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.

An installation within a modern detached house in Devon is demonstrating how the Unico Small Duct High Velocity (sdHV) cooling, ventilation and heating system can be retrofitted into an existing property of this type to provide year round comfort from a single all-in-one system.

The Litchfield family has owned their Bloor Homes property since it was built some seven ago. Its original design included a Daikin Altherma Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) installation to offer a renewable energy source for the home’s radiator central heating and hot water system. It has worked faultlessly since its installation and fulfilled all the family’s requirements.

Recent summers, however, have been marked by significantly higher temperatures with more uncomfortable nights in the bedrooms on the first floor of the well insulated, airtight property. Like so many other owners of similarly designed homes, Brian Litchfield investigated the options to address both the heat issue and the build up of humidity. Opening windows, investing in fixed air conditioning or temporary portable air units had many disadvantages.

“We had been very happy with the performance of our heat pump for central heating. We therefore wanted to address our air conditioning requirements from a similar angle with a solution that could also the use the energy efficiency and low environmental impact of heat pumps,” says Brian. “The technology we chose also had to be relatively easy to retrofit and not cause too much disruption to our daily lives when being installed.”

In his professional capacity as the owner of Climate Controls and Spares, which covers Devon and Cornwall, Brian had extensive knowledge of air conditioning technology.  As a Unico Specialist partner his company was particularly familiar with the benefits of Unico’s sdHV system which uses forced air and a technique known as aspiration to provide a highly efficient means of heating and cooling properties via a central air distribution system. Originally developed in the United States, the Unico System has undergone significant development for the UK market and conforms to all relevant standards, including the new CA marking indicating conformity for products on the market in Great Britain.

“I think Unico is so good, I wanted to use it at home. Having lived in Canada, where forced air distribution systems in general are common, I knew they are efficient, versatile and can be easily retrofitted. I would always recommend them,” Brian says. He opened discussions and worked alongside Bell Plumbing Supplies, Unico’s Distribution Partner in the UK. Site visits were arranged and having acquired a full understanding of the installation, Bell Plumbing proposed and designed a system that took into consideration all the key parameters.

These included BTU heat output and heat loss calculations, room sizing and assessment of the performance requirements of the heat pump in relation to the heating and cooling demand. The system includes a Unico air handler which is conveniently located in the loft space. With the ASHP as the energy source, it provides heating and cooling to the upper floor of the home

Warmed or cooled air is distributed into the bedrooms via highly flexible sound deadening supply tubing which can be easily twisted and fed through the ceiling void and cavity walls. This culminates in 21 highly discreet room outlets which have been carefully positioned throughout the upper floor accommodation for maximum, even coverage. One outlet is also located at the top of the stairwell to cool hot air that rises from ground level.

The white outlets which deliver forced air into the rooms, using the aspiration principle, are typically positioned on internal walls, one metre below ceiling height. This configuration maximises performance through optimal air mixing by gently pulling the air in the room into the forced air stream. The result is even comfort throughout the space with minimal temperature variation whether in cooling or heating mode.

The homeowner comments “Having the Unico System adds a whole extra dimension to the air movement in the house and to the benefits of using the heat pump. Whether it’s heating, cooling, ventilation or the air filtration that the system provides, it is making a huge difference. This installation has moved us up to a whole new level of cooling, heating and comfort,” says Brian. “The unobtrusiveness of the system, its very quiet operation and ability to cool a bedroom very quickly are major benefits for the family. We can look forward to more comfortable nights as well as highly efficient indoor climate control for years to come.”

Bell Plumbing provides full support to Unico installers and Specialist Partners all around the country for this type of project. The installer network is fully qualified to undertake all types of installation after comprehensive training at the company’s West Midlands centre. Alan Carruthers of HPE Airflow South West was the main installer for the installation at the Litchfield family home and was supported by James McClennon of Concept Cooling.

Alan says, “Involvement with Unico’s technology is something new for us and there is a space in the market for it, due to its versatility and ease of installation. The support from Bell Plumbing is excellent and it has opened up a whole new market for our services and contracting expertise.”

