Questions & Answers

Yes this is possible, it will all depend on your home and layout and may require more than one outside unit. We would complete a survey to assess your property and make a recommendation to you.

The air conditioning unit comprises of two units, an indoor unit which measures approximately 1 metre x 300 cm.

The outdoor unit measures approximately 800cm x 800cm.

The outdoor unit can be floor standing or if needed can be wall hung or located on a flat roof.

Simply put, the thermostat on the indoor unit signals the need for cooling within the room or area. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the inside the room or area, fans will then expel cool air back into the area. The heat within the refrigerant is released outdoors.

Usually, it would take a day to install one split system, which includes one outdoor unit and one indoor unit, including all the pipework, pressure testing and commissioning.

R A Brown will carry out a site survey to assess your home and requirements and make a recommendation with a price to you.

However we can install a A++ Energy rated single split air conditioning system can be installed from £1750.  There is no VAT payable on this installation as it is classed as a renewable product.

If you would like a personalised price, contact Dax on 01603 898904 (option 2) for a free quote.

An air conditioning unit can be as quiet as 26db on the lowest setting which is quieter than a whisper, or up to 56db which is similar to a dishwasher.

Examples of other noise levels:

10 dB – Normal breathing
20 dB – Leaves rustling
30 dB – Whispering
40 dB – Quiet library sounds
50 dB – Quiet conversation
50 dB – Refrigerator
60 dB – Electric toothbrush
60 dB – Normal Conversation
70 dB – Washing machine/Traffic/Vacuums
80 dB – Alarm clock
90 dB – Lawn mower/Power tools/Hairdryer
100 dB – Factory machinery
110 dB – Car horn/Concerts
120 dB – Jet Planes (during take off)
130 dB – Ambulance siren
150 dB – Fireworks

An air conditioning unit is similar to an air source heat pump with efficiency of around 300% meaning for each 1kw of energy in, it produces 3kw output, therefore it is energy efficient. Up to a Coefficient Performance (COP) of 3.7.  There is currently 0% VAT on these products.

Air conditioning units contain filters that remove particles and allergens, such as pollen and dust, helping to purify the indoor air that you breathe. They can also provide some benefits a dehumidifier would, as they draw moisture from the air, reducing the humidity.

A split air conditioning system is when you have an external unit on the outside of the property and an internal unit indoors. The internal unit expels cool air into the room and external unit expels the heat outside the home, which was gathered from the inside of the home.

Domestic air conditioning units use R-32 refrigerant gas.

You should have your air conditioning unit serviced annually. Maintaining and servicing your home air conditioner will give it a longer life span, ensuring that it is working efficiently and using less energy.

At R A Brown Heating Services we install and service any manufacturer of air conditioning unit, our most popular suppliers are Clivet, Mitsubishi, Panasonic or LG air conditioning systems.

If the radiator in a room is sized correctly for that room and currently being heated by a gas or oil boiler, then it is not likely to be suitable to be used with an ASHP.  A new radiator sized correctly to work with an air source heat pump will be needed.

Generally speaking your fuse board would need to be 80amps to 100amps for an air source heat pump.

UKPN provide guidance on fuse upgrade criteria and which components are owned by either the property owner, electricity supplier and or installation company.  You can find the UKPN guide to check whether you need a fuse upgrade here.

The government currently offers the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which offers a £7,500 grant towards the installation of an air source heat pump.  This grant is available until 31st March 2025. Full up to date information on the current schemes and eligibility is available and detailed on our Incentives page.

An ASHP uses energy from the outdoor air. Air is pulled across a heat exchanger inside the heat pump where the energy is extracted by refrigerant gases. These gasses are compressed via a compressor to give useable heat.  This heat is transferred to your heating system in the same way as a conventional boiler sends heat to your radiators, underfloor heating or hot water cylinder so it is ready whenever it is needed.

An Air Source Heat Pump works at a minimum of 300% efficiency, compared to around 90% for oil boilers and 92% for modern condensing gas boilers. Therefore your EPC rating will improve, you will be using less CO2 due to the increased efficiency of your heating system and reducing the use of fossil fuels.

An air source heat pump installation, for a standard 3 or 4 bedroom sized house, will typically take up to 1 week to install the outdoor unit, new hot water cylinder, upgrade radiators and alter pipework.

The external unit is expected to last up to 15 years on a system which has been designed and installed correctly.

Air source heat pumps are effectively the cheapest form of heating to run. They can be 300 – 400% efficient or more, therefore for every 1kw of electricity that you pay to run an air source heat pump, it can produce 3-4kw of heat.

A ground source heat pump generates 4-5 times the energy it consumes. This means that for every 1kw of electricity that you pay for, a GSHP can produce 4 -5 kw of heat for your home.

An example of a typical 3-bedroom detached bungalow that has an oil boiler and 9 radiators will cost approximately £15,000 – £18,000 to change the heating system to Air Source Heating.

You could expect to receive government grant of £7,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

It is estimated you would benefit from fuel savings each year, depending on your current electricity provider unit rates.

The costs involved in installing a system include the following:

• Removal of the existing system.
• Custom design of a heating system for your property.
• Installation of the air source heat pump (unit fitted outdoors).
• Installation of a new cylinder that has an increased size primary coil fitted.
• Installation of a buffer vessel (another cylinder for the heating system fluid).
• Replacement of the radiators with new, larger radiators.
• Replacement of the current heating controls.
• Electrical wiring of the new system. Often a new supply will need to be run from the consumer unit to the outdoor air source heat pump.
• Plumbing required to adapt the old heating and hot water systems to the new heat pump and radiators.
• Registration and certification for Microgeneration Certification Scheme so that you will be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how the heat curve works on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust the temperature on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust the temperature on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO S40 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how adjust your heat pump to holiday mode on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust your hot water settings on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to change the date and time on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to change the overnight scheduling on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to check your energy usage on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO S40 Controller)

Heat pumps still work in the snow and ice, heat pump technology is used to performing well at sub zero temperatures.

If you have a heat pump and you have not experienced an ice and snow season with it, here are some things to know about how your heat pump will function:

1. You may notice ice on your heat pump when temperatures drop.
2. Your heat pump will automatically run a defrost cycle when it needs to and this is perfectly normal.
3. When your heat pump is running the defrost cycle, it will be louder than normal.
4. If you notice steam is rising from the heat pump, there is nothing to be alarmed about, it is naturally caused by the warmth of warm air hitting cold air.
5. If you have a smart meter you might notice your heat pump is using more electricity at this time, as it is working harder at this point.

The size of heat pump you need depends on many factors.  R A Brown will complete full heat loss calculations and then we can make a recommendation for your property.  The size and age of the property, the insulation levels and the type of heat emitters (underfloor heating/radiators) you choose will also have an impact on the size of air source heat pump you need.

Absolutely. We design your heating system to be able to provide 21 degrees to the living areas of your property when it is sub zero temperatures outdoors. The refrigerant in the ASHP is designed to work down to -10 degrees and beyond.

