Domestic heating system and enclosure

Abstract

An enclosure 10 is for installation outdoors, externally of a domestic building. The enclosure houses a thermal store 14 (e.g. hot water cylinder, sand thermal store, phase change material) and a heat

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a domestic heating system and an enclosure for housing a domestic heating system. BACKGROUND The typical method for heating and providing hot water to a home is to provide boiler equipment (such as a gas combi boiler), heat pumps and / or hot water cylinders in a dedicated space within the domestic dwelling, such as a plant room or airing cupboard. However, such a conventional arrangement typically takes up valuable real estate within the domestic property which could be used for other purposes. These heating systems are also typically costly and time consuming to install. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the invention provides an enclosure for a domestic heating system, the enclosure defining an interior, and configured to house a thermal store of the domestic heating system in its interior, the thermal store arranged to provide hot water to a domestic building, the enclosure comprising an exterior surface and configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building. The enclosure may be installed in a garden on the domestic building, for example. The hot water provided by the thermal store may be clean and / or potable, i.e. safe for human consumption. An enclosure containing a domestic heating system installed outside the domestic building is faster and less expensive to install, while freeing up valuable space inside the building, when compared to typical heating and hot water systems installed inside the domestic building. In other words, the domestic heating system housed in the enclosure comprises a thermal store. The enclosure may have four sidewalls, a roof and a floor. The enclosure may alternatively have more than four sidewalls, a roof and a floor, or fewer than four sidewalls, a roof and a floor, for example making use of curved surfaces. The enclosure may be installed against an exterior wall of the domestic building such that it abuts the exterior wall, or it may be installed away from the external wall of the domestic building. The enclosure may include one or more ports / connections to enable connection of the domestic heating system to the relevant system(s) within the domestic building. The one or more ports / connections may include a heating outlet; a heating inlet; a cold water outlet; a cold water inlet; a domestic hot water outlet; one or more drainage ports; wired communications and / or a power supply. The wired communications may share the same port as the power supply. A domestic building is a building / dwelling in which one or more people may reside and live. Examples of typical domestic buildings include houses or flats. The thermal store may comprise one or more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; an open vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal store; a pressurised water store; and a sand thermal store. The enclosure may be further configured to house a heat source of the domestic heating system in its interior, the heat source arranged to provide heat to the domestic building. In other words the domestic heating system housed in the enclosure additionally comprises a heat source. Alternatively or additionally, the enclosure may be configured such that it enables the domestic heating system housed therein to be connected to an external heat source. The heat source of the domestic heating system may comprise one or more of: an air source heat pump; a ground source heat pump; a district heating network heat source; and one or more Joule heating systems. The domestic heating system housed within the enclosure may contain any one of these components, or multiple of these components. For example, the enclosure may contain one air source heat pump and three Joule heating systems. The enclosure may be formed from a plurality of interlocking panels, such that the interior is sealed from rain, wind and debris. In other words, the plurality of interlocking panels may cooperate and interlock with one another to form a seal, the seal preventing rain, wind and / or debris from entering the interior of the enclosure. The exterior surface of the enclosure may be formed by the interlocking panels, specifically the surfaces of the interlocking panels that face outwardly, away from the interior. One or more of each the plurality of interlocking panels may be fully or partially removable, detachable or hingedly affixed, so as to enable access to the interior. The exterior surface may comprise powder coated steel. The interlocking panels may be formed from powder coated steel. Specifically, the powder coated steel may be powder coated stainless steel or powder coated galvanised steel. The enclosure may comprise a drainage system configured to enable liquids to escape the enclosure. These liquids may be from pressure or temperature relief valves, and / or from deicing of an evaporator for an air source heat pump. These liquids may alternatively or 2 additionally be from one or more circuits of the domestic heating system such as water contained in a heating circuit - for example, the liquid may be drained for maintenance to be performed. The enclosure may comprise a locking mechanism, wherein unlocking the locking mechanism enables access to the interior of the enclosure and locking the locking mechanism prevents or restricts access to the interior of the enclosure. The enclosure may comprise more than one locking mechanism, wherein locking one of the more than one locking mechanisms prevents or restricts access to a portion of the interior of the enclosure. The