Rinnai’s Peter Seddon explains how heat pump technology in commercial applications can improve system efficiency and contribute towards national decarbonisation targets.
Heat pumps are fast becoming a widespread and viable option for business owners who require heating and hot water. Their benefits can be explained through exploring their use in real-life applications including, for example, a recent commercial installation at a three-story Welsh science park. The BREEAM excellent facility provides offices, laboratories and workshops for up to 700 people. It functions as a central hub for start ups, research teams and established technology focused organisations.
Wales’s first dedicated science park selected a custom Rinnai R290 High Temperature ASHP system with full Modbus BMS integration to support its low carbon heating and hot water strategy. The installation includes 10 27kW R290 heat pumps, sourced from Rinnai’s 21-27kW R290 range.
Each unit delivers a SCoP of 3.21 at a 65°C flow temperature, supported by a custom designed 3000-litre buffer vessel engineered specifically for the site’s needs. The system is capable of producing high temperature output up to 75°C, and all units were supplied with anti-corrosion protection to ensure durability in the park’s coastal environment.
The science park required a robust, energy efficient, low carbon heating and hot water system suitable for a large mixed-use building. Specific needs included:
• High water temperatures for diverse building demands
• Meaningful carbon reduction to support sustainability goals
• Strict height and weight limitations for rooftop installation
• Resistance to corrosion due to coastal air conditions.
The science park selected Rinnai after assessing the company’s R290 high temperature heat pump range, technical capability, and in-house design experience. Rinnai delivered a complete, site-specific solution, which also included full Modbus BMS integration for streamlined control and an optimised rooftop configuration to minimise height and distribute system weight.
Rinnai’s R290 technology is low-GWP, quiet in operation, and ensures compliance with European F Gas phase down regulations. The Rinnai range also includes scalable larger systems for future expansion, such as the 40–410 kW R290 commercial series.
For tailored system selection the client also accessed Rinnai’s design support tools. The science park now benefits from a future proof, low carbon heating and hot water system that reduces operational impact while maintaining high performance that aligns with their long-term sustainability goals. www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/products