The Background
Caroline O’Neill, known as Digg Mama to her many followers, embarked on a self-build journey in the summer of 2023 when her and her husband Gerard had the opportunity to begin building their dream home from the ground up!
The Challenge
Caroline's previous home, purchased in 2013, relied on an oil-fired heating system which had adequately met her family's needs. However, when undertaking her own self build, she became aware of the newer, more sustainable and energy-efficient technologies on the market and was eager to make a smarter choice for the future. The difficulty lay in understanding which system would best align with her new home’s design, performance goals and long-term costs.
As a homeowner embarking on a new build journey, Caroline faced a challenge that’s all too common: navigating the complex world of home heating systems without clear guidance. With limited technical knowledge and an overwhelming number of options available, she found herself asking, “Where do I even begin?”.
The Solution
The solution came in the form of a Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump designed and supplied by Bassetts. With over 40 years of experience with air source heat-pumps in Northern Ireland, Bassetts were perfectly positioned to become Caroline’s build partner for all her home heating needs.
Caroline visited Bassetts’ Heating Innovation Centre in Clady, Co. Derry, a unique facility dedicated to plumbing and heating solutions for self-build projects. This was the perfect starting point to get expert advice when the initial decision-making process felt uncertain and daunting. With working models of indoor and outdoor units, as well as the control systems that go with them, Caroline was able to get a visual understanding of what would go into her new family home.
One of her initial concerns was the noise levels of the outdoor unit. However, with the working models at the Bassetts Heating Innovation Centre, Caroline was able to see firsthand why Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan units have award winning low noise levels. Not only could Caroline see how the system would perform, she could also hear it – or rather, she could not hear it!
Each heating system is custom-designed by Bassetts to fit their customers’ exact heating requirements. Upon hearing the details of the project Caroline was undertaking and how important creating an energy efficient home was to her, the team at Bassetts were able to suggest a Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump.
The Mitsubishi Electric range of Ecodan air source heat pumps are one of the most advanced heating systems available for homeowners. An Ecodan can reduce running costs, lower CO2 emissions and offer reliable, sustainable heating and hot water all year around. It works with an outdoor and indoor unit. The outdoor unit only requires electricity and water connections. It is easy to install and can be situated discretely outside the home or in the garden. The Ecodan outdoor unit upgrades freely available heat energy from the air and transfers it into the Ecodan hot water cylinder to provide the house with hot water and heating through the radiators and/or underfloor heating. Our cylinders are specifically designed to integrate with the outdoor unit.
Our range of Ecodan heating systems are ideal for new build homes and self-build homes as they perfectly adhere to Building Regulations and any renewable targets set by the local authority. “We recommended the Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan heat pump for Caroline’s home as it offers a highly efficient and reliable heating solution ideal for a busy household of five. With consistent hot water demand and a need for dependable performance year-round, the Ecodan system was the perfect fit. Its advanced controls, quiet operation, and ability to integrate seamlessly into existing systems made it a practical and future-proof choice for the family’s comfort and sustainability goals” mentions Chris McCready, Renewables Consultant at Bassetts. Caroline received a fully personalised service from Bassetts that allowed her to stay in control of her self-build, while still benefiting from the expert advice she needed.
The Results
By installing a Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump, Caroline has future proofed her dream home. With a fully airtight house, the heat pump will operate with the upmost efficiency, providing consistent indoor temperatures. The heating system has been custom-designed for Caroline by Bassetts to fit her exact needs and requirements, with smart controls and individual room thermostats.
The Ecodan heat pump system will provide all of the domestic hot water (DHW) and space heating that Caroline’s family of five require. The indoor unit will provided sufficient hot water for daily needs, while efficiently distributing consistent, even heat throughout the house through underfloor piping and radiators.
The Conclusion
A spectacular family home deserves a heating system to match and that is exactly what Caroline has created. With the installation of a high-performance Ecodan heat pump, the warmth and comfort of this home are now on par with its stunning design. The system will provide the family with reliable, energy-efficient heating for years to come, ensuring that every season is enjoyed in maximum comfort.
It's easy, you don’t have to worry about it. Your house always feels comfortable. It's not too warm, it’s not too cold and there’s always hot water, which is a dream. So far, we are loving our new Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan air source heat pump
We recommended the Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan heat pump for Caroline’s home as it offers a highly efficient and reliable heating solution ideal for a busy household of five. With consistent hot water demand and a need for dependable performance year-round, the Ecodan system was the perfect fit. Its advanced controls, quiet operation, and ability to integrate seamlessly into existing systems made it a practical and future-proof choice for the family’s comfort and sustainability goals.
Choosing an Ecodan air source heat pump was the best decision we made for our home. It’s efficient, quiet, and keeps the house comfortable year-round
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