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Baxi heat pumps meet Passivhaus challenge

UK: A development of 16 social homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus standard has been constructed in Dalbeattie, Dumfries & Galloway, with the support of Baxi air-source heat pumps. 

These new two and three-bedroom net-zero homes for Loreburn Housing Association were designed by architect Robert Potter and Partners and built by main contractor Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd. 

Using the Passivhaus model, the entire home had to be designed around achieving the best energy efficiency as well as the heating source being a heat pump. This involved specifying not only the insulation and windows to meet the standard, but also the correctly sized heat pump for each home.

Space was also a consideration in the homes. The design needed to guarantee there was ample room for the internal and external elements of the heat pump solution, without compromising on comfort for tenants.

North-Ayrshire-based heating contractor James Frew Ltd decided to partner with Baxi to benefit from its range of support services, training and products.

The James Frew team worked closely with Baxi’s experts – specification manager Craig McVicar and engineering solutions manager Ryan Kirkwood – to ensure the correct specification of heat pump for the design requirements of each house. 

Baxi’s air source heat pumps, compatible cylinders and uSense controls were specified to provide the heating and hot water provision for each of the 16 homes through three radiators.

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