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.

The Renewable Energy Warehouse (REW) headquarters in Cotteridge, Birmingham, has been created as a forward-thinking hub for sustainable building technologies. Located at Savoy Works, Pershore Road, the new facility serves as both REW’s UK headquarters and an interactive demonstration centre, designed to educate and inspire industry professionals, installers, homeowners, and property developers. 

At the heart of the exhibition is The Unico System, showcasing how compact, energy-efficient HVAC technology can deliver exceptional indoor comfort while supporting fully renewable, future-ready buildings. 

The project aimed to create a live, working environment where visitors could see multiple renewable technologies operating together, rather than in isolation. 

The Unico System was installed as the primary HVAC solution within the first-floor exhibition space, allowing visitors to experience its ability to deliver draft-free comfort and perfectly balanced indoor temperatures all year round. To demonstrate real-world compatibility, The Unico System is displayed alongside a range of leading heat pump solutions, including Daikin and Worcester Bosch, showing how it integrates seamlessly with trusted, industry-leading technologies. 

Visitors can also explore how solar panels and intelligent water systems can be combined with The Unico System to create a complete, sustainable energy package. 

In addition to the exhibition space, the Birmingham location features a large, dedicated training facility. This space will host hands-on installer training and live demonstrations and will serve as Unico University’s official training centre, supporting education, skills development, and best practice across the UK installer network. 

The REW headquarters has become a fully operational showcase for integrated renewable energy solutions, with The Unico System positioned as a central component of an efficient, healthy home. Visitors can experience first-hand how Unico works alongside leading heat pump brands such as Daikin and Worcester Bosch, as well as wider renewable technologies, to deliver efficient, comfortable, and sustainable indoor environments. 

By combining an immersive exhibition space with a dedicated Unico University training facility, the site now plays a key role in increasing awareness, understanding, and adoption of The Unico System. It supports installers and Architects through practical education while giving homeowners and property owners confidence in how advanced HVAC and renewable technologies can be successfully integrated into modern and retrofit buildings. 

For more information or to book a visit, contact info.uk@unicosystem.com. 

A five-bedroom 1980s family home in Devon has undergone a complete heating and cooling transformation, replacing the property’s ageing gas-fired boiler and traditional wall-mounted radiators with a renewable energy powered solution. Central to the upgrade is The Unico System Small Duct High Velocity HVAC system, which has been paired with a Worcester Bosch 10kW CS 2000 AWF Monobloc Heat Pump. This combination not only provides efficient heating, but also offers cooling, ventilation, and indoor air purification throughout the year.

For homeowner Matt Bird, member of the CIPHE, the upgrade was more than just about comfort. “We wanted to move away from fossil fuels and also find a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative with no risk of water leaks or the hassle of replacing parts such as valves. Unico is a central air distribution set up with none of these drawbacks,” he explains. As Managing Director of Devon Renewables, he was already well-versed in the advantages of Unico System’s small duct high-velocity air distribution technology alongside his in depth knowledge of heat pumps, solar panels and other HVAC products.

The property has four bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, with a kitchen diner, living room, utility, WC and fifth bedroom at ground level.

The Unico Air Handling unit is installed out of sight in the loft, with the central duct running from it across the width of the property. The carefully thought out design and layout of the system ensures that all rooms outlets on both floors are within five metres of this duct. Small diameter Unico flexible supply tubing delivers conditioned air to them, routed through tight spaces, between joists and is also cleverly concealed in cupboards and fitted wardrobes as it runs from the upper to the ground floor.

The switch between heating and cooling is handled by the air to water Worcester Bosch Heat Pump, delivering hot or cold water to the Unico System Air Handling Unit. This passes through a heat exchanger to convert it to clean warm or cool air for each room, as determined by the mode set on the Nest thermostat. Domestic hot water is distributed from a centrally located unvented hot water cylinder which is also heated by heat pump.

Unico System’s high velocity air distribution methodology offers Matt significant performance and practical benefits. It delivers conditioned air almost silently into each room via a process called aspiration, which ensures an even temperature throughout each space and hardly any variation. “Unlike with radiators or conventional air conditioning units, the Unico System circulates the air evenly, keeping each room at a consistent level of comfort without any need for adjustment. Control is simple via our centralised Nest thermostat which can be alternated between heating and cooling either manually or automatically,” Matt notes.

