An Andrews Standard Range L63/71 storage water heater is providing domestic hot water for a restored French Manor House featured in Channel 4's current Grand Designs Series. Built 200-250 years ago from local granite and designed to have three floors, cellars and a huge attic, Chez Jallot stands in approximately four acres of grounds. It had been a local Resistance headquarters during WWII until discovered by occupying troops in 1944 and completely burnt out. It remained derelict until 2003, with no roof, floors, windows or doors and almost completely engulfed by jungle that had brought down a gable end and chimney stack.
New owners, Denise Daniel and Doug Ibbs began the mammoth task of restoration in July, which they describe as a massive self build project with specialists taking care of structural work etc. The house is being refurbished in traditional French country manor style with complementary furnishings and gardens but incorporating many modern features with a view to energy conservation principles and environmental concerns.
When preparing their schedule of works and procurement, they contacted Andrews requesting information on an LPG commercial water heater that would be suitable for a "tourist hotel” size property. It would be required to serve the kitchen with its sink, dishwasher and washing machine outlets, also six bathrooms - four with bath shower and hand basin, two with shower and hand basin - plus a further hand basin in the downstairs cloakroom.
Andrews recommended an L63/71 model from the Standard Range that will provide 674 litres hot water at 56ºC temperature rise in 90 minutes, as required at peak times, with a spare capacity of 38%. This was delivered to site together with unvented system pack and Correx Anodes at the end of last year.
The water heater was positioned in a small room under the main entrance stairway awaiting connection at the allotted time. Despite the inevitable delays that tend to occur during a project of this type, two floors were finished to more than a habitable standard by July. Denise and Doug have now moved from their temporary accommodation on site into the house and, although their hard graft far from over, can take comfort in the knowledge that there is a supply of plentiful hot water waiting for them to relax in whenever they need it.
