Heatlink How Does a Heat Interface Unit Work HIU 340x240 - How Does a Heat Interface Unit Work?
10 Feb

Heat Interface Units (HIU) are typically used during the construction of large apartment complexes and social housing projects. Here rather than each property or dwelling being fitted with an individual boiler, a central boiler is used to provide heat and domestic hot water to all dwellings. Here the HIU acts as a bridge between central boiler and heating systems of the individual apartments or properties.
HIUs work through indirect heating, here the units facilitate a separation between the primary (central) and secondary (individual) systems via a plate heat exchanger which transfers thermal energy from a fluid in the primary system to a fluid in the secondary system.
In terms of how the Heat Interface Units are controlled, there are two possible control types, thermostatic and proportional hydraulic. As the team here at Heatlink UK tailor make our Heat Interface Units to ensure the correct performance for our client’s needs, different control types are used depending on the project’s requirements.
However, the majority of HIUs that are deployed at project sites are thermostatic controlled. Thermostatic controlled units have the benefits of a lower initial cost but do have their drawbacks as many users notice fluctuations in water temperatures, though this can be managed by using a fast-responding thermostat.
Proportional hydraulic controlled systems also negate such issues by providing more consistent hot water temperatures, eliminating the need for thermostatic control. This, however, does incur higher initial costs but provide a better user experience due to the stabilisation of water temperatures.
Want to learn more about Heat Interface Units? Why not read our blog on What Exactly is a Heat Interface Unit?
Billing Tariff for Buildings Using Heat interface Units - How Does a Heat Interface Unit Work?

How does billing work for a building using heat interface units?

Here at Heatlink, we have made bill-paying a whole lot easier for our clients and yours, due to our very own meter reading technology. This is designed to automatically read your residents’ meters, whilst simultaneously storing data and saving time and money.

This process enables us to create appropriate tariffs for every individual tenant, which gives everyone fair and affordable bills that can be paid using a variety of methods. These include card payments, cash transfer, cheque, BACS and online banking, which will all be paid into your project’s bank account. This variety provides your customers with payment flexibility, which will make sure that your customers are paying the billed amount on time.

In order to monitor billing payments, we provide statements to you and your consumers, whilst also sending out payment reminder letters to your occupants. This way you can focus on your business, whilst we handle any outstanding debts.

Heat Interface Unit Servicing and Maintenance Heatlink - How Does a Heat Interface Unit Work?

Do heat interface units need servicing?

HIUs require scheduled upkeep in order to operate on a long-term basis. Here at Heatlink, we offer our clients a professional maintenance service on an annual basis, which is designed to monitor your heat interface unit, whilst preventing it from breaking down.

Regular servicing by our qualified engineers will ensure that your HIU is working as efficiently as possible, which will reduce the number of complaints made by your customers and will provide them with an overall better service.