The seamless operation makes it a year-round comfort solution without the need for separate heating and cooling systems. The weather compensation feature on the heat pump automatically adjusts the flow temperature so that when it’s mild outside, the heat pump delivers a lower temperature because less heat is needed inside. Conversely, if it’s cold outside, the heat pump increases the temperature to maintain comfort.

Before installing the new HVAC system, the property underwent extensive insulation which has been excellent for energy efficiency, but raised concerns about the need for proper ventilation, maintenance of air quality levels, potential overheating in the warmer months and humidity control. The Unico System tackles this issue, actively dehumidifying when in cooling mode and preventing humidity problems year round through even air circulation and moisture removal. As a result of the high velocity air movement and longer coil contact time, The Unico System is very effective at dehumidification, often removing up to 30% more moisture than conventional systems.

Matt also upgraded Unico’s standard filter to a UV light air purification module. This reduces airborne biological contaminants such as pollen, mould spores and bacteria that can thrive in higher humidity environments.

“The UV module is a simple, cost-effective upgrade that makes a big difference to our Indoor Air Quality – especially for our family members who suffer with asthma,” he says.

Beyond comfort and air quality, the Unico System offers significant aesthetic and interior advantages. With air distributed via discreet ceiling outlets, the home has been freed from bulky radiators. “We’re so glad to be rid of them as they took up valuable space. Now we enjoy much flexibility with our room layouts and furniture. We have a nice minimalist look that will harmonise with any future changes to our interior designs,” Matt adds.

A detached house in Clitheroe built in 2020 is now benefiting from a Unico HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning solution), which heats and cools the first floor of the property. The homeowner has capitalised on the versatility of the Unico System to ensure a comfortable indoor temperature all year round and make a significant contribution to superior Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), along with other practical benefits.

Lewis Rothwell was familiar with the benefits of the Unico System through his work as Low Carbon Assistant Manager at James Hargreaves (Plumbers Merchants), a Unico Specialist Merchant Partner in the North West. He knew it would be ideal for retrofitting into the upper floor of his own property, thanks to both the compact design of the air handling unit and main ductwork, as well as the flexibility of the supply tubing that could all be accommodated easily within the roof space of the existing building.

The use of renewable energy for the installation was a prerequisite. As an all-in-one central air distribution system compatible with renewables, the Unico System would fully meet all his heating and cooling requirements without the need for two systems.

The 63m² upstairs space includes four bedrooms, an en-suite and a separate bathroom. It has a heat loss of around 4.5kW, and the Unico 2430 Series Air Handling Unit (AHU) provides 2.7 – 13.7kW of heating and 2.9 – 11.1kW of cooling capacity. The compatible energy source is a Daikin Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), sized and matched with the Unico AHU to achieve maximum energy efficiency and optimal results from the installation.

The Unico AHU, conveniently located in the loft space above the bedrooms, takes in air from the outside and filters it before it is delivered into rooms. With this in-built filtration, indoor airborne pollutants including germs, odours, bacteria and pollen are removed. For optimum comfort levels and superior air quality, Unico technology also removes some 30% more humidity than a traditional HVAC system.

The system was designed by the Renewable Solutions team at Bell Plumbing Supplies, Unico’s Principal UK Distributor, who also arranged timely delivery of all the components for the installation directly to site. For installer Mark Hanson Plumbing and Heating of Clitheroe, this was his first Unico installation and was fully supported by Bell Plumbing to ensure everything went according to plan.

One of the challenges was the integration of the Unico System with two other heating zones in the home, all using the same heat pump, covering existing radiators and fan convectors on the ground floor. The system has been designed so that the three zones work independently, giving complete flexibility so that higher or lower indoor temperatures can be set upstairs or downstairs if required.

With Unico, both warmed and cooled air is delivered through unobtrusive round ceiling outlets with a temperature differential of no more than +/- 1º C throughout the upper floor and no drafts when in cooling mode. Noise and vibration is minimised with sound absorbing supply tubing and sound from the AHU fully isolated.

For heating, a priority for Lewis was to dispense with traditional large surface area radiators, which not only presented a risk of possible scalding, but also took up considerable wall space. This has now been freed up and provides more flexibility in room layouts.

“The Unico System operates very quietly, keeps the temperature of the rooms exactly how we want them and we haven’t had to worry about any servicing issues for the first few months,” says Lewis.

