A combination of Grant renewable technologies keep new build home warm in Cardigan

An Aerona³ air source heat pump, Grant Solar Thermal system and hot water cylinder are supplying the heating and hot water for a new build in West Wales, demonstrating the ease with which Grant’s efficient heating technologies can work together.

The Project
Property: four-bedroom new build domestic property
Heat source: air source heat pump
Products installed: Aerona³ 10kW air source heat pump, Grant Solar Thermal system (two-panel in-roof kit) and hot water cylinder

Why a Grant sustainable heating system was specified

In early 2016, Dan Evans started the project of building his new family home. When selecting the right choice of home heating for the new build, Dan was clear about what he wanted. “As a plumbing and heating engineer, I wanted the best products on the market,” Dan writes. “I also wanted something that I would be confident to install and comfortable with using on a daily basis.”

Dan’s company, D J Evans Plumbing and Heating, are members of the Grant G1 Accredited Installer Scheme. Being part of this network, Dan is not only able to offer extended guarantees on the Grant products that he installs but he is also trained on those heating technologies. Striving to deliver a green build, Dan wanted to install renewable appliances so the decision was made to fit a Grant Aerona³ air source heat pump with a solar thermal system and cylinder set up as well.

What is the Aerona³ ASHP?

The Grant Aerona³ is an inverter driven air source heat pump (ASHP) which uses R32 refrigerant and is available in four outputs from 6kW up to 17kW. All of the models:

• are compact in size 
• have simple plumbing and electrical connections
• incorporate a high efficiency plate heat exchanger. 

The Grant Aerona³ has greater operating efficiencies at lower external temperatures, achieves an ErP rating of A+++ (at 35ºC flow temperature) and operates with very low noise levels.

For Dan’s property, a 10kW model was installed which has excellent SCOP values giving Dan and his family the peace of mind that the product is working as efficiently as possible throughout the year. Discover more about the Aerona³ R32 heat pump range here.

Installing solar thermal alongside a heat pump

Alongside the Aerona³ heat pump, a Grant Solar Thermal system was also installed at this new build. A two panel in-roof solar thermal kit was selected which comprises of Sahara collectors, the roof mounting system, an expansion vessel, pump station, control panel, pipe connections, and solar fluid. Through the supply of these kits, Grant has made solar thermal as straightforward as possible.

The installation of Grant Solar collectors set into the roof tiles delivers a low-profile appearance on the build. The roof surface beneath the panels is closed within an aluminum weathering cassette which incorporates the flashings and drainage channels. For new builds, such as Dan’s, this mounting option can reduce roofing costs because tiles are not required beneath the installation.

Features of solar thermal

A solar thermal system is a great addition to any home. It harnesses the free energy from the sun and uses this to heat the hot water which runs to taps, showers and baths within a home. A solar thermal system can:

• Reduce a household’s dependency on fossil fuels by using renewable energy to fulfil the majority of the domestic hot water (DHW) demand
• Be incorporated into an existing heating system or new heating system, as was the case with Dan’s installation
• Be maintained with ease as Grant solar thermal systems feature self-cleaning glass.

Read more about Grant’s solar thermal system range here.

Hot water storage solution for the home

To complete the installation, a Grant hot water cylinder was fitted which brings together the technologies. Grant’s heat pump cylinder range are stainless steel models which can be used either alongside heat pumps on their own (single-coil cylinders) or with two combined technologies such as a heat pump and solar thermal (twin-coil cylinders). For Dan’s home, a 300litre Grant twin-coil cylinder model was installed, which is an unvented indirect cylinder which incorporates a larger primary coil for quicker heat transference.

The combination of these three Grant products – the heat pump, solar thermal system and hot water cylinder - not only made the installation simple to complete but, looking to the future, they will also ensure that Dan’s heating system works as efficiently as possible with each appliance designed to complement the other technologies. Dan continues, “I am satisfied with the installation side of the products as well as being happy with the products’ efficiencies and running costs.”

Government schemes for renewable installations

Furthermore, Dan also benefited from the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments after installing these renewable technologies. The Aerona³ heat pumps are MCS approved and Grant’s Solar Thermal systems are Solar Keymark approved, making them both eligible for RHI payments.

Please be advised that the Domestic RHI scheme is now closed.

What is Grant UK’s MCS Umbrella Scheme?

G1 Installers interested in installing MCS certified Grant Aerona heat pump installations, without being MCS accredited themselves, could be eligible for Grant UK’s MCS partnership with Heat Pump Go. Through this partnership, G1 Heat Pump installers are supported by Heat Pump Go with the design of a MCS compliant Grant heat pump system with Grant UK’s in-house Field Service Engineers completing the MCS compliance for commissioning and the customer handover. Please read more about Heat Pump Go here. 

You can also learn more about the Government’s current initiatives and funding schemes available for homeowners who install renewable energy heating systems in our Knowledge Hub. 

Installer’s feedback on the installation

Dan concludes, “Our house is a four bedroom detached property with two adults and two messy boys living in it. It is great to have three products, all from one manufacturer, which are easy to use. I also know that Grant has an excellent support team who are there if we ever need them.”

Install with Grant UK – high quality products and first-class support

Grant UK supply a wide range of heating products which give installers and their customers choice and flexibility when specifying a new heating system. From new builds such as Dan’s home through to retrofits requiring an upgraded heating system, the Grant product portfolio has a reliable, efficient solution to suit different homes and their specific requirements. Read more about our products and extensive customer support here:

• View the complete range of Grant heating products
• Read about how Grant UK’s in-house Design Team can help with specifying a new renewable heating system
• Discover more about Grant UK’s G1 Installer Scheme and Heat Pump Go MCS partnership
• Find local training courses for installers, including free heat pump training.