Within the curtilage of the Georgian Grade 2 Listed Grove House near Thirsk, stands The Coach House. Its vast upper floor has now been restored and transformed into a modern living and entertainment facility complete with separate bedroom accommodation. The renovation project has maximised the energy saving potential of renewable technologies and PIR insulation to ensure heating and air conditioning running costs are minimised. The versatile Unico HVAC System  has been chosen to provide the perfect indoor temperature and ensure personal comfort throughout the year.

The owners have also been renovating the three floor formal Georgian main residence, but only on a limited basis as they did not wish to spoil the internal symmetry of the building. The Coach House provided the scope for more extensive work and the creation of a space that could be used for overnight guests and as an entertainment area, complete with a cinema size TV, state of the art hi-fi and a home for a comprehensive vinyl music collection. Having previously experienced overnight Yorkshire summer temperatures of around 40º C, it was also essential that the adjoining bedroom should be effectively cooled for a good night’s sleep in the years to come.

“For heating and cooling, it made perfect sense to consider an all-in-one solution that could heat and cool both rooms effectively, rather than specify separate underfloor heating and air conditioning systems. I was attracted by the versatility of multi-purpose HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning solution) systems that are popular in the United States. This would be better than risking damage to the property with a hydronic solution,” says owner Dave Smith.

His research led to Unico System UK and their principal UK Partner, Bell Plumbing Supplies. They designed a system which would meet all of the owners’ requirements in terms of personal comfort, interior design in harmony with an historic property, quiet operation and integration with the other energy saving technologies used in the renovation.

Satisfying stringent Building Control requirements has meant that the basic fabric of the Coach House has been retained. However, many structural elements, including the main truss and roof timbers, were rotten and had to be replaced. Using prefabricated cassette walls, great emphasis had been placed on ensuring high thermal efficiency throughout. The vaulted ceiling of the 18 x 5 metre building has 150mm of PIR insulation, the walls have 100mm, with a 100mm air gap to the original brick walls, with a vapour and air barriers fitted. The floors have a minimum 200mm of glass wool between floor joists.

High performance solar PV Slates have been specified for the traditional roof and a false wall was created to run from top to bottom of the building, hiding all the associated pipework and electrics. A battery storage system stores free energy that is generated and a thermal battery for hot water complete the wholly sustainable solution.

As would be expected when retrofitting a Unico System within a heritage building, the installation was by no means straightforward. Local Unico Specialist Partner, Safegas of Wetherby, carried out the intricate work, using all their experience and creativity to ensure that all challenges were overcome. The ground floor of The Coach House, which had acted as a coal shed, provided the ideal space to locate the Unico System 1218 Air Handling Unit and is easily accessible for maintenance. It is linked to a Daikin split air conditioning system with the external unit on the adjacent outside wall.

A new king truss was required to replace the original and was fitted in the middle of the entertainment room to support the steel ridge beam. Visually, it reflects the historic interior of the building. This meant that the main service ductwork had to be split into two parts, with Unico’s flexible supply ducting woven through the spars of the king truss above the eventual ceiling height. The result is a balanced system that performs exactly as originally intended.

As so many additional flexible ducts were installed to get round the king truss, there was no room in the ceiling for the system’s return duct. This was therefore located at floor level behind the TV projector, unobtrusively positioned by Safegas with easy access when the filter needs replacing. The fact it fitted into the 400mm studwork seamlessly was a bonus. The Unico System is visually discreet, with the round room outlets aligning with downlights and blending with the interior decor.

“Safegas were a really good fit for the project and came up with solutions that worked extremely well. They coordinated the job carefully with Unico, Bell Plumbing, Daikin and other suppliers to ensure a smooth installation and commissioning. The system runs at a murmur, which I think is down to the efforts spent tuning the system in the first place. You hardly know it’s working. It’s the highest compliment I can give it,” says Dave.

The owners now have a highly energy efficient self contained bolt hole within the original building that maximises use of the latest renewable technology. It has extremely low day to day costs and Dave estimates that when running, the Unico System is using around just 500 watts, a very low consumption for the approximate 300 cubic meter space that has to be heated or cooled.

For Safegas the Coach House project has demonstrated the versatility of the Unico system and was completed on time with all on-site issues successfully addressed. ” The customer required a heating and air conditioning system that was minimalistic, quiet and offered very fast warm up times.  Unico has met all these stipulations and demonstrated the retrofit potential for a property of this type. We are well placed to take on similar heritage building retrofit installations,” says Daniel Theaker, Safegas Technical Services Manager.

