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Blue Haze, Somerset

Ground Source Heat Pump Case Study
Blue Haze, Somerset

Blue Haze, Somerset

Blue Haze is an 80-year-old 2,300 sq ft bungalow in Somerset. A major restoration project saw owners Shaun and Judith Davey completely gut the property and start afresh. Not only did the couple want to transform Blue Haze into their dream home, but a key aim was to make it as energy efficient and economical as possible – and this included replacing their inefficient electric storage heaters with a highly efficient renewable heating system Before the project had even begun Shaun Davey knew that he wanted a NIBE heat pump. As well as being renowned for their quality and reliability, with 1.25 acres of land, it made perfect sense for the couple to make the most of their natural surroundings.

The Solution

Being an old, draughty property, a great deal of heat (and therefore money) was being lost through poor insulation. Therefore, the Daveys placed huge emphasis on making Blue Haze as airtight as possible, replacing all doors and windows and adding extensive insulation to floors and walls.

Installers RES (Devon) Ltd then specified and installed an 12kW NIBE F1145 ground source heat pump. RES opted for a surface soil collector, which is discreetly buried one metre underground and runs up the slope in the back garden. The consistent energy it draws from the earth is then used to heat underfloor heating, and a high-volume NIBE VPB 300 litre cylinder, which effectively services Blue Haze’s hot water needs.

Results

Because the property’s heat loss is so low, the single-phase 12kW F1145 system is more than sufficient to meet the Daveys’ heating needs all-year-round. The heat pump keeps the house at a comfortable temperature, even with the couple using it at less than two thirds of its overall capacity.

As well as qualifying for £2,300 of RHPP vouchers towards the up-front cost, the system will also be eligible for ongoing payments of as much as £2,388 for seven years through the domestic RHI scheme. The couple is so happy with the heat pump, they are even considering greening up their electricity supply with solar PV panels in the near future.

Customer Testimonial 

"Before the project had even begun I had done enough research to know that I wanted a NIBE heat pump," said Shaun. "Not only are they renowned for their quality and reliability, but with 1.25 acres of land, it made perfect sense for us to make the most of our natural surroundings. However, before we could install a renewable heating system, we had to make sure the property was suitably well-insulated – otherwise it would have been counter-productive.

"We originally fell in love with the property because of its picturesque views, but its location does leave it exposed to the elements - and being an old, draughty property, this meant a great deal of heat (and therefore money) was being lost through poor insulation. Therefore, we placed huge emphasis on making it as airtight as possible, replacing all doors and windows and adding extensive insulation to floors and walls. Only then could we look forward to replacing our inefficient electric storage heaters with a highly efficient renewable heating system."

Adds Shaun: "Our NIBE heat pump is keeping the house at a lovely, constant temperature and we’ve not even used two thirds of its capacity yet – so we couldn’t be happier. Not only have we ended up with an effective, easy-to-use, reliable system – it is economical to run and has allowed us to create a more sustainable living space. What’s more, as well as qualifying for £2,300 of RHPP vouchers towards the cost of the system, we’ll also be eligible for ongoing payments through the domestic RHI scheme, which we look forward to! In fact, we’re so happy with our heat pump, we’re even considering greening up our electricity supply with solar PV panels in the near future." 

Shaun Davey

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