Better heating solutions for warmer, drier homes: design, installation and maintenance.
With smart design and the right products, you can have comfort and warmth throughout your home.
Whether it is water heating, home heating or warming up a commercial premise, we have a range of solutions that maximise warmth and minimise running costs.
For clever heating solutions and ideas, have a look at some of our recent projects.
Services
Heating
Staying warm and dry is the secret to a happy, healthy home. With smart design and appropriate products for your home you can be sure you will have comfort and warmth throughout the home and not just one room.
Plumbing
We specialise in plumbing, drain laying and gas fitting for new builds or renovations. We offer advice, design and installation for systems connected to town supplies or off the mains systems.
Solar
Central Otago is blessed with some of the best sunlight hours in New Zealand, this allows us to provide solar energy systems to match energy requirements, supply rapid return on investment and lower carbon footprints.
Central Heating
Radiators
Steel radiators are fixed low on the wall. Heated water flows through the radiators, heating the air in the room.
Advantages:
- Rapid reheat time – a room with a radiators can go from 5° to 20° is about an hour.
- Temperature is individually controlled per radiator, which saves heating a whole area or zone and reduces running costs.
- Overall system easily controlled as radiators can be switched on and off via a thermostatic timeclock, or through a smartphone app.
- Can be environmentally friendly heating if the water heating source is solar, wetback or heat pump with solar PV.
Suited for: Particularly suited for homes requiring central heating with rapid reheat times and specific rooms to be heated.
Install cost: Less than underfloor heating.
Running cost: Generally lower than UFH as run for shorter periods of time.
Maintenance: Dependent on water heat source, generally annual servicing required.
Time to heat: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Retrofit or newbuild: Both
Water heat source: Boiler, Heat Pump, Groundsource, Wetback or Solar
Heat profile: Controlled, radiant heat where radiators situated.
Underfloor Heating
Underfloor pipework is laid in the structural concrete, with low temperature water flowing through the pipes. The pipes heat the slab which radiates heat upwards through the floor.
Advantages:
- Ambient, pleasant heat which is conducted through your body from the floor.
- Steady temperature as underfloor works most efficiently (and cost effectively) when left on permanently at a low temperature, rather than switching on and off.
- Easily controlled as temperatures are set per zone with thermostatic and/or timeclock controls – can be controlled through a smartphone app.
- Can be environmentally friendly heating if the water heating source is solar, wetback or heat pump with solar PV.
Suited for: Particularly suited for homes maintaining a steady, controlled temperature.
Install cost: Higher than radiators.
Running cost: Generally higher than radiators due to longer running periods.
Maintenance: Dependent on water heat source, generally annual servicing required.
Time to heat: 2-3 hours to heat floor, approximately 3 hours to heat room.
Retrofit or newbuild: Both
Water heat source: Boiler, Heat Pump, Groundsource, Wetback or Solar
Heat profile: Steady, ambient heat throughout entire home.
Wood Fire
Traditionally one of New Zealand’s most popular heating choices, using wood as fuel for heat source.
Advantages:
- Cost effective heating option for small-medium areas. Various heat outputs available to suit size of home.
- Modern burners are relatively efficient and environmentally friendly – check local council requirements for emission rates.
- Can have a wetback installed to heat hot water.
- Don’t require electricity to run – a reliable heat/cooking source in the event of a powercut.
- Can be used in conjunction with a heat transfer kit to spread the heat throughout the house.
- Models available with direct air vent feeds so air tightness is not compromised for air tight homes.
- Low maintenance.
Suited for: Suitable for any home.
Install cost: Low.
Running cost: Low – cost of wood.
Maintenance: Annual chimney sweeping.
Time to heat: 30 minutes.
Retrofit or newbuild: Both
Water heat source: Wood
Heat profile: Less controlled heat, tends to focus in one room unless used with heat transfer system.
Gas Fire
Alternative to a wood fire, using gas as fuel for heat source.
Advantages:
- Heating option for small-medium areas. Various heat outputs available to suit size of home.
- Various designs available to provide ambience and heat without the need for firewood.
- Can be used with reticulated gas or gas bottle station.
- Can be used in conjunction with a heat transfer kit to spread the heat throughout the house.