“Mat Downes at Bell Plumbing Supplies took me, as the end user, through everything I needed to know to get the most from my Unico System. A big plus is that I can control it remotely through the Nest app on my mobile phone, so that when we want a warm house on our return, it’s easy to set up. The same will apply, of course, in the summer to ensure the upstairs of our home is cool on arrival.”

Over the years, Nick and Michael have renovated a number of their new homes and taken the opportunity to introduce renewable energy sources, including wood pellets and a ground source heat pump, for new heating systems. Their latest property is an early 1960s bungalow in Torquay, which has been completely renovated to take advantage of the sunshine and the sea views. Once again, they carefully examined the potential for an eco-friendly heating system and elected to exploit the benefits offered by a combination of Unico’s Small Duct High Velocity all-in-one HVAC system and a Daikin Altherma Air Source Heat Pump.

The renovation of the bungalow included a complete remodelling of its layout, followed by the installation of full loft, internal wall and underfloor insulation to reduce future heat loss and reduce the carbon footprint of the property. Nick then worked with trusted local consultancy and installation experts Eco Trades to identify the most suitable renewable heating system. The preferred choice was to install an air source heat pump and although initially the plan had been to retain the existing radiators, these would have had to be replaced and new pipework installed. Underfloor heating was also not a feasible option.

For all year round heating and cooling Eco Trades proposed the Unico Small Duct High Velocity Heating and Cooling system and arranged an installation visit for Nick to assess its feasibility.

He liked the concept of an all in one system with heating, cooling and hot water capabilities as well as the idea of small, unobtrusive ceiling outlets to deliver the conditioned air. “The new interiors of our home are quite modern and minimalist so the aesthetics of the Unico System would complement the look in each room. We would also be able to dispense with radiators, giving us much more design freedom for our rooms,” he says.

To complement the system, Eco Trades recommended the specification of a Daikin Altherma Air Source Heat Pump, PV Solar Panels and Battery Storage.

Whilst the complete renovation of the bungalow was quite disruptive, the installation of the Unico System was not an additional burden. All the work was confined to the loft where the compact 2430 Air Handling Unit is connected to the exterior heat pump. The central duct runs across the length of the roof space, feeding the flexible supply ducts which deliver conditioned air into individual rooms through the flush small round white ceiling outlets. They gently deliver cool or warm air using the aspiration principle, resulting in even temperatures throughout with no hot or cold spots. The outlets are unobtrusive and complement the downlights which are also an integral part of the interior design.

Any original concerns about the operational noise of the Unico System have proven unfounded.  The Unico Air Handling Unit has been designed to isolate noise and vibration whilst the sound attenuating flexible supply ducting has unique sound cancelling properties which keep noise levels very low. “ We don’t really know it’s running,” says Nick.

The weather compensation feature on the Daikin Altherma heat pump ensures its output is always in accordance with the prevailing outside temperature, preventing unnecessary energy usage and regulating the performance of the air handling unit. Room temperatures are set to 19ºC and whilst the owners have the ability to adjust the level through a Google Nest app, this has not been required. “ It’s great that when we return home from a day out, we know the indoor temperature is going to be exactly as we like it,” says Nick.

This 2025 summer was particularly warm and the the ability to keep a comfortable temperature in the bedrooms overnight, without having to open windows and be susceptible to noise or air pollution, was a real advantage – especially for the asthma sufferer in the household for whom high Indoor Air Quality Levels are essential. The installed Unico System is fitted with standard air filtration but can be upgraded with UV light technology to offer protection against the smallest indoor airborne contaminants.

Nick looks forward to experiencing the first winter with the Unico System and is confident that it will deliver the warmth required. There are a couple of radiators as back up and a towel radiator has also been added, but this has been redundant as the conditioned air generated by the Unico System has done the job. “ We do like the fresh air feeling that the Unico System provides and there is no musty feeling in any of our rooms,” says Nick.

With the PV solar panels and the battery storage an integral part of the home’s heating and cooling system, Nick now has a cost-effective, sustainable solution for the new home. “ Combining The Unico system with a heat pump really is an ideal sustainable heating and cooling system for a mid century bungalow renovation and more owners could take a look at the advantages,” he says.

