BAN ON FOSSIL FUEL HEATING TO IMPACT NEW HOMES FROM 2025

Last year the Government announced that it had introduced a new consultation to set out its plans for the Future Homes Standard. This includes options to increase the energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 2020.

The aim of the new standard is to bring all of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, a target seen as one of the most ambitious in the world. New and existing homes account for 21% of emissions, and despite recent efforts to lower those emissions much more still has to be done.

With climate change now a major crisis and coinciding with the release of the CCC (Climate Change Committee) report last year, underfloor heating expert Wunda Group is raising awareness about what the standard means and how it’s over floor heating solution can help homes comply.

As part of the UK’s journey to the 2050 target, the Government has committed to bringing in its Future Homes Standard in 2025, and anticipates that an average home built using the new guidelines will have 75-80% less carbon emissions than one built using the current energy efficiency requirements.

It is expected that this will be achieved through very high fabric standards and a low carbon heating system. The standard was created to address the need to ban fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, from new homes by 2025 and how vital it is to replace them with low carbon heating systems. This means a new home built to the Future Homes Standard might also be fitted with triple glazing and walls, floors and roofs that significantly limit heat loss.

Chapter 2 of the Future Homes Standard discusses how the roll out of low carbon heating systems will lead to world-leading levels of energy efficiency. An excellent example of a sustainable heating system is Wundatherm, Wunda Group’s leading underfloor heating product.

Compatible with sustainable heat pumps, solar panels or any existing gas/oil boilers, the Wundatherm underfloor heating system can run at temperatures as low as 35°C and can be laid by any competent tradesmen including builders, carpenters and tilers. Once installed, Wundatherm only requires a plumber to connect the system to the heat source and an electrician to fit the simple controls, and is designed with a ‘fit and forget’ reputation that is reliable, durable, maintenance-free and future-proof.

Wundatherm is a new Rapid Response® system that’s extremely durable, incredibly easy to install and eliminates mess and drying time without the need to dig up floors. The lightweight low profile boards are just 16 or 20mm thick, heat up in minutes and are suitable for any floor finish including carpet, vinyl, Karndean, Amtico, laminate, wood, ceramic and stone tiles. Once installed, floor heating pipe is laid into the pre-formed grooves in the boards and the system is ready for immediate use. Wundatherm is extremely affordable and is virtually maintenance-free with a lifetime guarantee.

Wundatherm consists of pre-formed aluminium coated boards that deliver rapid response heating and are bonded instantly to the floor with spray adhesive. Once in place, high output 16mm floor heating pipe is laid into the pre-formed grooves in the boards, looping around to a heating manifold, with up to 150 sq. metres taking two people just two days to install.

The Wundatherm system takes minutes to reach operating temperature, unlike screed which takes up to 48 hours, and creates a comfortable heat as the boards come factory fitted with thick aluminium for fast heat transmission and the continuous leak-proof pipes carry a lifetime guarantee. To complement the whole system, there is a range of matched traditional hard-wired thermostats, as well as wireless and smart controls via an app on mobile devices to offer users complete remote control of the system.

The UK needs to help the housing industry to be able to deliver in 2025, so by implementing an achievable change to the current energy efficiency standards in 2020, the economy is a step closer to making new homes more energy efficient and future-proof in readiness for low carbon heating systems.

Wunda prides itself on first class quality and customer service, providing free technical support six days a week, and provides the specialist service of detailed layout plans for all bespoke systems free of charge to trade customers. With these layout plans to hand, tradesmen can have complete confidence in laying the boards and installing the Wundatherm system.

For further information on the Wundatherm underfloor heating system or a free estimate, call 0800 083 2677, email plans@wundagroup.com or visit the website www.wundatrade.co.uk

COOLING TOWERS RECONSIDERED

Gary Dicker, Director at DHD Cooling, explains why the evaporative cooling tower is still a great choice.

There is a lot of bad press surrounding evaporative cooling towers, but they are still one of the best long-term solutions for industrial and commercial cooling challenges and here’s why.

In order to reach certain cooling temperatures dry cooling alone is not the answer, in these cases there are a few bolt-on options that you can put on a dry cooler that will reduce cold water temperatures, but these come with their own distinct disadvantages.

