Energy-Efficient Homes at Bollin Grange
Showersave delivered clear benefits for both developers and residents
Vistry, in partnership with housing association Onward Homes, has delivered a collection of new build apartments at the Bollin Grange development on Gaw End Lane, Macclesfield (SK11 0LB). The apartments form part of a wider residential scheme, with 77 homes made available for affordable rent and shared ownership through Onward. The apartments have all been offered for affordable rent, helping local people become part of a growing community in this highly desirable, semi-rural location.
Showersave delivered clear benefits for both developers and residents
Showersave waste water heat recovery systems (WWHRS) were specified early in the project following energy strategy development led by Zoe Donald, Director at L & F Solutions and an experienced SAP Assessor. Zoe was involved from the outset, having authored the Vistry housing development energy statement for Bollin Grange. This technical document, submitted as part of the planning process, demonstrates how the development meets local and national energy efficiency standards, sustainability targets, carbon reduction requirements, and compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations
Application and Performance
Using SAP 10 software, Zoe assessed the impact of various technologies on a typical flat within the development to demonstrate compliance with Part L.
Her analysis showed that incorporating Showersave WWHRS significantly improved the Dwelling Primary Energy Rate (DPER):
- With Showersave:
- DPER < TPER by 6.75% – Pass
- Without Showersave:
- DPER < TPER by -4.29% – Fail
The selected product for the scheme was the Showersave Blue QB1-21XE, a compact vertical waste water heat recovery unit designed to recover heat from shower waste water and reuse it to pre-heat incoming cold water.
In SAP 10 terms, achieving DPER < TPER confirms that the dwelling performs better than the notional target building, a mandatory requirement for Part L compliance.
Zoe also highlighted that in small apartments, installing photovoltaic (PV) panels is often impractical or inefficient. In a comparative SAP scenario:
- With PV only (0.4 kW peak):
- DPER < TPER by 3.88%
This demonstrated that omitting WWHRS and relying on PV alone resulted in a less efficient dwelling overall. In apartment blocks where roof space is restricted or shared, waste water heat recovery offers a more effective and equitable route to compliance.
As Zoe explains:
“In the world of Part L, waste water heat recovery makes sense. It reduces the need for solar panels, especially in social housing apartments where not every flat has roof space. WWHR makes a huge difference in SAP.”
Key Benefits
The introduction of Showersave delivered clear benefits for both developers and residents:
- Improved energy efficiency, reducing hot water energy demand by up to 50%
- Enhanced system performance, making boilers or heat pumps up to 40–50% more efficient
- Lower capital costs compared with installing PV across an entire site
- Reduced fuel poverty, particularly important in affordable housing
- Lower energy bills, with savings passed directly to tenants and homeowners
- Reduced carbon emissions, supporting long-term sustainability targets
Zoe also emphasised the social impact:
“Installing everything electric isn’t always the best option for residents if they can’t afford the bills. WWHR is passive, costs nothing to run, and makes a real difference. Fuel poverty is real to me, WWHR is a no-brainer.”
Installation Experience
All first and second fix plumbing installations at Bollin Grange were delivered by ADM Plumbing Contractors, led by Director Andy Williams. Andy highlighted the simplicity of installing the Showersave Blue QB1-21XE:
“As a contractor on site, you don’t want anything complicated to fit. We found the Showersave Blue simple to install, with no specialist tools required, which is a real benefit.”
“We were surprised by how little space the Blue needs. It fitted closely next to the grey waste pipe, and once boxed in, you wouldn’t even know it’s there.”
Looking Ahead
Onward is committed to providing homes that are affordable to rent or buy and more affordable for people to run. Minimising household energy costs through novel technology is just one way to support residents in the long term. By halving hot water energy demand, Showersave systems will help ensure that these homes remain comfortable, and more efficient to operate over their lifetime.
Andy Williams summarises the wider impact:
“The Showersaves systems is an efficient way for social housing developments to reduce energy demand. It’s easy to install, test, and box in and tenants benefit from lower energy bills.”
“Installing everything electric isn’t always the best option for residents if they can’t afford the bills. WWHR is passive, costs nothing to run, and makes a real difference. Fuel poverty is real to me, WWHR is a no-brainer.”
Zoe Donald, Director, L & F Solutions