Ian Loader’s vision of an eco-friendly home became a reality with the assistance of GRAF UK. Retired from his role as a sales director for a global commercial lighting company, Ian and his wife Wendy decided to downsize from their Grade II listed five-bedroom thatched house to a four-bedroom detached house in Banbury, 300 metres from Banbury Cross. The original 1930s single-skin brick house needed a comprehensive eco-friendly overhaul, managed by CJ Charles & Sons, whose MD, Chris Charles, had experience with eco-house construction.
Transforming an older home to meet modern eco-friendly standards presented several challenges. Demolishing and rebuilding the house was not cost-effective due to the location’s high property values. The goal was to retrofit the house with sustainable features, including a rainwater harvesting system.
GRAF UK’s Carat S rainwater harvesting system became a cornerstone of Ian’s eco-friendly renovation. The system includes a 4,800-litre Carat S ECO-Plus tank, installed in the front garden. The tank collects rainwater from the house and garage gutters, with ductwork delivering the water to a plant room for use in washing machines, toilets, and garden irrigation.
Ian discovered GRAF UK at the BBC Countryfile Live show at Blenheim Palace in 2019 and chose them for their blend of German engineering and excellent customer service. The installation of the Carat S ECO-Plus tank took two days, including excavation, placing the tank on a concrete base, and backfilling with gravel. Another two days were spent installing the necessary ductwork.
Ian and Wendy moved into their new eco-home in November 2020, during a COVID lockdown. By July 2021, preliminary data indicated that the household was using only 35 litres of water per day, significantly lower than the average for two people in a detached house. Their estimated annual costs were £550 for electricity and £300 for water, much lower than their previous home. Additionally, the heat pump installation qualified for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments, making the house more than cost-neutral over the payment period.
Chris Charles, MD of CJ Charles & Sons, highlighted the simplicity and effectiveness of GRAF UK’s system. He noted that the system’s modular design allows for easy installation and high reliability. The rainwater harvesting system has been functioning flawlessly since installation, even before Ian and Wendy moved in.
Ian Loader shared his satisfaction: “I explored other systems, but GRAF UK’s blend of German engineering and superior service stood out. Their competitive pricing and the responsibility we felt to make environmentally friendly choices made them the right partner for our project. The system has been working perfectly, and we are pleased with the results in our urban environment.”
Chris Charles added, “Having installed many rainwater systems over the past 20 years, I can confidently say that GRAF’s system is one of the best. Their support and readiness to assist on-site were invaluable. The system has been running smoothly for a year with no issues.”
Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on September 18, 2024.