Case Study: Class Q Barn Conversion in Alton, Staffordshire

Converting a historic agricultural barn into a modern, luxury family home presents unique challenges, especially regarding heating and ventilation. Mark approached Total NRG to design the ultimate heating and hot water system for his Class Q barn conversion in the beautiful village of Alton, near Cotton, Staffordshire. Because the finished property was designed to be highly airtight and incredibly energy-efficient, the heating and ventilation systems needed to be perfectly integrated from day one.

The Project Details

Location: Alton, Staffordshire

Project Type: Class Q Barn Conversion (Residential)

Property Size: 191m²

Heat Required: 7.4kW

Technologies Installed: Stiebel Eltron WPL 25 ACS Air Source Heat Pump, ROTH Underfloor Heating, and Zehnder MVHR.

The Challenge: Heating an Airtight Barn Conversion

Modern barn conversions are often built to incredibly high insulation standards, making them highly airtight. While this is fantastic for heat retention, a lack of natural drafts means that moisture and stale air can quickly build up inside the property.

The client needed a primary heating system capable of comfortably warming the large 191m² footprint, alongside a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system to provide constant fresh air without losing valuable heat to the outside.

The Total NRG Solution

We designed and installed a complete, bespoke renewable energy package tailored specifically to the demands of this Class Q conversion.

• The Primary Heating: We specified and installed a premium Stiebel Eltron WPL 25 ACS Air Source Heat Pump. This provided the exact 7.4kW of heat required to keep the home perfectly comfortable, even in the depths of winter.

• Invisible Heat Distribution: To maximise the efficiency of the heat pump and keep the beautiful barn walls free of radiators, we laid a complete ROTH Underfloor Heating system throughout the property.

• Fresh Air & Heat Recovery: To solve the airtightness challenge, we installed a state-of-the-art Zehnder MVHR system. This system continuously extracts stale, moist air from kitchens and bathrooms, transfers heat to the incoming fresh air, and distributes it throughout the living spaces—ensuring excellent indoor air quality with almost zero heat loss.

Converting a Barn in Staffordshire?

If you are planning a Class Q barn conversion or a major retrofit in Staffordshire or the surrounding areas, getting your heating and ventilation designed early is essential.

Contact the expert team at Total NRG today to discuss your plans, arrange a heat loss calculation, and ensure your dream home is comfortable, breathable, and highly efficient.

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