Suited for: Suitable for any home.
Install cost: Low
Running cost: Medium – cost of gas.
Maintenance: Annual service by technician recommended.
Time to heat: Instant.
Retrofit or newbuild: Both
Water heat source: Gas
Heat profile: Controlled, radiant heat focused in one room.
Heated Towel Rails
Hydronic, rather than traditional electric elements.
Advantages:
- Provides modest radiated heat for bathroom comfort.
- Easily be turned on and off and temperature adjusted individually.
- Connected into main central heating system.
- Can be environmentally friendly heating if the water heating source is solar, wetback or heat pump with solar PV.
Suitable for: any home with central heating e.g. radiators or underfloor.
Water heat source: Only requires small amount of heated water so most sources sufficient.
Download brochure on heated towel rails including technical specifications.
Water Heating
Water heating solutions for your existing system or a new build.
Whether you’re trying to improve your existing system or need a complete solution for a new build, we’ll advise you on the best options for your requirements, considering both cost and efficiency. Like your room heating, the design and implementation of your water heating at a very early stage of the planning process is critical. Deciding factors often include: installation cost vs running and maintenance costs; use (domestic supply and/or central heating); and environmental impact.
Gas & Diesel Boilers
WHAT: Gas and diesel boilers work by burning fuel to heat water, which is transferred into domestic hot water storage and/or through central heating pipework.
WHY: Energy efficient, reliable source of heating.
Running costs are relatively low (depending on fuel prices) and capital cost to install is less than a heat pump.
WHO: Particularly suitable as a combined water heater for central heating and domestic hot water.
Install cost: Medium.
Running cost: Medium – cost of gas or diesel.
Maintenance: Annual servicing recommended.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Gas Combi Boiler
WHAT: A Gas Combi Boiler is a combined gas boiler for central heating and instantaneous gas water heater for domestic hot water.
WHY: Energy efficient, reliable source of heating.
Running costs are relatively low (depending on fuel prices) and capital cost to install is less than a heat pump.
Negates the need for a domestic hot water cylinder.
WHO: Particularly suitable as a combined water heater for central heating and domestic hot water.
Install cost: Medium.
Running cost: Medium – cost of gas.
Maintenance: Annual servicing recommended.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Air-water Heat Pump
WHAT: An Air-Water Heat Pump works by extracting heat from the outside air and converts the energy to heat water.
WHY: Highly efficient – initial set up cost is more but running costs are comparatively low.
Environmentally friendly – doesn’t use fossil fuels to run. Can be used in combination with Solar PV system to offset power requirements.
Works even when outside air temperature is as low as -15° outside.
WHO: Run most efficiently when heating water at a low temperature, so best suited for underfloor central heating.
Install cost: High.
Running cost: Comparatively low – cost of electricity (high efficiency)
Maintenance: Annual servicing recommended.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Rotex Sanicube (Thermal Store)
WHAT: An advanced water heater and water storage unit combined, the Rotex stores 500L of water. Set up can be customised allowing for integrated heating and energy solutions.
WHY: 90mm thick insulation results in excellent heat insulation values. Hot water can be stored up to 5 days, maximising efficiency.
Water can be heated via a boiler or heat pump and introduced via heat exchanger, or electric, solar or wetback coils can be integrated.
Coils can be retrofitted and replaced if required.
WHO: Excellent option for central heating systems when larger amounts of hot water required, or integrated systems using solar collectors. Also used as an upgrade from a standard electric hot water cylinder for domestic hot water supply.
Install cost: Medium.
Running cost: Dependent on set up.
Maintenance: Dependent on set up.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Continuous Flow Gas Water Heater
WHAT: Works by burning gas to heat water as it flows through the unit, on a supply and demand basis. Can be located internally or externally.
WHY: Provides unlimited hot water. Quick to heat up.
Cost effective to run as hot water doesn’t need to be stored.
Can install multiple units in larger properties so hot water can be provided quickly in different areas.
WHO: Suited for domestic hot water supply.
Install cost: Low.
Running cost: Medium – cost of gas.
Maintenance: Nil – filter cleaning recommended.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Domestic Only.
