Part O Overheating

man lying on a sofa, relaxed in a comfortable environment.

Approved Document Part O, forming part the 2021 Building Regulations, has been effective since June 2022. It covers overheating in new residential properties in England and Wales including private dwellings such as houses and flats, institutional buildings such as care homes and other accommodation including student halls of residence.

Overheating of buildings has become a significant issue in the construction industry for housebuilders and the self-builder. This is the result of a number of contributory factors including the air tightness of new dwellings coupled with insufficient ventilation. Another contributing factor has been the more extensive use of glazing within new builds. Climate change, and the number of summer days when unprecedented high temperatures have been recorded, also has an impact and is a trend which looks set to continue.

Learn more about Part O and the effects this will have on dealing with the issues of overheating here.

The Unico System features in P&H Engineering

The Big Chill, Unico discusses the demand for cooling systems in P&H Engineering

As the effects of global warming become more apparent in the UK, with temperatures in the summer months reaching uncomfortable levels, air conditioning and radiant cooling systems are increasingly in demand. It is therefore a subject that plumbing and heating engineers are likely to asked about in the coming months and years.

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Read more about why Unico sees small duct high velocity (SDHV) systems to be more likely to be considered as an alternative to conventional air conditioning systems.

Check out the article below

PHE23.P18_22_COOLING.V2 – TS

If you are interested in discovering more on the Unico System then get in touch with our solutions team on 01384 422094 or email us.

Unico chosen for Mid Devon District Council Installation

Unico & Mid Devon Case Study Header

Over the past few months work has been carried out and equipment installed to two bungalows in Lapford, Devon which reflect the highest level of energy efficiency Mid Devon District Council hope to achieve within this building type. The performance of the systems within the homes will be monitored for the first year of their occupancy and will help to:

  • Determine the lowest possible carbon footprint the Council can expect to achieve;
  • Determine budgets for future works; and
  • Indicate the level of carbon offset required to achieve net zero targets.

Space saving roof space installation

A state-of-the-art heating and cooling system from UNICO has been installed in both properties, delivering benefits of air filtration (similar to that of a GP surgery), adjustable heating and cooling for cold winter months/hot summer months as well as a humidistat controlled mechanical extraction vent (MEV) which can remove excess moisture. This means that they would be suitable for people with respiratory diseases whilst also suitable for people with a compromised immune system.

Further adaptations have been made, including: increased cavity wall and loft insulation, newly fitted doors and windows, solar PV and/or solar thermal, internal renovation with upgraded kitchens and level access showers making these truly lifelong properties.

These homes meet decarbonisation targets set out in the recently adopted Housing strategy, with the Council looking to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate of C (standard) in all properties by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2050 by retrofitting and upgrading existing properties.

Councillor Bob Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Service said:

“It was a great opportunity to see these properties first hand. They are real, tangible examples of how we can achieve our decarbonisation targets through bringing our current housing stock up-to-date. Making the Councils housing stock carbon neutral a reality is not going to be easy and will be financially challenging but these first steps are a positive sign of progress.

“The many benefits of these properties speak for themselves. It is my hope that we can bring more and more of these improvements to Mid Devon residents in the near future – helping to make houses more liveable and most importantly, feel like home.”

The Council has existing carbon budget commitments to meet its targets with a recent bid for additional funding of £2.1 Million submitted to the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).

From 2022, all new projects and new build Council homes will be an Energy Performance Certificate of A (very efficient) and zero carbon.

Unico are now exhibiting at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre

The National Self Build & Renovation centre is the UK’s only permanent venue for independent homebuilding advice and support.  Established in 2007, they have helped almost a quarter of a million visitors build their own dream home or extend and improve their existing property.

Our new stand

The NSBRC is open six days a week showcasing the very best building methods, innovations and technologies.

They have an expert helpdesk, a range of shows, workshops and educational courses to support their visitors in their quest to build their perfect home.

We are looking forward to helping with your upcoming projects.

Ventilation and air conditioning systems to take centre stage in the UK

The Unico System features in P&H Engineering

Despite the apocalyptic predictions about global warming and increasing hot weather it has taken a global pandemic to bring greater focus on the topic of Indoor Air Quality.

P&H Engineering

Unico are exhibiting

If you are interested in discovering more on the Unico System please contact our solutions team on 01384 422094 or email [email protected]

Upskill to benefit from lockdown bounce-back

The Unico System features in H&V News

A boom in home improvements and renovations has seen heating and cooling engineers and installers in demand like never before. Richard Soper outlines why training is key.