The downside of dry and hybrid coolers

Air coolers typically rely on passing large volumes of ambient air over a finned coil; ambient air temperatures in the UK can soar to nearly 40 degrees Celcius at times, and in some circumstances the air local to an air cooler can be influenced by other plant, or even the equipment itself resulting in even higher inlet air temperatures.

To achieve colder water temperatures there are various methods of wetting the finned coils, or increasing the moisture content of the air which will bring the air temperature down, which will reduce the inlet air temperature improving performance, but here’s the rub.

Finned coils are often quite delicate, which makes them very hard to clean, couple this with the need for air to come in direct contact with the base material of the coil in order for the heat exchange to occur and you can start to see the problem.

There are various methods of humidifying the incoming air to reduce the temperature, in order to aid cooling. Many of these methods can still result in the coil surface becoming wet for longer periods which can help to adhere impurities in the air to the coil fins.

Wetting the coil itself will result in evaporation occurring on the coil surface, evaporation of water, only removes pure water leaving any impurities either in the water or in the air on the coil surface. Impurities can then start to build up over the coil fins resulting in a sort of thermal blanket forming creating a barrier between the air and the coil. This barrier will attract more impurities, further building this layer, not only affecting the heat exchange between the air and coil surface, but also restricting the airflow – a double whammy when it comes to heat rejection.

Finned coils need regular cleaning, but they are hard to clean due to the trade-off between the water pressures needed to clean the coils versus the potential to fold the fins during cleaning. Other methods of cleaning exist, but in many cases it is the mechanical action of the water dislodging impurities that has the greatest effect. Regular cleaning also weakens and eventually will cause the break-down of the fins which is terminal for the fin coil.

Cooling towers maintain performance for longer

Cooling towers on the other hand, exchange the heat contained in the circulating water by spreading out the water over a large surface area and bringing air into contact with the surface of the water. The volume of water passed over the cooling tower is always much greater than the amount of evaporation that occurs, which is typically about 1.6% of the circulating flow, so the opportunity for impurities to build up is reduced, as the water has a constant washing affect. Couple this with the fact that fouling of the heat exchange surface does not significantly reduce the surface area of the water until it is very severe, and you have a heat exchanger that maintains its performance for much longer than a dry cooler.

One of the cheapest components in a cooling tower is the fill pack (heat exchange surface), which is designed to be easily removed and replaced in most cases. Compare this to a dry cooler, where the most expensive and difficult part to remove and replace is the coil.

Freezing coils can be catastrophic, crippling plants in a matter of hours, and while cooling towers can also freeze, they often require little or no thought throughout the winter months.

Lowest cold water temperatures and highly manageable

There are many arguments as to why cooling towers are not the ideal choice in some locations – visible plume, high water usage, and the cost of chemicals are the main three – but just consider the following before dismissing them.

We maintain cooling towers that are 40 years old, providing the fill is clean, and the air moving equipment and water distribution systems are working, then they still deliver the same cold water temperature that they did 40 years ago.

Regular cleaning is simple to undertake, and replacement of the main components is also relatively simple.

In the UK, water treatment is at the top of its game using intelligent dosing systems to monitor the condition of the circulating water, to protect not only humans from harmful bacteria, but also the process equipment from scale and corrosion. Cooling towers are a more than manageable risk.

Probably most importantly, cooling towers achieve the lowest cold water temperatures compared to dry and hybrid coolers, which can directly affect your productivity, or process performance.

Justification of utilising alternative methods of cooling often centres around payback, which focuses on the cost of water treatment and the cost of water in evaporative systems. These justifications are based on a fixed baseline performance of a given system, in adiabatic dry air coolers and hybrid coolers this baseline performance will deteriorate, and may never return to the original design performance, so it may be true for the first 3 months, but 3 years after installation it almost certainly won’t be, which makes these justifications not altogether realistic.

Cooling towers, some of which were built in the 60s, dominate areas of the countryside, and some of the towns and cities around the globe, they offer a long term effective solution to cooling, they can run on sea water, river water, effluent water and borehole waters, they can be built of wood, plastic, metal and concrete, some are big, some are small, but with the right systems in place they are capable of doing their job safely and effectively delivering cold water to everything from data centres in frozen landscapes to metal smelting plants in the deserts, for many, many years.

