Heating and hot water upgrade

London Borough of Camden

Helen Barrett, Project Manager. Telephone 020 7974 1479 or email Helen.Barrett@camden.gov.uk

Cenergist 

Check! The latest information should be at https://www.camden.gov.uk/heating-and-hot-water-upgrade-weedington

Site office: TRA hall at 172B Weedington Road (basement) Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. 

Emergencies

Phone the main Camden Council switchboard 020 7974 4444

What is a Heat Interface Unit (HIU)?

HIUs are commonly installed in flats instead of a gas boiler. Hot water is transferred from the central boiler room to the HIU. Domestic hot water and heating pipes come from the HIU. 

What model will be installed?

The HIU will be a Worcester Bosch Greenstar HIU KE. (Source: Public Meeting, 26 January 2023) To find out more, you can download a brochure from the Worcester Bosch website. The overall dimensions are '700 high x 440 wide x 270 deep'.  (Source: 'Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023)

Will the HIU have a filter?

"Inside the HIUs are filters, which protect the lifespan of the central system and the system in your home by keeping the system clean." "An in-line strainer is fitted to the cold-water inlet on the HIU." (Source: 'Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023)

Maintenance of the HIU after the 5 year warranty ends

For tenants: "Camden will always be responsible for maintaining the HIU and pipes."

For leaseholders: "Camden will be responsible for maintaining the HIU until the end of this warranty [5 years], and then we will hand over responsibility to the leaseholder." (Source: 'Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023) 

However, in response to a query, Paul McHugh, Programme Manager, LB Camden, corrected this in April 2023:

"This statement is not accurate and we will need to issue an updated Q&A explaining that the leaseholders HIUs will be maintained by Camden, in regards to the maintenance regime for the HIUs, Worcester-Bosch currently state the HIU shall have a maintenance inspection period of 3 years in line with BSRIA BG62 guidance, BSRIA BG62 guidance also states that that the heating system water quality and inhibitor levels should be checked annually and that routine checks should be carried out by the occupier to confirm there are no leaks associated with the HIU or the distribution pipework, given that both Worcester-Bosch and BSRIA BG 62 also state that it is essential that when the HIU requires maintenance this is carried out by a competent person, Camden may choose a different frequency for example every 1 or 2 years, we believe 3 years between routine maintenance inspections is too long." 

What model of radiator will be installed? 

Stelrad compact radiators: "This radiator is a slim and compact double panelled rad, it allows the best results without taking up space within your property". (Source: 'Heating and Hot Water System Information' leaflet, by Cenergist , distributed at public meeting, 26 January 2023).

"Your new radiators will be around the same size as your current radiators, and we will install them in the same places. Usually, this will mean your paint or wallpaper won't be affected by the change of radiator, but if it is we will leave a clean finish. You will also be offered an additional radiator in your bathroom." (Source: 'Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023)

What radiator valves will be used?

Honeywell Home VT117 Thermostatic Radiator Valves: "The valve allows the resident to control the heat released and switch off the radiator the valve is connected to, whilst still allowing the other radiators within the property to release heat." (Source: 'Heating and Hot Water System Information' leaflet, by Cenergist , distributed at public meeting, 26 January 2023).

What model of thermostat will be installed? 

DanFloss TPOne-B: "The thermostat maintains a comfortable indoor environment, automatically regulating the temperature of your home. Whilst also allowing you to set the temperature to how you like". (Source: 'Heating and Hot Water System Information' leaflet, by Cenergist , distributed at public meeting, 26 January 2023).

What pipework will be used within the flats?

Copper plumbing pipes. 15mm where they connect to the radiators and 22mm diameter where they enter the flats: "because of their ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures... [and] copper piping is resistant to corrosion from water and includes a sufficient reactivity rate ". (Source: 'Heating and Hot Water System Information' leaflet, by Cenergist , distributed at public meeting, 26 January 2023; don't ask us what a 'sufficient reactivity rate' is!;' Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023 )

What trunking will be used within the flats?

Trunking sizes 50mm and 70mm: "Trunking provides extra protection for pipes and leaves installations looking neat and tidy... [and] helps safely shield pipes that might be hot to the touch". (Source: 'Heating and Hot Water System Information' leaflet, by Cenergist , distributed at public meeting, 26 January 2023)

Can the pipework be left unboxed and be painted instead?

Yes, they can, but usually hot and cold water pipes need to be boxed in to minimise heat-loss or heat-gain, and reduce the risk of condensation on cold pipes. (Source: 'Updated Project Frequently Asked Questions / Information Pack' dated 7 March 2023)

Stay tuned...