01202 662500
A cascade of Tyneham 290HT commercial heat pumps
Two Tyneham 290HT 27kW commercial heat pumps have been installed in cascade for underfloor heating in a new extension at a school in Cambridge.
Sector: School
Building: Commercial premises
Products: Tyneham 290HT air source heat pump and 500L buffer tank
Application: Underfloor heating
Commercial heat pumps installed in a cascade
Two Tyneham 290HT 27kW air source heat pumps have been installed in cascade for underfloor heating in a new extension at primary school in Huntingdon, Cambridge. The system is connected to a Hamworthy Tyneham buffer that maintains a flow temperature of 50°C, providing the school with an efficient heating solution.
The school’s main heating system is supported by a set of Hamworthy Heating boilers, which were installed by Sotham Engineering. Tasked with the second phase of the project, which involved efficiently powering an under-floor heating system in the school’s new extension building, Sotham Engineering consulted with their local Hamworthy representative once again to specify a solution.
Choosing the right commercial ashp and buffer tank
Considering the need to lower carbon emissions, improve heating for efficiency and the challenge of ensuring complete separation of the heat source for the new extension, while working with low gas pressures available in the building, the team at Sotham Engineering decided that a heat pump system would be the best solution.
Following consultation and a review of product performance and capabilities, the decision was made to incorporate two 290HT 27kW Tyneham heat pumps with a 500L Hamworthy buffer into the new design.
“Underfloor heating with a heat pump partner particularly well and are a great combination. We choose Tyneham Heat Pumps due to their overall performance and efficiency. Having collaborated with Hamworthy during the first stage of the project, we found them easy to work with and always available to provide support and assistance."
Comments Ricky Harris, Sotham Engineering Services Ltd.
The benefits of a commercial heat pumps installed in a cascade
To accurately meet the heating requirements of the new school extension and ensure an even distribution of heat - eliminating cold spots - the new system from Hamworthy Heating includes two 290HT 27kW Tyneham heat pumps configured in a hydraulic cascade setup. These pumps are connected to a 500L buffer cylinder. This cascade arrangement allows for the heat capacity to be equally distributed according to specific heating demands, thereby enhancing the school’s energy efficiency and minimising unnecessary energy consumption and cycling of the heat pumps.
Rather than relying on a larger single heat pump that may run inefficiently at partial load, the new cascade setup at the school enables the units which have inverter controlled compressors to adjust their capacities as needed. This approach will help the school achieve a more accurate match to its actual heating demand and optimise performance in the future.
Additionally, since the system can adjust to keep the heat pumps operating at their most efficient state, improving the coefficient of performance (COP), each heat pump can run within its optimal performance range more frequently. As a result, the overall heating system becomes more efficient, which means the school benefit from reduced operating costs.
The new Tyneham heat pump installation also provides the school with increased protection against breakdowns. Unlike a single heat pump installation, which can result in complete downtime if it fails or needs to be serviced, the new cascade installation offers greater reliability. In this scenario, the remaining unit can continue to operate at increased capacity. This means the school building is supplied with uninterrupted heating. Furthermore, as the workload is shared across two Tyneham heat pumps, stress, and wear on individual components is significantly reduced. This means, going forward, the school can also expect to benefit from improved reliability.
Quiet in operation, with noise levels as low as 64db(A), the new Tyneham 290HT heat pump system also means that noise disruption to pupils and teaching is kept to a minimum, as well as neighboring properties.
Sotham Engineering is a leading provider of integrated Mechanical and Electrical installation and maintenance services. Based in Cambridge and a division based in Norwich, Sotham Engineering has over 50 years of experience in maintenance repairs through large-scale specialist projects.
The new heat pump installation began in late Spring and was completed in time for the start of the new school year in September. The primary school now benefits from a reliable and efficient heat pump system that will help the school reduce its carbon footprint and lower operational costs.