A private development of low carbon, new build properties has utilised Heat Mat’s electric wall heating to enhance its energy efficiency.
Based on a brownfield site in Sheffield, Little Kelham features over 100 two, three and four-bed apartments, which are being completed in phases of 10. The fourth phase of the project is currently underway.
Working closely with the project’s developer, CITU, and specialist low-energy designer, LEDA, Heat Mat investigated Little Kelham to see how feasible it would be to specify its electric wall heating systems for the new properties.
LEDA calculated heat losses in every room, while Heat Mat provided supporting data. The project’s manager, Paul Brandon, constructed a physical mock-up and tested different scenarios to ensure that electric wall heating would meet the project’s criteria.
Electric wall heating
A mixture of 160W and 200W heat mats have been fitted behind the stud walls – one per bedroom, one per ling room – mounted on board and fixed with tile adhesive. They were then plastered over.
Heating mats are commonly fitted under floors or floor tiling; however, the development required a heating solution for the space within the walls. Radiators were considered by LEDA, but ultimately deemed inappropriate and unfitting with the concept of a digitally-enabled smart home.
By specifying wall heating, Little Kelham is able to provide homeowners with the flexibility to choose the type of flooring they want.
