Danfoss Heat Pumps for Schools

ECO British Gas has formed a consortium that brings together many of the leading approved renewable energy suppliers to the low carbon buildings programme. Danfoss Heat Pumps UK has been appointed a Partner to British Gas in Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Building Programme.

Sharrow School Sheffield Case Study
Wormholt School Case Study

Schools can claim 35% towards the cost of these systems for up to 45kW. Unlike phase 1 of the scheme, this phase 2 requires no bidding process. Working in partnership with British Gas, our aim is to make it as simple as possible for schools to take advantage of available funding through the low carbon buildings programme. Microgeneration technologies, such as heat pumps, make sense from both a sustainable and economic perspective. The programme is the DTI's new £50m capital grant scheme to boost the installation of Ground source heat pumps into Schools across England and Wales.

Danfoss Heat Pumps are also accredited Under the Low Carbon Building Program Phase 1 for schools. Under this scheme schools in England and Wales can apply for grants of up to 50% of total costs. In Scotland schools can apply for funds of up to 100% of heat pump installation costs.

Danfoss Heat Pumps are also accredited Under the Low Carbon Building Program Phase 1 for schools. Under this scheme schools in England and Wales can apply for grants of up to 50% of total costs. In Scotland schools can apply for funds of up to 100% of heat pump installation costs.

The ever increasing number of schools requiring heat pumps has meant that Danfoss Heat Pumps has increased the staff in this department. A new General Manager and five additional technical sales staff have been appointed since the start of this year as sales match a predicted sharp rise in demand.

Schools for the future

The Government's commitment to rebuilding or refurbishing every secondary school in England over the next 10-15 years is providing a huge opportunity to change the way that renewable energy is used in public buildings. The BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme involves the government devolving funds to LEA (Local Education Authorities) and schools for spending on maintaining and improving their buildings. Part of this requirement is a focus on the sustainability of schools, with schools being assessed for their environmental performance levels under the Government's BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) standards.

The schools of the future should therefore have a more energy efficient construction, which are heated through more renewable sources and have lower operating costs. The low carbon buildings programme has made renewable energy sources such as heat pumps a really attractive and viable option, with the overall result being a reduction in Carbon Dioxide released into the atmosphere and that is to the benefit of all our futures.

There are definite advantages for schools who invest in renewable technologies. Schools help to set an example in the use of sustainable energy sources to the rest of society. As young people grow up being more aware of renewable energy systems, it means they will become more widely accepted as the norm, not only for public buildings but also for domestic use.

Ground source heat pumps in Schools form a key component in the renewable approach to a balanced budget. Not only can they make a huge contribution to reducing carbon emissions, they can also cut payback periods by 35 to 40% through fuel savings.

Sharrow School Sheffield Case Study Just a mile or so from Sheffield City Centre Sharrow School is a fine example of a low carbon building. The new school, which has been built for the amalgamation of nursery, infant and junior schools into a single entity, will draw their energy from natural sources deep underground.

A water-glycol mixture will be pumped through pipework in twenty-one 95-metre boreholes. At this depth temperatures average 14°C. This naturally occurring energy is used to raise the temperature of the water returning to the heat pumps. Here the action of the compressors and condensers in the Eco Heat Pump units bring the water temperature up to the levels required for the space heating and hot water for the kitchens and wash basins.

Capable of supplying up to 200kW the Eco Heat Pump system will be one of the largest ground source heat pump applications in the UK. The system at Sharrow School will weather compensated with external and flow temperature sensors modulating operation of the heat pumps to maintain the target temperature.

In Summer the system will provide comfort cooling throughout the school by using the cool water from the borehole loops.

Versatile Thermia Robust Heat Pumps are used for larger scale projects. All models feature a sub-cooler, de-superheater and a quiet running scroll compressor. Potential energy exchange is 1:5.

On our recommendation the engineers drilled a test borehole for a thermal conductivity test. The results from this ensure that we understand exactly how much energy can be obtained from the ground.

Low Energy Solutions
Sheffield Council is a leading light in the drive for low carbon buildings - opting for low energy solutions for public projects wherever possible. Click "here" for additional information.

Wormholt School Case Study Wormholt School has already had some celebrity status as it appeared as the exterior of Grange Hill in many episodes of the popular BBC Children's TV series. Wormholt School in west London now has a new claim to fame. It was one of the first in the country to be heated by a ground source heat pump system concealed beneath the school playground. The school, in Shepherds Bush, is maintained by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Ground Loops

The ground loops buried in trenches in the schoolyard are part of a Danfoss Heat Pump system, which provides a new building at the school with heating and hot water.

A water-glycol mixture is pumped through some 250 metres of pipework absorbing the radiant heat held naturally about a metre below the surface. The heated water enters the flow side of an Eco Diplomat Heat Pump located inside the school. Here the action of compressor and condenser brings the water temperature up to the levels required by the school extension's space heating and hot water systems.

Underfloor heating loops concealed beneath the extension floor are supplied at 40°C, while ample supplies of domestic hot water are also available. The Tap Water Stratificator (TWS) which is a design feature of the Diplomat Heat Pumps results in much more efficient heat transfer and the in-built storage tank can hold up to 180 litres of hot water at up to 60°C.

Advanced Compressor

The compressor is a key component of any heat pump and the Diplomat features an advanced scroll type compressor - specially designed for heat pump applications. As a result Danfoss Heat Pumps offer very high operation reliability and 100% capacity throughout their long service life. The incorporation of a high efficiency heat exchanger and an effective sub-cooler in the Diplomat design also help to ensure maximum heat extraction.

Every unit is also fitted with a 3-step electric heating element which can supply back-up heating in 1.5, 3 and 4.5 kW stages for the few days a year when this may be necessary. Control options are sophisticated enough to make the maximum use of the available "green" energy and yet simple to operate. A graphic display shows all key operating functions and temperature can be raised or lowered at the push of a button.

SPF is 4:1

The Eco Heat Pump System serving Wormholt School is designed to achieve a Seasonal Performance Factor or SPF - an average COP over the course of the year - of 4:1. This brings the new building well within the carbon emission regulations.

The only special provision required was for a specially porous asphalt to cover the playground trenches. This was necessary to take up the expansion and contraction of the ground caused by the hidden heat exchange below. British Gas has formed a consortium that brings together many of the leading approved renewable energy suppliers to the low carbon buildings programme. If a school is successful in its application, then an accredited partner is selected to supply the renewable technology and carry out installation work.

There are definite advantages for schools who invest in renewable technologies. Schools help to set an example in the use of sustainable energy sources to the rest of society. As young people grow up being more aware of renewable energy systems, it means they will become more widely accepted as the norm, not only for public buildings but also for domestic use. Working in partnership with British Gas, our aim is to make it as simple as possible for schools to take advantage of available funding through the low carbon buildings programme. Microgeneration technologies, such as heat pumps, make sense from both a sustainable and economic perspective.

Please browse our website for more information about Heat Pumps for Schools and our range of Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps then contact us on 0114 270 3900 to speak to one of our team or complete the enquiry form on the website.