Technical Support for Hybrid Heating Products

The control panel for the Grant VortexAir hybrid is located inside the boiler casing, immediately above the burner.

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The controls and wiring for the Grant EvoLink (excluding the external temperature sensor and system return sensor) are contained within the casing. The control PCB can found inside an electrical enclosure located on the base panel inside the EvoLink casing.

The boiler is always fitted first and the heating system in the building is connected directly to it, whether or not it is located outside next to the heat pump or indoors. The heat pump is then installed and also connected directly to the boiler.

The EvoLink is a white cased unit that houses the hydraulics and temperature sensors that can connect a new Aerona³ air source heat pump with most types of existing domestic heating systems. The flow and return connections from the existing heat source (boiler) along with the flow and return connections for the Aerona³ heat pump feed to and from the EvoLink which controls both the heat pump and the original heat source/boiler.

As with Grant Vortex boilers, the VortexAir Hybrid is only suitable for use with standard kerosene (Class C2 to BS2869). Gas oil (Class D to BS2869) must not be used with the hybrid boiler.

This will depend on the type of boiler already installed at your customer’s property but the EvoLink is compatible with kerosene and HVO oil boilers, gas boilers, LPG boilers, electric boilers and modulating biomass boilers.

No. As not all installations will require a heat meter and electricity meter, the Grant VortexAir Hybrid is supplied without any meters fitted. However, in accordance with MCS metering requirements, the Grant VortexAir Hybrid is supplied ‘meter ready’ to allow both the heat meter and electricity meter to be easily fitted if required. The heat meter and electricity meter are available as accessories from Grant.

No, the EvoLink does not come fitted with a heat meter but it is capable of monitoring and calculating the percentage of time the air source heat pump has been operating.

No, the EvoLink Hybrid does not come fitted with an electricity meter but it is meter ready and is compatible with the electricity meter Grant UK supply. In order for the EvoLink touchscreen user interface to display the electrical consumption of the heat pump, an electricity meter needs to be installed in the electrical supply to the heat pump and this meter then needs to be connected to the EvoLink.

The VortexAir Hybrid uses the Grant low level balanced flue system (or Yellow system) irrespective of whether the boiler part is located inside or outside the building. In the case of it being located indoors, the flue system exits at the rear of the unit and passes through the external wall of the building. If the boiler is outside it is fitted through the right hand side of the unit, above the boiler access door. The hybrid unit must be located such that the flue terminal clearance requirements of BS5410-1:2014 are complied with.

The Grant EvoLink does not require a flue. However, a suitable flue system should already be installed depending on the fuel type of the existing boiler.

Each type of hybrid system works differently depending on its design and configuration. With the Grant VortexAir Hybrid, the control system on the hybrid unit monitors the ambient (outside) air temperature and allows only the heat pump to operate when the air temperature is high enough for it to meet the heat demand of the building on its own. At lower ambient air temperatures the boiler will operate alongside the heat pump, providing a boost to the flow temperature. When the ambient air temperature falls lower still, the boiler is operated at its full output at a higher flow temperature to enable the hybrid unit to meet the higher heating demand of the building.
With the EvoLink Hybrid System Hub, there are two core operating modes – Comfort and Green. With the Comfort mode, the EvoLink will ensure that the desired comfort level is maintained with the boiler being called in when the heat pump is unable to satisfy the space heating or hot water load. With Green mode, the EvoLink will ensure that the heat pump supplies as much of the heat energy to the system as possible and, during instances when the boiler is required to satisfy the space heating or hot water load, the EvoLink will only operate the boiler for as long as necessary and will ensure the heat pump remains operating for as long as possible.

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A hybrid unit enables the optimum use of both an inverter driven air source heat pump and a traditional heat source, whether that be a highly efficient condensing oil boiler with the VortexAir or an existing fossil fuel appliance with the EvoLink. Throughout the year, as the ambient air temperature (and consequently the heat demand of the building) changes, a hybrid will provide the most efficient use of both the renewable and non-renewable energy sources. The VortexAir Hybrid and EvoLink Hybrid System Hub allow end-users to benefit from low carbon heating for the majority of the year with the boiler used as a back-up during colder periods.

Heating system radiators in existing properties are usually sized using the higher water flow temperatures produced from a boiler and so, to meet the same heat demand using the lower flow temperatures produced by a heat pump, the radiators would normally need to be increased in size. Using a hybrid unit combines the higher flow temperatures produced by a boiler, with the efficient operation of a heat pump, to meet the buildings heat demand throughout the year.

When the weather is warmer, i.e. in the spring and autumn, the heat pump works independently and the existing radiators can meet the heat demand with the lower flow temperature. This allows the very efficient use of electrical energy to drive the heat pump for large periods of the heating season. When the weather gets colder, the boiler operates to provide the additional energy required negating the need to increase radiator sizes.

The VortexAir is designed to be installed outdoors, i.e. both the boiler and heat pump are located next to each other outside the building. However, it is also possible for the boiler to be installed internally with the heat pump still outside. Full details for both types of installation are given in the installation instructions supplied with the unit.

No. The boiler can be installed and, if necessary, operated as a stand-alone unit for an indefinite period until the heat pump can be installed and connected to it. This is particularly useful when an existing boiler has to be replaced in an emergency due to a breakdown. The installation of the heat pump can follow at a later date when convenient.

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The Grant EvoLink is designed to be wall mounted and installed internally. The wall which the EvoLink is installed to must be flat, vertical and of a suitable construction firm enough to support the weight of the unit. The EvoLink must not be installed in damp conditions within a property, in a position that is subject to heat (such as above a boiler or radiator or in direct sunlight) or where it can be reached by children. Sufficient clearances, as detailed in the Installation Manual, must also achieved all around the EvoLink.