If you are changing from LPG, oil or direct electric there are considerable savings to be made in your annual running costs.

An air source heat pump generates 3 times the energy it consumes, this means that for every 1kw of electricity that you pay for, an ASHP can produce 3kw of heat for your home.

We do not currently offer a servicing plan with monthly premiums. We have considered offering this service but have decided against it at the current time for the following reasons.

We need to link up with a finance company as these types of plans are an insurance policy.

We install premium quality heat pumps, and it is more cost effective for customers to pay for an annual service each year, rather than a monthly payment plan.

If you would like to book an annual service you can call our service team on 01603 567595.

R A Brown Heating Services are an Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved installer who cover Norfolk and North Suffolk for heat pump installations.

To be able to claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme you need to ensure your installer is MCS approved and registered to receive the BUS voucher.

MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme.  MCS is a standards certification which certifies low-carbon products and installations used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources. 

MCS is a mark of quality. Membership of MCS demonstrates adherence to these recognised industry standards; highlighting quality, competency and compliance. 

R A Brown is an MCS certified installer.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government grant scheme has replaced the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) on 1st April 2022.

The government grant will provide a £7,500 voucher for homeowners looking to install an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump who will be replacing a gas or oil boiler.

The April 2026 update announced a temporary uplift of the grant to be available for eligible off-gas grid properties who are replacing oil or LPG boilers, increasing the grant from £7,500 to £9,000. This uplift is available for new BUS applications from 21st July 2026 and is set to run until 31st March 2027.

Full details are on our Incentives page

Eligibility Criteria for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will provide a grant to encourage property owners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon heating systems including air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and in limited circumstances biomass boilers.

• Homes and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales will be eligible.
• The maximum installation capacity of up to 45kWth covers most of the eligible properties.
• As from 28th April 2026, a valid EPC is no longer required. If one exists it remains the primary evidence, if there isn’t one, the installer submits alternative evidence such as recent utility bills showing the existing fuel type, plus photographs of the current heating system.
• Biomass boilers are only eligible in rural locations and in properties off the gas grid.
• Heat pumps are eligible for properties either on or off the gas grid.
• The commissioning date of your low carbon heating system must be on or after 1st April 2022.
• You must be fully replacing an existing fossil fuel system such as oil, gas or direct electric.
• Funding will not be available for the replacement of existing low carbon heat systems.
• New build homes and social housing will not be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, although custom-build properties will be eligible

To check the current eligibility criteria, please check this link to the gov.uk website for full eligibility criteria

If you wish to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) your installer must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved and registered with Ofgem to receive the BUS voucher.

R A Brown Heating Services are MCS approved and able to receive the BUS voucher.

Find an MCS installer in your area

We are able to provide designs with the necessary controls that will allow you to control your system via a mobile app. We are also able to offer a monitoring service to review your system remotely and advise setting adjustments to optimise operation.

We are a heating Company, providing mechanical design and installation. We are able to offer electrical services to complete the electrical supplies and connections to our systems using approved partners, but do not complete general domestic electrical designs.

Our usual services include designs for domestic, large domestic, barn conversions and small commercial projects. Please see to our projects page for a selection of completed installations.

Yes, of course. We are happy to discuss your expectations and provide advice on the most suitable solution. We can also explain how the various systems work and how to operate and change settings for optimum efficiency.

Our design costs are included within your installation price. Following a guide estimate, we will then produce a specification estimate where we ask for a small fee to complete the detailed heat loss calculations, but when you proceed to contract this fee is credited off your final price.

We will require a floor plan (architects/estate agent/sketch) detailing room sizes, heights, window/door sizes along with general insulation levels and existing heating provisions for completion of a guide estimate. For detailed designs a site survey is required (with one of our staff) to confirm building details, plant locations and installation details.

An Energy Performance Certificate will need to be completed by a local energy assessor. 

You can find an energy assessor by using the EPC Register Find a local Energy Assessor near you.

Yes we install gas boilers which are hydrogen-ready boilers.  Should you wish to install a boiler which is hydrogen-ready, then we can help you with this, get in touch with our team on 01603 567594.

A hydrogen boiler is a boiler that burns hydrogen as opposed to natural gas. They are similar to natural gas boilers, by burning the gas via combustion, which in turn creates hot flue gases that can be used to heat water. This hot water can be used to heat your home.

Hydrogen is a thinner gas than natural gas (methane), the boiler may differ slightly, but they work in much the same way as a natural gas boiler.

The government is looking at alternative ways you can heat your home that are more environmentally friendly, hydrogen is one of these alternatives, as a replacement for natural gas.

Hydrogen is a low-carbon alternative that will have a positive impact on the CO2 emissions currently being produced in the UK. It’s a much clean gas that can be manufactured from water using electricity. If this electricity is generated from renewable sources, the hydrogen is 100 percent emissions-free.

Currently, there are no 100 per cent hydrogen boilers available, as this technology is yet to be developed, however some boiler manufacturers have created prototypes.

A hydrogen-ready boiler can be installed which means should the government introduce hydrogen in replacement to methane (natural gas) it is a boiler which has the ability to burn both gases. This means that if and when the UK’s gas network is able and ready to switch from methane to hydrogen, you won’t need to replace your gas boiler. The viability of this approach is still under early development.

However this is an approach which can support overall decarbonisation in the UK.  If hydrogen can eventually be introduced into the gas network, it’s likely that it will be phased in, rather than switching from all natural gas to all hydrogen. With a phasing in, a mix of 20 percent hydrogen and 80 percent natural gas would be introduced, no alterations would need to be made to the majority of UK boilers, so the change could come in almost instantly should it be introduced.

We can install any make of gas boiler, however our preferred suppliers are Viessmann, Navien and Ideal boilers.  Please give our gas servicing and installation department a call on 01603 567594.

For our gas services we usually work within a limited radius of Norwich. This is to ensure cost effectiveness for the customer. If we need to travel to carry out a repair or service the travel time can make us expensive. Realistically there are Gas Safe engineers local to everyone. Our staff will advise you.  Give us a call on 01603 567595 to discuss.

We do not currently offer a servicing plan with monthly premiums. We have considered offering this service but have decided against it at the current time for the following reasons.

We need to link up with a finance company as these types of plans are an insurance policy.

We install premium quality heat pumps, and it is more cost effective for customers to pay for an annual service each year, rather than a monthly payment plan.

If you would like to book an annual service you can call our service team on 01603 567595.

No – We are not able to offer a 24/7 gas callout service. Our team of Gas Engineers is small and we could not cover out of hours, weekends and holidays without expecting our staff to work antisocial hours. Our business model is predominantly that of an installation company. Therefore, our staffing and price structure is not geared to high call-out charges. We always respond to customer breakdowns as quickly as we can, as we do not like our customers to be without heating or hot water. Our phones are ‘manned’ usually from 7.30 until 4.30 Monday-Friday.