H&V News

If you are interested in discovering more on the Unico System or CPD training course then get in touch with our solutions team on 01384 422094 or email [email protected]

The Unico System features in PHAM News

The Unico System and Bell Plumbing Supplies feature in PHAM News

The Unico System and Bell Plumbing Supplies have both been featured in an issue of PHAM News discussing how a new CPD has been created by Richard Soper (ex- Worcester Bosch CEO). This is going to help heating engineers add cooling and ventilation to their resume.

PHAM NEWS

Check out PHAM News through the link below where they speak on Bell Plumbing Supplies, The Unico System with the newly introduced CPD training and much more.

If you are interested in discovering more on the Unico System or CPD training course then get in touch with our solutions team on 01384 422094 or email [email protected]

The UNICO System in the Home- Designer and Architects Magazine

Home-Designer and Architect Magazine

With the ban on gas and oil boilers in new build homes set to come into effect by 2025. Renewable heating will be the way forward along with an indication on how easily and simply this can be implemented.

Check out the Home-Designer and Architect magazine through the link below where they speak on Bell Plumbing Supplies, The Unico System with the newly introduced CPD training and much more.

New CPD set to enable heating engineers to offer ventilation and cooling @TheUnicoSystem

If you are interested in discovering more on the Unico System or CPD training course then get in touch with our solutions team on 01384 422094 or email [email protected]

The Unico System Featuring in News Articles

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The savvy reason many households are ditching radiators – and getting ‘better’ heating

With the smart new Unico System being offered from the US, which not only heats homes but will also cool and ventilate throughout your home. All of this is done through discreet outlets located in the ceiling that resembles LED spotlights. Ultimately leading to the end of an era for radiators taking up unnecessary space throughout homes and opening up more freedom to home owners.

To view the full article Click here.

Professional Builders Merchant

Unico Systems

Indoor Air Quality

Supporting the launch of Unico Systems’ small duct heating, cooling and ventilation into the UK, former Worcester Bosch CEO Richard Soper CBE, is predicting a renewed interest in indoor air quality amongst homeowners, residents and developers.

Following some scorching hot weather, Richard said: “We’re all spending much more time at home due to Covid-19 and people are considering how to improve conditions in the home. With the UK set to get even hotter over the coming years, demand for the type of climate control and filtration currently only found in cars is only going to increase.”

For more information on the Unico System, head to: www.unicosystem.co.uk

To view the full article, Click here.

Professional Builders Merchant
UNICO - Richard Soper

Richard Soper predicts resurged IAQ interest in response to Covid-19

The former CEO of Worcester Bosch, Richard Soper CBE, is predicting a renewed interest in indoor air quality amongst homeowners, residents and developers.

According to Richard, who is supporting the launch of Unico Systems’ small duct heating, cooling and ventilation into the UK, now is the time for merchants and their trade customers to explore new technologies and to be a lot more vocal about indoor air quality to those outside of the industry.

He said: “We’re all spending much more time at home due to Covid-19 and having had some incredibly hot days in Spring people are already looking towards yet another record Summer and considering how to improve conditions in the home. Both air conditioning and filtration are common in cars, but with the ban on non-essential travel in effect even this has been out of bounds for most of us.

To view the full article, Click here.

PHAM_News

Widely used in the United States, small duct heating, ventilation and cooling is now available in the UK thanks to a partnership between US manufacturer Unico Systems and UK distributor and training provider Bell Plumbing Supplies. Richard Soper from Unico Systems highlights the key benefits.

Air conditioning and ventilation has always been seen as a ‘nice to have’ in the UK, thanks to our temperate climate, but with a series of record summers and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns many people now view climate control as an essential requirement. Air conditioning is more widespread in our cars and public spaces, so people are now seeking that same level of comfort in their homes.

How it works

To view the full article, Click here.

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THE BENEFITS OF SMALL DUCT HEATING COOLING AND VENTILATION

Used extensively in the US, small duct, heating, ventilation and cooling is now more widely available than ever before thanks to a partnership between the leading US manufacturer, Unico Systems, and UK distributor and training provider Bell Plumbing Supplies. Here Richard Soper CBE, from Unico Systems, reveals all about how the technology is set to transform the way we heat and, importantly, cool our homes.

To view the full article, Click here.