The UK’s leading manufacturer of commercial heating solutions, Ideal Heating, has announced the launch of a new Heat Interface Unit (HIU) designed to support the growth of energy efficient heat networks in the UK.
Ideal Heating
POD is a heat interface unit, designed for use in centralised heat networks, which are forecast meet around 20% of the demand for heating and hot water in buildings by 2050.
Heat networks can be as large as a whole city or as small as a block of flats and offer the opportunity for increased efficiency and reduced emissions by generating thermal energy collectively. They can be powered by a range of heat sources such as gas boilers, heat pumps, Combined Heat and Power engines, biomass or waste heat from industrial or commercial processes.
The POD HIU provides a flexible solution for new build homes, social housing and retrofitting legacy housing stock, because there is no need for flue routes or gas connections to individual properties and the building fabric can usually remain largely unchanged.
POD transfers the thermal energy from the heat network to the heating and hot water systems in dwellings and has a compact, space saving design.
The unit comes in two models:
• POD Indirect is a twin plate appliance to provide complete separation from the heat network for both heating and hot water. Available in nominal hot water outputs of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70kW, with 5kW for heating.
• POD Direct is a single plate appliance, enabling heat from the network directly into the heating system of a dwelling. Hot water is provided indirectly in nominal outputs of 30, 40, 50 & 60kW.
Darren Finley, Chief Commercial Officer – Commercial Products at Ideal Heating, said: “With gas boilers in new build homes banned from 2025, forward-thinking developers are looking for energy efficient alternatives. POD can be used in large district networks, which may cover several connected buildings, or smaller community networks, which may only incorporate a single multi-occupancy building.
“They are easy to maintain and service and heat networks can realise lower emissions, greater efficiency and therefore lower bills, effectively futureproofing a development for both those running and inhabiting it.”
Heat networks are energy agnostic, so are not reliant on traditional fuel types, and will be an important element in the range of efficient heating solutions we’ll need to employ to achieve net zero.
POD gives end users more control over their comfort and energy use than if they were connected directly to a heat network, is easy to use, efficient, compact and low maintenance.
For the developer or landlord, POD and a heat network provide a means to meet carbon reduction targets, integrate renewable energy sources and therefore achieve better SAP and SBEM ratings.
Ideal Heating considered the needs of contractors and installers at every stage of the product development, prioritising ease of install and servicing.
POD is compatible with Ideal Heating’s Halo Lite smart thermostat, with an easy and intuitive design featuring a backlit colour screen with large text and icons, and simple dial and button controls.
Since it was founded in 1906, Ideal Heating has drawn on its history of providing quality heating products and has built a reputation for both reliability and innovation.
The business has also invested in the formation of a dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) division, which specialises in developing products at the forefront of heating control technology.
