
Unico System - Truman White House
Unico System - Truman White House

Background

Built in 1890 as the first officer’s quarters on the submarine base naval station, the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, FL, has entertained presidents and dignitaries for more than 63 years, ever since President Truman established the property as his winter vacation home in 1946. Frequent visitors to the home include Thomas Edison, Edward Hayden, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Colin Powell and Bill Clinton. The home stands as a magnificent, historical piece of architecture that serves as a museum and, at times, receives government officials for meetings and dinners.

Maintaining the historical character of the home was instrumental in the restoration process. “More than 85 percent of the historic fabric remains intact, so it was very important that we select the right HVAC system to protect the structure, our original furnishings and documentary collections. That’s why we chose The Unico System of St. Louis,” said Bob Wolz, executive director of Truman House.

The home needed an HVAC system to protect the irreplaceable artifacts, and the conventional system installed in 1990 was not doing the job. The system allowed humidity to attack the museums’ items and did not cool the 9,000-square-foot home evenly. The contractor restoring the home, Refri Air, Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, recommended The Unico System as a perfect solution to this home’s heating and cooling needs.

Strategy

The installation of The Unico System took eight weeks to complete. The massive project involved outfitting the home with 300 feet of special 10-inch round PVC duct, installing custom flat and circular outlets in the floors and ceilings of the home and putting in the system itself. To allow flexibility to the cooling and heating of the home, the house is split in five zones with five air handling units and four UniChillers, completely self-contained air-to-water heat pump chillers that use chilled water circuit instead of refrigerant inside the house.

A traditional system would have required additional condensing units to achieve zoned cooling, whereas The Unico System allows individual UniChillers to work in a single area without the entire system running at full capacity. The duct was installed in the attic and the 18-inch crawl space under the home. To ensure the system was virtually undetectable, contractors ran electrical connections from the attic to the crawl space and out to the chiller plant area, hiding the ductwork with customised fittings.

Once the system was in place, a specially designed UTrap was connected to the air handling in the attic for 30 percent more humidity removal throughout the home. This extra piece was a necessity to ensure all important items present in the museum would be protected for years to come.

Solution

The Harry S. Truman Little White House presented a unique set of challenges that were met with the installation of The Unico System. “The uniform temperature throughout the house is pleasant to guests and staff and protective for our artifacts,” said Wolz. The new Unico System gives peace of mind to historians and visitors alike, who can be assured that the home, which has stood for 120 years, will remain a place to enjoy historical ambience and objects in a cool, comfortable setting.