You should have your gas appliances serviced and checked annually.  Call us on 01603 567595 to book an engineer.

If you are in a rental property, your landlord has to have all gas appliances checked annually and have a landlords certificate to confirm appliances have passed testing.  Call us on 01603 567595 to book an engineer.

For our gas services we usually work within a limited radius of Norwich. This is to ensure cost effectiveness for the customer. If we need to travel to carry out a repair or service the travel time can make us expensive. Realistically there are Gas Safe engineers local to everyone. Our staff will advise you.

This map of Norfolk shows the boundaries of the homes which R A Brown are able to provide annual gas servicing to.

To book a service call our servicing department on 01603 567595

In the Norwich area a gas boiler service would cost is £95 + VAT.

A gas cooker/gas hob costs £40 each +VAT.

A gas fire costs £50 + VAT

A landlord certificate is £15 + VAT.

Call our servicing team on 01603 567595 to book in your service.

The engineer will complete a gas safety inspection report, including checks to the gas pipework, flue, burners and ventilation systems. Checking the system for corrosion and leaks and that the gas pressure is correct. All safety and cleaning maintenance checks will be made within the servicing to ensure your system is safe.

You annual gas boiler service and annual gas safety checks are necessary to maintain any warranty on your gas boiler.

To book a gas boiler service call our service team on 01603 567595.

We service many different makes of gas boiler – please provide details of the make and model of your boiler at the time of booking.  Call our service department on 01603 567595 to book your gas boiler service.

We do contact all our customers each year to book them in for servicing, for existing customers, we send an email reminder 1 month before to ask if you would like us to book in for servicing.

However if you would like to receive a reminder from gas safe, you can register your appliances here and they will send you an annual reminder.

https://www.staygassafe.co.uk/

If you would like to contact our servicing team, call us on 01603 567595

Yes, we can fit a ground source heat pump to most properties, so long as there is enough land for the pipework to be laid outside for the collector or enough area of land to drill boreholes. As an example for a 4 bedroom property with 12 radiators, you would likely need 600sq metres of land or 2 x 150 metre boreholes.

For ground source heat pumps that are 16kw or above, a 3-phase electrical supply will generally be required.

Yes, ground source heat pumps work excellently in freezing conditions, because ground source heat pumps extract deep from underground where the temperature is more stable.

Horizontal ground collectors, are installed at 1.2 metres depth. Vertical bore holes are installed to 100 metres.

See more information on  ground source heat pumps .

A GSHP uses solar energy naturally stored in the ground. With a stable temperature of between 8 – 12 degrees throughout the year it is a perfect environment to extract energy from. The energy collected from either the ground or water source via collector pipes is converted into useable heat via refrigerant gases and a compressor. This useable heat is used to heat your home in the same way as a conventional boiler sends heat to the radiators, underfloor heating or hot water cylinder so it is ready whenever it is needed.

Ground loops have an exceptionally long lifespan and are built to last 50-100 years.

Indoor components usually last up to 20 years – double that of oil or conventional gas boiler components.

If you are installing a ground source heat pump and you have limited space for collector pipe, then boreholes could be the solution you need.  Depending on your project will depend on how many boreholes you would need.

Due to the cost of drilling, testing, setting up the site, trenching back to the plant area etc, the estimated cost of drilling one borehole is around £18,000, if more than one borehole is required, subsequent boreholes would be less than this amount, around £4-£5,000 per borehole*

Boreholes are drilled to a depth of 100 – 150 metres. There can be 2 or more boreholes required dependent on the energy required for the property.

*These figures are accurate as at April 2022 and are subject to change.

Ground source heat pumps are effectively the cheapest form of heating to run. They can be 400 – 500% efficient or more.

A ground source heat pump generates 4-5 times the energy it consumes. This means that for every 1kw of electricity that you pay for, a GSHP can produce 4-5kw of heat for your home.

An example of a typical 4 bedroom property with 12 radiators, with a ground source heat pump installation will cost in the region of £32k – £35k (with horizontal ground collector) £50k – £55k (with boreholes)

If you are eligible, you could expect to receive government grant of £7,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

It is estimated you would benefit from fuel savings each year, depending on your current electricity provider unit rates.

The costs involved in installing a system include the following:

• Removal of the existing system.
• Custom design of a heating system for your property.
• Trenching for horizontal ground collector or drilling for boreholes.
• Installation of the ground source heat pump (unit fitted in a pump room).
• Installation of a new cylinder that has an increased size primary coil fitted.
• Installation of a buffer vessel (another cylinder for the heating system fluid).
• Replacement of the radiators with new, larger radiators.
• Replacement of the current heating controls.
• Electrical wiring of the new system. Often a new supply will need to be run from the consumer unit to the outdoor air source heat pump.
• Plumbing required to adapt the old heating and hot water systems to the new heat pump and radiators.
• Registration and certification for Microgeneration Certification Scheme so that you will be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

For a horizontal collector you will need to install pipes 1m apart and 1.2m deep in the ground. The maximum length for a loop of pipe will be 400m but depending on the size of the heat pump required you may require 2 or more ground loops. The average system will require between 600 and 1200 square metres of land. This land must be clear of trees and buildings.

Water boreholes are generally only about 20 metres – 50 metres deep. A Geothermal borehole will need to be at least 100 metres deep and often more than 1 borehole is required.

Our staff are very experienced with heat pump systems and will attend and identify potential problems – initially there will be a call our charge and then additional work and/or parts can be estimated for.

For most customers we are able to do a guide estimate using information on your property from the last EPC report.  Complete the request a guide estimate form and we will provide these as quickly as possible.

Request a guide estimate

For some properties, we may require further information.  The more information that you can provide us the more accurate we can be.

• Your contact details
• Your property address, including postcode
• Do you own the property/rent it/is it a holiday let?
• Plans of the property (one of the following

– Architect plans are ideal of course, including elevations and sections.

– Estate agent floor plans – We can work with these floor plans but please ensure that we have all the room sizes (ideally including ceiling heights)

– Basic drawing of the layout of your property accompanied with a list of the room sizes including ceiling heights.

• Window sizes in each of the rooms – Approximate age and are they Double glazed, single glazed etc.?
• Details of existing heating system. Is it oil or gas? Combi boiler or cylinder? Approximate age of the system.
• Radiators or Underfloor heating? Which system do you have, or would you like to have installed?
• The current number of radiators in each room, if installed.

Using the information that you provide we can produce a guide estimate for the work that you wish to be carried out. This estimate will also detail the expected running costs of the proposed system and the sum that you are likely to receive if you are eligible to claim any government incentives.

If the information in the guide estimate sounds appealing and you wish to proceed then we can arrange to carry out a site survey so that we can complete a detailed heat loss calculation and then custom design your heating system to perfectly suit your property.

Give us a call on 01603 898904 to arrange a site survey.

Heat pumps do have some running noise, but you are unlikely to notice it.

