Surveyors need to be well versed in the different types of space and water heating systems, up to date with modern trends, and advise their customers how this will impact their home ownership. Chartered Surveyor Daniel Stephens reports on the return of the Communal Heating System.
I recently completed a snagging inspection at a new build apartment in Hackney, London, E8, which had a central communal heating system. Unlike the old pre-war communal heating systems, this modern system comprises a central gas fired boiler, which pumps hot water to each property, via very well insulated pipework.
Surveyors need to be well versed in the different types of space and water heating systems, up to date with modern trends, and advise their customers how this will impact their home ownership. Chartered Surveyor Daniel Stephens reports on the return of the Communal Heating System.
I recently completed a snagging inspection at a new build apartment in Hackney, London, E8, which had a central communal heating system. Unlike the old pre-war communal heating systems, this modern system comprises a central gas fired boiler, which pumps hot water to each property, via very well insulated pipework.
Within each of the apartments is a heat exchanger unit (which looks very much like a boiler minus the flue). The heat exchanger can either pump the hot water directly through the radiators, or another option is to transfer heat from the central supply to a secondary circuit, which is then pumped around the radiators.
Hot water is either on demand with fresh water taking heat from the central supply (via a heat exchanger) or alternatively using a traditional hot water tank, which again takes heat via the heat exchanger then to the coil. All very clever stuff.
I anticipate this type of system will become more and more attractive, as it is considered more efficient and therefore it will give better “Code For Sustainable Homes” ratings (which is now often a planning requirement).
However, purchasers must be aware that they are tied in to this type of system, energy is metered and payment made to the provider. You cannot switch to a cheaper fuel provider and therefore you are reliant on the provider themselves to remain competitive. Your legal adviser will need to ascertain how servicing costs are met, proportionate to use or a charge fixed similar to other services. For those letting and on the plus side, there are no gas safety checks required for individual apartments, as there is no gas supply (unless for, say, a gas hob).
I advise my clients to investigate former and anticipated costs closely, to make sure the installed system is indeed the excellent Green and financial benefit it promises to be.
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