Location: Annan
Client: Mr & Mrs N
Property Type: Large rural / period property
System Type: Biomass (log boiler) with district-style underground heat main
Background
Mr and Mrs N had an early-generation Ariterm biomass boiler, installed during the early uptake of biomass systems. While well intentioned at the time, the system had never delivered consistent comfort.
The symptoms were familiar:
- The house never felt warm
- Radiators were underperforming
- The system struggled during colder periods
- Comfort expectations had changed as the clients spent more time at home
AB Energy Centre had been maintaining the boiler for several years. It was clear the issue wasn’t just the boiler — the entire heat delivery system was limiting performance.
Independent Heat Assessment
Rather than relying on internal assumptions, we commissioned an independent heat load assessment. This ensured:
- No commercial bias
- Transparent recommendations
- Confidence for the client
The assessment confirmed the property required a minimum of 60 kW of usable heat output — more than the existing system could reliably deliver.
Scope of Works
This was not a “boiler swap”. It was a system-wide correction.
Key upgrades included:
- Removal of the existing Ariterm boiler
- Installation of a 60 kW ETA log biomass boiler with automatic ignition
- Replacement of the underground heat main between plant room and house
- Replacement of the plate heat exchanger serving the main house
- Full system power flush of the internal heating system
- Radiator balancing throughout the property
To control costs, we:
- Re-used a high-quality buffer tank sourced from another AB Energy Centre project
- Retained suitable existing infrastructure where technically appropriate
The power flush alone took 3–4 days due to decades of sludge and contamination — the system had likely not been cleaned since the 1980s.
