Buildings Iconic
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems such as that employed in
the Castle Course clubhouse are popular for heating and cooling
simultaneously with heat recovery. An additional benefit is that
ground source heating and cooling is widely accepted as a low-
carbon technology
fears and those of design engineers will be dispelled so
that this type of system will become more widely used
in the UK,” Fox says.
Many clients remain reluctant to take the plunge with
ground source systems because of the capital cost. The
groundworks required for boreholes can make ground
source heating and cooling far more expensive than
traditional systems, mainly due to the high surveying
> period of time to build up an accurate picture of the and drilling costs.
carbon footprint. Similarly, the installation costs are higher than with
“The clients seem to be generally happy,” Fox says.
Using heat
heating-only systems. Where heating and cooling
“They are happy with the low running costs, but are still recovery are required, however, particularly where these are
a bit confused about how the system operates – this is
ventilation, and
required simultaneously, the installation costs of this
often a problem with new technology and new ways of type of system are comparable with split cooling and gas
doing things. There is often a perception that there is a
heating and
heating – even cheaper in some instances.
problem when, in fact, it is just an unfamiliar system. cooling plant in Air source VRF systems can also be specified as an
“For example, the maintenance staff took a little
a fully integrated
alternative to ground source, providing there are no
while to get to grips with the underfloor heating system planning, noise or footprint restrictions. This would have
because it does not behave in the same way as more
package, matched
cut the Castle Course installation cost of £320,000 by
conventional heating. However, they are used to it now the customers’s around £90,000, according to Fox, although the course
and can see the benefits both in comfort and energy
precise
owners will benefit from better long-term running cost
saving.” savings with their ground source system.
This approach, while clearly innovative for the UK
requirements but
“Due to the modular nature of the VRF equipment,
market, makes use of well-known technology that is is flexible enough coupled with the controls philosophy built into modern
already tried and tested worldwide. VRF is a popular
to be altered if
systems, this type of installation can be used for virtually
method for heating and cooling simultaneously with any new build project,” says Fox. “Using heat recovery
heat recovery; and ground source heating and cooling
the use of the
ventilation, and heating and cooling plant in a fully
is widely accepted as a low-carbon technology. building changes integrated package, matched the customer’s precise
“I hope that, by using this installation as an example of
over time
requirements but is flexible enough to be altered if the
best practice in building techniques, the wider public’s use of the building changes over time.” l
54 CIBSE Journal February 2009
www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEfeb09pp52-54 StAndrews•.indd 54 5/2/09 14:37:09
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