At Smithy Farm on the Eaton Estate an advanced Air-Source Heat Pump has been installed. It takes energy from the air and raises it to a higher temperature using a process which is similar to a reverse-refrigeration process.

The equipment for this new system is housed in a former coal shed with the only external mechanism being the intake fan. Able to extract heat from the air at temperatures as low as minus10ºC, it has been connected to various standard under-floor heating and radiator circuits. Slightly less reactive than a conventional system, it is nevertheless capable of keeping constant temperatures and can provide heating and hot water to 55°C.