Unlike traditional boilers, Grant Vortex boilers are designed to capture heat that is normally lost through the flue system during the combustion process. An integral stainless steel heat exchanger that incorporates Grant’s turbulator baffle cools the gases to a temperature where the latent heat can be usefully extracted. Guaranteed for five years, this technology enables Grant Vortex boilers to operate at higher efficiency levels resulting in lower heating and hot water costs.  It is therefore not surprising that Grant Vortex boilers occupy the top 20 places in the SEDBUK efficiency table for oil fired boilers.

Cleverly designed front service access to both the burner and internal serviceable parts make annual maintenance easy and also ensures the boiler can be installed unobtrusively in a kitchen or utility room. If however internal space is a problem, a range of space-saving outdoor models are also available. A factory fitted condensate trap is also incorporated to facilitate the safe removal of condensate from these high efficiency boilers.

To win the prestigious title of OFTEC installer of the year, the installation in Sussex by W D Taylor Plumbing & Heating Ltd was firstly nominated, and then inspected by representatives from OFTEC to assess the quality of the work. The OFTEC Awards for Excellence 2012 which recognise both installers and manufacturers for their contributions to the industry were held at the Manchester Central Convention Centre on 18^th October 2012. The event followed the Oil & Renewable Energy Show which took place at the same venue.

Commenting on the award and the use of Grant products, Graham Taylor Managing Director of W D Taylor Plumbing & Heating Ltd said: ‘It was a real honour to have the quality of our installation work officially recognised, particularly as we were installing products from Grant UK. We always use Grant as their products are easy to work with, the level of support is excellent, and spares are readily available.’

Fixed directly to the existing roof, the single panel Grant Aurora Solar Thermal Systems are linked to Grant DuoWave stainless steel direct hot water cylinders with capacities of between 170 – 200 litres, depending on property size. Featuring high efficiency corrugated heating coils, the Grant DuoWave range is developed to ensure a maximum transfer of the energy collected by solar thermal systems. Available in capacities of up to 500 litres the Grant DuoWave range was developed to meet the growing demand for systems that combine a renewable heat source.

The Grant Aurora Solar Collectors installed on Broadland Housing Association properties feature a high quality anodized silver finish with 4mm self-cleaning glass. The collectors also incorporate a copper absorber with sun-select coating to facilitate greater solar absorption. In addition a unique serpentine pipe configuration maximises heat transfer and eliminates air locks. Also available in bronze finish, the collectors can be installed in a portrait or landscape arrangement in on-roof, in-roof and flat roof applications. And, unlike many solar thermal systems there is no requirement for a roof mounted air vent or regular maintenance. Combine all this with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and it is not surprising that Grant Solar Thermal Systems are so popular within the social housing sector.

Commenting on the installation of the Solar Thermal Systems Kevin Clarke, Head of Contracts at Broadland Housing Association said: ‘We are committed to improving the energy performance of our housing stock and in doing so reduce energy costs for our customers. Funding through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP2) scheme for social landlords has enabled us to install renewable technologies such as solar thermal systems on a number of our properties.’

Steve Webster, Director of EGE Sustainable Energy Solutions went on to add: ‘We chose to use products from Grant UK as they have a proven track record and are competitively priced. Grant Solar Thermal Systems are easy to install, give high yields and have user friendly controls which are an important consideration in tenanted properties’.

Using basic thermodynamic principles to extract heat from the outside air (even at temperatures as low as -15°C ), the Grant Aerona air source heat pumps from off-gas specialists Grant UK release the captured energy into a water circuit which heats the properties via convection radiators. Available with outputs from 6.5kW – 13kW, Grant Aerona air source heat pumps are fitted with a 3kW immersion back-up which is designed to operate if the stated output is exceeded during long periods of extreme cold weather. In addition, a base tray heating element prevents ice formation and a factory fitted weather compensating device with dual temperature control allows the unit to perform more efficiently.

To store the hot water produced by the air source heat pump, Grant DuoWave cylinders were also installed. Designed specifically for heating systems that combine a renewable heat source they feature high efficiency corrugated heating coils to maximise the transfer of energy. Grant DuoWave cylinders are available in a range of sizes from 170 – 500 litres.

