Underfloor heating specialists Gaia have designed, supplied and installed state-of-the-art electric underfloor heating in Nottinghamshire’s pioneering eco housing development Howgate Close.
One of Gaia’s latest projects, Howgate Close provides local people who have been priced out of home-ownership with high quality rented homes, offering low running costs, low maintenance and access to the open countryside.
“It’s an honour to have worked on such a progressive development which has sustainability at its heart. As providers of energy efficient underfloor heating, it was great to be part of a project which aligns with what our product delivers”, says Steven Rooney, Director at Gaia Underfloor Heating.
Located at the western gateway to the Nottinghamshire village of Eakring, Howgate Close was conceived by its owner, Dr Chris Parsons, as a ‘replicable rural housing solution’.
“Howgate Close offers a new style of communal living. This is a replicable model that can provide both rural housing and wood pastures for every village in the country”, says Dr Chris Parsons.
Granted planning permission by Newark & Sherwood District Council in July 2018, the nine-house settlement addresses some of society’s most pressing issues, such as the rural housing shortage, climate change, soil restoration and biodiversity.
However, one of the key benefits for its residents is undoubtedly the energy efficiency of the dwellings, which all feature electric underfloor heating as a back-up to the energy generated from 138 roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels.
“With its simple installation, space-saving benefits and energy efficiency, electric underfloor heating was the perfect choice for Howgate Close. Its ability to significantly reduce energy consumption – and lower people’s monthly bills – places underfloor heating at the top for low-carbon heating”, adds Steven.
With exceptional Design SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) Ratings of 131A and 143A, the one- and two-bed dwellings are rated in the top 0.01% of the 14 million registered Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in the UK.
“Based on the fossil fuel free operation and renewable energy provisions, Howgate Close has the capabilities to supply another neighbourhood of the same size with the required energy – a truly remarkable renewable energy achievement”, says Dr Jerry Harrall, Technical Consultant on the Howgate Close project.
Gaia specialise in the design, supply and installation of underfloor heating for residential, commercial and industrial projects across the UK and Ireland. Trusted by architects, contractors, M&E consultants, builders and developers, they have worked with some of the UK’s leading housing developers.
“We have extensive experience working with small- and large-scale housing developments across the UK and are proud to have already provided underfloor heating to a vast number of residents. Underfloor heating is fast becoming the number one choice for heating new-builds, a trend we believe is only going to continue growing” concludes Steven.
For more information about Gaia, visit www.gaia.co.uk.