Smart Solution in Multi-Storey Residential Buildings

Heat interface units for Heating and Drinking Water

Centralised or decentralised drinking water supply - that is the question! For a new building in Berlin with 40 residential units, the property developer opted for the decentralised option: a combined heat and power unit in the basement in combination with heat interface units supplies the units reliably, safely and cost-effectively with heat and hot and cold drinking water. WATTS equipped the building with 40 HIU 2 series heat interface units.

Project Overview

Location and Design

In the Berlin district of Reinickendorf, in the north of the metropolis, a large Berlin housing association planned a building with around 1,800 square metres on four floors. The 40 one- to three-bedroom flats were designed for assisted living and designed to be barrier-free, in some cases even barrier-free.

Efficiency Standard

For the KFW 40 efficiency house, Watts offered heat interface units that enable decentralised and hygienic hot water preparation and optimum hydraulic distribution of heating energy.

Modular Configuration

Tailored Heat Interface Units

Together with the team of experts, the planners configured the decentralised heat interface unit from the HIU2 series, which has a modular design. In Berlin, the HIU 2 HKM was used for mixed heating circuits such as panel heating.

Centralised Heat, Decentralised Water

System Design

The heat is provided centrally, in this case by a combined heat and power plant located in the basement. The central transfer to the underfloor heating takes place via heat interface units in each unit, while the drinking water is heated decentrally according to the continuous flow principle. It only heats the drinking water when it is needed and does not need to be stored.

Resident Benefits

Comfort and Precision

The temperature of the domestic hot water can be adjusted to the exact degree, and the room heat emitted by the underfloor heating is pleasant and cosy.

Flexible System Configuration

Online Configurator Tool

Watts heat interface units have a modular design, meaning they can be flexibly adapted to any requirements in the housing industry and are easy to configure. The WATTS configurator makes this very simple - the online tool is used to select the required heat interface units and components for the project, either individually for each residential unit or as an overall project for all residential units together.

Cabinet Design and Installation

Mounting Options

The matching system cabinets are available in a surface-mounted and flush-mounted version; the flush-mounted version was used in our example property. Thanks to the insulation of the cabinets in accordance with GEG, the heat interface unit only has low heat losses.

Technical Features

Quality and Materials

Fitting pieces for heat and cold water meters are already installed in the heat interface units. All pipes are made of high-quality stainless steel, the fittings are made of brass and are clearly arranged. The heating network circuit is separated from the heating and domestic water circuit by a plate heat exchanger.

Facts and Figures