Projects & Case Studies

Modern Serviced Offices benefit from Panasonic AC with nanoe™X

Cambridgeshire. UK. 2023

VRF, Offices, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

indoor compact cassette units from 2.2kW to 5.6kW

St John’s Innovation Centre, a fully serviced office building situated Silicon Fen in Cambridgeshire, has undergone an extensive upgrade of its air conditioning system. The new Panasonic 3-pipe ECOi-EX VRF system was designed, specified, and installed by Pitkin and Ruddock in collaboration with Panasonic in over 60 of the office spaces.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic adds to luxury environment at stunning new Italian ‘Jacuzzi’ Restaurant

West London. UK. 2023

nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

2 x 45kW

The well-known Italian brand, Big Mamma Restaurant Group, has recently transformed an old four storey bank into a striking new restaurant, Jacuzzi, in the heart of High Street Kensington, West London. The interior environment needed to offer ultimate comfort to help create a memorable and luxurious dining experience. Summit Design specified, designed and installed the new heating and cooling system, utilising two 45kW Panasonic 3-pipe ECOi EX MF3 units with nanoeTM X technology.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Luxury 5 Star Hotel & Spa benefits from Panasonic AC with nanoe X

West Sussex. United Kingdom. 2022

Commercial, Control, Hotels, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

The award-winning, luxury 5 Star South Lodge Hotel and Spa, nestled in the West Sussex countryside, has recently installed an air conditioning system from Panasonic, fitted with nanoeTM X technology, serving 20 of its bespoke bedrooms in the Sussex Wing of the hotel.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Large Family Home Achieves Passive House Standards with Panasonic Sustainable Heat Pump Solution

Hampshire. UK. 2022

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Control, VRF, Residential, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

Energy conscious John Hazelton, CEO of CER Installations Ltd, recently completed a large, 654m2 bespoke designed self-build home in Hampshire.   For this modern 5-bed property, John worked closely with the Panasonic team to ensure that his new home provides year-round comfort plus reaches Passive House energy efficient standards, with indoor air quality being a priority.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Successful trial of air source heat pumps leads to Gleeson Homes specifying Panasonic Aquarea for its affordable housing developments

South Yorkshire. United Kingdom. 2022

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Total Capacity:

5kW

Gleeson Homes has recently completed a heat pump trial for its housing projects in South Yorkshire, which hold affordability for buyers at its core. The developer was looking for a sustainable alternative to replace gas boilers in its new housing developments.  Panasonic provided 5kW Aquarea Mono-bloc air to water heat pumps to the trial homes in three locations.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic Beats the Heat Providing Air Conditioning for Garden Rooms

Essex and Hertfordshire. United Kingdom. 2022

Domestic air to air heat pump, Residential, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

3.4kW

Evergreen Air Conditioning Ltd, a leading air conditioning installer in Essex and Hertfordshire, has used Panasonic’s split systems with mounted AC wall units that all come with nanoe™X technology, to provide year-round comfort to two different purpose-built garden rooms.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Wicklow Hospice

Magheramore. Ireland. 2021

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Control, Others

Total Capacity:

Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pumps are providing energy efficient heating and DHW to Wicklow Hospice.  Consultants, J V Tierney & Co and main mechanical contractors Quinn Downes Ltd, created a design for a low carbon heating system to service the facilities of this new hospice. The solution, featured six Panasonic Aquarea H Series T-Cap 16kW units along with a Panasonic Cascade Controller to deliver a low environmental impact, minimal maintenance, is highly energy efficient and cost-effective.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic helps restore Belfast Grand Opera House to its former glory

Belfast. United Kingdom. 2021

Commercial, Control, VRF, Public buildings, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

230kW

Built in 1895, the Belfast Grand Opera House is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic theatres, designed by prolific theatre architect of the period, Frank Matcham. The venue provides a much-loved theatre experience for visitors, and recently underwent a large-scale renovation to update and improve services, including a revamp of its air conditioning with the help of Panasonic.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic HVAC creates welcoming environment for high end cosmetic retailer

London & Milton Keynes. United Kingdom. 2021

Commercial, Control, VRF, Shops, Offices, nanoe™ X, VRF Smart Connectivity

Total Capacity: 195kW and 270kW

The prestigious retailer set out to find a 21st century solution for its 24,000 sqft store at Lakeside that not only provided a low carbon solution, energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy environment for its customers and staff alike but also supplied from a manufacturer that had a good reliable reputation for customer service, support and with spares supplied and readily available from within Europe and of course value for money.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic nanoe™ X safeguards dental patients at Riverdale Healthcare Centres

Yorkshire and North East. UK. 2021

VRF, Others, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

A network of 27 dental practices operating mainly in Yorkshire and the North East has started a programme to install Panasonic’s nanoe™ X technology to enhance protection for patients and staff whenever new air-conditioning units are required or where units need to be replaced. nanoe™ X is a technology that is helping to improve protection and inhibit the growth of certain viruses – including SARS CoV-2.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic HVAC Ensures Comfort in Car Showroom

