PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2026 Light CommercialHeating


Effi ciency locked in at women’s prison


The prison service, overseen by the Ministry of Justice, is looking to decarbonise the prison estate and reduce CO2 emissions across ageing public sector infrastructure. At HMP Eastwood Park in South Gloucestershire, Aermec systems are being deployed as part of the latest stage in this transformation, aligned with UK government net zero targets. The project focuses on two


prison blocks originally built in the 1960s, which together accommodate up to 400 women aged 18 and over. The upgrade works are designed to reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improve


overall building effi ciency and thermal performance in a complex, continuously operating environment. A £3 million investment is


funding the replacement of outdated gas boilers with Aermec heat pump technology, supported by a wider package of building fabric and systems upgrades. Prisons present particularly challenging energy profi les due to constant occupancy, high heating demand, and strict operational


requirements. Alongside the heat pump


installation, the works include enhanced roof and cavity wall insulation to reduce heat loss, replacement of existing windows with new double-glazed units, upgrades to the pumping and distribution systems, and a modernised building management system (BMS) to improve control and operational effi ciency. At the core of the solution are


four reversible air source heat pumps (ASHPs) manufactured by Aermec, using R32 refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 675. Acoustic attenuation measures have also been incorporated to reduce operational noise levels within the secure site. Although the ASHPs are capable


of both heating and cooling, they are confi gured for heating- only operation. They form part of a cascade system, delivering water at a maximum of 45°C into an intermediate loop. This loop feeds Aermec water-water heat pump (WWB) units, which extract additional heat and further


increase the water temperature. The WWB units then provide


high-temperature water up to 80°C for space heating and domestic hot water services including showers, cleaning and other ancillary uses. The system is designed to maintain delivery of high temperatures to support legacy heating requirements and high-demand loads. Deployment is split across the


site, with four WWB units serving one larger block with higher demand, and three units serving a smaller building with reduced


Hybrid system is top of the class


A hybrid commercial heating system from Ideal Commercial Heating, combining ECOMOD heat pumps and Evomax 2 boilers, has been installed at Hawthorn Primary School in Cantley, Doncaster to improve heating performance across the multi- building site. The campus includes buildings of diff erent ages


Recreating the warmth of Africa at Chester Zoo


Mitsubishi Electric has installed two CAHV commercial air source heat pumps at Chester Zoo’s Heart of Africa zone, providing heating for the zebra, ostrich and roan antelope habitats that need to be as warm as the African savannah. Chester Zoo is one of the most


popular paid attractions outside London and home to more than 30,000 animals. Having committed to becoming carbon net zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, the zoo has been working closely with Mitsubishi to decarbonise heating and cooling across its 130- acre estate. The latest project involved the


installation of two Mitsubishi CAHV commercial heat pumps. They deliver 80kW of heat capacity to the building, with radiant panels heating each area, and providing the ideal temperature for each species, ranging from 18 to 24°C. “We’re able to deliver diff erent


temperatures to diff erent parts of the habitat to make sure that each animal has got the right environmental conditions to exactly


match their needs,” explains Chris Newman, net zero design manager for Mitsubishi. “Our partnership with the zoo is not just about decarbonising existing buildings on the estate, but also about making sure that any new buildings are designed and built with sustainability in mind.” The partnership has already seen


Mitsubishi provide air conditioning and renewable heating to the zoo’s luxury guest lodges. “We’re pleased that such a


large-scale project has been designed with sustainability at its core, using renewable heat pump technology to minimise our carbon footprint,” says Robert Arathoon, M&E project manager. Mitsubishi has also supplied


air source heat pumps, AC and ventilation to The Square, the zoo’s conference and events venue. Additionally, six Ecodan air source heat pumps have been installed in the habitat for the endangered Eastern Black Rhino, with a further seven units fi tted at the zoo’s butterfl y habitat. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/40


and construction types, which previously made consistent temperature control diffi cult. The former system, based on two ageing open-fl ued boilers and undersized pipework, was unable to meet demand effi ciently, resulting in high gas use and unreliable comfort levels. Service 2 (HVAC) Limited was appointed to deliver


a replacement system. The solution comprises two 50kW Ideal Commercial ECOMOD 290HT air source heat pumps and three wall-mounted Ideal Evomax


2 150kW condensing boilers operating in cascade to provide a total output of 450kW. The heat pumps are installed externally and


Store scores a hole in one on climate control


Replay Golf, a specialist retailer of new and pre-owned golf equipment, has upgraded environmental control at its 6,000ft2


fl agship store in


Welwyn Garden City following the installation of Panasonic PACi NX climate control systems. The site previously relied on


ineffi cient gas heaters that created uneven temperatures across the retail and practice areas. The upgrade was delivered with support from Panasonic distribution partner Dysk and installed by HVAC contractor Uber Cool.


The installation includes a


combination of ceiling-mounted four-way cassette units and wall-mounted Panasonic PACi NX systems, selected to provide more consistent heating and cooling throughout the building. The units incorporate Panasonic


nanoe X technology, to reduce airborne particles and surface bacteria in a high-contact retail


environment. The systems are also Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with smart controls, allowing staff to adjust conditions across diff erent areas of the store. The upgraded installation replaces


the previous gas-based heating approach and provides year-round climate control for both customers and staff across the facility. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/41


supply buff er vessels, while the Evomax 2 boilers are housed internally on a dedicated frame and header arrangement. The confi guration allows the heat pumps to satisfy the majority of the school’s heating and hot water demand throughout milder seasons, with the boilers automatically providing support during periods of lower external temperatures. A building management system (BMS) plays a


central role in maximising effi ciency by intelligently selecting the most appropriate heat source depending on weather conditions and load requirements. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/39


heating requirements. The Aermec WWB 900 units


are designed specifi cally for irreversible (heating-only) applications and are optimised for high effi ciency under both full and partial load conditions. Key design features include high-performance compressors, plate heat exchangers engineered for low pressure drop, and dual independent refrigeration circuits to ensure operational resilience and continuity during maintenance or component downtime. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/626/38


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