The funding will also enabled the Hebridean Housing Partnership to install energy display devices which enables Air Source Heat Pump and electricity usage to be monitored separately and compared with historical data. Tenants also have a remote heating controller which allows the central heating to be controlled around the clock thereby eliminating any heat wastage. This not only puts the tenants in control but has the added benefit of reducing any incidents of mis-use with the main heat pump unit. As air source heat pumps need little maintenance it is therefore no wonder they are referred to as ‘fit and forget’ technology.

Commenting on the installation of Grant Aerona Air Source Heat Pumps, Peter O’Donnell, Investment Manager of the Hebridean Housing Partnership said: “We decided to install air source heat pumps in our properties because we know they work and would therefore help to combat the significant challenge of fuel poverty in the Western Isles.

The Grant Aerona air source heat pumps installed under the first phase of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme have taken these tenants out of fuel poverty and made a considerable difference to their lives”

Peter O’Donnell went on to add: “The installation of energy display devices made possible by the funding will provide invaluable information as we install further renewable heating systems in our properties.”

Based on Gapton Hall Industrial Estate, GYH was founded in 1971 and has installed, serviced, and maintained Grant products for a number of years.  The Company offers a vast array of services from small domestic work to commercial and industrial contracts and provides servicing and repairs contracts for numerous housing associations and the local council.

Great Yarmouth Heating’s impressive set-up includes a PV electricity generating system, Grant Spira Condensing Wood Pellet Boiler, Aerona air Source Heat Pump and Solar Thermal Hot water system, combined with a DuoWave Twin-coil cylinder.  The installation, which has been enhanced with graphic display boards, not only demonstrates first hand the savings that can be achieved by combining technologies, but also promotes the importance of energy efficiency to potential customers.

As the property is used for commercial application, the installation of the Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boiler and Solar thermal system can also generate income via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Introduced in July 2011; Biomass, ground source and solar thermal projects in the non-domestic sector, installed since July 2009, are eligible for quarterly RHI payments over a 20-year period. From next year RHI tariffs will also become available for domestic properties providing they meet the eligibility criteria.

Steve Botson, Chairman and Managing Director of GYH, commented:

“We have always had a very good working relationship with Grant UK and have supplied and fitted their products for many years. We always recommend the boilers, as those we have installed to date have been very reliable, and as fuel prices continue to increase their condensing products are also very efficient for the end user.

As the importance of saving energy and resources increases, Great Yarmouth Heating Company Limited have gained the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in four separate technologies. The MCS is very important to GYH as this will enable the end user to gain the relevant incentives available from the Government and to ensure our very high standards are maintained at all times.

We are very pleased with the performance of the Grant renewable products in our office and warehouse and it is now supplying all of our heating and hot water demands.”

The Spira Wood Pellet Boiler, which replaces an eighteen year old oil fired boiler, will provide heating and hot water for the property via a series of radiators and the existing hot water cylinder. At the three bedroom, semi detached cottage in South Walsham a small extension was constructed on the site of the oil tank to house the Wood Pellet Boiler and act as a fuel store. As the existing oil fired boiler had been situated in the kitchen this had the added benefit of creating more space inside the cottage.

As a domestic installation, Wood Pellet Boilers can be eligible for a ‘RHI Premium Payment’ of £950 under the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) to help cover the purchase price. From October 2012 RHI tariffs (currently available for non-domestic installations) will also become available for domestic properties providing they meet the eligibility criteria. This timing coincides with the introduction of the Green Deal which is a new Government initiative designed to encourage businesses and homeowners to utilise more green technologies. Through the scheme, green technologies can be installed with no upfront expenditure and the costs are paid back through energy bills over a period of time.

Commenting on the installation of the Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boiler the cottage owner said: “I am extremely pleased with the Wood Pellet Boiler as it is easy to monitor the amount of fuel being used. I am currently using one bag of pellets per week to heat hot water and am already noticing considerable savings when compared to the original oil fired system.”

When asked about the specification of Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boilers, Kerry Durrant, Managing Director of Green Home Energy Solutions went on to add: “As Grant UK have a proven background in Oil Fired Boilers we were confident that their Wood Pellet Boilers would perform to the same high standard. They are UK based, have competitively priced products and offer excellent levels of technical and customer support.”

