Equipment from Altecnic has been specified for the heating system installed at Copper Beech, a new holiday home development in St Issey, Cornwall. Copper Beech consists of six properties and was specifically designed to achieve high standards of energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
The development operates under the UK government’s Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which encourages the adoption of renewable heating technologies through financial incentives. The RHI scheme requirements, along with the objectives of the property developer, shaped the installation from the outset, prioritising both environmental performance and the practical need to maximise usable space in each property.
Amber Heating, the contractor for the project, selected ground source heat pumps as the main source of heating for Copper Beech. Unlike traditional gas or oil boilers, ground source heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower flow temperatures, typically around 50°C. This difference meant that conventional heating distribution systems would not be suitable, as they are often designed to work at higher temperatures. Instead, the installation required equipment that could maintain reliable hot water and space heating performance at these lower temperatures, without compromising user comfort.
To address these needs, Altecnic supplied SATK22307 Direct Heat Interface Units (HIUs) for each holiday home. These HIUs are engineered for low-temperature networks and optimised for compatibility with renewable heat sources like ground source heat pumps. Their compact design was particularly important for Copper Beech, where both the central plant room and the individual properties had limited available space. By installing the HIUs within each property, the project team was able to eliminate the need for large, centralised hot water cylinders and bulky distribution equipment. This approach not only maximised the usable living space in each holiday home, but also allowed for a more flexible and streamlined installation in the plant room.
Keeping it clean
Additionally, Altecnic provided Dirtmag Mini dirt separators as part of the overall heating system. These compact units are designed to remove debris and particulate matter from the heating circuit, protecting the sensitive components of the HIUs and the heat pump. By filtering out potential sources of blockage or wear, the Dirtmag Mini helps maintain the system’s efficiency and reduces the need for ongoing maintenance.
The completed installation features decentralised HIUs in each property, all supplied by the central ground source heat pump. The HIUs manage both domestic hot water and space heating, ensuring that each home receives consistent service despite the lower operating temperatures. Throughout the installation, the focus remained on integrating efficient, appropriately sized equipment that would deliver the required performance while fitting within the physical limits of the development. The result is a heating system that supports reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions, while also lowering operational costs for the property owners.
