Not only would the new system have to be the latest word in efficiency and meet the latest energy efficiency directives, but would have to the appease constraints of a retrofit situation and cope with the demands of renewable energy in the form of solar power.
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Douglas Pattison of Greenheart Installations undertook the updating of the barn conversion with the latest in HVAC efficiency products.
Douglas Pattison’s company Greenheart Installations is based in Chichester and undertakes all kinds of plumbing and heating work including solar thermal, PV, wood pellet boilers and heat pumps. The barn conversion in Icthenor, West Sussex, employed DAB Pumps’ residential buildings range: the Evosta, the Evo VS for hot water supplies and the Evo VSA pump for solar heating installations.
High efficiency
Greenheart is replacing pumps on the central heating and hot water systems, as well as on the property’s solar installation. First to be installed is the new range of high efficiency Evosta circulators. DAB Pumps has made the Evosta the same dimensions as the traditional type pumps it will be likely to replace, so it is ideal for retrofit situations, where old three-speed circulators need to be replaced with Head of 4, 5 and 6 m.
Simply connecting the pump via standard pump valves or gate valves to the pipe makes installation quick and simple. The installation time is also saved thanks to a single setting button (which involves basic wiring) and a brass vent plug is used to bleed the system.
The pump’s motor casing is manufactured from die-cast aluminium so the pump does not require any overload protection, providing added peace of mind when fitting. Once wired in, the pump reacts to system changes automatically and adapts the circulator performance accordingly.
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The Evo VS has a bronze pump body and again is of similar dimensions to the pump that will need to be replaced.
Ecodesign Directive
The best pump manufacturers make sustainability part of their strategic choice, and since 2009 this has been driven by a mandatory requirement called the Ecodesign Directive. This 2009 EU directive includes all ‘energy-related products’ (ErP) and its purpose, through several increasingly stringent steps between 2013 and 2020, is to lead the market towards a wider adoption of highly efficient and intelligent products.
In 2013 all circulating pumps had to reach Class A efficiency, and not exceed the value of 0.27 of the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI). From 1 August 2015, the limit value of the EEI will be reduced further to 0.23 and will apply to integrated pumps in newly installed heat generators and solar thermal systems. Finally, from 2020, the 0.23 limit value will also apply to the replacement of pumps already integrated in heat generators.
The use of quality components and advanced electronics in pumps today ensure Class A high performance low energy consumption as well as simple product installation and operation. This means installers do not need to worry about checking EEI values, making their life simpler, safe in the knowledge they are meeting legislation, improving energy efficiency and saving money. Products that meet the legislation will carry a ErP logo, with the year (2013, 2015 or 2020) signifying compliance. From 1 August 2015, products must be ErP 2015 compliant.
For peace of mind, Evosta meets the 2013 and 2015 Energy Related Products (ErP) requirements (Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) ≤ 0.23) in line with European Directive 2009/125/EC.
Hot water system
Next it’s the turn of the Evo VS on the hot water system. This pump has a bronze pump body and again is of similar dimensions to the pump that will need to be replaced. This saves a lot of time for installers and means the Evo VS is a great choice for retrofits.
This barn conversion also uses renewable energy in the form of solar power, and so requires a circulating pump that can cope with the often very hot water temperatures produced by the panels. The VSA pump is designed to withstand temperature peaks of up to 140°C. It can also function perfectly with high glycol concentrations (up to 60%) and has a special electrophoresis coating of the pump body to ensure resistance to glycol attack.
Rural properties like this barn conversion sometimes suffer from low water pressure. The E.sybox is a ‘fit and forget’ booster pump that can be fitted vertically or horizontally on its anti-vibration mountings or onto a wall. It has variable positions for inlet and outlet pipework and can be plugged directly into the mains electricity supply. Once switched on, the unit automatically commissions, saving time and hassle.