The Aurora Solar Collectors are linked to Grant DuoWave stainless steel direct hot water cylinders with capacities of between 170 – 200 litres, depending on apartment size. Featuring high efficiency corrugated heating coils, the Grant DuoWave range is developed to ensure a maximum transfer of the energy collected by renewable systems. Available in capacities of up to 500 litres the DuoWave range was developed to meet the growing demand for systems that combine a renewable heat source with a standard oil, gas or electric boiler.

To compliment the buildings’ contemporary design, Aurora Solar Collectors with a silver anodised finish were selected. Grant Solar Thermal Collectors are also available with a bronze finish – both feature a 3.2mm self-cleaning glass and have an excellent efficiency performance of 81%. To facilitate greater solar absorption the Collectors incorporate an aluminium absorber with Sun-select coating; a unique serpentine pipe configuration maximises heat transfer and eliminates air locks. Grant Collectors also carry the Solar Keymark approval which potentially allows homeowners to generate income from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) from October 2012. And, unlike many solar thermal systems there is no requirement for a roof mounted air vent and maintenance is kept to a minimum.

Commenting on the specification of the Grant Solar Thermal System Darren Morton, Design Estimator of John N Dunn Group Ltd said: “We have a great relationship with Grant UK and are always keen to use their products. The product quality is consistent and the levels of customer support are excellent.”

Renewable energy specialists East Green Energy are leading the way by installing an award wining Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boiler in their showroom at the Company’s Suffolk headquarters.

Believed to be the only showroom in East Anglia with a fully working Wood Pellet Boiler, it is certainly generating a great deal of interest. The benefits of the installation are twofold as the boiler not only acts as a primary heating source for their premises, but also offers customers a unique opportunity to see at first hand the many advantages this type of renewable technology has to offer. MCS Approved (by the BBA), the Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boiler was recently awarded Best Renewable Energy Product 2011 by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The 26kW Spira Wood Pellet Boiler also provides hot water via an open vented thermal store cylinder.  Grant ThermaWave Thermal Stores are available in 250, 300 and 400 litre versions and are designed to combine multiple heat sources (traditional and renewable) in a variety of configurations.

As East Green Energy is a commercial premises, the installation of the Spira Wood Pellet Boiler is also generating income via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Introduced in July 2011; Biomass, ground source and solar thermal projects in the non-domestic sector, installed since July 2009, are eligible for quarterly RHI payments over a 20-year period. From October 2012 RHI tariffs will also become available for domestic properties providing they meet the eligibility criteria. These again will cover installations since July 2009.

Following 5 years research and development by Grant UK, the long awaited Spira Wood Pellet Boiler range is available in units with outputs of 6-26kW, 9-36kW, 12-52kW, 15-62kW and 18-72kW. This gives Grant UK a unique advantage as they are currently the only manufacturer to offer a condensing wood pellet boiler for domestic installations. By utilising the same patented Vortex condensing technology as the market leading range of Grant Oil Fired Boilers the Spira Wood Pellet Boiler range is able to maintain efficiencies of up to 97%. In addition the unique ‘self-cleaning’ design  of the Grant Spira range collects ash from the combustion grate and the heat exchanger tubes, reducing cleaning and maintenance to once a year under normal running conditions. The fully automated units which come complete with a feed auger, connected directly to the store / hopper, regulates the amount of fuel delivered to the burner.

Commenting on the installation of the Grant Spira Wood Pellet Boiler, Jonathan Offord, Renewable Heating Specialist from East Green Energy said: “We have been specifying Grant UK products for a number of years and know we can rely on product quality, competitive pricing and excellent customer support. As Biomass is a relatively new technology we needed to know we could rely on the technical expertise provided by Grant UK – it was therefore a logical step to install a Spira Wood Pellet Boiler in our showroom.”

 

The Battery Street Hostel for Signpost Housing is a 46-bed homeless hostel situated in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth, built to provide housing for some of the city’s most vulnerable people. 

