Harvard Renewables are in the news! Our partnership with Baxi, was featured on the Installer Weekly website recently. We discussed training, installations and the future of energy efficient heating for homes.
Read the full article below, or on the Installer Weekly Website.
A Kent-based heating company has installed its first Baxi air source heat pump (ASHP). The installation was completed at the home of co-director of Harvard Renewables, as part of its recent renewable heating diversification.
Harvard Heating has partnered with Baxi for 13 years on boiler installations. Co-owner, Bo Lindeman, branched out into low-carbon heating with a new business venture, Harvard Renewables. Baxi was his first port of call for support.
A few months later, the company installed an air source heat pump at Bo’s own 1930s semi-detached home in Belvedere.
Baxi ASHP Model
The new system features the Baxi HP40-11-1, a monobloc ASHP. It’s known for its efficiency and ease of installation, combined with a Baxi 210 litre ASHP cylinder. The installation was carried out by Harvard Renewables’ co-director Bill Taylor.
“I started the journey by signing up for the Baxi Heat Pump Installer Course,” he continued. “On the first day we learned about design application. On the second day we were shown how to install Baxi’s range of ASHP products.”
Hands On Learning
Bill favours practical education environments that involve interactive learning. He added: “The Baxi training course divides nicely between theory and hands-on training. This suited me down to the ground. It was carried out in the workshop, where trainers explained each component to us and really broke it down. It’s an excellent course which I thoroughly recommend.”
For Bo, as the homeowner, what was his view of the heat pump installation? Bo said: “By having a heat pump installed at my own 1930s house, you could say I’ve really put my money where my mouth is!
“Living with a heat pump means that I can answer any of my customers’ concerns with real world experience as well as offering practical advice on how the technology works. I can also debunk some of the myths they may have heard. For example, I can categorically state that heat pumps are not noisy! And that the installation doesn’t have to be disruptive. In fact, within days, I actually forgot we had one installed. It just replaced the old system.
“Compared to a gas boiler, the ASHP provides a nice, steady heat rather than what can sometimes feel like uncomfortable peaks and troughs. You just leave it on and let it do its thing.”
Support from Baxi
Baxi supports installers by offering assisted commissioning on Baxi Heat Pump Installers’ first installation. This involves a detailed walkthrough of the installation with one of Baxi’s specialist heat pump engineers. They can point out and help rectify any potential issues. They also assist with setting up controls prior to the handover to the homeowner. Once this is completed, the installer becomes an official Baxi Heat Pump Installer and is able to register their customer’s enhanced warranty.
Rob Pearse, Residential Business Director at Baxi, said: “We’re really happy to be able to offer quality training and guidance on low-carbon heating. It’s fantastic to see that Bo has taken the training on board and decided to install an ASHP at his home.
“It’s great to see companies like Harvard Renewables committed to the energy transition and encouraging homeowners to move to efficient low-carbon heating solutions. We’re thrilled that Baxi has helped to make it happen.”
“We are committed to supporting more gas engineering businesses when it comes to transitioning to heat pumps through our wraparound solutions, world class installer training, assisted commissioning and award-winning service.”
A fantastic partner
“Baxi has been a fantastic partner,” Bo added. “They bring that same engineering excellence from their boiler range into the world of renewables. We know that when we install a Baxi system, it will perform exactly as it should.”