There’s still a lot going for the trusty cooling tower!

For more information call 01905 317370, email info@dhdcooling.co.uk or visit the company’s website at http://www.dhdcooling.co.uk

INFRARED HEATING GUARANTEES CLEAR AIR WITH ZERO EMISSIONS

Infrared heating is a readily available heating solution offering various benefits for a healthier and more efficient home.

With all the options and different heating technologies on the market, choosing the perfect way of heating requires research. Faced with all the options, it’s easy to settle for the same type of heaters that former generations relied upon, and why 1.6m UK residents are still using storage heaters.

There are many different options to choose from, but all have their disadvantages. For example, gas heaters are known for decreasing oxygen in the air and releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide whilst air conditioners are notoriously expensive and often noisy to run.

Infrared heaters, on the other hand transmit natural heat in an efficient and safe way, say infrared heating experts Tansun. Unhealthy emissions and the smells that come with gas heaters and oil burners will be a thing of the past as infrared heating guarantees clear air with zero emissions and no odour.

There is research that suggests that infrared panels can help to reduce problems like mould and humidity, which affects around millions homes across the UK, and can improve or maintain air quality for those with allergies. Infrared also offers many other health benefits as when the body absorbs infrared heat it increases blood circulation, enhances the immune system and reduces joint pain and inflammation, the same effects as being in a sauna.

Unlike convection heaters, infrared heating has many other health benefits for the human body as it can help people with health conditions like asthma or bronchial ailments. This is due to its innovative heating technology which does not generate air currents that can increase dust circulation. With allergies on the rise, 12% of the UK suffers from asthma and more than 20% of the population struggles with allergies, all of which are made worse by staying indoors during the colder months and switching on inefficient heating systems.

Fresh air is also vital for a healthy living space, but ventilation can be very costly and creates heat loss if combined with a convectional heating system, especially in uninsulated homes where around 35% of heat loss is through the walls and 25% is lost through the roof. The remaining 40% is lost through doors, windows and the floor.

In contrast to traditional heaters, Tansun infrared heating products heat objects and people, while convection heating works at a much higher temperature and relies on hot air movement. This means that the heat loss becomes greater, as the hot air will disappear through the vents and windows. As infrared heating does not create air currents, it significantly reduces heat loss.

Infrared panel heaters should not be confused with traditional outdoor infrared heaters which emit a red glow, as they have been carefully designed to give off gentle healthy heat and no visible light or glare.

Further information is available from Tansun on 0121 580 6200, by emailing sales@tansun.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.tansun.com

WUNDATHERM TILED AND TESTED TO WORK WITH ALL FLOOR FINISHES

If you’re extending, renovating or building a property, Wundatherm is the new generation of warm water underfloor heating specifically designed for the UK retrofit market to suit any project without the need to dig up floors.

When it comes to underfloor heating, one of the first questions many people ask is what types of flooring they will need to have. This is where the rapid response Wundatherm system, the latest floor heating solution from experts Wunda Group plc comes in, as it designed to work with virtually all floor finishes.

Having recently become members of The Tile Association, a large independent trade association representing the UK tiling industry in all aspects of wall and floor tiling, Wunda Group is helping tradesmen and consumers to know how each floor finish works with underfloor heating.

With the majority of floor coverings proving to be suitable for use with underfloor heating (UFH), some undoubtedly offer a better heat transfer and thermal conductivity than others, with the best floor finishes being hard surfaces like stone or ceramic tiles as they have more heat output and work more efficiently. Tiles are a popular choice in many of the homes looking to install underfloor heating, and are by far the most thermally conductive floor finish as they transfer heat from the warm water system to the surface quickly and with little resistance.

Although tile is the top choice of floor finish, there are many other everyday options that work well with underfloor heating including carpet, engineered wood, laminate and vinyl.

Laminates and engineered wood are popular choices as they have a good structural stability and don’t pose the risk of warping. Laminate flooring is cost-effective and is designed to suit any home, and as it is available in any shade it is a very common floor surface. As laminate is a thin material, its density is higher, meaning the heat up time will be shorter and the system will be more responsive. With wood flooring, engineered timber is the best type to use with underfloor heating systems as it can handle changes in floor temperature.