A NIBE ASHP runs at 50 decibels and is located outside your property and is equivalent to a quiet conversation.

A NIBE GSHP 47 decibels is a unit which is located inside your property in a plant room or utility room.

Examples of other noise levels:

10 dB – Normal breathing
20 dB – Leaves rustling
30 dB – Whispering
40 dB – Quiet library sounds
50 dB – Quiet conversation
50 dB – Refrigerator
60 dB – Electric toothbrush
60 dB – Normal Conversation
70 dB – Washing machine/Traffic/Vacuums
80 dB – Alarm clock
90 dB – Lawn mower/Power tools/Hairdryer
100 dB – Factory machinery
110 dB – Car horn/Concerts
120 dB – Jet Planes (during take off)
130 dB – Ambulance siren
150 dB – Fireworks

The primary coil in the hot water cylinder must have a surface area of at least 3 sqm to work at the lower flow temperatures produced by the heat pump. As most standard hot water cylinders fitted for oil or gas boilers only have a primary coil with a surface area of approximately 0.25 sqm we do need to replace the cylinder.

Improve Insulation: To maximise efficiency, improve your loft and cavity wall insulation to the maximum levels this will ensure your property heat loss is reduced. The size of the heat pump required will be based on the heat losses of your home.

Draught proofing: Draught proofing your home will help reduce the loss of heat, i.e. windows and doors using draught excluders.

Heat emitters: Consideration of the type and size of heat emitters (underfloor heating, radiators) in your home will also affect the efficiency of your heating system, some radiators may need to be upgraded, but your installer would discuss this with you.

Assess and Upgrade Electricals: Assess your electrical system capacity, to make sure that a heat pump is ready to fit. If there are any problems with this a qualified electrician will let you know what needs to be changed so that it can be installed.

Clear Outdoor Access: Air source heat pump, the outdoor unit takes up roughly 1-2 metres of space. Clear the area of where the outside unit will be placed. Ensure there is sufficient clearance for airflow.

Ground source heat pump needs outdoor space for the ground collectors.

Clear Indoor Space: Clear the inside space for the installation of the indoor unit and cylinder, you also may have to clear the area for pipe installation and radiator upgrades.

We incorporate a buffer vessel into the design of our heat pump systems. The buffer vessel serves a few functions to make your system run more efficiently and to provide longevity for the heat pump.

The buffer vessel holds a store of heating fluid for your heating system. It enables the heating to stay on while the air source heat pump heats the domestic hot water.

It also enables the heating to stay on whole the outdoor unit carries out a defrost cycle during cold weather.

A correctly sized buffer vessel is critical in the performance and longevity of your system.

In 1945 John Sumner, who was the City Electrical Engineer for Norwich, installs an experimental water-source heat pump fed central heating system, using a neighbouring river to heat new Council administrative buildings.  So the first heat pump in the UK was installed right here in Norwich.

Globally, the first heat pump system was invented around 1857 and the first ground source heat pump was invented in 1948.  Heat pumps have been used for heating and hot water in Scandinavian countries for many years where the climate is considerably colder than the UK climate.

*source Wikipedia

Both the Air Source and Ground Source heat pumps that we install will be more than capable of providing enough hot water for your home.

The heat pump will heat the hot water in the cylinder to approximately 50 degrees Celsius. We ensure that the hot water cylinder is sized correctly for the building and the hot water demand required.

We are not able to service heat pumps with external refrigerant circuits as our Engineers do not hold the relevant qualifications to maintain this aspect of the system. You will be asked to provide full details of the make and model of your air source heat pump and if it is a make such as Daikin, we will try to refer you to another relevant company.

We do not currently offer a servicing plan with monthly premiums. We have considered offering this service but have decided against it at the current time for the following reasons.

We need to link up with a finance company as these types of plans are an insurance policy.

We install premium quality heat pumps, and it is more cost effective for customers to pay for an annual service each year, rather than a monthly payment plan.

If you would like to book an annual service you can call our service team on 01603 567595.

It is recommended that heat pump systems are serviced every year to ensure they are running as efficiently as possible and to maintain your manufacturer warranty. If you are in receipt of government incentive payments, there is a requirement to ensure the system is suitably maintained in good working order.

To book a service call 01603 567595.

We carry out servicing work for customers in Norfolk and North Suffolk. Prices vary according to geographical area, please ask for the price at the time of booking.  Contact our service team on 01603 567595.

Our staff are very experienced with heat pump systems and will attend and identify potential problems – initially there will be a call our charge and then additional work and/or parts can be estimated for.

We do contact all our customers each year to book them in for servicing, if you are an existing customer, we will send you an email reminder 1 month before your service is due to arrange booking your services.  If you wish to contact the servicing team you can call us on 01603 567595.

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how the heat curve works on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust the temperature on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust the temperature on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO S40 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how adjust your heat pump to holiday mode on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to adjust your hot water settings on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to change the date and time on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to change the overnight scheduling on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO 20 Controller)

Part of our series of “How to videos” find out how to check your energy usage on a NIBE ASHP (NIBE SMO S40 Controller)

Yes we install gas boilers which are hydrogen-ready boilers.  Should you wish to install a boiler which is hydrogen-ready, then we can help you with this, get in touch with our team on 01603 567594.

A hydrogen boiler is a boiler that burns hydrogen as opposed to natural gas. They are similar to natural gas boilers, by burning the gas via combustion, which in turn creates hot flue gases that can be used to heat water. This hot water can be used to heat your home.

Hydrogen is a thinner gas than natural gas (methane), the boiler may differ slightly, but they work in much the same way as a natural gas boiler.

The government is looking at alternative ways you can heat your home that are more environmentally friendly, hydrogen is one of these alternatives, as a replacement for natural gas.

Hydrogen is a low-carbon alternative that will have a positive impact on the CO2 emissions currently being produced in the UK. It’s a much clean gas that can be manufactured from water using electricity. If this electricity is generated from renewable sources, the hydrogen is 100 percent emissions-free.

Currently, there are no 100 per cent hydrogen boilers available, as this technology is yet to be developed, however some boiler manufacturers have created prototypes.

A hydrogen-ready boiler can be installed which means should the government introduce hydrogen in replacement to methane (natural gas) it is a boiler which has the ability to burn both gases. This means that if and when the UK’s gas network is able and ready to switch from methane to hydrogen, you won’t need to replace your gas boiler. The viability of this approach is still under early development.

However this is an approach which can support overall decarbonisation in the UK.  If hydrogen can eventually be introduced into the gas network, it’s likely that it will be phased in, rather than switching from all natural gas to all hydrogen. With a phasing in, a mix of 20 percent hydrogen and 80 percent natural gas would be introduced, no alterations would need to be made to the majority of UK boilers, so the change could come in almost instantly should it be introduced.

Below is the link to the Ofgem page which has the latest document for the BUS guidance for property owners.