enclosure may comprise one or more mesh grilles configured to limit access to the interior by children and small animals. The one or more mesh grilles may cover air ports and / or liquid ports. Each of the one or more mesh grilles may have a surface configured to be easily wipeable and cleanable, so as to remove any dirt, debris or any other kind of blockage from the mesh grille. The enclosure may comprise thermal insulation configured to reduce heat loss from the enclosure and / or to maintain the temperature of the exterior surface below an acceptable threshold temperature. Maintaining the temperature of the exterior surface below a threshold temperature ensures that any person touching the exterior surface is safe from being burned, for example. Locating a domestic heating system outside the domestic building is counterintuitive, as it is foreseeable that energy would be lost to the environment through heat loss, for instance. Use of insulation in the enclosure provides the advantage of reducing this potential heat loss. The thermal insulation comprises one or more of: PU foam; vacuum insulation (for example, a vacuum insulation panel (VIP)); polystyrene; aerogel; and expanded polypropylene (EPP). The thermal insulation may comprise a combination of any of these. The enclosure may comprise acoustic insulation configured to reduce noise from components housed in the interior. The enclosure may comprise in its interior, one or more anti-vibration mounting features, configured to allow one or more components to be mounted in the interior and to ensure that vibrations produced by the one or more mounted components are not transmitted externally to the enclosure, in the form of noise or otherwise (or that said vibrations are substantially attenuated). The anti-vibration mounting features may also ensure that the one or more components are substantially isolated from external vibrations. . The enclosure may be formed of one or more modular / sectional parts, each of the one or more modular / sectional parts configured to connect to one or more further modular / sectional parts. The enclosure may comprise two modular parts, the first modular part configured to house the thermal store of the domestic heating system and the second modular part configured to house the heat source of the domestic heating system. The first modular part may also house one or more heat sources in addition to the thermal store, in addition to the heat source (or heat sources) housed in the second modular part. The enclosure may comprise at its interior, one or more anchor points configured to support and affix one or more components of the domestic heating system to the enclosure. These anchor points may be the anti-vibration mounting features discussed above. The anchor points may also include a mounting built directly into the inner skin of the enclosure, for mounting an electronics board. Another example of these anchor points are specifically designed brackets for mounting expansion vessels to the inside wall of the enclosure. The enclosure may be of a size and shape where it can be loaded onto, and delivered to an installation site using, a pallet. A second aspect of the invention provides a domestic heating system comprising: an enclosure defining an interior; a thermal store located in the interior, configured to provide domestic hot water to a domestic building; wherein the domestic heating system is configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building. The enclosure may have four sidewalls, a roof and a floor, and may be configured to be installed against an exterior wall of the domestic building. The enclosure may alternatively have more than four sidewalls, a roof and a floor, or fewer than four sidewalls, a roof and a floor, for example making use of curved surfaces. The thermal store may comprise one or more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; and open vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal storage; a pressurised water storage; and a sand thermal storage. The domestic heating system may further comprise a heat source located in the interior, configured to provide heat to the domestic building. The heat source may comprise an air source heat pump. The air source heat pump may transfer thermal energy from air to water, or it may alternatively transfer thermal energy from air to another fluid. The enclosure may comprise a separated path for airflow through the enclosure, for use by the air source heat pump. The separated path for airflow through the enclosure may be fluidly separated from space containing components of the domestic heating system. The separated path for airflow may be fluidly connected to the external environment. The separated path for airflow may be fluidly connected to the external environment through one or more mesh grilles. The heat source may comprise one or more of: a ground source heat pump; a district heating network; and one or more Joule heating systems. The domestic heating system housed within the enclosure may contain any one of the above-mentioned components, or multiple of these components. For example, the enclosure may contain one air source heat pump and three Joule heating systems. The domestic heating system may further comprise one or more heating control devices located in the enclosure. The one or more heating control devices may comprise one or more of: water pumps; control valves; temperature control devices; pressure control devices; and water flow rate devices. The domestic heating system may further comprise one or more safety mechanisms located in the enclosure. The one or more safety mechanisms may comprise one or more of: expansion vessels; pressure relief valves; and temperature relief valves. A third aspect of the invention provides a method of installing the domestic heating system of the second aspect, comprising the steps of removing a pre-existing hot water cylinder from the domestic building; and re-routing a pre-existing piping network so as to connect the domestic heating system to the domestic building, such that the domestic heating system may provide domestic hot water to the domestic building. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the enclosure of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the enclosure of Figure 1 and an external heat pump; Figure 4 is an exploded view of an enclosure according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a cross-section view of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a domestic heating system according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a fluid circuit diagram of a domestic heating system according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows an enclosure 10 for a domestic heating system. The enclosure 10 defines an interior, in which components of the domestic heating system are housed, when installed. The enclosure has an exterior surface, and is formed from a plurality of interlocking panels 12. Each of the interlocking panels 12 is connected to one or more adjacent interlocking panels or to an internal support structure, such as a support frame. Each of the interlocking panels 12 may be affixed to adjacent panels or to the support structure by any typical connection means, such as by screws, bolts, welding, or a snap-fit connection, for example. Because the interlocking panels are firmly affixed together, they are able to provide greater rigidity and resilience to external forces. Any number of the interlocking panels 12 may be fully or partially removable, fully or partially detachable or hingedly affixed, so as to enable access to the interior by a user or maintenance engineer, for example. These panels which can be partially or completely removed may have a locking mechanism to keep them closed when the interior does not need to be accessed, during regular use for example. This locking mechanism may comprise a latch, keypad, electronic lock, or a lock accessed by a key, for example. The exterior surface is typically made from powder coated steel. However, the exterior surface may alternatively be made from any other suitable material that is suitable for installation in an outdoor environment. The enclosure 10 is configured to be installed outside, and external to a domestic building. The enclosure 10 houses a domestic heating system, which is arranged to operate on behalf of the domestic building. The domestic building is typically a domestic house, but it may also be a domestic flat or any other domestic dwelling in which one or more people may reside and live, for example. A domestic building defines one or more interior spaces within the external walls of the domestic building, typically in the form of one or more rooms. The external walls separate the interior spaces from the outside environment, and the external side of the external walls are exposed to the elements. The enclosure 10 is configured to be installed on the external side of the external walls, i.e. on the side that is exposed to the elements. As can be seen, the enclosure has one or more curved panels, resulting in a curved exterior surface. This curved shape offers the advantage that there are fewer sharp corners and edges on the enclosure, reducing the risk of harm to people in the vicinity, for example children running in the vicinity of the enclosure - this example may present itself if the enclosure is installed in a garden on the domestic building, for instance. The enclosure may have a height in the range of 0.75-1.5m, preferably 0.9-1.0m, and more preferably 0.9m. The enclosure may have a length in the range of 1.5-2.2m, preferably 1.8-2.0m, and more preferably 1.8m. The enclosure may have a depth of 0.5-1.0m, preferably 0.5-0.6m, and more preferably 0.57m. If the enclosure is configured so that it does not include an integral air source heat pump, the length may be reduced, and possibly significantly reduced. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the enclosure 12 of Figure 1, showing the interior and the domestic heating system housed therein. As can be seen, the domestic heating system comprises a thermal store 14. The thermal store in this embodiment is a domestic hot-water cylinder. It may specifically be an open vented hot-water cylinder or an unvented hot-water cylinder. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal store may be a domestic hot-water store (not necessarily a cylindrical shape), specifically an open vented hot-water store or an unvented hot-water store. Alternatively or additionally still, the thermal store may comprise phase change material, a ceramic thermal store, a pressurised water store or a sand thermal store. The thermal store provides hot water to the domestic building. The domestic heating system of Figure 2 also optionally comprises one or more Joule heating sources located in the interior of the enclosure. The one or more Joule heating sources are arranged to provide heat to the domestic building. This is achieved by heating a fluid that is passed through emitters in the domestic building that transfer the heat to the residential space. The domestic heating system also comprises one or more heating control devices, such as water pumps, control valves, temperature control devices, pressure control devices, and water flow rate devices. Each of the components of the domestic heating system are mounted within the interior of the enclosure 10. Specifically, the components are mounted using one or more antivibration mounting features, which act to reduce acoustic noise / transmission from the components of the domestic heating system to the