Solid hardwood and softwood flooring will also transfer heat well but care should be taken when specifying board width and thickness.

Wundatherm underfloor heating can be used with most types of carpet as long as the carpet and underlay combined doesn’t exceed two togs. Felt and polyurethane underlays should be avoided as they affect heat transfer and work as an insulator and blocking the heat, preventing the system from providing sufficient heat output.

Vinyl floor tiles like Karndean and Amtico come in a range of finishes, heat up and cool down quickly, are very durable and are a favourable choice with UFH. However, as a more sensitive floor finish, a sensor should be fitted to limit the heat output to protect the surface from any discolouration. For this reason, vinyl and lino is not recommended in areas like conservatories that have a high heat loss.

Underfloor heating can also work well with concrete floors, as they provide quick heat up times and retain heat well due to their high thermal mass, making them a great option to improve the warmth and comfort of your home.

Once a floor finish is chosen, the next question for many is how quickly the flooring can be laid after underfloor heating is installed. With Wundatherm, once the boards and pipes are down the floor covering can be laid straight away and is ready for immediate use, unlike a screed system which can take several days to dry and be ready to turn on.

Wunda prides itself on first class quality and customer service, providing free technical support six days a week, and provides the specialist service of detailed layout plans for all bespoke systems free of charge to trade customers. With these layout plans to hand, tradesmen can have complete confidence in laying the boards and installing the Wundatherm system.

For further information on the Wundatherm underfloor heating system or a free estimate, call 0800 083 2677, email: plans@wundagroup.com or visit the website www.wundatrade.co.uk

PARTITIONS OPEN UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEISURE FACILITIES

With sports and leisure facilities now being used as the home for multiple sports, ages and events, there is a real need for sites to make sure their premises are adapted to match these requirements.

In addition to sporting events, there are also other activities that happen in or around leisure facilities such as private functions and meetings. These, although profitable, can often cause strain on already stretched sites, especially when it comes to accommodating for more than one event.

To help maximise space, versatility and adaptability, it is critical to be able to accommodate for numerous requirements, which are sometimes at short notice. This is where the use of partitions comes in, making it possible for large venues to turn big open spaces into more inviting and useful smaller areas.

Multifolding partitions from specialists Building Additions have been installed in a number of leisure facilities around the country, with golf clubs one of its most popular applications.

Multifold partitions are often a favourite within the leisure industry as they offer a multifunctional space, which in the case of a golf club means the clubhouse can host additional activities as well as providing a lounge area for its golfers. An example of this is the Woodlands Golf and Country Club in Bristol, who as part of a refurbishment project installed multifold partitions to enable the club to maximise the space it had available for its conference and wedding business.

Ideal for busy premises, an important part of the specification of the partitions is the acoustics, making it possible for events to occur alongside each other without noise disturbance. Multi-folding walls are also perfect for when there is a need for the weight to be on the floor when the support structure is not load-bearing. The system consists of continuously hinged panels that are locked into place every second panel. The last panel always operates as a communicating door and the system can either be single or bi-parting. They have an acoustic seal at the floor and ceiling, achieving a sound reduction rating of 38dB – 45dB.

Building Additions is an established folding partition manufacturer based in Frome, Somerset with a reputation for manufacturing, supplying and installing quality room partitions and movable walls to businesses, health authorities, educational organisations, leisure facilities and homes across the UK.

Further information is available from Building Additions on 01373 454577 by emailing sales@buildingadditions.co.uk  or by visiting the website at www.buildingadditions.co.uk

IMPROVE YOUR PRESENCE IN ANY ENVIRONMENT WITH TANSUN HEATERS

When creating a new look for a commercial environment, choosing the correct heater model and colour can be difficult. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, Tansun’s customised branding service will enhance awareness and define a business’s personality.

Tansun’s design service allows its infrared heaters to be powder coated to any RAL colour and has the option of including a brand identity or logo. Colour themes can match any indoor or outdoor venue, enhancing a corporate/brand identity and providing an advantage over the competition.

This simple feature can be important for the specification sector to help blend in with particular environments and colour schemes.

Every environment is different and with one of the largest ranges of commercial, domestic and industrial infrared heaters in the world, Tansun offers a bespoke heating design service. Its dedicated research and development team collaborate with its sales team to fully understand and satisfy the client’s heating needs. As the UK’s leading infrared heater manufacturer, Tansun can produce a scheme which best suits specific heating requirements.

