B Beales Developers, installing R290 heat pumps for five sustainable barn conversions

B Beales Developers, who specialise in developing new build and renovated homes in Norfolk, have incorporated the latest generation of R290 heat pumps from Grant UK at their Meadow Grange development. Comprising of five barns which are being converted across two phases, each property has been specified with a Grant Aerona 290 air source heat pump. Here, B Beales Developers and their installer discuss the heating requirements for this new build development.

Sustainability has been a core value for B Beales Developers Ltd whenever they approach one of their luxury developments, alongside their emphasis for quality design and craftsmanship from floor to ceiling in each of their properties. In 2022, Grant UK helped B Beales Developers with the specification of Grant renewable heating systems at their Steading Mews development. Fast forward three years, they are now specifying Grant’s latest generation of air-to-water heat pumps, installing Aerona 290 air source heat pumps at their Meadow Grange site. 

An overview of the development

Situated in a village outside Holt in North Norfolk, Meadow Grange comprises of a series of barns dating back to the 1600s, which B Beales Developers are re-developing into five separate restored dwellings for sale. Claire Hendrick, from B Beales Developers, shares more information about the background of this development.

“It is thought that the barns date back to the seventeenth century when they were old granary barns on the farm,” explains Claire. “Five beautiful homes form our Meadow Grange development, with two plots being completed in phase one this Spring and then three further plots being completed in phase two by the end of 2025. We are using as much of the original red brick as possible as well as retaining many of the original features, while also transforming the barns into modern homes which have distinctive character and a future-thinking design.

“Once again, sustainability has been an important part of this development,” continues Clare. “While B Beales Developers have been installing low carbon heating systems in our properties for some time, the Future Homes Standard is expected to be introduced later this year so we wanted each property to comply with the incoming standards and requirements for new builds. This is why each barn has been extensively insulated with triple glazed windows throughout and why low carbon heating systems have been specified with an air source heat pump being installed at each dwelling.”

R290 heat pumps with smart controls

The first phase of the development was completed in May 2025 which features one two-bedroom, single storey barn with two bathrooms and one three-bedroom, single storey barn with two bathrooms. To carry out the installation of the air source heat pump heating systems at each property, B Beales Developers contracted King and Gale Services, G1 Heat Pump Installers based in Thetford. Steven Gale, Director at King and Gale Services, explains more about the installation of these R290 heat pumps.

“We installed an Aerona 290 9kW heat pump at each property as part of the first phase development,” comments Steven. “We also fitted an Aerona Smart heat pump system controller with each heat pump which will provide the homeowners with sophisticated control of their system. Grant UK supply heat pump accessories packs which are tailored to particular systems, packs will assist with the order process when it comes to installation – for these first two properties, we used the Installation Pack P which includes all the core accessories needed for a Direct S-Plan system using a 2-port valve.”

The Aerona 290 heat pump is the fifth generation of air source heat pump from Grant UK. Some of the features and benefits of this R290 heat pump for new builds include:

• Smaller and larger heating outputs to suit a variety of property types and sizes, with 4kW, 6.5kW, 9kW, 12kW and 15.5kW models available
• All models are MCS accredited
• Quiet Mark accreditation for every R290 heat pump
• Available with a product guarantee of up to 7 years (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Uses R290 refrigerant, a more environmentally friendly heat pump refrigerant

Smart heat pump controls for new builds

The Aerona Smart Controller is an intuitive heat pump controller. For the end-user, it offers style, design and user-friendly navigation as well as remote monitoring when installed with the Smart WiFi Hub. For installers and developers, it offers additional benefits including an inbuilt configurator tool to assist with the initial set-up, remote access and management of the heat pump system (ecoNet access required) as well as straightforward scheduling assistants to make setting and adjusting the heating and hot water schedules simple. 

“This was our first time installing the Aerona 290 heat pump and Aerona Smart Controller,” continues Steven. “They are good quality products and I like the controller a lot. It features useful diagrams which support the heat pump set-up and the remote monitoring and management functionality is a real bonus as we will be able to have visibility of the system when offsite to provide support to the end-users if ever needed. The Aerona 290 is an aesthetically pleasing heat pump which suits each of the luxury properties which complete this development. The heat pumps are also incredibly quiet with low noise levels when operating.” 

Heat pump support for new builds

The renewables experts at Grant UK have worked closely with both B Beales Developers and King and Gale Services throughout the development, including:

• Installer training: Steven Gale and his team attended Grant UK’s 1-day Aerona 290 Air Source Heat Pump Installer course in Norwich where they completed R290 heat pump training, learning about installation, commissioning and maintenance as well as operating the Aerona Smart Controller
• System design: Grant UK’s in-house Design and Specification Team designed the system, providing a specification list of all the products and components required for the heat pump systems for each property type
• On-site technical support: Matthew Beales, Steve Farrow and Rob Dyer from Grant UK’s Sales Team visited site throughout the installation to provide on-site assistance with the specification phase and later with the heat pump set-up.

“Rob, one of Grant UK’s Technical Sales Support Engineers, has been great,” adds Steven. “When I was first fitting the controllers, I had a couple of queries so I dropped Rob a line and he replied straightaway with the answers I needed. He also came to site when the first two heat pumps were ready for commissioning to support with the final system set-up and checks.”

Heat pumps in new builds – additional resources

If you are a developer, specifier or installer interested in discussing Grant heat pumps and renewable heating systems for new builds, please contact a member of our Specification Sales Team. You can also read more about Grant air source heat pumps here and download our latest brochures and technical literature. 

Phase two of the Meadow Grange development is due to complete before the end of 2025. In these properties, Aerona 290 heat pumps will also be installed along with the hot water cylinders and underfloor heating systems also being supplied by Grant UK so we will be revisiting this development later in the year to catch up with Claire and Steven again.