Whilst there were challenges to be overcome during the installation, Nick recognises the hard work and cooperation between Eco Trades, for whom this was a first Unico System installation, and Bell Plumbing Supplies as the principal Unico System UK Distribution Partner. “ I have been very pleased with the work of both companies who have gone the extra mile to ensure satisfaction,” he says.                            

Electric panel heaters throughout a large detached bungalow near Lutterworth have been replaced by the Unico System complemented by a Vaillant Air Source Heat Pump. The retrofit solution is everything that the owners had been looking to achieve as a practical all year round sustainable HVAC solution with an excellent Coefficient of Performance (COP).

Matt Inch initially looked at replacing the electric panel heaters with underfloor heating, but this would have entailed a costly and disruptive excavation of the floor. Having heard about the Unico System, he was attracted by its three-in-one heating, cooling and ventilation capability, recognising its potential for easier installation in his property. A visit to www.unicosystem.co.uk led him to local contractor JLN Plumbing Heating & Electrics of Coventry, a registered Unico System Specialist Partner (USP) with over 25 years’ experience in the industry.

As a USP, JLN is fully trained and qualified in all aspects of installing the Unico Small Duct High Velocity Heating, Cooling and Ventilation system. Through the Unico University training programs, Jim Lacey and his team are continuously updated on the company’s latest product improvements, installation innovations and technical support. JLN is also accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, enabling Martin to take advantage of the financial incentive offered through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme  supporting the decarbonisation of homes and the installation of heat pumps.

Dedicated to promoting best installation practice as a verified member of the Heat Geek network, JLN is also an accredited Vaillant Advance Heat Pump installer. “This was one of our first opportunities to combine the Unico Small Duct High Velocity central air distribution system and a Vaillant heat pump. It was very suitable for this bungalow as installation is non-disruptive and with both heating and comfort cooling, it is a far more versatile than underfloor heating,” says Jim Lacey, member of the CIPHE.

In designing and installing the system, JLN was fully supported by Bell Plumbing Supplies, Unico System’s Distribution Partner in the UK. Following evaluation of the project, an initial site visit was made and a customised HVAC system for the bungalow was designed in line with the owners’ requirements. Energy efficient performance and keeping the carbon footprint of the bungalow was as low as possible were key priorities.

The solution provides heating, cooling and filtered air throughout the property’s two living rooms, two bedrooms, shower rooms, dining room, kitchen, utility and storage space. The compact M Series 2430 Chilled Water Air Handling Unit has been positioned in the loft and the main central duct is configured in a U-shape layout above all the rooms. Heated or cooled is delivered via multiple branches of fully insulated and sound attenuated flexible supply ducting to 25 ceiling mounted round room outlets throughout the accommodation. Just 89mm diameter, the size and flexibility of the ducting provided more layout options and easier installation.

Bell Plumbing Supplies fully supported JLN during the installation phase and on completion commissioned the system. There were some challenges to overcome including accessing difficult areas within the tight loft space. Requests to change some of the original system layout, including the repositioning of the air intake grille from the kitchen to the hallway were also met. The installation was complete within just five days. “ Bell Plumbing provided great support throughout the project,” says Jim.

The integration of the Unico System with the Vaillant aroTHERM Plus 7kw Heat Pump has been key to the energy efficiency and trouble-free running of the installation. The Vaillant sensoCOMFORT smart control system, designed for multi-zone heat pump systems, has also been included, offering weather and load compensation features. Output is regulated in accordance with prevailing exterior temperature to prevent unnecessary running costs. The myVAILLANT Connect internet gateway provides remote monitoring and a convenient smart phone App allows Martin to control and adjust the temperature settings if required.

For domestic hot water, an obsolete vented hot water cylinder had to be replaced. A Vaillant uniSTOR 250HP unvented 250 litre hot water cylinder has been included for the home’s domestic heating and hot water system. Solar panels and battery storage for additional energy efficiency have since been added.

Impressive savings on the home’s electricity bills are already being achieved, just months after the installation. The system achieved a heating 4.4 Coefficient of Performance (COP) in March 2025 , a 3.2 hot water COP in May and a 4.8 cooling COP in July – the heat pump was producing an impressive 4.8 units of cooling for every one unit of electricity consumed. The data has been confirmed through the myVAILLANT Pro installer login portal.

