Stable Cottage, Port Quin
A delightful coastal cottage, owned and maintained by the National Trust, is enjoying the benefits of choosing a renewable energy system to provide hot water and heating for its guests. A holiday rental property, Stable Cottage at Port Quin, formerly a stable to Doyden House, commands views over the Atlantic Ocean and due to its incredibly rural location its energy had been supplied by an oil fired boiler. With access via a rural track oil deliveries proved challenging and an alternative source was sought.
As the Trust continues to invest in sustainable, renewable and low carbon energy solutions for its properties across the UK through its Renewable Energy Investment Programme (REIP) it was a natural choice to choose an Air Source Heat Pump when the cottage was renovated.A NIBE F2040 8kw Air Source Heat Pump was installed with a NIBE 160L Megacoil DHW cylinder giving a complete system that was entirely fit for providing heating and hot water comfort in the two bedroom cottage.
Solution
“This typical Cornish cottage has undergone a sympathetic and stylish renovation, retaining all its character but making it fit for life in the twenty first century,” said Lewis McNulty, director at WDS Green Energy. “We are proud to have been working with the National Trust on a number of projects to future proof their residential, holiday properties and visitor attractions by installing renewable heating systems which are the most suitable options given the rural location of its many estates. Not only can renewable heating systems support more efficient operation, but the environmental benefits can also be significant as more property owners explore low-carbon heating solutions.
“A straightforward installation was enjoyed causing minimum disruption to the historic property. And, whilst the cottage is situated in an extremely exposed cliff top location, the pump will work efficiently at temperatures as low as -20°C.”
Results
The installation qualified for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments and removed the logistical challenges associated with sourcing and delivering oil to the property.
The RHI payments have been realised at almost £1000 per annum. Based on energy cost assumptions available at the time, annual heat pump running costs were estimated at around £628, with the system projected to provide an annual financial benefit of approximately £1,150 when combined with RHI payments. Actual costs and benefits will vary depending on energy prices, system performance and usage patterns. Furthermore, the picturesque cottage has been preserved for future generations, helping to protect the heritage of the Cornish coastline and all that it has to offer for residents and tourists.
Conclusion
Lewis McNulty from WDS Green Energy commented;
“Stable Cottage, sits atop a striking cliff formation with commanding sea views of the Atlantic, and so it was hugely important to our client that the cottage was warm and welcoming and that the heating and hot water source was reliable. The rising costs of oil coupled with its associated high carbon footprint reaffirmed that they were to seek an alternative heat source that would protect the environment and fulfil their sustainability targets.
“We were proud to carry out a seamless installation which protected the historic nature of the cottage whilst making it fit for modern life and the discerning guests that choose such holiday accommodations.
“Our client is very happy with the performance and reliability of the NIBE products, indeed we have worked with them on a number of projects now as the National Trust continues a programme of continuous improvement to eradicate the use of oil as a heating source from its properties.
“We believe that it is of huge importance to move to more sustainable ways of operating and such a project highlights how large organisations can roll out projects to achieve great things.”
See more at: National Trust