For over 45 years, Grant has been manufacturing innovative heating products and solutions to help those working in the construction industry provide more ‘climate-friendly’ properties across Northern Ireland. A recent example of this is a new-build home in Co. Down which is the first home in Northern Ireland to be heated using HVO biofuel.
The property, at Ballyfrenis outside Millisle, is using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for space heating via a 26kW biofuel-ready Grant Vortex condensing boiler (boiler house model). As a result, the home is on course to deliver savings of around five tonnes of carbon dioxide per year which is a reduction of almost 90% compared to using heating oil (kerosene)*.
Earlier this year, the Department for the Economy published its 2023 Energy Strategy Action Plan with the inclusion of low carbon energy sources a key part of the document. With a public consultation on heating planned this summer, the action plan outlines the Department’s priority areas for action in 2023, and high on the list of objectives is replacing high carbon heating sources with lower and zero sources in households and businesses.
In Ballyfrenis, the home adaptations have been so successful that the property has had a revised energy performance rating, increasing from B85 to A96, far in excess of the Northern Ireland average of D60 (A ratings require a score of 92+). The heating solution was designed by Next Gen Power and OFTEC, the trade association for the liquid fuel industry, which oversaw the boiler conversion, while London-based Green Biofuels Ltd supplied the advanced HVO fuel. Mark Eccles, Grant NI, said, “We are delighted that one of our 26kW biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing boilers was included in this heating solution. A first for Northern Ireland, this low-carbon heating system has futureproofed this home and is a great example of how HVO could provide a more sustainable way to heat existing homes than a heat pump.”
The Grant Vortex condensing boiler range is one of the most efficient in Northern Ireland comprising 22 models with outputs from 15-70kW and comes in various models including boilerhouse, outdoor, combi and utility variants. All new Grant condensing boilers are future-proofed to use HVO by making a slight modification to the boiler, with older Grant condensing boilers also being adapted to HVO via modifications carried out by a service engineer.
About the Grant HVO Biofuel compatible Vortex boiler:
• Features a Riello RDB Burner
• High efficiency SEAI Harp ‘A’ Rating
• Fully approved OFTEC Standard and EC directives
• Simple and quick to install with no complicated wiring
*Estimates provided by Ardent Energy Ltd.
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