A Victorian mansion in Powys is being transformed into a sustainable events venue using a combination of renewable and low-carbon technologies, including a new Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) boiler working alongside an efficient Megaflo 1,000-litre cylinder.
Work underway at Bronllys Hall, parts of which date back to the 16th and 18th centuries, will create 40 ensuite bedrooms and various entertainment areas. The Hughes Architects, the conservation architecture specialists managing the Bronllys project, teamed up with Suffolk-based Hounsfield Boilers to tackle the challenge.
The systems integrators for Bronllys Hall, working with a local plumbing company, have connected Hounsfield’s efficient UK HVO boiler technology to a thermal storage system provided by Baxi. Manufactured in the UK, the Megaflo 1,000-litre cylinder is insulated to achieve low heat losses, constructed of duplex stainless steel for longevity and is maintenance-free with no sacrificial anodes.
Richard Whittington, Technical Sales Manager at Baxi, says, “The very low heat losses of our Megaflo hot water cylinders, their renowned quality and reduced carbon footprint dovetail perfectly with the carbon-neutral aims of this project as well as meeting the requirements for a long-term low-maintenance solution. We are extremely proud to be playing a part in this ground-breaking sustainable events venue which exemplifies UK innovation at its best.”
Doug Hughes, Principal Architect and Managing Director of Mid Wales-based Hughes Architects says, ”Along with our other partners in this expansive project, Hounsfield’s technology and Oil4Wales’ logistics enable HVO heating to work at scale with high availability – another step in creating a fully sustainable historical building alongside our work with battery technology from Brill Power, whose battery management system will extend the lifespan of the building’s battery system. The batteries are charged by sustainable sources, with minimal reliance on renewable power from the grid.
“HVO is a highly effective way to solve the difficult issue of decarbonising heating, with options to scale for the future and deliver on our collective commitment to sustainability. This approach not only gives incredible projects like this a competitive edge through delinking from carbon-intensive fossil fuels and their price swings but also adds further to its core eco credentials, aligning with the team’s sustainability targets.”
The team aims to complete the first stage of Bronllys Hall’s transformation into a carbon-neutral event venue by the end of 2024. In the process, Bronllys Hall is intended to become a showcase for UK homegrown cleantech innovation, giving confidence to commercial building owners and developers seeking to install renewable and sustainable integrated systems.
This need has become more pressing now that the UK Government’s Energy Efficiency Standards, which came into force on 1 April, require all commercial buildings to be rated at Grade C or higher by 2027 and Grade B by 2030.
The Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, will require all residential properties to meet at least EPC C by 2035 where practical, cost-effective and affordable. Wales has also recently introduced recycling and sustainability targets, all of which the Bronllys Hall Team aim to deliver on, meet or exceed by the end of 2024.
To read more on Baxi, click here