Alpha recently played a role in a meaningful home renovation project for former Leicester Tigers rugby player, Taylor Gough. Following a serious car accident that left Taylor paralysed from the chest down, his home required extensive adaptations to support his new needs. One of the key requirements was a reliable, high-performance heating system that could be easily controlled remotely.
Supporting Accessible Living
Taylor, now a full-time wheelchair user, shares his home with his partner, Tilly. Due to the nature of his condition, Taylor is often stationary and more vulnerable to cold temperatures. This made an efficient and responsive heating solution essential – not just for comfort, but for wellbeing.
Rick Reilly, of Mayo Plumbing & Heating Services, took on the plumbing and heating work for the renovation and, upon learning Taylor’s story, offered his services free of charge.
“Taylor’s situation really hit home for me,” said Rick. “My son plays rugby too and is around the same age – it could’ve been him or any of his friends. After years in this industry, I just wanted to give something back.”
Choosing the Right Solution
Rick needed a boiler that would:
- Provide strong performance for a home with two showers
- Be remotely controllable so Taylor could manage heating independently
- Offer long-term reliability and efficiency
At his local Plumbase in Tamworth, Rick was recommended the Alpha E-Tec Plus 38kW combi boiler. With a flow rate of 15.9 litres per minute, it could comfortably meet the household’s hot water needs. When paired with the Alpha Connect Wi-Fi thermostat, it also gave Taylor complete control via smartphone or tablet.
This setup allows users to manage all standard heating functions – temperature scheduling, frost protection, and holiday mode – through an app. The system even features geolocation, which can send reminders to turn the heating off when the house is unoccupied, improving energy efficiency.
A Durable and Dependable System
Beyond smart control, the Alpha E-Tec Plus offers outstanding durability. It includes:
- A stainless-steel heat exchanger
- Zinc-plated expansion vessel for corrosion resistance
- High-efficiency Grundfos pump
- Honeywell PCB and gas valve
- And a 10-year warranty for peace of mind
Going the Extra Mile
Having had a positive experience with Alpha in the past, Rick reached out to their service team to share Taylor’s story. In response, Alpha generously offered a discount on the boiler to help reduce the financial burden for the couple.
“Alpha’s service team were incredible,” Rick said. “They really understood the importance of this project. The installation itself was simple, and I knew I could count on their support if needed. I’ll definitely be using Alpha again in the future.”