Renewables specialist relies on ESBE valves to deliver heat pump performance

A Yorkshire based heating and renewables engineer, serving commercial as well as residential clients, has been making extensive use of high-performance valves and other products from the range of Anglo-Swedish manufacturer, ESBE, in building his business.

Damon Blakemore began his career undertaking an apprenticeship with the local authority, gaining NVQ levels 2 and 3, and has also undertaken training at the Northampton Heating Academy in hydronics; also recently reaching the National Finals for the Heating Installer of the Year competition at the NEC.

Damon reflects: “We have installed heat pumps in a couple of churches as well as commercial premises such as office buildings and completed a lot of residential work – generally working around the Sheffield area, though we have carried out contracts in all parts of the country.

"When I originally started my own business the work covered a lot of domestic bathrooms and gas boiler installations, but we’ve increasingly moved to fitting heat pumps, whole-house MVHR systems, air conditioning and battery storage plus undertaking design and heat loss calculations; so I am now rebranding as Blakemore Renewables with a completely new website.”

Referring to his engagement with ESBE, Damon continued: “I first started buying ESBE valves, via the local Plumbase in Sheffield, when I got into renewables some three years ago. They were recommended to me by another engineer, but I have come to appreciate the build quality and the versatility of the VRG (?) valve as it can be altered to suit your plant room rather than installing your pipework to fit the valve. This is thanks to the different connection points and the fact they’re fully serviceable from the front. Also, you can purchase different heads for them and alter wiring if necessary.  

“The most recent project we’ve done has addressed a large private house in Sheffield featuring a total of three Heliotherm air source heat pumps – one covering the swimming pool and a pair of 22 kW units providing underfloor heating and hot water across the main residence. The £4 million property totals 2282  square metres across the basement, ground and first floor – plus a rooftop observatory – with six en-suite bedrooms. We’ve utilised the 231 model for diverting and a 131 with the 120 second (speed) head for mixing. It is all commissioned now and is operating well.”     

Specifiers and heating engineers seeking further information on ESBE’s product range and services can call on the support of ESBE’s technical advisory service – or go online to view the manufacturer’s helpful and instructional videos.