Ecodan air source heat pumps supply continuous underfloor heating to Middlesbrough rehabilitation centre

(24/08/2010)

A chain of five Ecodan® air source heat pumps is supplying continuous, controllable underfloor heating to a new 48-bed rehabilitation centre in Middlesbrough. The 14.5kW Ecodan units will provide 45 per cent of the heat-load for the newly built centre, which provides self-contained flats and en-suite rooms for clients with various supported housing needs. The centre is run by Riverside ECHG, a specialist provider of older persons and supported housing services throughout England.

“Using these Ecodan units in this combination fits in well with our innovative approach for a sustainable building and helps us to support our clients in a very energy efficient and cost-effective way,” explained Andrew Williamson, Project Manager Riverside.

The housing services provider has developed a reputation for innovative and award-winning support options for some of the most challenging needs within society, helping people in more than 150 local authorities.

The units were installed by Revolution Power – a specialist in renewable energy supplies and installations based in County Durham. The company is an official Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited installer and a member of the Renewable Energy Association.

“This is one of the most efficient ranges of heat pumps currently on the market, and because they are inverter-driven, they offer fantastic results with payback periods far less than other higher-cost alternatives,” explained Stuart Gibson, Sales Director of Revolution Power. “Unlike ground source technology, which can require expensive bore holes or need a large area of land, Ecodan air source heat pumps only require electric and in/out water pipe connections,” he added.

For every 1kW of electricity consumed by Ecodan, 3kW or more of heating energy is supplied. This is because Ecodan harvests ‘free’ renewable energy from the outdoor air, even in sub-zero temperatures. Comparisons with gas boilers demonstrate that Ecodan can reduce fuel bills by up to 30 per cent and halve carbon emissions.

“Ecodan uses advanced inverter-driven technology taken from the air conditioning industry to deliver efficiency levels up to 300% greater than a gas condensing boiler,” said Jason Tinsley, Product and Technical Manager for Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Department.

The installation will also allow the rehabilitation centre to qualify for payments under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – due to be introduced in April 2011 – which will see electricity companies paying generators of renewable heat for every kW they produce.

Related categories:  Energy Conservation   Heat pumps   Underfloor heating: wet and dry systems