The Grant House

The heat loss calculation identified the Aerona³ 13kW R32 air source heat pump as the appropriate sized heat pump to suit the property. This twin fan heat pump has a compact footprint and is Quiet Marked approved, two factors that were important in this installation – Helen and Oli did not want their heat pump to impact the surrounds of their garden, both in stature and low noise levels. All of Grant’s heat pumps boast A+++ ErP ratings reflecting their excellent efficiencies. The range is also installer friendly with the units designed to make installation, servicing and maintenance straightforward for heating engineers.

To efficiently store the system’s hot water, a Grant MonoWave High Performance 300ltr Cylinder was also installed. These cylinder models are specifically designed to complement heat pumps, partnering together successfully to increase the overall efficiency of the system. Featuring a large primary coil, the cylinder can effectively transfer the heat from the system into the water, aiding the heat pump’s operation and ensuring that the family’s hot water requirements are always fulfilled.

It is well recognised that underfloor heating systems work very successfully with a low temperature system like an air source heat pump. For Helen and Oli’s home, two types of underfloor heating systems were fitted. For the floor area within the new extension, a Grant Uflex underfloor heating system was installed which is embedded within the floor construction. Grant Uflex is ideally suited to new builds and extensions because the pipe can be laid and screed poured during the early phases of a project, allowing other works to be completed while the screed fully dries. The 16mm Uflex pipe was laid in a meander configuration to enable even coverage and heat emission emitting into the living space. It took Jake and Matt one day to lay the pipework and after pouring the screed, this was left for 30 days to allow the system to dry.

Throughout the remainder of the downstairs, where existing flooring was in place, Grant’s low profile underflooring heating system – Uflex MINI – was installed. Consisting of self-adhesive panels featuring castellations, the Uflex MINI system is just 15mm in finished floor height which made it ideal for installation on Helen and Oli’s existing, level floors. After positioning the panels, the 9mm Uflex MINI pipe was simply clipped into place and a self-levelling screed poured on top. Due to the incredibly low profile, less screed was needed with the Uflex MINI system compared to Uflex, and the drying time was also significantly less – within three days, the Uflex MINI system was being walked on, reducing disruption, and allowing the other stages of the project to continue.

Upstairs, new Afinia aluminium radiators were installed in all the bedrooms and landing space. For this installation, horizontal Afinia models were fitted, ranging in size from 4 sections to 8 sections in length. The excellent thermal conductivity of Afinia radiators allows them to warm up quickly and respond rapidly to any changes that the family make to the heating demand. Their white coated finish, curved edges and sleek design make the Afinia radiators a stylish addition to all of the rooms while also effectively emitting warmth into the space. It is important to note that radiators on a heat pump system are cooler to the touch compared to those working with oil or gas boilers – this is because the heat pump operates a low temperature system but with correctly sized radiators, the property’s heating requirements and comfort levels will be achieved.