HIUs (heat interface units) provide domestic hot water and central heating in properties connected to a district heating system using a central boiler.

For some years, there has been an increasing use of centralised boiler plants in property developments. The advantages of removing gas boilers from properties and making use of high efficiency centralised boiler plants are numerous.

However heat networks are only as efficient as the HIUs they connect to, which is why we are proud to present the UKs officially most efficient HIUs, as demonstrated in the first round of independent testing by DECC, and now BESA.

The Range

The following is a roundup of our HIU Range.

	The DIGI The most common form of electronic HIU used on the continent, providing domestic hot water and direct central heating. The simplest and most efficient HIU for all services. Read more   Technical   BIM Files    View on our online store
	The DATA Our most advanced twin plate HIU, The DATA has been independently tested to the new UK standards, achieveing the best efficiency of any HIU tested to date. This is the most common HIU for the UK market.  Read more   Technical   BIM Files   Independent Testing    View on our online store
	The DATA SPLIT Sitting alongside our most advanced twin plate HIU, The DATA SPLIT is based entirely on the DATA HIU using the same components and controls to equal the performance of the DATA, but with the added versatility of externally mounted serviceable components.  Read more   Technical   BIM Files    View on our online store
	The SLIM The smallest HIU available, providing domestic hot water only. The SLIM uses the same technology as the DATA, providing the the most efficient operation of any HIUs in the industry. Read more   Technical   BIM Files    View on our online store
	The ETHER An HIU with a built in Ethernet Switch. Read more   Technical
	The BoilerMASTER Custom specifed High Output HIUs, using a standardised pipework arrangement that provides for all common requirements. The BolerMAJOR is a single plate unit allowing for a combination of direct heating and indirect heating. The direct heating path can be used to drive hot water cylinders. Read more Technical
	The BoilerMAJOR Custom specifed High Output HIUs, using a standardised pipework arrangement that provides for all common requirements. The BolerMAJOR is a twin plate unit allowing for a combination of directheating, indirect heating, and DHW. Read more Technical
	The HEATBANK PANDORA District Advanced domestic thermal storage, providing an easy install pre-fabricated system with twin plate heat exchanger assemblies. The HEATBANK PANDORA requires no discharge pipe or annual maintenance, yet provides very high outputs of hot water, and electric backup of both hot water and central heating. Read more
	The CUPBOARD Custom specifed Modular HIU system, allowing for a combination of services, including hot water, central heating, underfloor heating electrical controls, and modules to cistomers design. Read more

Solving the Problem

Probably the biggest problem with HIUs, and district heating in general, is the heat loss. In order to ensure that hot water is available without delay, all HIUs draw a trickle flow of hot water from the primary supply to overcome heat losses, and in nearly all cases this runs continuously.

The implications of this continuous heat loss is most keenly felt in properties fitted with pre-pay systems, where the user can find their remaining credit drain away needlessly, when the property is unoccupied.

The designers at Thermal Integration have focused a great deal of effort ensuring every possible step is taken to solve this key problem.

Moulded EPP Insulation

One way to reduce the rate of heat loss, is to insulate. The range of Thermal Integration HIUs make use of highly engineered EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) moulded enclosures that encase individual components supporting assemblies and preventing any heat bridging to the environment. Heat losses of under 2W are available, making the drain on energy use less than 1 pence per day.

Economy Mode

Another way to reduce losses is to allow the system to go cold when not in use. The range of electronic HIUs provide an optional Economy Mode whereby the Hip will go cold after one hour of inactivity significantly reducing energy consumption furthers Sterilisation cycles ensure that the system is never left cold for extended periods, to prevent a build-up of Legionella bacteria.

Advanced Heat Exchange

The final way to reduce heat losses, on the district system as a whole, is to run the network at lower temperatures, typically 65C flow and 35C return, with very low temperature drop across the plates. Multi-pass heat exchangers are used to ensure these types of temperature drops can be achieved, while maintaining turbulent flow across the range of outputs.

Security

To simplify the process of securing bolts and access points on HIUs, we make use of unique moulded security clips and caps that once assembled, makes it impossible to access a bolt head or connection nut without breaking the cap.

To secure casings, and any bolted on components that one would like secured, we use a Bolt Security Cap.

Bolts are inserted through the lower part of the security cap assembly, and screwed into position. The upper part is then pushed into the lower part until it locks, at which point the cap cannot be removed, and the screw head cannot be accessed.

Components such as heat meters and security valves require security measures to be fitted to the pipework connections, to prevent their removal from the system without trace. The Meter Security Clips come in various sizes and provide a permanent security fixing that prevents access to connections without breaking the seal permanently.