Rose Homes, a developer’s journey to renewables

Soon, developers will no longer be able to install fossil fuel boilers in new build properties. More sustainable heating system solutions will need to be installed instead and some developers, such as Rose Homes in Essex, have already made the transition to renewable heating. In 2022, their first site of homes featuring air source heat pumps got underway – discover how Grant UK have helped Rose Homes with this journey to more sustainable solutions for their properties.

Rose Homes For Life is the housing development division of family-run business, Rose Builders. Based in Manningtree, Essex they first started building new homes in the 1890s and today, they continue to construct new build properties throughout the East of England.

“We always strive to build homes to the very highest standards of design and construction,” comments Alex Leader from Rose Homes. “This includes developing homes which are as sustainable as they can be, designing properties to the latest regulations so that they achieve excellent energy performance ratings and have minimal heat loss. Up until 2022, all our properties had standard gas boilers with underfloor heating fitted through the ground floor and radiators fitted on the first floors. However, with legislation soon changing, we have been researching renewable alternatives to replace the gas boilers in our homes.”

In this case study, Alex from Rose Homes explains:

• why transitioning from gas central heating systems to air source heat pump heating systems is needed
• the support provided by Grant UK with heat pump training and more
• how Grant UK helped their customer handovers.

Transitioning to renewables with new builds

In 2022, work commenced at one of Rose Homes’ developments in Great Yeldham, Essex, featuring thirty-three homes. The two, three and four bedroom properties are set around an expansive green, with thirteen of the homes provided to Flagship for affordable rented and shared ownership properties. All of the properties have Grant Aerona³ air source heat pumps installed, becoming the first renewable site for Rose Homes.

“There is no gas in this village so this, combined with our wider sustainability drive, meant that we had to find an alternative central heating system to suit the properties on this development,” explains Alex. “Air source heat pumps were the most suitable alternative because they fulfil the heating requirements of each home while also having the added bonus of being sustainable. This technology was completely new to our team at the time so after several recommendations, we turned to Grant UK to guide us through our first heat pump installation.”

Training and support for housing developers

When specifying air source heat pumps for a new build site, it is important that the developer and their installers fully understand the differences between these low temperature systems and gas boilers. This is why Grant UK’s Sales Team are on hand to provide technical assistance throughout the process, from design and initial specification through to installation and commissioning.

For this site, members of the Grant Team worked closely with Rose Homes starting off with on-site training for their staff so that they understood how the Aerona³ units worked and for the installers, how to install the system. Grant’s in-house Design Department then completed the heat loss calculations for each of the site’s property types and supplied the product list needed for each home’s heating requirements. The first of the Aerona³ heat pumps was installed at the show home and Steve Farrow, Grant UK’s Area Sales Manager for the East of England, alongside Shaun McCarthy, Sales Support Engineer, were both onsite to oversee this first installation. Shaun also provided assistance with the set up and commissioning of the heat pump as well.

“We have found the training and education offered by the Grant Team outstanding,” comments Alex. “It has been invaluable to our team, most of whom have not previously been involved in the installation of air source heat pumps. The training and guidance we received has helped our team to feel confident in discussing the running of the air source heat pump systems with our customers.”

Customer handovers of heat pumps in new builds

Grant UK also provided Rose Homes with a number of resources that they provided to their new homeowners, to help with the handover of the renewable heating systems. These included: 

• a printed handover guide supplied with each Aerona³ heat pump, alongside the user manual
• access to video tutorials available via Grant UK’s YouTube channel which talk through the key elements of a heat pump system
• a tailored handout which provided homeowners with an itemised summary of the products that make up their heating system, so that they can easily identify each component within their home.

“Our experience with Grant products and their team has been first class so far,” concludes Alex. “The first homes at this development completed in September 2022 with the site finished in the Spring 2023. We are proud of the green credentials that each home has and we hope it will serve as a benchmark for future Rose Homes.”

How can Grant UK support new build developers?

Grant UK’s Sales Team and in-house Design Team can help developers with their new build projects from start to finish. With developers needing to incorporate low-carbon heating systems into their homes, Grant UK can help with the specification of heat pumps with the following support: 

• Air Source Heat Pump training, including installer courses and heat pump CPD
• Heat pump system specification and design support, including heat loss calculations, detailed quotations, and UFH system designs
• On-site technical support for heat pumps, cylinders, controls and more
• Customer handovers and post-installation support, including a dedicated New Build Homeowner Support Hub

To discover more about how Grant UK can support developers and their teams with air source heat pumps, please visit our Specification Hub Support page. You can also follow the link here to read about Grant's sustainable heating products.