Follow the link to the page and you will find latest version of the guidance for property owners as a PDF

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/boiler-upgrade-scheme-guidance-property-owners

R A Brown Heating Services Code of Practice

Standard Installation Procedures and Requirements

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1a. Please ensure that you are ready for the installation as scheduled with our project
manager. If we are installing on a building site, we expect the building to be secure
and weather tight. Responsibility for the equipment will pass to you once materials
are delivered to your property/site.

1b. Access to the site will need to be clear and safe. A solid surface/path is needed to
manoeuvre equipment to the building. Access into the building must be clear and
able to support the weight of the equipment (ground source heat pumps can weigh
in excess of 350kg).

1c. Please ensure you have met our health and safety requirements, you will be required
to supply us with normal services free of charge; this should include toilet, washing,
water facilities and electricity.

1d. ENA Notification
To ensure the safety and security of the Electricity Networks, depending on the size,
type and location of the installation, you may need to apply for a connection with
the District Network Operator prior to installation of the device. All other systems
will need to be notified within 30 days of completion.

If R A Brown Heating Services Ltd are carrying out the electrical works required for
the installation of your heat pump system, then we will complete the paperwork to
inform the Energy Networks Association.

N.B. If you are using your own electrician to install the electrical works then you are
responsible to ensure that your electrician informs the Energy Networks Association.
We will provide you with the necessary forms containing specific technical data of the
equipment to be installed.

2. INSTALLATION OF AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

2a. We will provide anti vibration feet which must be positioned on a hard surface.
The hard surface can be in the form of slabs or a concrete pad. This needs to be
provided by you, to our specification as detailed in your contractual quote. We can
provide a pad at an additional cost if required.

2b. Drainage of the condensate can be via a drainpipe, into a soakaway or into the
ground via a natural finish such as shingle. We can install a pipe to a drain providing
the run is below 3 metres. Unless otherwise stated, natural drainage will be used.

2c. Clearances around the heat pump will be discussed at your site visit. These need to
be maintained for the life of the heat pump.

2d. We are required to measure distances from the proposed heat pump location to
openable windows on yours and neighbouring properties, to meet permitted
development regulations. If you wish to change the position of the heat pump, we
need to be informed of this in advance.

2e. External pipework will be in either copper or multi-layer composite pipe (MLCP), this
will be lagged using black insulation after commissioning.

2f. For the internal installation we will use copper and/or MLCP pipe, fittings will be
soldered, compression or crimped depending on the situation. The final pipework
will be lagged in accordance with building regulations. If we are joining onto an
existing system or pipework installed by other contractors, we will not be
responsible for the existing system or the other contractor’s work. If defects are
discovered during the installation process with either the existing system being
joined onto, or work carried out by another contractor, rectifying this may incur an
additional cost.

We do always try to work cooperatively with other contractors to rectify any
problems if they arise.

2g. Where another plumbing contractor is working on site, we will agree a ‘stop point’
for pipework where they finish, and our engineers begin work. This is normally post
buffer and pump on the flow, and a valve on the return.

2h. The heating system will be pressurised and will have a fill point and a pressure gauge.
A discharge point will be terminated according to building regulations.

2i. In most cases we will be updating your hot water to mains pressure. The system
pressure is supplied by the incoming supply which may be mains or bore hole. We
will check the size of the internal pipework usually at the site visit stage and inform
you if it is undersized and give you options of how to proceed. If you opt not to
upgrade pipework deemed to be undersized, we will not be responsible for the
resulting poor pressure in the system.

3. INSTALLATION OF GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Ground Collectors or Bore Holing

3a. This aspect of the system is contracted out to the relevant specialist although the
design and heat demands are calculated collaboratively. The contractor will provide
you with a copy of their terms and conditions (please contact us if you do not receive
these before the work starts). These will become our terms and conditions for this
part of the installation, as they are contracted by us. If you are using your own
contractor, we will not be responsible for their installation. If damage occurs to the
collector pipe during installation, it will need to be repaired. It is preferable for the
repair to be fusion welded (we can carry out the repair if required at an additional
cost).

3b. We will not be responsible for levelling the ground if settlement occurs after
backfilling of the collector trenches by the ground works contractor. You need to
agree with the ground worker that you are happy with their levelling work when
they complete their contract. The amount of post installation settling varies
considerably depending on the type of soil and weather conditions. Settlement may
occur at any time following installation, and subsequent levelling work will need to
be discussed with the ground working contractor.

3c. For the internal pipework we will join onto the collector pipes using mechanical or
fusion welded fittings. Where the ground collector pipework enters the building, it
will be converted to copper or MLCP pipe for connection to the heat pump. On this
pipework will be fill valves, air vents and an expansion vessel. This internal pipework
may at times be likely to form condensation due to the difference in temperature
between the brine filled pipes and the warmth of the plant room/utility room. We
try to keep this to a minimum by lagging the pipes but cannot guarantee to eradicate
it completely.

3d. Ground source heat pump units are very heavy. It is important that the indoor unit
location chosen is suitably constructed to support the weight. We always require a
solid floor area.

3e. For the internal part of the installation, we will use copper and/or MLCP pipe, fittings
will be soldered, compression or crimped depending on the situation. The final
pipework will be lagged in accordance to building regulations. If we are joining onto
an existing system or pipework installed by other contractors, we will not be
responsible for the existing system or other contractor’s work. If defects are
discovered during the installation process with either the existing system being
joined onto, or work carried out by another contractor, rectifying this may incur an
additional cost.

We always try to work cooperatively with other contractors to rectify any problems if
they arise.

3f. Where another plumbing contractor is working on site – we will agree a ‘stop point’
for pipework where they finish, and our engineers begin work. This is normally post
buffer and pump on the flow and a valve on the return.

3g. The heating system will be pressurised and will have a fill point and pressure gauge. A
discharge point will be terminated according to building regulations.

3h. In most cases we will be updating your hot water to mains pressure. The system
pressure is supplied by the incoming supply which may be mains or bore hole. We
will check the size of the internal pipework usually at the site visit stage and inform
you if it is undersized and give you options of how to proceed. If you opt not to
upgrade the pipework deemed to be undersized, we will not be responsible for the
resulting poor pressure in the system.

4. RADIATOR SIZING, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION

4a. Radiator sizes and locations will need to be agreed for the contractual quote. We are
aware that this is an aspect of the installation that is sometimes altered as final room
layouts are finalised. Materials will normally be ordered three weeks before your
programmed start date, so any changes to the specification will need to be decided
by that time (changes may incur an additional cost). Some specialist radiators will
need to be ordered six weeks ahead.

N.B. Radiators that are ordered and then changed will be subject to a handling
charge and specialist radiators may not be returnable and will be charged at the
quoted price.

4b. Pipework supplying radiators on new builds will be MLCP pipe. This pipe will join
directly onto the radiator valve. The pipe will be from the floor directly onto the
valve.

If we are altering existing pipework above floor which is in copper, we will use
copper.