The design service Tansun offer is free to use and can help specifiers gain the best out of any given space.

Tansun also offers different brackets, time lag switches and controllers to accompany the heaters. As an experienced UK infrared heater manufacturer, Tansun can produce bespoke heating solutions in various ways to meet custom requirements, such as the design and manufacture of frames and brackets to suit a particular environment or project.

All of Tansun’s products are made in the UK and are designed using premium components. The company has been established for 35 years and pioneered the concept of infrared electric heaters alongside Philips technology. Tansun has the largest range of commercial, industrial and domestic infrared heaters in the world, providing maintenance-free, safe and healthy shortwave heaters for many different types of heating applications.

Further information is available from Tansun on 0121 580 6200, by emailing sales@tansun.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.tansun.com .

WIND AND WEATHER PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR POWER AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

DHD Cooling, working with Galebreaker, is constantly expanding its range of wind and weather protection systems to meet the many challenges in the power and industrial sectors.

As the market leader in weather protection systems Galebreaker continues to develop CFD modelling techniques that can accurately model entire air cooled power plants to determine the right position and porosity of wind reduction systems. These solutions have not only improved thermal efficiency of power plants but also protect mechanical equipment from wind induced vibrations, so reducing downtime and improving mechanical performance.

In addition to the extensive installed base of ACC wind protection screens, further developments in cold weather protection screens for wet and dry cooling applications continue to assist companies with their cold weather challenges. These developments include solutions for large natural draft cooling towers which can prevent the potentially damaging build-up of ice in and around the cooling towers that can cause disruption to a plant’s operation and extensive damage to the cooling fill and support structures.

Air inlet filtration solutions provide benefits to both wet and dry cooling systems, either protecting fin coils from airborne contamination, or reducing the amount of contamination drawn into operating cooling towers, which is a valuable source of nutrients for harmful bacteria, reducing downtime and chemical usage and increasing cleaning intervals.

Other performance enhancement systems include plume abated cooling tower rolling doors, that are incredibly easy to maintain and install, designed to isolate plume coils during the summer months when pluming is less likely to occur, maximising thermal performance at a time when it is needed the most.

External protection systems include weather shielding of large open structures, from high winds or extreme cold due to high winds. Using these systems is considerably cheaper than cladding, requiring very little sub-structure, but offering excellent wind speed reduction, whilst allowing light to enter the building.

With an extensive range of fixed and rolling systems, manually or automatically deployed, a full range of mesh screens to suit any application, and full engineering and installation services, there is a solution to help any organisation with performance enhancement through wind reduction, weather protection or air inlet filtration.

For a copy of the Galebreaker Cooling Solutions brochure or more information call DHD Cooling on 01905 317370, email info@dhdcooling.co.uk or visit the company’s website at www.dhdcooling.co.uk

TANSUN UPGRADES INEFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEM AT 12TH CENTURY CHURCH

Infrared heating manufacturers Tansun have helped to improve heating for a church congregation at the Church of St Nicholas and St Peter ad Vincula, a Grade II listed building in the village of Curdworth near Birmingham.

The church congregation was in desperate need of a permanent heating solution to replace the 20-year system they were currently using to keep them warm during the winter months. They needed an efficient system that didn’t take hours to preheat and that blended in with the surroundings as much as possible.

Tansun’s powerful Apollo infrared space heaters and the portable Beaver infrared heater were chosen for the church as they are powerful enough to heat large buildings with high ceilings including the 5m in the nave, with Tansun recommending six heaters to replace the 12 currently in place. A further two Apollo heaters were installed in a side room and at the chancel. Tansun offers a range of bracketry so the space heaters could be mounted at the appropriate angle to warm those below.

Mark Evans, Sales Manager at Tansun, commented, “The heaters are cost-friendly, easy to use and have made such a difference to the church. All the congregation needs to do now is simply switch them on when they arrive and then switch them off again afterwards, no more waiting around for hours to pre-heat the church to a comfortable temperature. Whilst there are many heating options available for churches, infrared heaters offer maximum performance and very low running costs. They are reliable, durable and virtually maintenance-free, and are compatible with a full range of energy-saving controllers which further enhance the efficiency of the products.”

