Highgrove House – Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Following a successful Renewable Project in the Function Room at the Estate in 2007, we were invited back to Highgrove to considerably extend the scheme in Their Royal Highnesses drive for carbon neutrality in 2012.

Appointed as Principal Contractor for this project Watertite Heating Limited of Yeovil successfully undertook the project management, site installation and full co-ordination of 2 new Biomass Boilers at this prestigious private estate nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Heat is generated by two Austrian manufactured ETA HACK 90kw boilers. These are capable of using either wood pellet or wood chip, supplemented by solar thermal panels. Heat is transferred through a district heating network of pre-insulated below ground pipework to the House, The Orchard Room, Estate Offices and out-buildings.

A particular challenge was moving the hot water generated from a bespoke remote plantroom via the 250 metres of pre-insulated below ground pipework and into the main house. The parkland and grounds had to be excavated and reinstated with planned routes agreed with the Home Office, HRH and His Estates Staff.

Close coordination with Estate & House Staff was required for all interface works within the house itself.

To maximise efficiency, the system incorporates the latest technology and controls, enabling the temperature of each heating circuit to be adjusted to reflect external temperatures. Reliability is enhanced by the twin boiler system which is continuously monitored to ensure peak performance and to identify warnings or faults at the earliest opportunity.