menu
Location: Midlands (UK)
Project/Case: Frost Protection for Social Housing, Midlands
Year: 2022/2023
Social housing frost protection was required for a regional housing association in the Midlands, UK. During December 2022, overnight temperatures fell as low as -8°C. Tenants then experienced frozen water supply pipes and condensate pipes.
Existing insulation was not enough to prevent the pipes from freezing. Consequently, some homes experienced intermittent water supplies and boiler shutdowns. Pipes also burst when temperatures increased again.
These failures affected access to essential heating and water services. Therefore, the housing association needed a reliable solution before the next cold period. The system had to protect both water supply and condensate pipes.
The association’s electrical contractor initially considered conventional trace heating. However, the expected cost and practical installation requirements made that option less suitable. The contractor therefore looked for a more efficient approach.
Heatcom specified Pipeheat Plus for every affected water supply and condensate pipe. The compact units protected the entire pipe length. They were suitable for installation on both plastic and metal pipes.
Each Pipeheat Plus unit included an integrated temperature sensor. This sensor controlled the heating automatically as temperatures changed. The unit switched on when temperatures reached dangerous levels.
Once the surrounding temperature returned to a safe level, the unit switched off again. Therefore, the system operated only when frost protection was required. This automatic control supported efficient operation throughout the winter.
The contractor connected each unit directly to a switched fuse spur. In addition, the units included 100% earth shielding. This configuration provided RCD protection if a cable became damaged.
Installers reused the existing insulation above the Pipeheat Plus units. This avoided replacing insulation that remained suitable for the installation. As a result, the housing association reduced the overall installation cost.
The completed frost protection for pipes covered both water supplies and boiler condensate lines. It combined integrated temperature sensing, direct spur connections and earth shielding. The installation took place during the 2022 and 2023 winter season.
Temperatures dropped sharply again in January 2023. During this cold period, the Pipeheat Plus units operated as intended. The protected water supply and condensate pipes remained free from frost.
As a result, tenants retained uninterrupted access to their water supplies. Their boilers also continued operating throughout the cold spell. The installation prevented a repeat of the disruption experienced during December.
The social housing frost protection system also delivered a substantial cost advantage. Combined installation and product costs were around one-third of a traditional trace heating system. Therefore, the housing association improved protection while reducing project costs.
The completed installation provided greater security for residents during freezing conditions. Automatic temperature control reduced the need for manual operation. In addition, reusing the existing insulation helped make the project more practical and cost-effective.
In December 2022, tenants in a Midlands-based housing association were facing frozen water supply and condensate pipes during overnight temperatures as low as -8°C. Despite insulation, pipes continued to freeze, leading to intermittent water supply, boiler shutdowns, and burst pipes once temperatures rose.
The housing association’s electrical contractor first considered conventional trace heating but, due to cost and practicality, sought a more efficient solution.
Heatcom specified PipeHeat plus for every water supply and condensate pipe. These compact units provide complete frost protection along the entire length of both plastic and metal pipes.
Each PipeGuard includes a built-in temperature sensor, ensuring automatic, energy-efficient operation by switching on only when temperatures fall to dangerous levels and off again once safe.
To further improve safety, the units were wired directly into switched fuse spurs, with 100% earth shielding to guarantee RCD protection in case of damage. The existing insulation was re-used on top of the PipeGuard, helping to save on installation costs.
When temperatures again dropped sharply in January 2023, the PipeHeat plus operated exactly as intended — keeping all water and condensate pipes frost-free. This ensured tenants had uninterrupted access to both heating and water supply throughout the cold spell.
The overall installation and product costs were around one-third of a traditional trace heating system, delivering both security for residents and significant cost savings for the housing association.
Frost-protection-solution-for-social-housing-pdf-1.pdf
Мы также последовательно стремимся к развитию серьезных и долгосрочных отношений сотрудничества с нашими партнерами и поставщиками. Поэтому Heatcom в первую очередь сотрудничает с людьми.