Chingford. United Kingdom. 2021

Commercial, Shops, Others, nanoe™ X

Total Capacity:

Motorpoint, the UK’s largest independent car retailer, was looking to improve year-round comfort for visitors to its store in Chingford in North East London. Panasonic distributor, AMP Air, worked with CSD Air Conditioning to provide the ideal energy-efficient HVAC solution to the showroom featuring Panasonic’s triple split cassette system with nanoe™ X, which would work in tandem with a single split 7 kW unit.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Riverford Butchery

Buckfastleigh. United Kingdom. 2021

Refrigeration, Others

Total Capacity: 36.3 kW

Riverford Organic Farmers has extended its organic butchery in South Devon where meat from local farmers is prepared and matured. The company is committed to achieving carbon net zero by 2030 and refrigeration is one of the areas it has identified as a priority to help achieve this objective. This Panasonic project minimises the impact of refrigerant gas leakage on carbon emissions and achieves new levels of energy efficiency in line with the company’s sustainability aims.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

LAVIDA Hotel PGA Cataluña Resort

Girona. España. 2019

Control, VRF, Hotels

Total Capacity:

236 kW

El hotel LAVIDA es un hotel vanguardista e innovador, ubicado en el entorno de PGA Catalunya Resort (Girona). El objetivo consistía en dar servicio a las 52 habitaciones del hotel y climatizar el comedor. Para las habitaciones se quería incluir un servicio de aire primario a unidades interiores y un control individualizado por estancia.

More Information

Check one or several files, then click the icon to download a single pdf

Panasonic Aquarea A2W Heat Pumps provide heating and hot water for new rural housing development

Aquarea air to water heat pump

Aquarea A2W

Marshgate Properties has recently completed a new housing development of two detached four-bed properties and six semi-detached three-bedroom homes in the rural village of North Kelsey, North Lincolnshire. Installer UK Alternative Energy has provided each property with renewable energy heating thanks to Panasonic’s Aquarea Mono-bloc air to water heat pumps which supply heating and domestic hot water to each home. With sustainability and good quality high on the agenda for this new development, making the right specification choices was very important to the developer. Andy Denton, Director of Marshgate Properties commented, “Selecting sustainable energy options is high on our list of important aspects for the homes we build. We had already installed Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pumps on a previous project a year earlier and have been impressed with the units and their performance. This, together with UK Alternative Energy’s professional approach and proficient installation team, has proven successful for the heating and hot water provision for this latest project.”
With the new development’s rural location, mains gas was not an option as an energy source. Marshgate Properties has chosen to continue specifying the Panasonic Aquarea range of renewable air source heat pumps, making the move away from fossil fuels, and to help reduce the carbon footprint of each property, as well as providing on-going efficiencies for residents. Marshgate Properties approached UK Alternative Energy again for the design and installation on this second project with the company. Secon, an authorised Panasonic distributor specialising in supplying high quality renewable solutions, supplied the Panasonic units for the project. After an initial consultation with the team from Marshgates, Secon and UK Alternative Energy regarding the development, heat loss calculations were carried out for each property, and a mixture of 5kW and 9kW Panasonic Aquarea Mono-bloc HP models were selected as the best solution for the varying demands of each different sized home.
All the homes on the development have underfloor heating to the ground floor, with radiators to the first floor, with heating and hot water supplied via the Panasonic Aquarea Mono-bloc air source heat pumps and unvented heat pump compatible cylinders.
Derrick Denton of UK Alternative Energy further added, “The main benefits for the selected Panasonic units were their high SCOP figures at the design temperature, resulting in low running cost for the home-owner, plus of course the extra space made available within the property due to the main heating components being integrated within the Panasonic outdoor unit.” The Aquarea HP Mono-bloc is a single system to heat and cool the home and produce hot water, thus solving a variety of problems while allowing occupants to enjoy greater comfort. The Mono-bloc range can be simply connected to underfloor heating, radiators, or fan coil units. The range boasts high energy efficiency, is rated A at 35ºC and A at 55ºC plus has a high SCOP capacity. Furthermore, the impressive system can work under higher pressure and reach a 65ºC water flow temperature for the ultimate high performing unit.
Simon Brown, Business Development Manager – Heat Pumps for Panasonic commented, “The advanced Mono-bloc is specially designed for low consumption homes, ideal for new residential properties. The powerful units can even maintain heating capacity in low outdoor temperatures down to -20ºC, providing users with significant savings in purchase price and running costs.”
The Panasonic Aquarea Mono-bloc is extremely energy efficient and is very quiet in operation and offers a superb and sustainable alternative to traditional boilers with zero emissions at point of use and a lower carbon cost than mains gas, oil, LPG and direct electric. Furthermore, all residents will benefit from reduced heating and hot water bills.
For more information on Panasonic air source heat pumps, please visit https://www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en.