external environment, which would be caused by vibrations of the components. Additionally, the enclosure is fitted with acoustic insulation, comprising acoustic attenuating materials, so as to reduce the transmission of acoustic noise. This acoustic insulation may include polystyrene, polyurethane (PUR), polypropylene (EPP), polyethylene (PE), melamine, nitrile, an open cell foam or a closed cell foam, for example, or any combination of these. Acoustic insulation may be provided around a fan of the domestic heating system, for example. A domestic heating system constructed in this manner is able to operate more quietly, with less noise pollution. The anti-vibration mounting features also ensure that the components are mounted in the interior while being substantially isolated from external vibrations. For example, if the enclosure experiences an impact force, such as someone accidentally knocking or bumping into the enclosure, the vibrations caused by the impact will be substantially dampened such that the interior components of the domestic heating system will experience a substantially reduced, or zero, effect from the vibrations. The domestic heating system also comprises one or more safety mechanisms, such as expansion vessels, pressure relief valves, and temperature relief valves. The domestic heating system shown in Figure 2 is configured to connect to the existing pipework of the domestic building. In this manner, the enclosure and domestic heating system can be retrofitted to a building previously having an internal domestic heating system, such as a gas-combi boiler. The enclosure is fitted with thermal insulation, such as PU foam, vacuum insulation, polystyrene and / or aerogel. The thermal insulation may be fitted in each of the interlocking panels 12, and / or it may be fitted in the interior of the enclosure, surrounding the components of the domestic heating system. This thermal insulation reduces the heat loss from the domestic heating system to the outside environment. It also ensures that the 8 touch temperature of the exterior of the enclosure is maintained below an acceptable threshold temperature, i.e. a temperature that is safe for a human being to touch. This threshold may be 55°C or lower, for example. Preferably the threshold may be 41°C or lower. The enclosure illustrated in Figure 2 comprises a back wall 16 which is substantially planar, such that the enclosure may be installed against a planar wall of a domestic building. However, the back wall 16 or any of the surfaces of the enclosure may be curved or otherwise non-planar in construction. As shown in Figure 3, the enclosure and domestic heating system can be used alongside a separate, external heat pump 20, such as an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump. In this embodiment, the domestic heating system is connected to the separate heat pump 20. The heat pump 20 provides heat to the domestic building. The heat pump 20 may be controlled in part or completely by one or more of the control mechanisms of the domestic heating system, and the heat pump 20 may be connected to, and make use of, the one or more safety mechanisms of the domestic heating system, if required. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which an enclosure 100 contains a domestic heating system comprising a thermal store 104 and a heat source. The enclosure comprises two modular parts and the components of the domestic heating system are housed respectively in each of these two modular parts. The first modular part 108 contains the heat source -this heat source is typically an air source heat pump. However, it may alternatively or additionally comprise a ground source heat pump, a district heating network heat source, one or more Joule heating systems, or any combination of these. The second modular part 110 comprises the thermal store 104 as discussed above with respect to Figure 2. The two modular parts will typically be individually constructed and assembled offsite, with their respective contents, and combined with one another onsite at the domestic building. However, the enclosure may all be assembled offsite, or all onsite, or any degree inbetween. Similarly, although an enclosure having two modular parts is shown, it will be appreciated that an enclosure having only a single part, containing all of the components of the domestic heating system, may be provided. Alternatively, an enclosure having more than two modular parts may be provided, each comprising any number of components of the domestic heating system. The modular parts may be affixed to one another by any typical connection means, such as by screws, bolts, or welding, for example. The enclosure also comprises a number of mesh grilles 112. The mesh grilles 112 cover air ports and / or water ports that offer drainage of fluids from the interior of the enclosure. This may include water from pressure and temperature relief valves, or from de-icing of an evaporator for an air source heat pump, for example. They may also offer an escape for rain water which enters the enclosure. The mesh grilles 112 ensure that the ports do not get covered or blocked by dirt or debris, by being easy to wipe clean. As can be seen, each of the mesh grilles 112 is positioned in the same plane as the surrounding panel in which it is fitted, ensuring that its surface can be easily wiped, with a cloth for example. The mesh grilles 112 are typically made from an easily wipeable material, such as stainless steel, either etched or in the form of a perforated plate. The mesh grilles 112 are typically affixed to the enclosure from the inside, such as by using screws or clips to affix them in place. Generally no screws would be visible or accessible from the outside. In addition to ensuring that the air and water ports do not get covered or blocked, the mesh grilles 112 also protect the interior and internal components from small animals such as rodents or birds attempting to enter the enclosure. The mesh grilles 112 also protects said small animals from any moving parts in the interior of the enclosure, as well as protecting any small children that may be playing in the vicinity of the enclosure. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an airflow pathway within an enclosure in accordance with an embodiment. The arrows indicate typical paths taken by air through an enclosure containing an air source heat pump. The air enters the enclosure by passing through a hatched evaporator 402. The evaporator 402 acts as an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, extracting thermal energy from the air passing therethrough and transferring it to a refrigerant. Air then passes through a fan 404, around a baffle 406, and exits the enclosure out of the top, through a mesh grille or vent. This airflow pathway is fluidly separated from space containing components of the domestic heating system. Figure 5 also shows a condenser 408, which acts as a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, transferring thermal energy from the refrigerant to water to be used in the heating circuit of the domestic heating system, which is discussed in more detail below. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the components of the domestic heating system, and how they connect to components within the domestic building. As discussed above, the components located in the "outdoor" portion of the diagram 502 are housed in the enclosure. The components located in the indoor portion 504 are provided inside the domestic building. The domestic heating system comprises an unvented water cylinder 506 having a number of safety devices. The unvented water cylinder 506 contains receives water from a mains water inlet 508 via a combination valve and expansion vessel 510. The water received by the water cylinder 506 is heated using a coil heat exchanger 512, before being passed to one or more hot water outlets in the domestic building, such as a hot tap. Water from the mains water inlet 508 is also provided to one or more cold water outlets 516 via the combination valve and expansion vessel 510. The unvented water cylinder also comprises an immersion heater 518, which is a separate heat source for direct heating of the stored water. This may be used, for example, to heat the tank for a legionella cycle, to utilise solar PV electricity, or when the heat demand and / or electricity cost are such that they do not benefit turning on a housed compressor. The domestic heating system also comprises a monobloc air-to-water heat pump 520, i.e. an air-source heat pump. The heat pump 520 acts as a heat source within the domestic heating system, obtaining thermal energy from the surrounding air and transferring this to a refrigerant, which in-turn transfers the thermal energy to water (i.e. the working fluid) within a closed loop heating circuit of the domestic heating system. The heated water is pumped around the circuit by a water pump 522. The water is pumped through the coil heat exchanger 512 of the unvented water cylinder 506, which extracts the thermal energy to heat the water contained in the cylinder, as discussed above. In parallel to the coil heat exchanger 512, the water in the circuit is also pumped through a heating zone 524 of the domestic building. The heating zone 524 comprises one or more thermostatic valves 526a, 526b connected to one or more emitters, typically radiators, 528a, 528b, which transfer the thermal energy from the water circuit to the interior of the domestic building. The heating zone 524 also comprises a bypass valve 530. Finally, the water passes through a filter 532, an expansion vessel and one or more safety devices 534, and a flow meter 536, before returning to the air-to-water heat pump 520. Although the fluid in the heating circuit is described as being water, it may be another fluid, such as a water-glycol mix. Figure 7 is a diagram showing at least some of the components of the domestic heating system of Figure 6. Specifically, the system comprises a heat pump 602 and a primary water pump 604 configured to pump heated water around a heating circuit, including through a coil 606 in a domestic hot water tank 608. The circuit also comprises a flow temperature sensor 610, a flow isolating filter valve 612, a primary safety relief valve 614, a primary expansion vessel 616, a central heating in-line heater 618, a domestic hot water two-port valve 620, an automatic air vent 622, a central heating two-port valve 624, a primary flow sensor 626, a return isolating valve 628, a primary drain cock 630 and a return temperature sensor 632. The domestic hot water tank 608 may be an unvented hot water cylinder, as discussed above. The domestic hot water tank 608 comprises, in addition to the coil 606, an immersion heater 634, one or more temperature sensors 636 and a temperature and pressure relief valve 638. The domestic hot water tank 608 receives cold water from a mains supply and provides hot water to the domestic building via a hot water outlet. The cold water received passes through a line comprising one or more sensors 640, such as a temperature sensor and a flow sensor, a check valve 642, a pressure regulating valve 644, a filter 646, an expansion vessel 648 and a drain cock 650. In being provided to the hot water outlet(s), the hot water from the domestic hot water tank 608 passes through a line comprising one or more sensors 652, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors and / or flow sensors. 5 It is noted that any number of the components shown in Figure 7 may be housed in the enclosure provided outside the domestic building.

