Heating

Reform Energy provides comprehensive heating solutions tailored to Devon's diverse property types and climatic conditions. Our offerings include energy-efficient gas, oil, and LPG boiler installations; renewable heating systems including air source heat pumps and biomass boilers; underfloor heating for new-builds and retrofitting projects; smart control systems that optimise heating performance and reduce energy consumption; hot water cylinders and thermal stores designed for both conventional and renewable heat sources; full central heating design and installation; heating system upgrades and modifications; and comprehensive maintenance services. We work with all property types across Devon, from contemporary apartments to period cottages, listed buildings, and commercial premises. Our approach begins with thorough assessment of your specific requirements, considering factors like property construction, insulation levels, hot water demands, and budget constraints. This enables us to recommend heating solutions that deliver optimal comfort, efficiency, and reliability while respecting the unique characteristics of your Devon property.

Devon homeowners can achieve significant heating bill reductions through several approaches that Reform Energy specialises in implementing. Upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler typically delivers 15-30% savings compared to older models, while smart controls with zoning, learning capabilities, and remote access provide further 10-25% reductions through optimised operation. Improving insulation—particularly in lofts, walls, and floors—can reduce heat loss by 25-40%, essential in Devon's older properties. Underfloor heating operates at lower temperatures than radiators, reducing energy consumption by 15-20% when properly installed. For substantial long-term savings, renewable heating systems like air source heat pumps can reduce heating costs by 25-40% compared to conventional systems. Beyond major upgrades, we provide cost-effective optimisation services including heating system balancing, power flushing to improve circulation, radiator reflectors, and smart thermostatic radiator valves. During consultation, we calculate potential savings from different interventions based on your specific property and usage patterns, helping you prioritise improvements that deliver the strongest financial returns alongside enhanced comfort.

Heating older Devon properties efficiently requires carefully balancing performance, heritage considerations, and practical installation constraints. Reform Energy specialises in sympathetic heating solutions for period homes, with our recommendations varying based on specific property characteristics. For listed buildings or properties with limited modification potential, high-efficiency conventional boilers with advanced controls often provide the best balance of efficiency and practicality. When solid walls make insulation challenging, lower-temperature heating systems like properly sized radiators or underfloor heating maximise comfort and efficiency. For properties with sufficient insulation improvements, air source heat pumps offer excellent efficiency and environmental benefits. Our designs often incorporate zoning strategies that allow focused heating of occupied areas while maintaining lower temperatures in rarely-used spaces. We understand Devon's diverse architectural heritage, from cob cottages to Victorian townhouses, tailoring our approach to each property's unique construction and character. Our experience with historic buildings ensures heating improvements enhance comfort while respecting and preserving architectural significance.

For new-build properties in Devon, Reform Energy employs a comprehensive design approach that maximises efficiency, comfort, and future-proofing. We work closely with developers, architects, and self-builders from early planning stages to integrate optimal heating solutions. Our designs prioritise renewable technologies like air source heat pumps that exceed building regulations while delivering lower running costs and reduced environmental impact. For distribution, we typically recommend underfloor heating that provides exceptional comfort with lower operating temperatures, ideal for heat pump efficiency. We incorporate zoned controls allowing independent temperature management throughout the property, with smart systems offering intuitive operation and remote access. Hot water systems are carefully sized based on anticipated demand patterns, with particular attention to recovery rates and insulation levels. Our designs include provision for future technology integration, ensuring flexibility as energy systems evolve. Throughout the process, we balance capital costs with operational efficiency, helping developers and self-builders make informed decisions that deliver both immediate compliance and long-term performance benefits for Devon's new housing stock.

Reform Energy recommends structured maintenance schedules tailored to different heating systems found in Devon properties. Gas and LPG boilers require annual servicing by Gas Safe registered engineers, checking combustion efficiency, gas pressure, flue integrity, and controls functioning. Oil boilers similarly need yearly attention from OFTEC technicians, with additional focus on oil line connections and filters. Air source heat pumps benefit from annual servicing including refrigerant checks, filter cleaning, and control verification. Conventional radiator systems should have occasional bleeding and balancing, while underfloor heating generally requires minimal maintenance beyond annual manifold checks. Hot water cylinders benefit from periodic inspection of valves, anodes (in glass-lined tanks), and expansion vessels. For all systems, comprehensive servicing not only ensures safety and efficiency but also extends equipment lifespan by identifying minor issues before they cause significant problems. Our maintenance plans include scheduled servicing with automated reminders, emergency callout options, and preferential rates for repairs. Many Devon customers choose our comprehensive cover plans that include both routine maintenance and repair costs for complete peace of mind.

