With the need to switch from fossil fuels to renewables becoming ever more pressing, one heat pump retrofit schools project in Yorkshire could be the example to follow. Phil Lattimore looks at the project funded by the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Tag: heat pumps
Case study: St John’s College, Oxford, Library and Study Centre
Max Fordham’s design for the Library and Study Centre at St John’s College, Oxford, is a worthy winner of the CIBSE Champion of Champions title. Andy Pearson looks at an all-electric services design that provides comfort while targeting net zero emissions
Radical departure? Retrofitting for heat pumps
With the pressure on homeowners to replace domestic gas boilers with heat pumps, it is essential that engineers ensure that existing radiators and pipework are suitable for the lower-temperature heat source. David Palmer looks at the key considerations when upgrading a heating system
Turning to CO2 refrigerant in large-scale retrofits
Using CO2 as a refrigerant in heat pumps is ideal for retrofits requiring higher-temperature heat. Daniel Clark, of Isentra, reports on the refurbishment of Wolfson College, which is using heat pumps for district heating and DHW
Next generation: Arup’s net zero office at 80 Charlotte Street
Arup’s all-electric office at 80 Charlotte Street London is developer Derwent London’s first net zero office scheme. Andy Pearson examines the heat and cooling strategy that combines heat pumps and chillers, and looks at how Covid affected the design and delivery of the project
Cost model: Heating and cooling systems in industrial business parks
In the push to decarbonise, consultants are considering heat pumps and ambient loops to heat and cool business parks. Aecom’s Hannah Reynolds and Max Rattenbury examine the costs for an electric office and fulfilment centre just outside London
Made to measure: using digital twins to calculate heating demand in a Sussex village
A digital twin of an East Sussex village is being created by Buro Happold to assess how demand for heating and electric vehicle charging will affect the electrification strategy for rural communities. Andy Pearson reports
Panel gains: supplementing heat pumps with solar panels
Incorporating solar energy arrays in district energy networks powered by heat pumps has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, but by how much and at what cost? FairHeat’s Mark Reynolds crunches the numbers and considers the options
How the Orkney Islands transitioned to heat pumps
Orkney Islands Council has been installing heat pumps in schools and public buildings for more than 15 years in a bid to decarbonise heating and end reliance on oil. Andy Pearson looks at the lessons learnt and how a smart electric grid could soon take advantage of the relentless winds that batter the Islands
Taking shape: shape memory alloys in air conditioning
A shape memory alloy technology could be a GWP-free, cost-effective successor to vapour compression refrigeration. Liza Young finds out more