Claims

1. An enclosure for a domestic heating system, the enclosure defining an interior, and configured to house a thermal store of the domestic heating system in its interior, the thermal store arranged to provide hot water to a domestic building, the enclosure comprising an exterior surface and configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the thermal store comprises one or more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; an open vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal store; a pressurised water store; and a sand thermal store.

3. The enclosure of claim 1 or 2, further configured to house a heat source of the domestic heating system in its interior, the heat source arranged to provide heat to the domestic building.

4. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the heat source comprises one or more of: an air source heat pump; a ground source heat pump; a district heating network heat source; and one or more Joule heating systems.

5. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is formed from a plurality of interlocking panels, such that the interior is sealed from rain, wind and debris.

6. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein one or more of each the plurality of interlocking panels is fully or partially removable, detachable or hingedly affixed, so as to enable access to the interior.

7. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the exterior surface comprises powder coated steel.

8. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a drainage system configured to enable liquids to escape the enclosure.

9. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a locking mechanism, wherein unlocking the locking mechanism enables access to the interior of the enclosure and locking the locking mechanism prevents access to the interior of the enclosure.

10. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising one or more mesh grilles configured to limit access to the interior by children and small animals.

11. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising thermal insulation configured to reduce heat loss from the enclosure and / or to maintain the temperature of the exterior surface below an acceptable threshold temperature.

12. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein the thermal insulation comprises one or more of: PU foam; vacuum insulation; polystyrene; aerogel; and expanded polypropylene (EPP).

13. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising acoustic insulation configured to reduce noise from components housed in the interior.

14. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising in its interior, one or more antivibration mounting features, configured to allow one or more components to be mounted in the interior and for said one or more components to be substantially isolated from external vibrations.

15. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is formed of one or more modular / sectional parts, each of the one or more modular / sectional parts configured to connect to one or more further modular / sectional parts.

16. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising at its interior, one or more anchor points configured to support and affix one or more components of the domestic heating system to the enclosure.

17. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is of a size and shape where it can be loaded onto, and delivered to an installation site using, a pallet.

18. A domestic heating system comprising:an enclosure defining an interior;a thermal store located in the interior, configured to provide domestic hot water to a domestic building;wherein the domestic heating system is configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building.

19. The domestic heating system of claim 18, wherein the thermal store comprises one or more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; and open vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal storage; a pressurised water storage; and a sand thermal storage.

20. The domestic heating system of claim 18 or 19, further comprising a heat source located in the interior, configured to provide heat to the domestic building.1421. The domestic heating system of claim 20, wherein the heat source comprises an air source heat pump.

22. The domestic heating system of claim 21, wherein the enclosure comprises a separated path for airflow through the enclosure, for use by the air source heat pump.

23. The domestic heating system of any of claims 18-22, wherein the heat source comprises one or more of: a ground source heat pump; a district heating network; and one or more Joule heating systems.

24. The domestic heating system of any of claims 18-23, further comprising one or more heating control devices located in the enclosure.

25. The domestic heating system of claim 24, wherein the one or more heating control devices comprise one or more of: water pumps; control valves; temperature control devices; pressure control devices; and water flow rate devices.

26. The domestic heating system of any of claims 18-25, further comprising one or more safety mechanisms located in the enclosure.

27. The domestic heating system of claim 26, wherein the one or more safety mechanisms comprise one or more of: expansion vessels; pressure relief valves; and temperature relief valves.

28. A method of installing the domestic heating system of any of claims 18-26, comprising the steps of removing a pre-existing hot water cylinder from the domestic building; and rerouting a pre-existing piping network so as to connect the domestic heating system to the domestic building, such that the domestic heating system may provide domestic hot water to the domestic building.23.07 25AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:CLAIMS1. An enclosure for a domestic heating system, the enclosure defining an interior, the enclosure housing: a thermal store of the domestic heating system in its interior, the5 thermal store arranged to provide potable hot water to a domestic building; and a heat source of the domestic heating system in its interior, the heat source arranged to provide heat to the domestic building, the enclosure comprising an exterior surface and configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building, wherein the enclosure is formed from at least two modular parts, a first modular part of the at least10 two modular parts housing the thermal store; and a second modular part of the at least two modular parts housing the heat source, each of the at least two modular parts configured to affix to one another by connection means.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the thermal store comprises one or more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water15 cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; an open vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal store; a pressurised water store; and a sand thermal store.

3. The enclosure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat source comprises one or more of: an air source heat pump; a ground source heat pump; a district heating network heat source; and one or more Joule heating systems.

4. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is formed from a plurality of interlocking panels, such that the interior is sealed from rain, wind and debris.

5. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein one or more of each the plurality of interlocking panels is fully or partially removable, detachable or hingedly affixed, so as to enable access to the 25 interior.

6. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the exterior surface comprises powder coated steel.

7. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a drainage system configured to enable liquids to escape the enclosure.30 8. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a locking mechanism, whereinunlocking the locking mechanism enables access to the interior of the enclosure and locking the locking mechanism prevents access to the interior of the enclosure.

9. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising one or more mesh grilles configured to limit access to the interior by children and small animals.1623 07 2510. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising thermal insulation configured to reduce heat loss from the enclosure and / or to maintain the temperature of the exterior surface below an acceptable threshold temperature.

11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the thermal insulation comprises one or more of: PU 5 foam; vacuum insulation; polystyrene; aerogel; and expanded polypropylene (EPP).

12. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising acoustic insulation configured to reduce noise from components housed in the interior.

13. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising in its interior, one or more antivibration mounting features, configured to allow one or more components to be mounted in 10 the interior and for said one or more components to be substantially isolated from external vibrations.