Reform Energy provides responsive emergency heating services throughout Devon, with local engineers strategically positioned to ensure rapid response times—typically within 3 hours for vulnerable customers and guaranteed same-day attendance for all emergency calls. Our emergency service operates 7 days a week including evenings and weekends, recognising that heating failures rarely occur during convenient hours. All our engineers carry comprehensive stocks of common parts for major heating systems, enabling first-visit resolution for approximately 85% of emergency calls. For more complex issues, our established supplier networks ensure prompt parts availability throughout Devon. During emergencies, we provide transparent communication about expected arrival times, potential solutions, and anticipated costs. For vulnerable customers or situations involving complete heating loss during cold weather, we provide temporary heating solutions while repairs are arranged. Many Devon property owners choose our maintenance plans that include priority emergency response with no additional callout charges, ensuring peace of mind that help is readily available whenever heating problems occur, particularly important in Devon's more remote rural communities.

Reform Energy installs three primary boiler types across Devon, each suited to different property requirements. Conventional (regular) boilers work with separate cold water tanks and hot water cylinders, ideal for older properties with existing gravity-fed systems, homes with multiple bathrooms requiring simultaneous high water flow, and areas with lower mains water pressure common in parts of rural Devon. System boilers incorporate more components within the boiler unit while still using a separate hot water cylinder, offering simplified installation with less loft space required, good performance for properties with multiple bathrooms, and compatibility with solar thermal systems for water heating. Combi boilers provide instantaneous hot water without tanks or cylinders, making them perfect for smaller Devon properties with limited space, homes with one bathroom, properties requiring minimal maintenance, and situations where maximising usable space is prioritised. Our heating engineers assess your specific requirements including property size, hot water demands, water pressure, and available space before recommending the most appropriate boiler type for your Devon home, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

Reform Energy installs both underfloor heating and radiator systems across Devon, with each offering distinct advantages suited to different property types. Underfloor heating provides more even temperature distribution with gentle, radiant heat that eliminates cold spots; operates at lower temperatures (35-45°C versus 65-75°C for radiators), increasing efficiency particularly with heat pumps; frees wall space enhancing room layout flexibility and aesthetics; produces less air circulation reducing dust movement, beneficial for allergy sufferers; and creates comfortable warm floors, particularly appreciated in Devon's coastal properties with tiled areas. Radiators offer faster warm-up times responding quickly to heating demands; easier installation in existing buildings without significant floor disruption; typically lower initial installation costs though higher running costs; simpler maintenance with accessible components; and effective performance with high-temperature heat sources like conventional boilers. Many of our Devon installations use hybrid approaches, with underfloor heating in extensions, kitchens, and bathrooms combined with radiators in other areas, maximising the benefits of both systems while respecting practical installation constraints in different parts of the property.

Reform Energy specialises in designing heating systems that maximise renewable energy benefits for Devon properties. Low-temperature distribution systems like underfloor heating and properly sized radiators work exceptionally efficiently with air source heat pumps, operating effectively at flow temperatures of 35-45°C versus the 65-75°C required by traditional radiator systems. Thermal stores act as energy buffers, storing heat from inconsistent renewable sources like solar thermal for use when needed, while smart controls optimise renewable contribution by predicting usage patterns and weather conditions, particularly valuable in Devon's variable climate. Battery storage systems enable solar PV to power heating elements or heat pumps during evening periods, extending renewable benefit beyond daylight hours. For larger rural properties, biomass boilers using locally sourced wood fuel provide renewable heating with higher temperature output compatible with conventional distribution systems. Our integrated design approach often combines multiple technologies—such as heat pumps with solar thermal—to maximise renewable contribution throughout the year. For Devon properties transitioning to renewables, we design hybrid systems allowing phased implementation while ensuring components work harmoniously as your system evolves.

Reform Energy designs heating systems for Devon properties with future-proofing as a core principle, ensuring installations remain relevant and efficient as energy technologies and regulations evolve. Our designs incorporate several forward-looking elements: compatibility with renewable technologies, allowing conventional systems to integrate with heat pumps or solar thermal in future; pipework sizing that accommodates lower temperature heating systems even when initially used with conventional boilers; modular designs permitting straightforward upgrades of individual components; smart controls with open protocols enabling integration with emerging home automation systems; and energy monitoring capabilities providing visibility of consumption patterns. We stay informed about forthcoming regulatory changes, including the Future Homes Standard and potential gas boiler phase-out, ensuring current installations align with anticipated requirements. Our consultative approach discusses potential future scenarios with customers, balancing immediate needs with longer-term considerations. For new installations, we frequently implement hybrid systems that combine conventional heating with renewable technologies, creating flexible systems that can evolve as technologies mature and customer priorities develop, ensuring Devon properties remain efficiently heated regardless of how energy policy develops in coming decades.