Daikin UK - Altherma Case Studies

Air Source - Air to Water Heat Pump Case Studies

Luminus Housing

“Altherma, the air source heat pump heating and hot water system from Daikin, delivers over 50% running cost savings for tenants of Luminus Group’s Cambridgeshire refurbishment project.”

“When it came to replacing heating and hot water systems in properties where gas was unavailable, Luminus Group decided that air source heat pumps provided the most cost effective alternative. Altherma from Daikin was chosen because, after evaluation of other air source heat pump systems available in the market, they were convinced that Altherma provided a well proven solution that was more technically advanced than other heat pump systems.”

Sustainable Heating and Hot Water Solution

Luminus needed a new solution when refurbishing properties with oil fired and solid fuelled heating and hot water systems. It is well known that oil and solid fuel systems are probably the most costly domestic systems both to install and run. Because of this, Luminus began searching for a new solution to replace oil and solid fuel heating and hot water systems.

The Altherma air source heat pump system was selected as the technology of choice for refurbishment of three properties (2 three bedroom semi detached and 1 three bedroom end of terrace) in Wood Walton near Huntingdon that were all running on solid fuel systems.

Experienced contractors in heat pump technology, Jack Elam Services Ltd were able to provide expertise ensuring that each property had exactly the right Altherma configuration using radiator heat emitters to provide all round heating and hot water.

Altherma was able to provide the following solution:

• Flexible configuration to suit most types & sizes of accommodation.
• Installation was straightforward & less costly than a solid fuel system.
• The space needed for the new heat pump systems was no more than for the comparable traditional solid fuel systems.
• The system was very safe with no flue gases or combustible fuel issues.
• Compared to traditional boiler systems (including gas), maintenance cost was low because there is no burning of fuel & therefore less operational wear & tear.
• Altherma is renowned for reliability & long operational life (15 to 20 years).
• The Altherma system offered greater than 50% running cost savings for Luminus tenants compared to the old solid fuel systems.

Altherma Performance Meets All Expectations

Results collected since the installation in November ’07 have been excellent and have confirmed that the use of Altherma was the right decision for Luminus Group. Luminus set up a continuous electrical monitoring of Altherma at all three properties and the results for the complete year are summarised as the following:

• The average cost of electricity over the period from 19 November 2007 has been 13.4p per kWh (based on highest available tariff charge).
• The average running cost for Altherma in the three properties for one year (providing all heating & hot water) is £756.
• Prior to the installation of Altherma the average calculated cost for solid fuel & immersion heater for heating & hot water was £26 per week for the same properties. Since then the cost of solid fuel & electricity has increased by an estimated 16% over the period of the trial & the comparable cost for solid fuel heating & hot water would be £1568.

Therefore, the running cost saving using Altherma compared to solid fuel is £812 per year…A 52% saving!

“Altherma was chosen by Luminus because we evaluated it to be the best system available. The results we have seen from the installations have been impressive in terms of running cost reduction and the cost of installation was actually lower than for a new solid fuel system. As a result of this trial with Altherma, we have now implemented a plan to install Altherma in every property heating refurbishment where gas is not available.” Chan Abraham, Group Chief Executive.

To find out more about Altherma contact Daikin UK today on 0845 641 9000 or visit www.altherma.co.uk.

Daikin VRV Conditioning Keeps Shoppers Cool at the Latest John Lewis Super Store

It boasts thousands of feet of sparkling glass frontage, is sprawled over five floors and carries £12.5 million worth of stock, making it three times larger than its predecessor. Welcome to the spectacular new John Lewis Partnership store within the multi-million pound Cambridge Arcade retail development, home to a Daikin VRV air conditioning system. Boasting five floors of fashion, furniture and home wares as well as a beauty salon and restaurant space, the store demanded a flexible yet highly effective air conditioning system. The UK’s leading air conditioning specialist Daikin UK has played a major hand in making sure customers visiting this 144,000 ft² store enjoy the ultimate retail experience.

Designed and specified by CSA Consulting Engineers London, 15 VRV systems, comprising a mix of heat recovery, heat pump and mini VRV-S types were recommended. The system was installed by Daikin D1 partner, Breathe Air, Cambridge.

John Durbin at Daikin commented: “A key reason for the specification of the Daikin VRV system is its ability to sustain long pipe runs as well as its space savings characteristics. In a store such as John Lewis space is at a premium and so installation and cost efficiencies are a top priority...yet, this was not the only consideration. As energy efficiency continues to rise up the corporate agenda, businesses such as John Lewis are looking for solutions that will not only ensure and maintain the optimum temperature and conditions within their store but also meet its environmental needs. It was for this reason that John Lewis selected heat recovery systems.”

Heat recovery systems are used within the restaurant, TV/audio, basement and open floor sales areas, which notoriously have higher temperatures due to equipment usage. The heat recovery system will enable a more even distribution of temperature throughout the store through the transfer of both warm and cooled air, ensuring optimum conditions are maintained. Mini VRV-S systems condition the smaller areas such as the reception and interview rooms etc.

Conditioned air is supplied to all areas by ceiling ducted, ceiling cassettes as well as wall mounted fan coil units within the existing Grade 2 listed structures where no ceiling voids exist. Control of the building’s air conditioning system is provided by a Daikin I-manager, located within the building manager’s office and linked to the store’s BMS system via a Daikin BACnet Gateway. This system ensures total and precise control of the store environment at all times for optimal control and store efficiencies. Local temperature control is provided by a series of remote wall mounted temperature controllers and sensors in the room return air-grilles. VRV capacities vary between 11.2kW cooling/12.5 kW heating (mini VRV) and 22.5kW cooling and 55kW heating for the heat recovery and heat pump systems. For more information visit www.daikin.co.uk.