The Apollo range was designed to solve heating issues in large and problem areas such as gymnasiums, warehouses, aircraft hangars and places of worship, and with more than 30 models to choose from, this established product has been proven by Tansun for 30 years or more. The heaters come with high power options, special long-lasting aluminium reflectors, a focused energy beam and a high intensity heat, which due to the highly engineered construction and design can’t be rivalled by other forms of heating for large open spaces.

Apollo heaters are available in 1kW to 18kW versions to heat areas up to 79sq.m, and they can be wall mounted or hung from the ceiling. Tansun infrared heaters also benefit from a two-year warranty.

The Tansun Apollo space heaters are manufactured in the UK with smooth parabolic reflectors which help direct the heat outwards, giving an effective and instant heating solution. The space heater comes as standard with three phase wiring built into the heater, and is available in power configurations of 6kW, 9kW all the way up to 12kW.

Tansun infrared heaters offer maximum performance and very low running costs. They are designed with a ‘fit and forget’ reputation, are reliable, durable and virtually maintenance-free. Features include extruded aluminium heat sinks to keep heaters cool for better reliability. The shortwave technology is also noiseless, doesn’t contribute to air pollution and is compatible with energy saving controllers.

All of Tansun’s products are made in the UK and are designed using premium components. The company has been established for 35 years and pioneered the concept of infrared electric heaters alongside Philips technology. Tansun has the largest range of commercial, industrial and domestic infrared heaters in the world, providing maintenance-free, safe and healthy shortwave heaters for many different types of heating applications.

Tansun heaters are available with a full range of energy-saving controllers which further enhance the efficiency of the products.

Further information is available from Tansun on 0121 580 6200, by emailing sales@tansun.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.tansun.com .

DON’T BE FLOORED BY UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Underfloor heating offers effective and efficient heating that’s out of sight and makes no demands on wall space. However, many people have misconceptions about using underfloor heating, especially as a replacement for radiators.

To ease some of the worries, Wunda Group is discussing its innovative warm water over floor system Wundatherm, a powerful and energy efficient underfloor heating solution that disproves what people thought they knew about underfloor heating. Competitively priced compared to other types of heating, Wundatherm doesn’t require any digging up of floors, is rapid response and no specialist training is needed in order to fit it, making it the ideal choice for both new and existing homes.   

What if the heat source changes?

With climate change targets causing uncertainty for current heating methods, choosing a solution that works with any heat source will give customers peace of mind knowing that they are ready for anything and only have to buy once. Wundatherm is future-proof and perfect to use with both existing boilers and future heat sources, and with home heating accounting for 21% of a home’s carbon footprint, homeowners will need to stop using fossil fuels to heat their homes in favour of sustainable green energy heating in order for the UK to meet its global climate change commitments.

Can it be controlled?

It is a common complaint that screed underfloor heating and inferior retrofit systems are too slow to warm up and needs to be left on all the time to feel the benefits. This is not the case anymore. Most people are familiar with the underfloor heating screed solution, where the pipe is encased in concrete and the system warms the concrete first then the floor finish. This traditional type of system takes a long time to heat up from cold and is very difficult to control, which is why many feel it must be left on all the time.

This is where Wundatherm comes in, as the warm water system is placed directly beneath the floor finish and will evenly warm rooms quicker than radiators while running at the same energy-saving low temperatures. With its rapid response aluminium, users are able to turn it on, off, up or down whenever they please and don’t have to compromise on warmth.

Will it work in retrofit properties?

With no need to dig up floors and minimal build up heights (available in 16mm and 20mm), Wundatherm is made from advanced high density EPS which is very lightweight and easy to install compared to other fermacell and gypsum retrofit systems. Wundatherm takes just two days to fit 100 square metres as it’s easy to shape and has a quick contact adhesive, whereas other retrofit solutions might take six to eight days to install because of their weight/cutting time and the time the adhesive needs to dry.

Will the heat damage floors?

In the past underfloor heating was supplied with extremely wide pipe spacing (300mm) which meant it had to be run at high temperatures, around 70°C, which is similar to that of radiators. Wundatherm however is designed to run at temperatures as low as 35–45°C which creates a very comfortable atmosphere and protects floor finishes.