The draft free even cooling that the Unico system has provided during the hot 2025 summer has been particularly welcomed by the owners working from home. Air quality is maintained through the air filtration incorporated within the Unico Air Handling Unit. The discreet round ceiling outlets are hardly noticeable alongside the downlights which form part of the interior decor.

” Whilst we could have gone for a gas rather than renewables, it would have been a backwards step. The system gives us real peace of mind and is an eco-friendly, practical and affordable solution for heating and hot water, with the added bonus of cooling. This set up feels like the future,” says Martin Inch. “ It was quite a difficult installation, but was handled by JLN without disruption and overall the service was fantastic.”

Ultrapanel is a leading innovator in the construction and building materials industry, specialising in the development and supply of advanced, high-performance panel systems. Founded with the mission to revolutionise the way structures are built, Ultrapanel offers a wide range of cutting-edge solutions that cater to the residential sector.

When Ultrapanel set out to create a pioneering “zero bills ready” demo house, showcasing how the homes of the future could be built faster, smarter and with minimal environmental impact, they needed partners who shared their vision for sustainability.

The Unico System was requested to design and install a fully functioning HVAC system using a heat pump, matching Ultrapanel’s sustainability and zero-waste commitments.

Unico was tasked to provide an HVAC solution that offers all year-round heating and cooling from one system, with high thermal performance. The system needed to occupy minimal space and be suitable for installation within Ultrapanel’s precision-engineered structures.

As each Unico System project is treated as unique for every installation, Unico was able to respond to this challenge by creating a custom-designed solution to meet the project’s sustainability goals.

Taking full responsibility for all stages of the planning and design process, the Unico Design Team began with an initial site visit to create a detailed system. This was designed using bespoke software and included heat loss calculations, system layouts and a full materials list.

Working together across all the tradespeople on this type of project was imperative to ensuring a smooth process and coordination.

On-site adjustments to the original system design were taken on board. This included the creation of a discreet false wall to conveniently run sound attenuated ducting from the upper to lower floor, alongside MEV services.

Collaborating early on in the design stage, Unico were able to install quickly to support the faster build times with Ultrapanel, whatever the property size. It has been fantastic to be a part of this project, collaborating across different industries with shared values and goals to bring this project to life.

On-site corrections and adjustments to the original design are accomplished where required more quickly because of the flexibility of Unico’s flexible supply ducting.

The basic fabric of the demo home, with its high thermal performance, is a very good base and is complemented by the energy-efficient operation of The Unico System.

The Unico System’s small duct high velocity principal of operation offers significant system design and performance benefits for SIP systems

We are delighted that all expected benefits have materialised in the completed installation:

• Highly energy-efficient performance
• Sustainable heating and cooling
• SIP system compatibility
• Quiet, discreet and energy efficient all year-round comfort

The versatile Unico HVAC System can maintain high levels of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)  through air filtration, purification and disinfection. It is protecting a family member who suffers severely from hay fever to the point where an inhaler has been prescribed. This means that windows and doors need to remain tightly closed during the high-pollen season, limiting the ability to cool the home down even when it is cooler during the late evening and night.

The modern four-bedroom detached house is typical of modern new build properties with its air-tight construction and extensive glazing. A cooling and ventilation system was required to address the needs of the family by maintaining a high level of Indoor Air Quality, keeping humidity levels under control as well as providing cooling throughout hot summer days and nights.

The Unico System operates using high-velocity airflow delivered through flexible mini-ducts and room outlets, providing even distribution of conditioned air throughout all rooms. It is equipped with standard high-efficiency filters capturing airborne allergens from the air as it circulates through the system. Fine particulate matter such as pollen, dust mites, pet hair and mould spores, which can also be common triggers for hay fever and other respiratory issues, is removed from the indoor space. Air filtration can be further enhanced with optional HEPA or activated carbon filters, which help remove odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the airways.

In addition to the basic filtration, the installed Unico System includes an ultraviolet UV-C light air purification module that neutralises bacteria, viruses and other airborne pathogens that may be present in the air, ensuring the air remains sanitised too.

The indoor air circulation provided by the Unico System means that windows in the property do not need to be left open for ventilation. There is no longer the risk of Indoor Air Quality being compromised through the intrusion of unwanted airborne pollutants from outside.

“We are delighted with Unico and the way it addresses our family health considerations. It has also met our requirements by providing exactly the right indoor temperature and comfort levels throughout the year,” says the homeowner.