PRODUCTS & SERVICES Products of the month Lochinvar heat pumps boost performance at Devon college Eight heat pumps are at the heart of institutions net zero building strategy E ight heat pumps, provided by Banburybased manufacturer Lochinvar, are helping a leading further education college achieve its ambitious sustainability and low carbon goals. Lochinvar is facing a steep learning curve as it provides new heat pumps to South Devon College, in Paignton, which is putting sustainability at the heart of what we do and making a decade of change. The college has set an ambitious goal of achieving sustainability and low carbon emissions as part of its 10-year strategy. To transform its campus into a net zero carbon building, the college recently underwent a major plantroom upgrade with the support of government funding from the low carbon Salix finance initiative. The initiative has provided 2.7bn of public funds to support public sector carbon reduction projects such as this one. Thanks to the financial assistance, South Devon College was able to upgrade its heating and hot-water system, incorporating eight Lochinvar heat pumps that provide 1.6 megawatts (MW) of heating capacity. This is a significant upgrade to its previous system and aligns with the colleges commitment to contribute to the creation of a greener, cleaner, and net zero economy that improves the quality of life for all at the school. Overcoming the challenges: Lochinvar collaborated closely with the contractor Mitie Facilities Management, of Cardiff throughout the project. Together, they navigated the challenges that were presented by the sites geography and electrical load requirements. The team explored various options to address these challenges and, ultimately, decided on the installation of eight air to water high-temperature Amicus heat pumps, along with two 2,000-litre LBT thermal stores. All of the systems were supplied by Lochinvar. The Amicus heat pumps, along with the thermal stores, are components of a heating system that uses heat pumps to extract thermal energy from the ambient air and transfer it to water for space heating and hot-water production. The college recognises the importance of sustainability and ensures it remains a key focus in its ongoing efforts The heat pumps are designed specifically for high-temperature applications, so can generate hot water at higher temperatures compared with standard air to water heat pumps. This makes them suitable for heating systems that require higher water temperatures, such as radiators or underfloor heating systems. The two LBT thermal stores act as large heat reservoirs, storing the heated water produced by the heat pumps, to be released when needed. The thermal stores help to optimise the operation of the heat pumps by allowing them to work efficiently and store excess heat for later use. By combining the air to water hightemperature Amicus heat pumps with the LBT thermal stores, the heating system provides a reliable hot-water supply to the college. One of the major obstacles that was faced during the project was the limited space available on the steep hill where the campus is situated. To overcome this, the team had to employ creative thinking to ensure the heat pump installation could be orientated correctly for successful operation. The heat pumps were installed in a compound adjacent to the building, with four units serving each side of the premises. A plate heat exchanger was used to supply domestic hot water to three existing cylinders. South Devon College remains committed to continuously improving its sustainability approach. Environmental awareness and responsibility are promoted throughout the college, and sustainability principles are embedded across all levels of governance and leadership. The college recognises the importance of sustainability and ensures it remains a key focus in its ongoing efforts. By leveraging the expertise of Lochinvar and Mitie Facilities Management, South Devon College has been able to make significant strides towards its sustainability and low carbon goals. The upgrade of the heating and hot-water system using Lochinvar heat pumps demonstrates the colleges dedication to its mission to be net zero. As Lochinvar continues to provide innovative heating solutions, the challenges encountered during this project will contribute to its growing knowledge and expertise in the field. Lochinvar said it was a trusted partner in delivering efficient and environmentally friendly heating systems. Visit www.lochinvar.ltd.uk 56 July 2023 www.cibsejournal.com Tel: 020 7880 6245 Email: cibsedirectory@redactive.co.uk