Demonstrating the breadth of UK properties where a retrofit heat pump install had proved possible, Vaillant has announced the three projects selected by the judging panel, as winners of its Heat Pump Challenge competition.
With dozens of strong entries submitted, the five-strong judging team was set the unenviable task of choosing three finalists based on factors such as system design, installation, and commitment to helping the property transition to a low carbon future.
Lead by architecture pundit, Kevin McCloud, the judges singled out the winning designs – and the installers behind them – as shining examples that highlight the potential of heat pump technology across different building types. The winning projects also addressed many of the reservations installers and homeowners may have towards opting to retrofit the technology to a home, such as limitations of space, older property designs, running efficiencies and ability to provide a comfortable temperature in the colder months.
And the winners are – a Grade-II listed barn conversion in Matlock by IMS Heat Pumps, a Cornish boat house install by Abode Heat, and a 1960’s semi-detached home in East Sussex fitted by Optimus Heating.
Grade-II Listed Barn Conversion: IMS Heat Pumps
When the homeowner wanted to update their 400-year-old stone cottage with the addition of a heat pump, many said it couldn’t be done. However, IMS Heat Pumps navigated the heritage features, 2’6’’ thick walls and 18-feet high kitchen apex, to effectively design and install a heat pump system to meet the heating and hot water requirements.
The homeowner made use of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to reduce initial installation costs and have found running costs to be on a par with gas. Even during the colder months, when temperature hit -7°C, the homeowner commented that their home was kept plenty warm enough.
Cornish Boat House: Abode Heat
Overlooking the picturesque Helford River, this thatched property is often exposed to the elements and salt air, meaning when it came to upgrading the property’s existing heating system a heat pump perhaps wasn’t the most obvious choice. However, the judges were particularly impressed with how the installed aroTHERM plus is keeping the property warm, effectively, and efficiently – resulting in an approximate 66% reduction in running costs*, when compared to the old direct electric system.
The property is also rented out as a holiday home, so the system had to be easy to use and ensure noise was kept to a minimum for guests.
1960’s Semi-detached Home: Optimus Heating
The final winning entry is a three-bedroom semi-detached home in Peacehaven, East Sussex, where the installer had fitted a heat pump to his own home having seen energy bills rising.
With the property itself dating back to 1960s, the judging panel singled out the entry as a great example of a retrofit where the installer had switched a boiler out and replaced it with a heat pump, with relatively little adaptation to the property.
The results have proved effective, with the installer / homeowner enjoying an easy-to-use system that maintains a comfortable temperature year-round.
Next steps
The next steps in the competition will see each of the winning properties, the installer’s responsible for the installation, and homeowners, star in their own case study video which will be attended and presented by Kevin McCloud.
Commenting on the winning properties, Mark Wilkins, technologies and training director at Vaillant said: “Selecting just three winners was a difficult task, as every entry we received truly pushed the boundaries to show what is possible with heat pump technology.
“Now we’ve selected the three winning properties, work is already underway behind the scenes to create some standout video case studies that tell the story behind each installation from the point of view of the homeowner and installer. This way we’re confident we can support even more homeowners to better understand how low carbon technologies, such as heat pumps, can work effectively in their homes.”
To keep up to date with the Vaillant Heat Pump Challenge, visit: vaillant.co.uk/heatpumpchallenge .
