PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 24 Products in Action


Renewable liquid gas blend helps historic estate upgrade to a cost-effective solution


we noticed an improvement in heating efficiency straightaway. We didn’t have to change the infrastructure in any way for LPG and bioLPG as it’s a drop-in fuel.” As an off-grid, Grade II listed


estate, Montalto faces planning restrictions, limited electricity grid capacity and the risk of damaging historic fabric – all major barriers to alternative off-grid heat sources, such as heat pumps, solar or wind turbines. Eight bulk tanks now supply a


A 400-acre historic estate in County Down, Northern Ireland, is proving that heat pumps are not the only answer to low-carbon heating, after switching from oil to a renewable liquid gas blend. Montalto Estate, a 17th-century


property including a grand house, wedding venue, café, retail spaces and offices, now operates on a


10% blend of bioLPG, a renewable liquid gas made from sustainable feedstocks. The change from oil to smaller and more efficient LPG tanks and boilers has cut carbon emissions by up to 90%. David Wilson, owner and estate


manager at Montalto, says: “Switching to LPG and bioLPG was really straight forward and


Ground source solution at home


NIBE Energy Systems is supplying ground source heat pump systems for homes being built by Pye Homes at Welborne Garden Village in Hampshire as part of the first phase of the development. The homes are connected to a shared ground loop ambient heat


network, which distributes low-grade renewable heat to multiple properties. Individual NIBE systems installed in each home provide heating and hot water. The development is a planned


community designed around sustainability principles, with the energy strategy reducing demand by sharing a common underground heat source across properties. The system can also support


passive cooling during warmer periods, helping to regulate indoor temperatures. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/31


Flats benefit from indoor heat pumps


A trial installation of Activair indoor air source heat pumps from Trianco has been completed in six flats in Argyll, Scotland to assess the use of indoor heating systems in multi-occupancy housing. The project is a first for Scotland as


contractor Procast looks for a highly efficient air source heat pump unit that would be suitable for installing in the most difficult to treat flats and tenements. Peter Beighton, MD of Trianco, explains: “It is hoped that the new


installations will improve energy efficiency, provide tenants with savings and lead to better insulated homes. “Now completed, the project will have a hugely positive impact on


living conditions for tenants as well as help to reduce their energy bills. The Activair units are designed for internal installation, typically in a kitchen space in a position similar to a traditional boiler. Unlike standard air source heat pumps, which are mounted outside, the system uses two air ducts that connect to the exterior of the building, one to draw in air and the other to expel it.” The systems are available in 5 and 7kW outputs and can be installed


as standalone units linked to a separate hot water cylinder or as integrated systems with built-in DHW storage. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/33


bioLPG blend across the whole of the Montalto estate for all heating, hot water and catering needs, and deliveries are managed by telemetry, with the flexibility to adjust the renewable percentage when the estate is ready. “With no physical change


to the end user, except for an improvement in efficiency, it’s


ASHP fitted in Glenavy bungalow


A recently completed new-build bungalow in Glenavy, Northern Ireland, required a heating system capable of delivering both efficiency and comfort. With a floor area of 140m2


and


underfloor heating installed throughout, the property needed a solution that could provide consistent low-temperature heat while also supplying reliable domestic hot water for a high- volume shower. Installer Connor from KPH


Renewables submitted the project plans to Warmflow using the company’s free specification service. Following assessment of the property’s heating demand, a Warmflow Zeno R290 9kW air source heat pump (AS01) was specified. This model was


the easiest and most sensible option for us and has enabled us to maintain and communicate a strong sustainability message,” adds David Wilson. The estate’s approach reflects


a wider challenge across off-grid and heritage buildings. Research by Liquid Gas UK,


the trade association for LPG and renewable liquid gases, shows that fitting an air source heat pump in a heritage hotel can cost up to £77,000 whilst a renewable liquid gas boiler costs around £6,700. It is claimed that for heritage


hotels choosing renewable liquid there is the potential to save


more than £8,000 per year in comparison to an ASHP. George Webb, CEO of Liquid


Gas UK, says: “Many homes and businesses currently lack practical alternatives to heat pumps to lower the emissions from heating, particularly off-grid or listed buildings. Where retrofits of electric equipment aren’t feasible, renewable liquid gases can offer a huge carbon saving and are cost effective to install. Montalto shows us that electrification alone isn’t the answer – it’s a great example of how real, practical changes can work.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/30


selected to specifically match the heating requirements of the bungalow, ensuring the system could operate efficiently while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures all year round. To meet the home’s hot water


needs, the system was paired with a Warmflow Nero 240-litre heat pump cylinder. It was chosen to ensure a consistent supply of hot water, particularly important given the installation of a large-


Hydronics boosting heat pump performance


A heating installation in a terraced property in Helmshore has been carried out with a focus on improving the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of a Vaillant 7kW air source heat pump, using hydronic components from ESBE. The work was undertaken by Bee Warm Heating


& Maintenance, led by installer Liam Crosby, who specified a range of ESBE valves as part of the system design. These included the VTN102 frost protection valve, ARA 646 diverter valve and a VRG mixing valve. The heat pump supplies underfloor heating throughout the two-bedroom property, which is approximately 1,800ft2


. The original work was complicated by a previous


contractor having fitted an unnecessary buffer vessel, a filter intended for conventional heating systems and other inappropriate features compromising output. Fortunately, having attended last September’s ESBE sponsored iNstallD heat pump training event and


volume shower. The use of underfloor heating


throughout the bungalow makes it an ideal candidate for a heat pump installation. Systems of this type operate most efficiently at lower flow temperatures, allowing the Warmflow Zeno R290 AS01 to work effectively with the underfloor pipework to provide steady, even heat throughout the home. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/32


drawing on his longer term experience, the uplift is producing preliminary COP figures which indicate Liam has got the heat pump working efficiently during the coldest part of the heating season. The revised system was designed to support


more effective operation, with particular attention given to component selection and system layout to improve SCOP. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/34


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