14. The enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising at its interior, one or more anchor points configured to support and affix one or more components of the domestic heating system to the enclosure.15 15. The enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is of a size and shapewhere it can be loaded onto, and delivered to an installation site using, a pallet.

16. A domestic heating system comprising:an enclosure defining an interior;a thermal store located in the interior, configured to provide domestic, potable hot 20 water to a domestic building; anda heat source located in the interior, configured to provide heat to the domestic building,wherein the domestic heating system is configured such that it is suitable for installation outside and external to the domestic building, and25 wherein the enclosure is formed from at least two modular parts, a first modular part of the at least two modular parts housing the thermal store; and a second modular part of the at least two modular parts housing the heat source, each of the at least two modular parts configured to affix to one another by connection means.

17. The domestic heating system of claim 16, wherein the thermal store comprises one or 30 more of: a domestic hot-water cylinder; an unvented hot-water cylinder; an open vented hot-water cylinder; a domestic hot-water store; an unvented hot-water store; and open23 07 25vented hot-water store; phase change material; a ceramic thermal storage; a pressurised water storage; and a sand thermal storage.

18. The domestic heating system of claim 16 or 17, wherein the heat source comprises an air source heat pump.5 19. The domestic heating system of claim 18, wherein the enclosure comprises a separatedpath for airflow through the enclosure, for use by the air source heat pump.

20. The domestic heating system of any of claims 16-19, wherein the heat source comprises one or more of: a ground source heat pump; a district heating network; and one or more Joule heating systems.10 21. The domestic heating system of any of claims 16-20, further comprising one or moreheating control devices located in the enclosure.

22. The domestic heating system of claim 21, wherein the one or more heating control devices comprise one or more of: water pumps; control valves; temperature control devices; pressure control devices; and water flow rate devices.15 23. The domestic heating system of any of claims 16-22, further comprising one or moresafety mechanisms located in the enclosure.

24. The domestic heating system of claim 23, wherein the one or more safety mechanisms comprise one or more of: expansion vessels; pressure relief valves; and temperature relief valves.20 25. A method of installing the domestic heating system of any of claims 16-24, comprisingthe steps of removing a pre-existing hot water cylinder from the domestic building; and rerouting a pre-existing piping network so as to connect the domestic heating system to the domestic building, such that the domestic heating system may provide domestic hot water to the domestic building.Application No:     GB2411252.6Examiner:Colin WhitbreadClaims searched: 1-28Date of search: 5 September 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-28 US 2003 / 0123863 Al (HUGHES et al.) See figures 1-4 and 19 especially noting cabinet 10 [i.e. enclosure] that houses a tank assembly 14 including a tank 14 [i.e. thermal store] containing water heated by a gas burner 114 or electrical heaters 316. X 1-26 JP 2010121840 A (CORONA CORP) See figures 1 and 2 especially noting hot water tank 17 [i.e. thermal store] provided within an outdoor unit 1 [i.e. enclosure], the tank 17 being in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 23 provided within an indoor unit 5. X 1,2, 5-19 and 24-28 JP 2003240252 A (KAWASAKI KAZUHIRO) See figure 1 especially noting hot water tank 5 [i.e. thermal store] disposed within an outdoor unit 3 [i.e. enclosure] and having a pipe 11 that passes through a wall of the unit 3 into a building to supply heated water 'B'. X 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11- 19 and 24-28 CN 209840231 U (GUANGDONG PHNIX ENERGY TECH CO LTD) See paragraph 0002 and figure 3 especially noting housing 2 [i.e. enclosure] for installing outside a house, the housing containing a tank 1 [i.e. thermal store].Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent OfnceInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From F24D 0017 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006 F24D 0003 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 F24D 0003 / 18 01 / 01 / 2006 F24D 0015 / 04 01 / 01 / 2006Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Ofnce

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