Case Study - Richmond Homes

Set in a tranquil village amongst the Ochill Hills, overlooking the lands of the rivers Earn and Tay, Drums of Pitversie is a new Richmond Homes development where homeowners can escape the pressures of everyday life without sacrificing conveniences or comfort.

An estate of eleven luxury homes, centrally located in the picturesque conservation village of Abernethy, Drums of Pitversie combines the elegance and serenity of the surrounding Perthshire landscape with convenience and ease of access to any of Scotland's finest cities.

By meeting the challenge of providing for the needs of a modern family whilst keeping to Richmond Homes' traditions of luxury, character and prestige, this new development offers flexibility and comfort in a dream location: rural living - the modern way.

Beyond the reach of mains gas, one of the keys to developing the Drums of Pitversie site was the possibility of providing the homes with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Calum Stewart, Construction Director of Richmond Homes, explains:

"Our customers expect certain standards, and LPG provides a more comprehensive list of fuel-related benefits than oil. For example, having a controllable flame for cooking or a 'living flame' fire is a necessity for the modern family - and only Calor could provide them."

Against competition from other major utilities, LPG market leader Calor Gas Ltd was successful in winning the contract to supply gas to the eleven homes.

Following detailed research and extensive discussions between Richmond Homes and Calor, Calor's technical consultants advised that the development would benefit most from a metered communal gas storage facility. Each house would be supplied via underground pipes, and a meter in each home would measure usage.

The Drums of Pitversie homes combine elegant traditional features such as intricate stonework, bay windows and classical fireplaces with top-of-the-range appliances, award-winning 'living technology' and designer kitchens.

"Calor's flexibility and technological methods complement the style and personality of a Richmond Homes Building," explains Christine Hill, Marketing and Sales Director of Richmond Homes.

The decision to turn the Abernethy site into a metered estate was taken to minimise the levels of disruption and to reduce costs. Calor engineers were well aware of the expectation that accompany the purchase of a Richmond Home, and consequently it was felt that a communal gas facility, subtly incorporated into the entrance to the estate, and suitably framed by hedging plants and shrubs, would be the ideal solution.

The Drums of Pitversie Calor Gas tanks will be monitored by the latest technology to ensure each home always has sufficient energy supplies. Advanced wireless technology allows the tanks to 'think for themselves', accurately measuring when a new delivery of gas is required. This removes the necessity for ordering gas on a home-to-home basis, and does not require somebody to be home to oversee the delivery.

"Calor's approach to customer service and energy supply coincides with the philosophy of Richmond Homes," explained Mrs Hill. "We provide excellence, luxury and practicality for our customers, so we needed an energy supplier that matched those standards. There are also substantial environmental benefits to LPG, which produces significantly less CO2 than solid fuels."

Calor LPG's versatility means that it can be used for heating, catering and heating water. The simplicity of a metered estate, which does not require any monitoring from homeowners, also reduces a family's responsibility for its fuel.

Existing oil legislation would have required Richmond Homes to be responsible for all fines and clear-up costs as a result of oil spillages, which can run into thousands of pounds. With Calor LPG, the fuel and all safety-related issues are the responsibility of the supplier.