If we are altering existing pipework below floor, we will use copper or MLCP pipe.

4c. If you would prefer pipework to exit from the walls rather than the floor, this will
incur additional cost to our quote, it is very time consuming to get the pipe in exactly
the right position to align with radiator valves and involves routing out of the wall to
accommodate the pipes. For this reason, we include bringing pipes up from the floor
as our standard quoted option.

Another option that we offer is to bring pipes out from the wall under the radiator
and then have additional pipework run externally, pipework will be visible up to the
valve.

We can sometimes use radiators with centralised bottom fittings thereby hiding all
the pipes, these are however specialist radiators and take approximately six weeks
to arrive. Specialist radiators are more expensive than standard radiators, therefore
this option needs to be decided upon well in advance of your installation date.
Your preferred option for this should be discussed ideally prior to the contractual
quote being prepared.

4d. On occasion our engineers find that other Tradesmen coming in after first fix (such as
plasterers) knock the radiator pipework out of alignment. If this happens it creates
more work at second fixing, and this may incur an additional cost.

4e. If you require chrome pipework, this will incur an additional cost to our quote and
this must be requested before first fixing, this is because floors may need to be lifted
to ensure the pipework is straight, due to the rigidity of chrome pipe.

4f. Where heavy radiators and especially towel rails are to be installed, we request that
plasterboard walls are strengthened by e.g., by adding ply to the back of the
plasterboard to allow a secure fixing. If this is not carried out, we will be unable to
install the radiator/towel rail onto the wall due to safety reasons.

5. UNDERFLOOR HEATING

5a. Preparation is critical for an installation to proceed. We require the floor insulation to
be of a dense styrene to enable fixing clips to hold. The insulation, membrane and
edge expansion strip must be laid prior to pipe installation. We do not usually carry
out this preparation work, as if the insulation is laid too early it will bow and we will
be unable to secure the pipe. We will then be unable to continue with the
installation, until it is rectified.

5b. If you are installing the pipework yourself, it will need to be laid to our specification.

5c. During installation, the system will be filled with water and pressure tested, a supply
of water from a tap will be required for this. The pressure will be increased for
testing up to 6 bar and will remain at this pressure until we attend to do further
work. Ideally the screed (if being used) needs to be laid within 24 hours to protect
the pipes.

5d. It is your responsibility to make sure that during freezing weather conditions, all
areas with underfloor heating are kept above freezing.

If it is not possible to keep an area above freezing, then please request alternative
frost protection options from us:

• Antifreeze can be added to the system (at an additional cost).
• It may be possible to drain the system down (if you are having a liquid screed,
draining is not an option).
If no request for alternative frost protection is made to us, ensure that the building
is being kept frost free. This is the responsibility of the Site Manager or yourself to
prevent frost damage to the system. R A Brown Heating Services Ltd will not accept
liability for any loss or damage to your system or surrounding areas of the property
if this is not carried out.

N.B. We would recommend that frost protection is in place between September and
April, to protect your system from unexpected frosts.

6. PRIMARY PIPEWORK

6a. Primary pipework is the distribution pipework. This pipework will link from the heat
source (heat pump or boiler etc.) to e.g., the hot water cylinder or buffer vessel. If
we are installing the pipework, we will install insulated MLCP pipe under the floor
insulation on the ground floor and uninsulated MLCP through joists on the first floor.
For pipework installed under solid floors it is part of building regulations that the
system is free from joints. We take no responsibility for pipework not installed by R A
Brown Heating Services. This pipework needs to be installed prior to floor insulation
being laid.

7. HOT AND COLD SERVICES

7a. When we are installing this pipework, we will install insulated MLCP pipe under the
floor insulation on the ground floor and uninsulated MLCP through joists on the first
floor. For pipework installed under solid floors it is part of building regulations that
the system is free from joints, the only exemption to this is if a pipe is damaged and
requires repair necessitating a crimped fitting to be installed. We take no
responsibility for pipework not installed by R A Brown Heating Services.

7b. There are various stages for installations which will vary depending on the building
design. In our standard service terms we will assume the primary pipework supplying
manifolds and the distribution pipework will need to be installed at the same time or
additional costs may be incurred.

7c. Depending on the system design we will use manifolds or tee off of the primary
pipework using mechanical or crimped fittings. The hot/cold pipe can be connected
directly onto an adapter which will enable connection to copper. The pipe installed
by R A Brown will be from the floor, ready for connection at second fix. Shower pipes
are to be left ready for connection to the shower of your choice. We will not chase
walls for pipes and valves unless prior agreement has been reached. If we are altering

existing pipework above floor which is in copper, we will use copper.

If we are altering existing pipework below the floor, we will use copper or MLCP pipe.

7d. We will run pipework to ‘point of use’. Our definition of ‘point of use’ is the position
agreed with the customer/and or Site Manager, that will allow connection for second
fix plumbing. We will leave this ready for connection by others. We use 16mm MLCP
pipe unless otherwise requested. MLCP pipe is suitable for use to all outlets
providing a mains water pressure of 2.5 bar, if a higher flow rate is required a larger
pipe will be required and this will incur additional cost.

7e. Please note the following will incur an additional cost unless discussed and quoted.

• Pipework from walls.
• Chrome pipework.
• Shower bracket connection/pipework connection to concealed shower
valves.

8. ELECTRICAL WORKS

8a. No electrical work will be undertaken by ourselves. We can sub-contract this work to
certified electricians for you if required. If you are using your own electrical
contractor for heat pump installations, we will supply a wiring specification for their
use. This specification will cover the heat pumps wiring requirements. Wiring for
thermostats and other controls will need to be discussed with us.

R A Brown Heating Services will not be responsible for other contractors’ work.

9. MECHANICAL VENTILATION WITH HEAT RECOVERY

9a. This system is generally fitted in two stages. At first fixing the radial pipework will be
installed along with the outlets to each room. Our standard outlet grill will be circular
with a metal painted cover. If you require different grills, these will need to be
selected prior to contract or first fixing, these can vary greatly in price. It is advisable
to visit the showroom to choose from our samples on display.

If specified by your architect your building may require fire valves to be fitted either
in each room or in specified areas, if these are required, we must be told prior to us
providing a contractual quote, as fire protection is not automatically installed.

9b. Roof terminals (if being used) will need to be installed when the roof is being tiled.
We will supply the terminals for the roofers to install at our requested point. If wall
terminals are being used, we will supply pipe and terminals for installation whilst the
walls are being built and the scaffolding is still in place. To ensure this happens
appropriately, we need to be kept informed of the the progress of your build to
allow for supply of the terminals.

9c. Stage two will involve installation of the manifolds, grills, and mechanical unit at the
agreed location in your contractual quote.

9d. The unit will be commissioned by our engineer after the electrical work has been
completed by the electrician.

10. INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

10a. We will provide either anti vibration feet or wall brackets which must be positioned
as advised by ourselves.

