A charming new home constructed in North Cornwall has taken great strides to reduce its carbon footprint, sourcing local craftsmen and renewable heating technology that was manufactured just 8 miles down the road.
The new build features a Kensa 10kW Single Compact (https://www.kensaheatpumps.com/product/6-12-kw/) ground source heat pump and borehole ground array, providing the four-bed home with 100% of its heating and hot water.
With underfloor heating throughout the ground source heat pump offers the 200m2 home an ambient heat all year round, whilst attracting guaranteed quarterly payments for seven years via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI: this scheme has now closed – please visit this page (https://www.kensaheatpumps.com/funding/) to explore other funding).
The half-acre plot was very suitable for a ground source heat pump but after considering slinkies (https://www.kensaheatpumps.com/the-technology/heat-sources-collectors/surface-soil/slinkies/), the owners decided that boreholes (https://www.kensaheatpumps.com/the-technology/heat-sources-collectors/rock/boreholes/) were less invasive on the garden area and only a small extra cost.
We designed the living space around a sloping plot, minimising the need for high retaining walls and providing access to all the essential services on one level. We knew the space requirements for the heat pump from the start and were therefore able to incorporate the heat pump into a low-level store constructed under the front balcony close to the boreholes.
The heat pump was purchased and stored in the garage (which was the first building erected) whilst the groundworks and remainder of the build was constructed. We had two 90 metre boreholes drilled over just two days. The Kensa equipment was installed close to the end of the build, connected up to the boreholes and then switched on.
Heat pump technology looked very complex to a non-technician. However with the excellent support Kensa provided (as well as an excellent product, of course) it has been very easy to ask the right questions and get simple and straightforward answers. We asked Kensa lots of questions about requirements options and costs, RHI calculations and more. Always our questions were answered quickly and comprehensively. Costs were very competitive and customer support continued to be excellent through after sales queries and RHI application support.
What advice would you give to others considering ground source heat pumps?
For a new-build, consider all aspects of the opportunity. The site, location of the pump, heating system to be supported, RHI payback and compare to the full cost of alternatives.