More information: Visit Rinnai website (manufacturer)
Wetback
WHAT: A wetback is a pipework system installed behind the fire which heats water as it travels through the pipes. The hot water circulates through a wetback coil in the cylinder, to heat the stored water. Can be installed with specific fires.
WHY: Heat your water and your home at the same time – use excess energy by converting it to hot water.
Inexpensive and environmentally friendly water heating.
WHO: Particularly suited for smaller water heating requirements e,g domestic hot water or a few radiators.
Install cost: Low.
Running cost: Low.
Maintenance: Nil.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Suitable for radiators.
Wood Boiler
WHAT: A wood boiler/stove is a fire with a wraparound ‘jacket’ which water is heated through. This means the water is heated over a larger surface area than wetback pipework.
WHY: Heat your water and your home at the same time – use excess energy by converting it to hot water.
Powerful, quick to heat and efficient – can run up to 10 radiators while providing radiant heating.
Inexpensive and environmentally friendly water heating.
Very low maintenance and simple design.
WHO: Can only be used in rural or rural residential zones to comply with clean air standards.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Solar Collector Panels
WHAT: Panels on roof collect heat which is then transferred to pipework circuit/solar coil in hot water storage unit. The heat is then transferred from the hot water in coil to the water being stored.
WHY: Environmentally friendly water heating.
Very low cost to run.
WHO: Suitable for domestic hot water supply as a source of water heating with backup required (supply will fluctuate depending on sunlight hours).
Hybrid panels which produce power and hot water are available. These are extremely efficient panels (83%) providing much hotter water. Excessive for standard domestic use, these panels are suitable for ground source heating e.g. for accommodation.
Technosolis solar collector panels are available specifically for swimming pool heating.
Install cost: High.
Running cost: Low.
Maintenance: Annual Servicing Required.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Groundsource (Geothermal) Heating
WHAT: Ground source (geothermal) heating works by water flowing through a series of pipes run below ground. The natural ground temperature heats the water which then passes through a heat pump to increase the temperature to a point it can be used for central heating and/or domestic hot water.
WHY: Environmentally friendly water heating.
Heat pump is highly efficient method of water heating making the system comparatively very low cost to run with a higher capital cost.
Cost to run heat pump could be offset with Solar PV.
WHO: Excellent for lodges, accommodation etc, or for environmentally friendly projects. Suitable for central heating and/or domestic hot water.
Install cost: Very high.
Running cost: Comparatively low – cost of electricity (high efficiency)
Maintenance: Annual Servicing Recommended.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Hot Water Cylinder
WHAT: Water storage unit that can be fitted with various coils for water heating options, including electric (standard) and solar and/or wetback. Available in various sizes to suit.
WHY: Suitable for low or mains pressure water systems
Simple and low maintenance
Lowest priced water heater
Electricity use can be offset with solar PV panels.
WHO: Hot Water Cylinders are generally necessary for hot water storage in all homes (unless continuous gas is being used).
Install cost: Low.
Running cost: Medium – cost of electricity.
Maintenance: Nil.
Central Heating or Domestic Supply: Both.
Download brochure and technical specifications.
Heating Maintenance
Your heating system requires regular maintenance to run well.
Just like your car, your heating system requires regular maintenance to run well. We recommend booking an annual service by one of our heating technicians, particularly if the system has had limited use over the summer months.
Post-installation, Optum provides you with a customised manual explaining your system set-up, followed by a heating walk-through to demonstrate the system’s operation in person. Your system and maintenance history will be recorded in Optum’s maintenance database, so you’ll receive a reminder notice when the next service is due.
Why book a regular service?
Certain maintenance can be taken care of by the property owner, using the appliance manual and guidance from our technician. Note that a regular service by a qualified technician is still required.
Re-fuelling: The owner organises re-fuelling of diesel or gas if required. We can point you in the right direction of a supplier.
Topping Up: The natural process of evaporation means the system will need topping up with water on occasion; this is a simple task that can easily be done by the owner.
Monitor Performance: Let us know as soon as possible if something isn’t working as it should, so we can prioritise the work before winter. Confirm your annual service as soon as possible after you receive your reminder.
What's involved in a service?
Services are charged at Optum’s current hourly rate, plus materials.