10b. Drainage of the condensate can be via a drainpipe, into a soakaway or into the
ground via a natural finish such as shingle. We can install a pipe to a drain providing
the run is below 3 metres. Unless otherwise stated, natural drainage will be used.

10c. Clearances around the outdoor condenser unit will be discussed at your site visit.
These need to be maintained for the life of the unit.

10d. External pipework will lagged using black insulation after commissioning, and
enclosed with suitable trunking.

11. WASTE DISPOSAL

11a. When installing on a building project, no waste will be removed unless a prior
arrangement has been made.

On a domestic installation we will remove packaging from site.

Removed equipment will stay on site (i.e., boilers and radiators) unless removal has
been specified in your quote. If removal is required (and it has not been included)
this will incur an additional cost.

12. GENERAL DISCLAIMER

R A Brown Heating Services will not be held responsible for any loss or damage
caused to our works by yourself or other contractors’. If any loss or damage occurs,
you will be responsible for the cost of any labour and materials required to rectify
the system i.e., drilling through underfloor heating pipes etc.

Should a repair be required, this may invalidate your warranty.

Version 9 Last updated 13/03/2023

R A Brown Heating Services are an Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved installer who cover Norfolk and North Suffolk for heat pump installations.

To be able to claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme you need to ensure your installer is MCS approved and registered to receive the BUS voucher.

MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

MCS is a mark of Quality ensuring the products your installer uses meet high standards for performance and reliability.

Five reasons to choose an MCS Certified Installer:

🟢 Installers have undergone rigorous vetting to be certified, which is updated each year.
🟢 Installers have to adhere to MCS industry standards for quality and performance to reduce your risk.
🟢 They are members of a consumer code, further strengthening your protection and guaranteeing the quality of the service they should offer.
🟢 Your eligibility for any government incentives is dependent on obtaining MCS certification. 💷
🟢 Some home insurance providers and mortgage lenders require MCS certification, so can impact running and resale values.

R A Brown Heating Services are an MCS Certified Installer! ✔  Give us a call on 01603 898904 to discuss your heating requirements.

Fitting MVHR systems into existing properties is challenging, for a couple of reasons: –

The fabric of the building needs to be virtually airtight – hence windows often must be replaced/upgraded, trickle vents removed.

You will need to route 75 or 90mm ducting to every room of the property back to the location of the main unit.

Having said that if you’re determined it can be done. It is easier to retrofit MVHR into a bungalow. We can advise you as to whether it is possible to retrofit your property.

MVHR works by extracting stale, moisture-laden air from rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and utility spaces, and then passing it through a heat exchanger. At the same time, fresh air is drawn in from outside and is also passed through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming fresh air, which helps to pre-warm the incoming air during colder months. In warmer months, the process can be reversed, where the incoming air is pre-cooled by the outgoing air.

It costs approximately £30 – £55 per year in electricity to run a large MVHR system constantly, but you save a lot more than that on heating bills because it is recovering the heat that would normally be exhausted by traditional extractor fans and draughts from trickle vent windows etc.

A properly designed MVHR system should be very quiet in its operation with air flows calculated to move the correct volume of air for each room without causing a whistling or noises pertaining to the movement of the air.

The systems that we offer retain between 90 and 95% of the heat in your home while exhausting the stale air from your property to outside.

There is a heat exchanger within the unit that passes the heat to the new fresh air entering the property while exhausting the stale air back to the outside.

We offer both Zehnder and Vent Axia products. Both manufacturers are leading MVHR suppliers that each have their own qualities and warranties.

The MVHR unit can be installed in a large cupboard or possibly the loft space. From the unit there will be 75mm and 90mm ductwork travelling to all the rooms in the property.

There are also 2 larger 160-180mm pipes that need to go outside through a wall or roof vent, providing incoming and outgoing air.

R A Brown Heating Services are an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner, these are Independent companies selected, vetted and monitored by Octopus Energy against safety, quality and customer-service standards. Not Octopus employees.

Switch to Octopus Energy and you’ll get £50 credit once your switch is complete. Existing customer? Find out how you can benefit too.

T&Cs apply (only one switching offer per household)

Referral disclosure: if you use our Octopus referral link, you may receive a referral credit and we may also receive a referral reward.

We can accept payments by debit or most credit cards (not business credit cards or American Express) our invoices are sent digitally and will have a click to pay option.

We also accept payments via BACS (bank transfer). The bank details will be on your invoice, alternatively please call 01603 898904 to make your payment over the telephone.

Yes you can install your own radiators but it is very important that we instruct you as to the correct outputs required from the radiators for each room.

If you are claiming a Government grant or Renewable Heat incentive we will need to prove that we have calculated the radiator sizes correctly to ensure that you are eligible to make your claim.

Not only that but we want to ensure that your system will work properly once installed.

If the radiator in a room is sized correctly for that room and currently being heated by a gas or oil boiler, then to work with a new more efficient low temperature system, such as an air source heat pump, then the surface area of the radiator will need to be at least 2.4 times greater. It may be possible to use some of your existing larger radiators in smaller rooms.

If you are interested in sustaining the world we live in, switching to a renewable heating system, such as an air source or ground source heat pump, means you are using a naturally replenished source of energy (i.e. the sun).  

Using renewable energy rather than oil or LPG helps the UK reduce its carbon emissions and meet their carbon reduction targets.  A Heat Pump does use electricity, but does not use any fossil fuels.

The government pays an incentive to property owners who install a renewable heating if their system meets certain energy-efficiency requirements, see our government incentives page for the latest information.

The SPF measures the energy efficiency of the property and is calculated by looking at heat losses, room size and output of the heat emitters.   

The more accurately sized the heat emitters you have, the higher the SPF – as the heating will be as energy efficient as possible. 

The governments default Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) is 2.5. 

To make sure you get the best from your visit, we recommend that you book an appointment.  We will make sure that the time and showroom is reserved for you, as we only see one customer at a time.  

By booking an appointment we will book you in with a technical member of staff,  this means we can spend time answering your questions, looking at your plans, talking through your project and showing you how the equipment works.

We receommend you receive a guide estimate before a showroom visit (where possible)

To book an appointment call 01603 898904 

We have a range of working products; including an air source heat pump and an MVHR unit.  You will be able to see a set up of the plant room for a ground source heat pump.  There is also a display of examples of radiators, underfloor heating, heating controls and much more. 

The Suppliers products you will see in the showroom are; NIBE, Stiebel Eltron, Ariston, Zehnder, Vent Axia, The Radiator Company, Stelrad, & Jaga.

We recommend visiting the Showroom with a set of plans or just bring a note book and phone to take pics of the displays. Your visit will provide invaluable information on what space you need inside and outside for the plant room and equipment.

R A Brown Heating Services have been installing NIBE products for as long as we have been installing heat pumps!  In fact we have been recognised with national awards for our NIBE air source and ground source heat pump installations for many years.

