The 2,600 sq ft self-build property, built by owners Jonathan and Emma Hayes, required a heating system capable of improving energy efficiency while also being suitable for the off-grid application. With curtailing the property’s environmental impact also an essential requirement, Jonathan reached out to renewable heat specialist Renew East who recommended Baxi’s HP40 Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP).
Like a third of the properties in Suffolk, the luxury self-build was off the mains gas grid, making it a prime candidate for a renewable heating system. Although an experienced heating engineer, Renew East director Luke Nicholls Luke Nicholls welcomed the opportunity to benefit from Baxi’s full support services on his first installation of the new product that would maximise energy efficiency and carbon-saving capabilities.
Complete control over home
After completing the property’s heat loss calculations, Luke recommended the 11kW Baxi HP40 Monobloc heat pump with a 250-litre hot water cylinder. This system feeds the underfloor heating, emitting 11kw of heat even at temperatures as low as -5°C. The system control panel has a user-friendly interface which aided the commissioning process by allowing Luke and his team to view the performance of the outside unit from within the property. At the same time, the heat pump’s connection to Baxi’s uSense smart room thermostat ensures Jonathan and Emma have complete control over the temperature in their home.
The Baxi monobloc design also aided in the smooth installation process. Many standard components, such as the mims controller, circulation pump and expansion vessel, are housed in the main outdoor unit. This saves the homeowner vital space inside the house and makes installation quicker and more straightforward.
As part of the company’s support for its heating engineers, Renew East was able to access Baxi’s full heat pump services and expertise both before and during the project in the run-up to its installation. To familiarise themselves with Baxi solutions, the team was encouraged to attend hands-on heat pump training, covering design and application as well as the practical elements of the installation and commissioning of the system. Once the installation was complete, they could also benefit from commissioning supervision offered by Baxi’s expert heat pump engineers, who could ensure the solution delivered its intended design performance before handover to the homeowners.
Luke said: “We really enjoyed working on this installation, and it has been very easy compared to most. The Baxi’s Monobloc design is a great option when there is limited space in the home, and it was installed very quickly and easily. The intuitive, user-friendly controls also mean the customer has complete control over their new system now the property is handed over.
Getting installers comfortable with using heat pumps
“The top-notch extra support Baxi has given has also helped the project to run like clockwork. Often with other manufacturers, there’s no return of an email, but every single one of my questions has been answered within just a few hours.
“The training that they provided, even as an experienced air source heat pump engineer, was great and I would recommend it to anyone looking to get into installing the technology. The tutors really knew their stuff so we felt really comfortable with the design solution before the kit even arrived on site. The supervised commissioning support was something I had never experienced before with any other manufacturer, so I didn’t know what to expect, but having the engineer physically with me on-site was really helpful. They know the product inside out, so it just made the whole process straightforward.
“Overall, working with Baxi has been really easy from start to finish, from the training to the design of the system to the commissioning. It couldn’t have run much smoother to be honest.”
Harriet Evans, renewables director at Baxi, said: “Baxi has a wealth of knowledge on heating applications, a full suite of heat pump training courses, a range of product solutions and a nationwide network of commissioning engineers to offer that additional site support when required. We want to get installers comfortable using heat pumps – from initial design and application to installation guidance, commissioning and supervision support – and by being there throughout the journey, we can make sure every system delivers on efficiency and comfort.”
“We expect to see a surge in demand for residential installations and engineers who come on the journey with Baxi will be able to fully support the homeowners who are taking up the technology. The time is now for engineers to start getting comfortable with heat pumps.”