He's since extensively remodelled the 900m2 property, creating a large open plan ground floor based around a stylish kitchen and revitalising the old cellar network into a cinema room and wine cellar.
Whilst the size of the property offered huge potential, it also presented a key problem. Paul knew that from the huge off-mains house would mean exhorbitant utility bills. Having used NIBE on a previous project, however, Paul decided to investigate a renewable heating solution - particulary as the listed nature of the building prevented traditional energy conservation measures being considered.
Initial calculations considered what the running cost of the house might be without a green solution. Based on oil, which was the previous heating fuel method for the property, it was estimated that the house would cost nearly £2,000 per month in order to maintain a temperature of 21 degrees, at the current cost of oil (roughly 65p/litre).
Paul called in the help of Howard Tribick of HT Energy Limited, NIBE VIP Installer and winner of the NIBE Installer of the Year Award 2010, based in Northallerton. HT Energy Limited were able to dsign a very specific system that could conquer the problems that came with a 289 year old Grade II listed Country House.
Initially, a NIBE ground source system was looked at, but it was worked out that the property would need 10 boreholes, which would have meant a large captial expenditure and significant disruption to the existing large formal gardens. Additionally the only feasible places that the boreholes could be located, where in a wooded area close to the property, which created extra design problems.
So, the viable alternative was to install a NIBE air source system. Paul could allocate a dedicated area - too small in size to situated 10 boreholes, but large enough to situate an air source system.
The heating system comprises of four F2015-11kW's that are controlled by an SMO 10, running in a cascade system. The first NIBE air source unit is dedicated to hot water. There is also a VPB500 - a 500 litre hot water tank that is also linked to a NIBE solar thermal system - as well as a 500 litre buffer tank for the central heating.
The solar thermal panels from NIBE are specifically designed to work with NIBE heat pumps, which means that it is not necessary to have a seperate solar controller, as the existing built-in heat pump controller is able to control the solar panels also.