Being a NIBE Pro Partner, means we are trained and accredited by NIBE to install their products.  If you choose us to install your heat pump, as a NIBE Pro Partner,  NIBE will give you a 7 year warranty instead of the 5 year warranty through a NIBE Pro installer.

If you would like to know more about a NIBE installation, call us on 01603 898904.

Yes, UFH can work well with both conventional and renewable heating systems, so you don’t have to change your heating system to have underfloor heating fitted in your home. You can also combine both UFH and radiators within the same system.

To put UFH into just 1 or 2 rooms, in an extension for example, could cost between £2000 -£3000.

It is important to consider the UFH manifold location and how we can connect the manifold to the existing heating system (usually near the boiler)

We do offer an ‘Overlay’ type system that can be laid on your existing floor surface. It is made up from insulation with an aluminium cover and the pipes are installed in to pre cut grooves in the insulation. Our overlay system is 25mm thick. You will then need to install a structural floor covering on top. For example, engineered wood flooring.

Some customers do. We do work with builders and self-builders and will provide a design and supply service. One of the comments that we frequently receive about our amazing installation team is how much underfloor heating they can lay in a day. By the time you have surveyed the design plan, scratched your head, had a cup of tea, half of your ground floor could be covered in pipes! You will find working with us that we are flexible and supportive, but we will be realistic with you.

Yes it can be done, you should be aware retrofitting underfloor heating can be more expensive and a lot more work than installing in a new build property. Considerations need to be given to the floor heights and the first question we’ll ask is how invasive a renovation are you undertaking? What are you doing to your floors? What types of floors do you have? Do you want to end up with a mixed system – retaining radiators in some areas of the house and installing underfloor heating in other parts?

Be reassured the team at R A Brown have in depth knowledge of all the products you need. We have access to some of the finest low profile, pre grooved boards available in Europe today.

The other option to laying the heating pipes on top of the existing floor is to dig up the floor to provide new depth – we do have customers that opt for this. It is messy but can be effective and can mean there are less compromises on design.

Finally, there are other variables and floor structures – such as floorboards – just ask us and we’ll be more than happy to advise you.

At the end of the day – if you choose not to retrofit wet underfloor heating don’t despair – we have hundreds of innovative solutions to offer you – radiators are amazing these days.

Yes. We have various methods of installing UFH to upper floors.

With new builds we can install the pipework on aluminium diffuser plates, installed before the floors are laid on the upper levels.

In existing properties you will need to consider our overlay ufh system that is installed on the existing floors.

These two technologies work together very well. In fact, we decided to start installing heat pumps in 2007 because we already specialised in UFH. They are compatible because they both work best at lower water temperatures. Significantly lower water temperatures than produced by a conventional boiler.

The answer is “No” – heat pumps work perfectly well with radiators – but they must be sized correctly for the lower water temperatures.

No, we can install overlay systems that can have boards and final floor finishes laid on top.

Underfloor heating is zoned as there are optimal lengths of ‘pipe run’. You may have more than one
‘loop’ of pipe in a large room. It is not necessary to have a room thermostat in every area or complex
zoning devices in addition to manifolds.

It is possible to turn the heating down in some areas of the house – such as bedrooms for example.
It is not a good idea to shut off rooms and turn the heating on and off on a regular basis in different
sections of the house.

UFH warms the room gently and continuously, although it is not as responsive as a high temperature system it is a much more comfortable and even heat in the room.

The cost of an Underfloor Heating installation and the price compared with radiators varies from project to project. It is most cost effective to install in a new build project – it is quick to lay and is usually embedded in a screed floor on the ground floor. There are different price options for the screed, a basic sand and cement or a more sophisticated poured screed which conducts the heat more effectively.

There are different options for joists and floorboards with extra equipment such as grooved diffuser plates being required that adds to the cost.

One of the most expensive options is if a retrofit underfloor system requires pre-grooved boards that are low profile and enable floor finishes to be laid directly on top. To put UFH into just 1 or 2 rooms, in an extension for example, could cost between £2000 –
£3000.

As we provide a full design service in-house, we can provide estimates for the different options that you want to consider depending on your budget and your project.

Our overlay system is 25mm (1″) thick. Then you will have to install a finished floor covering.

We recommend that if tiling or placing carpets, then a structural board at least 18mm thick, will need to go on top of the overlay system first.

So your finished floor height in this instance will be 25mm + 18mm + the thickness of your carpet or tile.

The cost of hot water underfloor heating is dependent on the heat source – the boiler or the heat pump. One important factor to bear in mind is that hot water underfloor heating costs less to run when the controls are kept simple.

We will design an underfloor heating system which is controlled to work in the most efficient way. Underfloor heating is more expensive to run if it is heating the thermal mass of the floor from cold.

It runs most effectively and is most energy efficient when it is gently topping up the temperature. This is another reason underfloor heating and heat pumps that work using ‘weather compensation’ work so well together.

Electric underfloor heating is expensive to run as it is of course a form of direct electric heating. If you hear someone saying their underfloor heating is expensive to run it is probably electric (what we call ‘under tile’ heating) that they are referring to.

UFH is laid out in zones that can be controlled separately. For example, each bedroom may want to be a different temperature to the others so they are zoned so that they can be controlled individually.

Low profile UFH systems are marketed to fit on top of your existing floors while increasing the floor height by the lowest amount possible.

It is important to design these systems correctly and they may not suit all properties as the pipes are smaller, they generally have no insulation underneath the pipes and they have to be very carefully installed so as to maintain a long working life with no problems.

It is important to realise that some floor coverings will ‘trap’ more heat under them than others. Thick carpets, deep layers of wood or floorboards, are all good insulators of heat and therefore do not make the best flooring to go on top of your underfloor heating.

Tiles are a good option and will help conduct the heat into the room.

If you tell us the floor covering that you would like to use, at the design stage, then we can take this into account when we calculate the pipe layout.

Hot water underfloor heating means pipes run across the floor attached to a manifold and a boiler or heat pump, electric underfloor heating relies on cables and electricity as the heat source.

Electric underfloor heating provides space heating and works from a direct electrical input and the running costs are much greater than that of a wet underfloor heating system.

We do not directly install or supply electric underfloor heating. We can provide this service through our electrical subcontractors. We specialise in renewable heating options which work most effectively with wet underfloor heating systems.

We will recommend the most suitable room thermostats for your application.

These could be simple dial stats or weather compensating smart stats.

We would only recommend installing low profile systems once accurate heat loss calculations are carried out and the design determines that the energy given by the low profile system will be adequate to heat the room properly.

UFH systems work very well with heat pumps as they are both designed to work efficiently at lower water temperatures.

If installed with a low temperature system such as a heat pump, or a modern condensing boiler, then underfloor heating is a more efficient system then traditional radiators and will save you money.

Work carried out by R A Brown Heating Services Ltd has a 12 month warranty. Many manufacturer products that we install have a warranty that far exceeds this and will take precedence over our warranty.