LPG provider Calor has strengthened its offering to the rural housing development market with the appointment of two key new specifier consultants.

Ivan Griffiths will help manage the Eastern and Southern regions, while Rachel Heyes is responsible for the North, Scotland and Wales.

The pair join Ian Thornton, who will continue to cover the South West and Midlands regions, and Ian Digby, who has led Calor’s dedicated housing development team since 2016.

Calor has also taken the decision to assign each of the UK’s top 20 housebuilders a dedicated member of the team, to help ensure consistency and streamline processes for any ongoing projects with each of these leading housebuilders.

Calor works with many national housebuilders, including Persimmon Homes, Linden Homes and David Wilson Homes, as well as regional developers such as Bargate Homes, Cussins and Larkfleet Homes. The company also partners with a range of major housing associations and social housing providers, with tenants appreciating the fact that LPG delivers a tried and trusted solution, which is affordable and easy to use.

For new developments, LPG can be installed as a communal system, with the tanks stored centrally underground and the gas then distributed through a network of pipes to homes. Each property is then fitted with its own meter, to monitor the fuel used. As the closest alternative to mains gas, LPG costs significantly less to install than air source heat pumps, oil heating or electric storage heating systems, as it does not impact on standard house designs.

Ian Digby, specifier sales manager at Calor, said: “We have achieved major growth in this market for the past two years, with housebuilders responding very positively to the fact that Calor offers a dedicated team for this sector. To help continue to meet the needs of the developers that we work with across the UK, we are delighted to welcome Ivan and Rachel to the team.

“Housebuilders not only appreciate the benefits of dealing with an expert in LPG, but an experienced industry specialist that is able to give advice on building regulations, planning issues and after-sales care.

“Many developers now consider LPG as the default choice for sites where a mains gas connection is simply not possible or financially viable. The fuel is far simpler to install and more cost-effective than alternative off-grid options, such as oil, electric or air source heat pumps.

“By choosing to partner with Calor, housing developers can be safe in the knowledge that they are dealing with the UK’s largest LPG supplier. We work with the developer throughout the entire housebuilding process: from the provisional site appraisal and planning permission, to site development, build and completion – not to mention the after-sales support we can provide to the new homeowners. Combined with over 80 years’ experience in the LPG market, it’s no surprise that so many leading housebuilders are turning to Calor to help with their fuel needs.”