Barn Conversion, Churchover

This 6 month project was concerned with the conversion of a 19th Century timber framed thatched barn to additional living accommodation providing open plan living / dining space, a new luxury kitchen and utility room, and enlarged entrance hall incorporating equipment for a new ground source heat pump based heating system.

The barn is Grade II listed and so a sympathetic approach to conversion and compliance with all associated planning conditions was necessary.

The resulting conversion featured exposed roof timbers illuminated by feature architectural spot lighting, traditional lime plaster walls and ceilings, extensive aluminium sliding patio doors with venetian blinds integrated into the double glazed panels and underfloor-heated tumbled limestone flooring throughout.

One noteworthy aspect of this project is the inclusion of a ground source heat pump based heating system, where low grade heat is extracted from the ground using a series of fluid filled collector pipes buried 1m below ground. From this, high grade heat is then generated using a heat pump unit, enough to provide all the heating and domestic hot water requirements for the whole house. The heat pump is very efficient and it is possible to generate 4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity used to power the system.

While the main system components were provided by the UK’s leading supplier of heat pumps, ICE Energy, and plumbing and electrical elements of this installation were carried out by sub-contractors, the most significant part of this installation was the ground works associated with the laying of 600m of ground collector pipes, and this was carried out by Scott and his team.

With generous government subsidies and feed-in-tariff schemes available for qualifying renewable energy projects, a ground source heat pump based system can be a very cost effective means of providing heating and hot water for your property.