BROWSHOLME HALL PROJECT FOCUS
greatly from the gradual continuous heating provided by this type of heat pump system. We have found that, with careful planning, the appropriate equipment and sympathetic installation, it is possible to integrate a modern efficient heating system within a historic building.’
COMPLICATED
The Tithe Barn boasts beautiful traditional features, such as exposed stone, oak beams and flagstone floors.
is then compressed which causes its temperature to rise. The hot gas passes into the condenser where it starts to change back to a liquid as heat is transferred into the building. After passing through the expansion valve, the liquid refrigerant returns to the evaporator and the cycle begins again. Heat pumps are effective both in summer and winter, day and night, because the ground temperature remains constant at only a few feet below the surface. The pump also supplies all the hot water for the development, including toilet blocks and a kitchen – a considerable demand at a venue which can accommodate up to 200 guests. Stephen Andrews, technical manager at Danfoss, says, ‘An increasing number of homeowners, schools and businesses are having ground source heat pumps installed after calculating just how much money they can save on heating and hot water. We worked closely on the project with our approved installer, Coefficient Renewable Heating Solutions of Sheffield. ‘The heat pump system was perfect for this project because of the size of the area to be heated, which includes the barn’s oak beamed open roof space.’
WARM AND WELCOMING
The roof and floors of the barn were insulated but it was not possible to insulate the original stone walls, yet the heat pump still delivers a high coefficient of performance. Underfloor heating was installed because the warmth is concentrated at ground level, rather than rapidly moving up towards the open rafters. Heat pumps are designed to run continuously and because of this the venue is always warm and welcoming if potential clients drop in to look around. The system’s controls include a digital
readout, which enables the owners to monitor its efficiency and, so far, Mr & Mrs Parker have been impressed with the readings. Amanda says, ‘We are really pleased with the way the system is working - it continued to bring the buildings up to a comfortable temperature even when the winter weather dropped well below freezing. We’re monitoring the system’s efficiency and so far it looks at being around 300 per cent efficient, which is much higher than we could ever have expected with conventional heating methods.’ Andrew Hubble of Coefficient
Renewable Heating Solutions comments, ‘A building such as the Tithe Barn benefits
This installation was complicated by the fact that, due to its rural location, the property did not have a three phase electricity supply. Because of the high demands which would be made on the system, two single phase heat pumps were installed feeding a common heating storage buffer. A further challenge was the fact that water for the building is supplied from a spring on the estate. A system of filtration, treatment and controlled pressurisation had to be implemented before this water could be used.
Coefficient Renewable Heating Solutions also fitted the underfloor heating, which included a zone control system to ensure the best use of energy and to avoid overheating specific areas. In a standard system, the heat pump controls the temperature of water circulating around the underfloor pipework by monitoring the outside temperature and putting just enough heat into the building to maintain a comfortable environment. To allow for the rise in air temperature which occurs when there is a large number of people in the barn, plus the extra heat generated in the kitchen when cooking, zone control was integrated into the underfloor heating in these areas. This control system includes temperature sensors in each area allowing environmental control for an empty or occupied venue. Stephen Andrews concludes, ‘We
are supplying heat pumps to a growing number of refurbished properties and this project just goes to show how well they can work in really old buildings. The owners will find this a much more sustainable and affordable source of heating for the future. ‘As Browsholme Hall demonstrates, the skills of the installer and time taken to ensure the property owner understands the best way to use the controls are vital to maximising the efficiency of heat pumps.’
The system’s controls show that it is achieving around 300 per cent efficiency since it was commissioned in the autumn of 2010.
A ground source heat pump was recommended to the owners of Brownsholme Hall by an acquaintance and they have been impressed by the results.
RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE – WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE INDUSTRY
Electrical contractors are recognising the benefits of enhancing their skills through training in the installation of heat pump technology. The opportunities presented by this increasingly popular form of renewable energy are huge and it is little wonder that demand for manufacturer led heat pump installation courses is high. Stephen Andrews, technical manager at Danfoss, says, ‘The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is set to increase the level of renewable heat installations in the UK, which is vital to reducing carbon emissions and helping to build a low carbon economy. In real terms, this means by 2020 the RHI should be supporting around 13,000 renewable heat installations in industry and 110,000 installations in the commercial and public sector – which represents a major opportunity for installers.’
STRONG POSITION
Electrical engineers are in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities that arise in the renewable sector due to their very relevant experience and skills. They already understand Building Regulations and are armed with qualifications such as NVQ Part 3 and 17th Edition wiring regulations, so they have many valuable skills which are transferable to heat pump installation. Stephen Andrews adds, ‘We find that delegates enter the industry from the electrical and air conditioning sector and have many relevant skills already, as well as the benefit of F-gas qualifications. Whilst desired, it is not essential however, as our heat pump systems are hermetically sealed, which means that normal installation does not involve contact with refrigerants. However, it can be an added bonus to be qualified in this area if any maintenance issues arise at a later stage.’
DIFFERENT APPROACH
Installing such systems involves a completely different approach to system design than any other heating system, such as gas boilers or solid fuel. As heat pumps are not reliant on a combustible fuel, it is important to plan a long term strategy for the heat pump over the year. This includes studying the requirements for heating and hot water at certain times of the year and working out what the base load requirements will be. The real difference comes when commissioning, as extra care needs to be taken at this stage, as it is crucial to do this to avoid problems occurring later on. Stephen Andrews explains, ‘Installers of renewable energy systems find that customers are more interested and curious about the technology, how it works and what efficiencies it can deliver than they would be with traditional heating systems. An important part of our training – which is covered extensively in Heat Pump 1, involves explaining how the heat pumps work, how to operate the controls and how the performances can be achieved. Having this essential knowledge and understanding obviously gives the customer much greater confidence and avoids any problems or need for call backs afterwards. Householders have long relied on the support and advice of heating installers to recommend systems that offer good performance and affordability for the long term.’ With ground and air source heat pumps, high efficiencies can be expected and strong seasonal performance, which significantly cuts energy costs and lowers carbon emissions when compared to traditional gas, oil fired or electric heating systems.
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