What is a Heat Interface Unit (HIU)?

Heat interface units, also known as HIU systems act as a bridge between the central boiler and the heating and hot water systems within a property. These are typically installed within large apartment blocks where you can have one central boiler system sometimes referred to as an energy centre which provides heating and hot water to the entire block of flats. This not only saves costs but also maximises the use of space available within each flat.

HIUs can be heating-only or with domestic hot water production.

The domestic hot water produced by the centralised boiler system — the hot water that comes out of faucets and appliances — is transferred via heat exchangers, to provide each apartment with on-demand heating and hot water.

In individual dwellings, heating and hot water production is often localised. This means that heating systems are installed right where they are needed. A water heating unit connected to a shower head is one example. Localised heating also means that one dwelling can have more than one water heating units are installed in one apartment unit.

Heat interface units can be designed to work alongside other renewable technologies such as solar PV or air source heat pumps. These are synergistic systems that can give your tenants reliable heating and at the same time prevent energy waste due to overestimated flow rates. Most importantly, HIUs can give tenants accurate readings of their heating and energy consumption,

Convenient, dependable and efficient, HIUs lay the groundwork for building engineers to design multi-dwelling homes with reliable district heating.

Why install Heat Interface Units (HIU)?

While it is possible to install a boiler in every unit of a multi-dwelling building, doing so would demand a lot of time, labour, financial resources and floor space. This can be problematic for a number of things:

• Every heating system would require maintenance, which is more costly in the long run.

• Individual heating systems make compliance with low-carbon energy requirements more challenging.

• Individual heating systems can take up more living or storage space for tenants.

• Landlords must make sure that the heating and hot water systems are easily accessible for maintenance and inspection.

In contrast, a centralised heating scheme reduces all unit maintenance expenses and appointments to one. Its environmental footprint is easier to track and tenants can optimise their entire floor space.

The Benefits of HIU

HIUs are beneficial to both landlords and tenants and their advantages outweigh those of the traditional individual heating systems. Below are some examples of how people can benefit from heat interface units, together with centralised heating solutions.

• Reduce the need for multiple boilers in the complex - From installation to maintenance and repair, all the work that must be carried out on the boiler is focused on the central plant room.

• Reduce your carbon footprint - HIU’s meet low emissions and energy targets. It benefits from the “economies of scale” principle: since it delivers heating and hot water on-demand, no energy is wasted from heat building up or dissipating after use.

• Lightweight, compact design - Save on space in individual apartments with one main system.

• Practical for combining with lower cost renewable technologies - Amplify the efficiencies of every green system in your property.

• Efficiently controlled heating and hot water supply - Manage energy consumption without limiting the supply that goes to each tenant unit.

Why maintain Heat Interface Units (HIU)?

To make sure that HIU boilers are operating at their optimum efficiency there needs to be a planned schedule of maintenance.

All the benefits mentioned above are contingent on the condition of HIUs. The lack of maintenance can lead to oversight of system flaws and deterioration due to wear and tear. The inevitable outcome would be reduced efficiencies: HIUs can still function, but no longer at the level that they should. Some tenants might get freezing water, others could get scalding water off the faucet. This is risky for business as unhappy tenants will inevitably leave.

The planned maintenance schedule for the HIU Boilers are aimed at reducing or preventing failure of the equipment within the system. This, in turn, will increase and maintain the efficiency of the system and ensure that the end users are receiving the full benefits that these HIU Boilers have to offer!

It is important to have your heat interface units serviced frequently by qualified engineers as this will not only guarantee your system’s performance throughout the year and prolong the lifetime of the technology, but it will also save you money on repairs as most parts are covered by warranty for approximately 10 to 15 years!

Enjoy all the benefits HIUs offer by working with a company that has decades of experience in designing, procuring, installing and monitoring heat interface units. Utilise Ecolution’s expertise so that you can meet compliance requirements and save installation and energy costs in your multi-unit property.