Rural self-build sets standard for low-carbon comfort

UK – Anna Wakefield, Head of Internal Sales and Marketing at Grant UK, explains how a self-build in rural Wiltshire has combined high insulation levels with a complete Grant renewable heating system for efficient, low-temperature and low-carbon comfort throughout the home.

In an exposed rural setting in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, a two-storey self-build barn has been designed to sit perfectly in its surroundings.

From the start, the homeowners wanted their three-bedroom property to be as thermally efficient as possible. Minimising heat loss was a priority, not only due to the exposed location but also to support the performance of a low-temperature heating system.

High levels of insulation were specified throughout the build. Triple glazing was installed, the roof has a 150mm bonded covering with a further 150mm of Rockwool beneath, cavity walls incorporate 125mm Celotex with an additional 40mm insulation bonded to the cladding and 150mm of Celotex insulation was laid across the ground floor.

This fabric-first approach ensured the property was well suited to an air source heat pump and a complete Grant renewable heating system was installed, combining an Aerona 290 air source heat pump with underfloor heating, aluminium radiators and a pre-plumbed hot water cylinder to deliver efficient, low-temperature heating throughout the home.

System selection

The homeowners worked with local installer Dave Croker of Howard Croker Partnerships, a G1 Heat Pump Installer based in Corsham. Having worked with Grant products previously, he recommended the Aerona 290 for the project. This heat pump ticked all the right boxes for both aesthetics and performance. As Grant’s latest heat pump model, it is highly efficient and the black casing complemented the barn’s external cladding, blending in with the overall design.

At the centre of the system is the Aerona 290 9kW heat pump unit, part of Grant UK’s R290 refrigerant heat pump range. Designed to suit a wide range of properties, the units are quiet in operation, achieve an A+++ ErP rating and are MCS accredited, making them eligible for Government funding when installed as part of a qualifying system.

Working alongside the heat pump is a Quick Recovery 2 Smart pre-plumbed 250L cylinder with factory-fitted primary pipework and pre-wired controls, including the Aerona Smart Controller and wiring centre. These features help make installation easier and reduce time on site, while the cylinder’s large internal coil supports efficient operation with low-temperature systems.

The heat emitters were chosen carefully to suit the layout of the property. A Grant Uflex underfloor heating system was laid throughout the ground floor and upstairs, 12 Grant Afinia aluminium radiators were fitted. Ranging from compact 6-panel units to larger 12 and 14 panel models, the radiators have low water content and respond quickly to changes in demand so they are well suited to low-temperature heat pump systems.

Installation and funding

Although new homes are not eligible for Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grants, self-build projects can be, and these homeowners were able to claim funding towards the system. The work was completed through Grant UK’s MCS Partnership Scheme, achieving full MCS certification on the installation.

“Coming from gas central heating in our previous home, we weren’t sure what to expect,” says the homeowner, “but the Aerona 290 has genuinely exceeded our expectations. The heat is steady, comfortable and far more consistent than what we were used to with gas. It runs quietly in the background and it’s reassuring to know that our new home is starting off with an efficient, low-carbon system that’s built for the future.”

“If anyone is considering a heat pump for a new build, we’d definitely recommend the Aerona 290. It’s been easy to live with, cost-effective to run alongside our solar panels, and a great match for a modern, well-insulated home. We’re really pleased with the switch and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others.”

For a home designed to sit comfortably within its rural surroundings, this heating system fits perfectly. The combination of insulation and low-temperature heating is now providing a consistent, comfortable living environment that matches the intentions set out at the start of the project.

For more information about, Grant’s renewable heating technologies, visit https://www.grantuk.com/products/.