Three Dimplex ground source heat pumps are at the heart of a unique renewable heating solution feeding a new-build, low carbon farmhouse dwelling in the Northumberland countryside.
Space and hot water heating to the property is provided by three Dimplex SI11MEH (single phase) ground source heat pumps alongside six Dimplex flat plate solar thermal collectors and 40 photovoltaic panels, forming a unique trio of renewables solutions rarely seen on domestic projects. A 1,000 litre Dimplex buffer tank with solar coil, 500 litre solar preheat cylinder and three local 200 litre domestic hot water cylinders are also included.
The complete heating system was installed by Geowarmth Heat Pumps, a North East based installer which is MCS accredited in five technologies and has been installer partners of Dimplex since 2007.
With solar thermal and PV technology offsetting the running costs of the heat pumps, the trio of renewable heating solutions delivers cost-effective, high-performance heating for the expansive rural property. It even takes principles from commercial schemes to ensure maximum efficiency, such as using a preheat cylinder for the solar thermal, which is more effective than the typical domestic twin coil cylinder.
John Withers from Geowarmth said: “This was a bespoke solution which demonstrates the breadth and capability of modern renewable heating systems. The technology was carefully chosen to meet specific requirements of the property and we have taken measures throughout the installation to maximise the performance of the system.
“For example, the selection of underfloor heating at 150mm pipe centres allows low flow temperatures from the heat pumps in order to minimise running costs and maximise Co-efficient of Performance (CoP), which in turn will maximise payments through the Renewable Heat Incentive.
“Heat pump electrical consumption has been estimated at around 13,000kWh per annum. However this should be completely offset by the 40-panel PV array which will generate around 9,000kWh per annum and the six-panel solar thermal array which we are expecting to produce around 5,000kWh per annum.”
Ian Millar, the property owner’s representative and project manager, said: “Whilst the overall construction project has presented a few challenges, Geowarmth and Dimplex have really delivered on the renewables installation, even though the scale and complexity are larger than most domestic projects.”
