Manor House, Steyning BN44 | Heritage Plumbing & Heating
17th Century Manor House, Steyning BN44
Heritage Plumbing & Complete Hybrid Heating Installation — Listed Country Property
Preserving History While Delivering Modern Comfort — A Complete Hybrid Heating & Plumbing System for a 17th Century Manor House
When a heritage property demands modern performance, the solution must respect its past while engineering its future.
Set deep in the Sussex countryside, this 17th-century manor house in Steyning BN44 required a full plumbing and heating redesign — one that delivered high-pressure hot water, efficient zoned heating, and cutting-edge renewable energy systems, all while protecting the building’s historic character.
With multiple wings, seven bathrooms, and strict conservation constraints, this project demanded precision, sensitivity, and engineering excellence.
Sable Projects delivered a complete hybrid system designed for comfort, efficiency, and long-term reliability — without compromising the essence of this remarkable home.
The Homeowner’s Challenge
This large manor house required:
Strong, reliable hot water for seven bathrooms
Zoned heating across four wings
A hybrid system balancing renewable + traditional heating
UFH on ground floors + 90 cast iron radiators upstairs
Respect for listed building restrictions
Complete pipework upgrades and mains boosting
The challenge was clear:
Bring 21st-century comfort into a 17th-century building — without disturbing its heritage.
This required careful engineering, expert coordination, and a team who understood the responsibility of working within listed properties.
They turned to Sable Projects.
Our Role: The Guide
We led the project with:
Conservation-sensitive design
Collaboration with heritage consultants
Complex hybrid heating integration
Precision installation within fragile structures
System layouts optimised for access & longevity
Our purpose was simple:
Make this historic home warm, reliable, and future-proof — without losing one ounce of its charm.
Our 3-Step Plan
1️⃣ Design & Planning — Engineering With Sensitivity
Working alongside conservation specialists and the main contractor, we developed:
Heat-load calculations across multiple wings
Zoning layouts for radiators + UFH
Sizing for heat pumps, oil boilers & cylinders
Pipe routing that avoided original timber, stonework & features
CAD schematics for plant integration
Goal: Modern performance with zero compromise to heritage structure.
2️⃣ Installation — Precision Meets Conservation
We delivered a complete mechanical upgrade:
Duty Point Scuba Tank for high-pressure water supply
Three Joule unvented cylinders connected in parallel
Three ASHPs + two oil-fired commercial boilers for hybrid heating
Maincor UFH throughout lower floors
90+ cast iron radiators across upper levels
Full new pipework & incoming water mains upgrade
Plumbing for seven luxury bathrooms
Every connection, bracket, and fixing was installed with minimal impact to original structure.
3️⃣ Testing & Handover — A System Built for Centuries
We completed:
Full pressure testing
System flushing & balancing
Plant commissioning to manufacturer standards
Hybrid control optimisation
Client training & system walkthrough
The end result was a balanced, whisper-quiet, energy-efficient mechanical system engineered for decades of service.
Challenges & Solutions
1️⃣ Listed Building Constraints
Challenge: Protecting historic timber and stonework.
Solution: Custom routing + reversible fixing points to preserve all original features.
2️⃣ Complex Hybrid Plant Integration
Challenge: Multilevel plantroom with limited space.
Solution: Engineered compact layout for pumps, boilers, cylinders & controls.
3️⃣ High System Demand
Challenge: Seven bathrooms + multiple wings.
Solution: Three Joule cylinders + Scuba Tank for uninterrupted pressure.
4️⃣ Balanced Renewable & Traditional Heat
Challenge: Matching ASHP output with oil boiler load.
Solution: Bespoke hydraulic control strategy.
⭐ The Final Outcome (Transformation)
The manor house now benefits from:
High-pressure hot water throughout
Even, efficient heating across all wings
Reduced running costs via renewable integration
Full preservation of period features
90+ cast iron radiators & UFH working in harmony
A future-proof, serviceable system
This is craftsmanship, engineering, and heritage protection — all working together.
⚡ Key Takeaways
Heritage homes can achieve modern comfort without compromising character
Hybrid heating offers efficiency, resilience, and performance
Cast iron radiators remain perfect for period properties
Expertise is essential when working within listed buildings
🔵 Start Your Heritage Home Plumbing & Heating Project
Let’s bring modern comfort to your period property — carefully, respectfully, and expertly.
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