Completed in July 2011 and located just off Union Street, the building replaced the Ship Hostel, which didn’t meet modern standards.  The Scheme was commissioned by Plymouth City Council and was supported by more than £3.5m in investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Technology such as CCTV, security and panic alarms, cat 6 cabling, underfloor heating and local cooling units were fitted along with Grant Solar Thermal and Grant Photovoltaic (PV) systems, to help reduce the building’s carbon footprint and energy consumption.

Electrical Contracting Services (SW) Ltd, an MCS registered mechanical and electrical contractor based in Plymouth, were tasked with the installation.   The renewable systems comprised 16 x Sahara collectors with 2 x 750ltr Grant DuoWave cylinders for water heating, and 22 x Grant Solar PV modules totaling 3.96kW for electricity generation.  Both systems used the same Grant flat-roof mounting brackets, making specification and installation straightforward.

As both the products and installer are MCS approved, the Hostel is also able to claim the Government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme for the power generation and take advantage of the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive tariffs for Solar Thermal.  These incentives will result in a reduction of capital payback time for the equipment, whilst guaranteeing a future income.

Crowenstown National School, one of the oldest primary schools in Ireland, founded in 1841, has installed the very latest Grant Vortex Pro Condensing boiler house boiler, to help cut energy costs.

The original building was demolished in 1938, replaced with the current school which has three classrooms, a staff room and a large play area.  In Ireland, under the Summer School Scheme Upgrade by the Dept of Education, schools can apply for 100% grant aid to carry out energy efficient works.   These measures will make buildings more comfortable, cut energy costs and contribute to the Governments National Target of reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions.  The scheme is significant when you consider that about 73% of a school’s energy consumption is on heating and hot water with the remainder on lighting and other small power appliances.

A Grant Vortex Pro 46-58kW boiler house model replaced an old cast iron boiler along with a Grant Orange System, six metre stainless steel smooth bore flexi flue, which ran up through the existing chimney.

Grant also supplied a sealed system kit as the heating system was re-designed, re-piped and pressurised.  Each classroom was zoned separately with a motorized valve on each zone and three room thermostats. A new 2500 litre plastic bunded oil tank was also fitted.

The new Grant Vortex Pro boiler house versions come with an externally mounted burner and thermostat, and are ideal for locations that are difficult to access like cellars or plant rooms where a white cased unit is not always the best solution.   They are available in outputs of 26-36kW, 36-46kW, 46-58kW and 58-70kW, with SAP 2009 seasonal efficiencies between 90.7% and 93.3%.  The models encompass the same unique stainless steel heat exchangers used in other Vortex boilers together with Grant’s exclusive turbulator baffle system, which provides ultra-high efficiency and low running costs.

A historic Derbyshire country house, set in over 300 acres of trees and parkland is captivating visitors with its green approach to heating, by prominently displaying Grant Renewables in its gardens. 

The magnificent family owned Locko Estate is the current ancestral home of the Drury-Lowe family.  It dates back to the 18th Century and is situated near the village of Spondon. 

Local family oriented installers, Nigel and Lee Grice were tasked with finding an efficient method of heating the Estate’s outdoor swimming pool.  Having installed Grant products in the past, they opted for a Grant Solar Thermal water heating system, comprising six Sahara collectors, using a flat roof mounting arrangement.  

The collectors were situated within the remnants of a large listed structure once used a green house.  Despite having to overcome a lengthy run between the collectors and pump station, through well groomed gardens, the system was installed in just under one week.  Linked into the existing Certikin pool boiler with the addition of a specialised pool heat exchanger, the solar is estimated to save in excess of 1000 litres of oil every year.

Nigel Grice commented: ‘The arrangement is working well and the owners are very pleased with the results.   Grant Solar Thermal is an impressive system and now we’ve fitted a few, installation is simply a doddle’.

Grant’s solar thermal range includes many unique components such as Grant DuoWave twin-coil unvented cylinders, multifunctional controller with LCD display and two alternative styles of collector, ‘Sahara’ and ‘Aurora’, which incorporate specially developed, 4mm, low iron glass that maximises solar absorption and minimises reflection.  There are various mounting arrangements for the collectors, including on-roof, in-roof and flat roof kits, both landscape and portrait, so siting should be straightforward, whatever the situation.