Prestige Retrofit : Lake Based Water Source

HEAT PUMP TAKES TO THE WATER IN SUSTAINABLE WATERSIDE PROPERTY
 

A waterside property in the South East of England is now benefiting from renewable energy provided by a ground source heat pump system that takes its energy from a nearby lake.
 
The prestigious lakeside property was being converted into a guest apartment and the owners were looking for a more sustainable way of heating it. This picture-postcard single bedroom property comprises a ground floor level, where boats and lakeside equipment are stored, with living accommodation on the two upper levels.
 
This hugely prestigious project for Source Heat Pumps, based in Hampshire, involved installing the ground source heat pump units manufactured by Danfoss Heat Pumps, as well as laying the loops in the lake. Source Heat Pumps worked closely with the consultant on the project and the developer to create a sustainable solution to the refurbished property, which would mean less reliance on fossil fuels and a much lower carbon footprint.
 
The owner of the property is committed to sustainable development and this project has included a number of other environmentally friendly features, including a high level of insulation, which is important in a refurbishment to optimise performance of the heat pump.
 
Source Heat Pumps faced a number of challenges, firstly the owner had specified Dinesen solid Oak wooden floors, which are used in many prestigious buildings, such as the Saatchi Gallery in London. As an underfloor heating system was being used, this meant that the screed had to be kept at a consistently lower temperature than normal. This was done to ensure that the Oak boards remained stable and would not warp or twist.
 
This did not cause us a problem, because we designed the loop system so that we had more loops and they were closer together (100mm apart rather than 200mm) so we could achieve the room temperature required, whilst retaining a stunning timber Oak floor. The underfloor heating system will provide effective space heating for the property. Hot water will also be supplied through a 180 litre system within the heat pump system.
Source Heat Pumps was also required to lay the lake loops to run parallel with the banking for a length of 300 metres and at over 2 metres depth, due to the fact that the lake is dredged occasionally. The company used its expertise and flexibility to lay the loops by kayak, which now site at the bottom of the lake. The loops were weighted down with special stainless steel blocks, to ensure they would not resurface. Source Heat Pumps will provide the owner with a regular annual service of its heat pump, as part of ensuring optimum performance.
 
It was important on this project that we kept the client informed every step of the way. This ensured when an issue arose, we discussed it and came up with a workable solution that they were happy with. As lake-loop installation is still very rare in the UK and this is the first one we have carried out, it was an exciting project to work on and one that we are particularly proud of!
 
 Chris Dale from Danfoss heat Pumps said: "This is a great example of how a refurbishment can be upgraded with heat pumps, to provide a much more sustainable and affordable way to run a property. Lake loops are still very unusual in this country, but this method offers a very high coefficient of performance, which means great energy savings and a very natural and sustainable way to provide heating and hot water for a property."
 
The heat pump is expected to deliver an efficiency of at least 4:1, which means that for every unit of electricity used to drive the pump, at least 4 units of energy in the form of heat is released in to the building, making it one of the most efficient and cost effective methods available on the market.
 
Closed loop water source heat pumps are a tried and tested method in Scandinavia and other Northern European countries, where there are many properties located close to water.