Does it work with all floor finishes?

Underfloor heating does work with most floor finishes and utilises floor probes to protect wood finishes from warping with a maximum 27°C surface temperature. Wundatherm provides comfortable heat through carpets that are up to two togs thick, and is also perfect for use under vinyl, laminate, ceramic or stone tiles. Wunda Group is now also a member of The Tile Association (TTA) and has achieved UKAS accreditation from Salford University’s Thermal Measurement Laboratory.

Can water systems leak?

Many also worry about the prospect of a leak under their flooring and how it would be detected and fixed. Wundatherm works with no joins in the pipes under the floor meaning there are no weak areas for a leak to start, and uses a British Standard approved pipe with lifetime leak-proof guarantee.

Electric vs water – which is better?

It isn’t uncommon for electric heating to be cheaper to purchase and to have a slightly lower build up height. But electricity is very expensive to run, often three times that of a water system. Wundatherm has a minimal build up height and is around 60% cheaper to run. With the reduction of install time and disruption, a water-based system is able to reap financial benefits in a realistic timeframe and also doesn’t run the risk of an individual panel breaking and leaving cold spots.

Wunda prides itself on first class quality and customer service, providing free technical support six days a week, and provides the specialist service of detailed layout plans for all bespoke systems free of charge to trade customers. With these layout plans to hand, tradesmen can have complete confidence in laying the boards and installing the Wundatherm system.

For further information on the Wundatherm underfloor heating system or a free estimate, call 0800 083 2677, email plans@wundagroup.com or visit the website www.wundatrade.co.uk

NEW SENTINEL WEBSITE HELPS VEHICLE OPERATORS SPECIFY BEST SAFETY SOLUTIONS

As part of its new branding launch, Sentinel Systems, the specialist commercial vehicle safety company, has recently designed a new-look website www.sentinelsystems.co.uk

Featuring its new and distinctive orange and black corporate colours, the new website underlines the company’s commitment to saving lives and protecting property and vehicles through providing safety solutions for all types of commercial vehicles. Sentinel Systems now offers total vehicle security solutions from cameras and recording to audible alarms and reversing safety.

Sentinel’s new website is easy to navigate helping customers get the most out of their online experience, and the up-to-date modern design, complete with new content, is now responsive on both mobile and tablet devices.

All the products are easily found using the menu tab and are grouped according to type of commercial vehicle so that users can easily find the right solution for the vehicles they operate. There are individual sections devoted to HGV, Refuse, Industrial, Road Sweepers, Vans and Buses / Mini Buses. Importantly, Sentinel Systems’ range of quality products are installed by its own service team to provide the best possible support to customers, the same team providing repair and maintenance when required.

One major feature of the new website is that for each of the camera and safety systems offered by Sentinel Systems, customers can download all the product information and pdf datasheets.

A full news tab on the new website gives commercial vehicle customers the opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest vehicle safety systems and case studies of recent equipment installations with major vehicle operators at the companies it works with such as Reynolds, Bywaters, Go Plant, and city council operators.

As an associate member of FORS (the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme), Sentinel are keen to further their aims to achieve best practice amongst fleet operators. The new website carries a FORS guide which allows commercial vehicle operators to quickly assess their compliance to the Bronze, Silver and Gold standards. Also on the website is a summary from Sentinel Systems about the new government Direct Vision initiative being launched in October and providing safety recommendations for vehicles of 12 tonnes and over.

As one of the leaders in commercial vehicle safety and camera solutions, Sentinel Systems has over 30 years’ experience in creating and supplying safety systems to leading companies in many sectors, including the major logistic fleets, supermarkets, refuse disposal, bulk tankers, courier vans, buses, trailer builders and motorised caravan manufacturers. Continuous innovation at Sentinel Systems brings real time fleet monitoring for all such operators by specifying ‘Live View’ with 3G or 4G sim card packages and a cloud-hosted data subscription. In this way operators can monitor vehicle movements and view real-time images on a PC or via iOS and Android apps. Incident data can then be downloaded by Wi-Fi on return to depot.

Further information on commercial vehicle safety systems is available from Sentinel on 01285 771333, by emailing sales@sentinelsystems.co.uk or by visiting the company’s new website at www.sentinelsystems.co.uk