Something in the air!
MacBrookGas have found that installing Air Source Heat Pumps can present a wide range of challenging situations. None more so than with a 3-bed, end of terrace, solid brick cottage on the edge of Norwich.
This property presented a common design challenge as it required a non-condensing boiler to be replaced with an ASHP. Our design team really had to think outside the box. Not only did they have to plan the installation of a Grant Aerona 3 10 KW ASHP (with an unvented hot water cylinder), but they also had to tackle upgrading all the radiators to work with the low surface temperature of the ASHP system.
As is the case with many of our customers, we had to acknowledge that air source heat pumps are an unfamiliar technology. We took time with this customer to explain how ASHPs work by absorbing heat from the environment, (even when temperatures are below freezing), extracting heat from the air and transferring it to the inside of their home. We also highlighted the potential benefits of adopting this type of heating solution, including:
- Use of renewable energy
- Improved efficiency over gas boilers (up to 300% more efficient)
- Better cost effectiveness
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Quiet operation
Our designers had to take into consideration the age of the property, its construction and the alterations that had been made to it over time. Detailed calculations were made in accordance with relevant Standards (e.g. BS EN 15831) and industry accepted guidelines (e.g. from the Domestic Heating Compliance guides). It was critical that we designed a system that could be installed with no detrimental impact on the unique features of the cottage, yet was able to offer all the benefits of modern heating technology.
One particular challenge in this site was the need for a specific soakaway solution to be incorporated into the design. Our design team specified a pre-bagged geo-textile soakaway to safely dispose of the condensate from the heat pump because drain routing was not available. With the volume of condensate created from this type of ASHP being up to 2000 litres per year, this design solution was essential to prevent condensate from flowing onto surfaces which might saturate and/or freeze creating a slip hazard.