Heating Your Self Build Home

One important item to think about is how you’re going to heat your self-build. Given that it will have a huge impact on how comfortable you feel in your new home, it’s not a choice you want to rush into. There are many factors to consider, including efficiency, cost and environmental impact.

There are two main tasks for a basic heating system. Space heating which means the warming of your home and a hot water supply. Traditionally, the elements of a heating system are:

• A boiler to generate hot water
• Pipes to transport the heated water
• An emitter to release the heat into the space
• A hot water tank to store some of the hot water for use through the taps

However, in June 2022 there will be changes to Part L of the Building Regulations in England. These changes may mean that more self builders will ditch the idea of using a traditional boiler. Opting for an air source heat pump system instead.

The very first thing you need to decide is which emission method you want to use. In other words, how is the heat going to be released into your home?

Radiators are probably the most familiar emitter choice. They are cost-effective, simple and reliable. Although they do take up wall space and can be considered visually obtrusive.

If you’d rather not see the heating apparatus, then an under-floor (UFH) system could work well. This is very popular with our self build customers. As it maximises comfort and efficiency, while taking up less space.

Some customers will mix UFH downstairs with conventional radiators upstairs. It is important to note, your choice of heat source will also influence the size of radiators required in your home.

Once you know how the heat is going to be emitted, you need to decide how it should be generated in the first place. Many people choose a gas boiler as it’s very effective and often the most financially viable. There’s also a growing trend towards low carbon and renewable energy sources. As people try to limit the impact on the environment to meet new regulation requirements.

With all these considerations, the decision can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to go through your system stage by stage, to work out your priorities for each element. A heating system is a long-term investment, so you might also want to consider where things might be in a few years.

A renewable heating system is any system powered by a renewable source. Rather than by burning fossil fuels like gas or coal. The power could be generated by the sun, the wind or even renewable fuels, like wood. These sources majorly reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.

There are plenty of options available:

• Solar Thermal Panels, which generate power from sunlight
• A Ground Source Heat Pump, which absorbs heat direct from the ground
• An Air Source Heat Pump, which absorbs heat from the outside air
• A Biomass Boiler, which generates heat by burning renewable fuels, like wood pellets

Whichever heating system you choose. The golden rule to having an efficient and warm home is insulation. Insulation prevents heat from escaping outside. Which means more of it stays in your home and you need to generate less.

This is vital for traditional heating methods such as gas or coal. As it will help to keep costs down. It is also important if you are using renewable heating methods. As they are unable to generate the extreme temperatures made possible by fossil fuels.

The right system for you depends on the type of build and your priorities. If you have a connection to the gas mains or can easily make one. Then an efficient gas boiler will effectively heat your home. 

If you’re concerned about the environmental impact, then a renewable source would be ideal. If you’re unsure about committing to a renewable source as your only heating method, the hybrid approach would offer you flexibility and peace of mind. Combining a renewable source with a gas boiler, will give you reliable heating whilst helping to reduce your carbon footprint. It might also make it easier to transition towards an entirely renewable model later on. This is particularly important to new builds. As the energy efficiency requirements should mean your home is already well insulated. Perfect for a renewable source!

If your home is ‘off-the-grid’, then the calculation is different. A biomass boiler or heat pump, possibly working alongside solar panels, would be a good approach.

Underfloor heating is a popular choice amongst self-builders. It’s comfortable, saves space and often uses less energy than a more traditional system. To help you decide whether it’s right for your new home, here’s our guide to UFH in new builds.

Perhaps the most compelling reason for choosing UFH is how comfortable it is. Imagine never having to step on a cold floor in bare feet? Heated floors feel amazing and they provide full-room coverage. Meaning you’ll never have to awkwardly huddle near the radiator again!

UFH might feel like a luxury, but it is often financially sound and environmentally friendly. It is usually more efficient than a traditional radiator-based system. As the flow temperatures for UFH don’t need to be nearly as high as if you were using radiators. Reducing the energy required to heat your home means lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint. If you combine a UFH system with a heat pump, you could increase the efficiency even further.

UFH is flexible and can be installed in any type of home. It’s easy to customise too. You can choose which rooms or areas of the house have UFH, including upper floors. It also works brilliantly where space is at a premium, as you don’t have to leave room for radiators.

It’s a very discreet solution. With everything hidden under the floor. So the heating apparatus doesn’t interfere with the look of the room. You also don’t have to worry about sharp edges, hot elements or pipes. Particularly ideal if the house is home to young children.

UFH is also a popular choice for new builds and extensions. Delivering a high heat output that is ideal for large open-plan living and kitchen areas.

Installing a UFH system in a new build is very affordable. Compared to installing a radiator-based system. Choosing a low-temperature system may also be more cost-effective in the long term due to lower energy requirements. New builds are perfect for this. They’re very well insulated and energy efficient due to new building regulations. If you’re thinking about using a renewable source for your heating such as a heat pump. Then a UFH system would be the ideal emitter solution to compliment it.

UFH can easily be installed in a timber frame home too. It’s definitely worth considering if you’re planning to order your system from a company like Potton. The ground floor pipes can be incorporated into the screed when its laid.

Yes, UFH can be installed on all floors, and there are even UFH options that also reduce noise transfer between floors.

Specialist UFH systems for joisted floors, can be installed over the joists from above before the floor deck is fitted. Or between joists from below before the ceiling is in place. With no height build-up, these UFH systems avoid any disruption to fixtures and fittings. With floor coverings fitted as soon as the floor deck is in place.

Yes. UFH is compatible with a wide range of floor coverings. Including carpet, tiles, engineered timber and vinyl.  A good supplier will design your system to work with your choice of floor covering. To provide consistent and controllable heat.

There are several methods for installing a UFH in a new build. The best one for you will depend on your individual project requirements.

There are two major factors that will influence the decision. The size of your property and the timescale. The size of your property is a factor because it may influence the type of screed you use.  Which could in turn influence which system would work best. For projects with a quick turnaround time, it may be best to have the system retrofitted. To avoid delays caused by having to let wet screed dry.

A good supplier will design your UFH to give you complete control over your heating. With individual room-by-room temperature control and scheduling. The controls are easy to use, and some systems can even be accessed via your smartphone or tablet.

One of the benefits of building your home from start to finish is that you are in complete control. You have the option to choose a good insulation and heating system, that works for you. Which means you can benefit from an energy efficient home that is comfortable to live in.

As experts in timber frame construction. We can discuss all the options you need to consider. Arrange a meeting with one of our Self Build Consultants.

You can also visit our show centre and learn about the types of insulation systems available to self-builders and how UFH can be installed.