In this article, we have a recent barn conversion where we designed and installed a new air source heat pump system.
Project Overview
A 465sqm, 5 Bedroom barn conversion property in Buckinghamshire.
The System We Fitted
We installed the following system:
- Steibel Eltron WPL-25 heat pump, paired with a 300 litre how water cylinder.
- A Brink mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system.
- Full underfloor heating.
- Full open loop design.
- Weather compensation system.
Why We Designed & Installed This System
This new barn conversion was designed to be passive Haus standard with very minimal heat loss from the building.
We did not want to lose energy from high moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, so we installed a heat recovery with the ventilation system.
This allowed us to achieve even more efficiency by recycling heat within the building.
The design of the property used substantial glazing, meaning underfloor heating was the obvious choice to allow us to run exceptionally low flow temperatures. This gives a consistent and even heat across the whole building.
The Problem Our Customer Faced
Our customer found it extremely difficult to find the right installer. They wanted an installer that they could trust to design, install and then maintain the heating system.
They also had concerns over the complexity of renewable technology and how efficient a heat pump system could be.
We solved that problem from the start with expert technical guidance and communication throughout the design process.
How Long Did The Project Take?
The first phase of underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation took 2 weeks to install on site.
The plant room and associated works took 1 week to install.
Heat pump installation was carried out over 3 days.
From there it took 2 days to commission the installation and to complete final pipework insulation.
How Efficient Is The System Now It Is Operating?
The air source heat pump is now running at 450% efficiency and the customers house maintains a comfortable temperature of 19-20 degrees.
Far more efficient than a traditional gas boiler system.
What Funding Was Used On This Install?
This property was eligible for the current government BUS grant (Boiler Upgrade Scheme). We took care of the full application process allowing the customer to secure £7,500 in funding towards the cost of the system installation.
Our Final Thoughts
Air source heat pump efficiency and running costs for any size property all comes down to how well it is designed in the first place.
Large and bespoke projects like this one take that little bit more of extra time, planning and attention to detail to get everything working at comfortable living temperatures and high levels of energy efficiency.
Get In Touch
If you need some help with your own new build project, contact us today for helpful technical advice on your exact project requirements.
* All energy and performance claims are based on our own energy assessments and live monitoring of energy consumption.
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