Gledhill integrates recognised alternative energies such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps and micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) as part of a total system in conjunction with an intelligent thermal store, which enables homeowners to maximise the energy efficiency of their heating and hot water system.

At the research project in Irlam, Gledhill has equipped the four storey Kempton house with highly responsive heating and mains pressure hot water via its BoilerMate Sol. Its digital sensors and sophisticated control programme monitors and controls the energy input from solar panels, taking into account domestic demand and initiating a top up from the boiler only if necessary.

The four storey Buckingham house has been installed with Gledhill's BoilerMate HP, a thermal store and unvented cylinder package that utilises heat pump energy. The thermal store delivers both heating and hot water and supplies the secondary unvented store with domestic water. Its intelligent controls then monitor the demands of the home and ensure low cost heat pump energy is called upon first.

The eco-friendly Thirlmere house consists of three stories with underfloor heating and incorporates a Gledhill Boilermate mCHP. Thermal storage is essential for efficient use of mCHP because again, sensors positioned throughout the whole system assess the energy flows in a property at any time. Its programme will monitor the rate of energy change in the store to decide whether to allow the temperature to deplete or to activate the mCHP appliance.

The development at Irlam is part of the Modern Methods of Construction project, designed to enable developers, contractors, and suppliers to trial and monitor new environmentally-friendly materials and methods of construction. With customers becoming greener in their outlook and energy efficiency now one of the top three reasons when buyers select their new home, Gledhill's expertise in the area of alternative energies made them the ideal partner in this project.