Byre House is a beautiful example of how traditional buildings and modern renewable technology can work together.
Project Overview
Originally a traditional Cumbrian stone barn, the property has been transformed into a highly efficient, low-carbon family home through thoughtful design and the integration of renewable energy systems.
The homeowners wanted to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve long-term energy efficiency, and create a more sustainable home without compromising comfort or character.
Greenfields was appointed to design and install the ground-source heat pump system, underfloor heating, and domestic hot water provision, before later returning to integrate battery storage with the property’s existing Solar PV installation.
Designing A Heating System Around The Property
Projects like this require more than simply replacing one heating system with another.
The aim was to create a complete heating and energy solution that worked seamlessly with both the original stone barn and the new extension while supporting future energy demands.
At the centre of the system is an 11kW Vaillant flexoTHERM ground source heat pump, which extracts stable temperatures from boreholes below ground to provide efficient year-round heating and hot water.
To complement the heat pump system, Greenfields installed:
- Full property underfloor heating
- 100L heating buffer vessel
- 300L domestic hot water cylinder
- Zoned heating controls throughout the home
The entire system was designed to operate efficiently at lower temperatures while maintaining consistent comfort throughout the property.
Integrating Battery Storage With Existing Solar PV
The property already had an existing Solar PV installation in place before Greenfields became involved.
At a later stage, Greenfields returned to enhance the system by designing and integrating battery storage to improve the self-consumption of generated electricity.
The upgraded system included:
- GivEnergy 3-phase 11kW hybrid inverter
- GivEnergy 20.4kWh high-voltage battery storage
- Integration with the existing Solar PV array
- Import and export monitoring across the property
This allows more on-site electricity to be stored and used later, helping reduce reliance on grid electricity and improving overall system performance.
Smart Controls & Future Flexibility
To give the homeowners greater visibility and control, the property also includes intelligent system controls.
Heatmiser NeoStat controls and NeoHub provide zoned temperature control throughout the house with remote access via smartphone.
The property also benefits from a 22kW MyEnergi Zappi EV charger, which can be seen in the image below.
Outcome
Byre House demonstrates how traditional properties can successfully transition to modern renewable energy systems.
The completed project provides:
- Efficient heating through ground source technology
- Whole-house underfloor heating
- Integrated battery storage alongside Solar PV
- Smart heating and energy controls
- Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
- A future-ready energy system designed for long-term performance
This project shows how careful system design and integration can create a highly efficient home while preserving the character of the original building.
Planning A Renewable Heating Project?
Greenfields Heat & Power designs and installs renewable heating and energy systems across Cumbria, the North West and selected projects nationwide.
Whether you’re renovating, extending, or building new, our team can help design a system tailored to your property and long-term goals.