When Joe Roberts moved into his new home, it required a full new heating system. In order to reduce the environmental impact of the property, he took the opportunity to replace the obsolete gas fired boiler system with an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) and Unico Heating, Ventilation & Cooling  (HVAC) system. This would not only provide heating and hot water, but also offered the versatility to cool the home over the summer.

The property in Worcestershire is an 85 square metre, 1980 standard build detached home with equal floor space on each level. There are two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a bathroom upstairs. At ground level there is a hallway, kitchen and a large dining/living which takes up the majority of the space. The home already featured double glazed windows, a loft space fitted with 200mm loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. Having good insulation in place from the outset was important and enabled accurate heat loss surveys and highly accurate system sizing to be carried out with a thorough understanding of how heat would transfer through the accommodation.

With expertise in renewable technologies in his professional capacity at Bell Plumbing Supplies and with ability to install the new system himself, Joe selected a Worcester Bosch ASHP with weather compensation that for added efficiency, adjusts its performance automatically based on external weather conditions. He chose the Unico HVAC system, which he knew would integrate perfectly with the heat pump and was ideal for retrofitting into a home of his type and age.

With a 4.5 kW house heating and cooling load, the compact 1218 Series Unico Air Handling Unit with a chilled water coil was specified and installed out of the way in the loft space. The fully insulated and sound attenuated small flexible supply ducting delivers conditioned air via multiple branches to room outlets on the two floors. It has been conveniently routed above ceilings and inside cavity walls with its small diameter and flexibility making it simple to install. There was also no need to pull up floorboards to get rid of old heating system pipework, so overall the installation caused minimal disruption.

In total, 13 round ceiling mounted room outlets feature throughout both levels of the property. All the outlets are finished in white, integrating naturally with the newly decorated rooms and totally discreet in appearance. “Friends who visit actually assume that the outlets are ceiling spotlights and are surprised when they are told that they blowing conditioned warm or cooled air around our home,” says Joe.

Whilst traditional heating and cooling systems effectively distribute warm or cooled air into a room unevenly, the Unico system works on the aspiration principle, with the room outlets delivering  conditioned air into each room at a consistent temperature with no more than a +/-1ºC variation, no drafts and no cold or hot spots. It operates with minimum noise too as Joe explains: “ Once the Unico System was set up to the requirements of our home, it has run quietly in the background of our day to day life, causing no noise disruption and is scarcely noticeable to the eye either.“ A major interior design benefit of the installation for Joe was the ability to remove all the old radiators, freeing up wall space for new bookshelves to accommodate an extensive library collection.

Perhaps the most important advantage of the Unico system for Joe, however, is its versatility. As a three-in-one system, its ability to provide cooling and ventilation alongside heating for the home gives it year round functionality. Cooling and ventilating in the summer allows windows to be kept closed, ensuring pollen and other pollutants cannot invade and diminish the indoor air quality. With the ability to remove 30% more humidity than conventional air conditioning, condensation build up on windows has also been significantly reduced. “Our clothes are also successfully being dried in the jet stream of the room outlets, which is an unexpected benefit,” adds Joe.

Running the Unico System with the ASHP has enabled the creation of a truly energy efficient heating and air conditioning system. The Unico System maintains a comfortable 18ºC temperature throughout the whole house. Joe says:” Energy saving comes from the efficiency of the Air Source Heat Pump and the overall design of the installation which is running at an efficiency of 350%.”  For additional economy, a Mixergy intelligent hot water cylinder has also been installed. Located in the loft alongside the Unico Air Handler, this has allowed an existing airing cupboard to be used for a new shower, extending the existing bathroom.

Joe comments: “The system is designed to be as efficient as possible and it is nice to prove that a standard 1980s built home can have a heat pump and be fitted with a Unico System to provide heating and hot water very efficiently, with no improvements to the insulation. It has been faultless in operation. We will also add solar power and battery storage in our transition to a greener lifestyle.”

In conclusion, this installation has provided many benefits in terms of embracing sustainability, the versatility of heating and cooling with a single system, ventilation and moisture reduction resulting in a much fresher and more pleasant indoor environment and offering much improved interior design freedom. “You don’t need to have a new build home to realise the benefits of a Unico Heat Pump installation!” Joe confirms.