Dorset Home benefits from renewable heat pump system

(22/02/2012)

A Dorset couple have invested in a ground source heat pump from Danfoss Heat Pumps UK to give them a more sustainable energy source of heating and hot water for their four-bedroom property.

After much consideration, what finally made their decision for them was when Gary and Rosemary Mills, who live off the gas grid in the village of Horton near Wimborne, experienced problems with their oil supply over a number of years, but almost ran out during last year’s prolonged period of freezing weather.

Mrs Mills said: “Because our house is on a steep hill it can be difficult for fuel lorries to get through to us if it is very snowy or icy. We had particular problems during last year’s harsh winter when we were unable to get a delivery and had to collect our oil in cans. We had been considering switching to a renewable heating system for some time and that experience prompted us to make the change.”

The couple consulted Paul Kelly, co-owner of P & DC Kelly Building Contractors based in Verwood, Dorset, who had carried out previous construction work at their property.

P & DC Kelly Building Contractors, who are accredited Danfoss installers, carried out the entire project, including digging out the trenches for the ground loop which supplies the heat pump. The ground loop was laid in a horizontal configuration in 1.8m deep trenches in land alongside the house. Where space is more restricted it is possible to supply a heat pump from vertical ground loops.

The heat pump was installed in a garage adjacent to the house, freeing up internal space which had previously been taken up by the oil boiler and the water storage tank.

Paul Kelly, co-owner of P & DC Kelly Building Contractors, says: “A heat pump system is the ideal solution for homes like this that are off the gas grid. We installed an Opti Pro heat pump from Danfoss because it operates at an extremely high level of seasonal efficiency, as well as having an in-built de-superheater which ensures a generous supply of hot water.”

Paul Kelly specified a 12kW model of the Danfoss DHP-H Opti Pro, which was over-sized to allow for a potential future extension to the house. After assessing the potential output of the home’s existing radiators, P & DC Kelly Building Contractors calculated that the system was sufficient to distribute space heating to the home, with the addition of just one new radiator.

Mr and Mrs Mills will benefit from the Opti Pro’s intelligent control system that uses speed controlled circulation pumps to ensure that its performance is always adjusted to the prevailing temperature conditions. This ensures that the minimum possible amount of electricity is required to run the pump and also means that homeowners can simply ‘set and forget’ the controls, as the heat pump automatically maintains the required internal temperature in the most energy efficient manner.

Mrs Mills says: “We are confident that we have a much more reliable system than our old oil boiler and it is very satisfying to be able to generate our own cleaner, greener energy from the land near to our property. It has also created a lot of interest amongst friends and neighbours who are now considering changing to ground source heat pumps as they can really see the benefits.”

P & DC Kelly Building Contractors can be contacted by email at kellybuilder@tiscali.co.uk.

Related categories:  Heat pumps   Residential applications