More Information

Nolan’s Supermarket Installs First Panasonic CO2 Condensing Unit in Ireland

Ireland

Refrigeration

ColdChain CO2 Units

Nolan’s Supermarket in Clontarf, Dublin, recently completed a major modernisation project which has totally transformed this much-loved Supermarket into a brand new, exciting shopping experience. A particular focus of the project was to create a state-of-the-art refrigeration system operating on the ‘Zero Ozone Depletion’ plus ultra-low GWP of 1 natural refrigerant CO2 and as part of the scheme, Tech RAC of Dublin installed Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain units and NX cassette systems fitted with the latest nanoeTM X technology. Nolan’s Supermarket celebrated its 60th year in business with an extension and full refurbishment which completely overhauled the existing store. The store owners were looking for a reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for its refrigeration requirements. Improving the interior environment and enhancing protection is ensured by the addition of Panasonic Cassette Air Conditioning Units incorporating nanoeTM X technology, which can inhibit the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Alongside the cold rooms, cabinets and display units, several satellite fridges were also installed which run off five Panasonic CO2 Condensing Units (3 x 4HP units, 1 x 10HP unit and 1 x 2HP unit). “We were initially drawn to Panasonic’s CO2 Cold Chain units because environmentally CO2 is a very attractive natural and alternative refrigerant choice”, commented Jim Weldon, Director of Tech Refrigeration. “The Panasonic units also has several unique thermo-physical properties and for this application, the Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain units deliver high performance, are reliable and are ultimately very efficient. Installing Panasonic AC with nanoeTM X technology has the added benefit of being able to improve protection against certain viruses and bacteria for staff and customers within the store environment was a great bonus.”
“Nolan’s Supermarket represents the heart of a local community, an independent and family run business that is a staple in Clontarf” commented Vincent Mahony, Panasonic Heating & Cooling Ireland National Manager. “We are delighted to have been able to provide our CO2 Cold Chain units plus the NX cassette units with nanoeTM X technology, which helps to inhibit the effects of certain viruses and bacteria, including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), both in the air and on surfaces for improved protection, 24/7. The CO2 Cold Chain units have a notable track record for reliability and efficiency with a clever two stage compression rotary compressor - and for it to be the first of its kind in Ireland is an impressive achievement!”
The Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain units are suitable for both refrigerated and freezer showcases, as well as walk-in freezers and cold rooms – offering a solution for all commercial refrigeration needs. The technology has been specifically developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors. The range available in Ireland features units for medium temperature (4kW to 16kW) and low temperature (2kW to 8kW) condensing units.
The NX inverter cassette unit is a modern flat-panel design to blend into any space. It provides a powerful turbo fan and intelligent econavi sensor to ensure high energy efficiency and exceptional comfort with a circulation function to evenly distribute the air and minimize temperature gaps throughout the store. Featuring integrated nanoe X, these cassettes have been developed to satisfy today’s customer needs such as high energy saving, comfort and healthier air.
For more information on Panasonic heating & cooling solutions please visit - https://www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en/Panasonic products used:
3 x OCU-CR400VF8
1 x OCU-CR1000VF8A 1 x OCU-CR200CF5 NX Cassettes with nanoeTM X technology

More Information

Greencold go large with Panasonic CO2 Refrigerated Trailer

Refrigeration

ColdChain

Cooling specialists, Greencold, has taken its refrigerated trailers to a larger specification to accommodate the needs of an established multi-national UK food manufacturer. The project followed on from the success of its Quickfreeze rental trailer, where the Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain Condenser unit is installed within the trailer to provide the perfect mobile refrigeration and freezing solution. Simon Andrew, Director of Greencold commented “We originally worked with Panasonic on a solution for our smaller QuickFreeze trailer in 2019 where we were impressed with the support and output of the units. We use the trailer as a cold-room test facility and mobile refrigeration unit. The trailer allows us to easily conduct onsite tests for customer products to show chill and freeze temperatures, in addition to also allowing more capacity at our own site that doesn’t take up workshop space at HQ. It was because of the original trailer and the natural refrigerant CO2 being used on the Panasonic cold chain units, that our client, Cranswick Convenience Foods MK, a multi-national food manufacturer, asked if they could purchase a larger trailer that could be fitted with the same Panasonic cold chain units.”
The Panasonic CO2 2kW units were tested on the larger trailer (internal length of 5860mm, width 2030mm and height 2000mm), which proved to provide the ideal freezing and chilled capacities that the customer was looking for. This larger trailer can accommodate five standard UK sized pallets end to end (1200mm x 1000mm) with a total static payload of 2500 kilograms and a capacity to reach -20oC. The inside is equipped with an 100mm joint free insulated panels and 100mm insulated floors with sanded surface.
On both the large and small trailer, the Panasonic Cold Chain CO2 units used are compact, lightweight, have low noise levels (a range of 35.5 dB(A) to 36dB(A)) and designed to fit into smaller spaces with dimensions of (HWD) 930mm x 800mm x 350mm and weighs just 67kg. The units are installed with a compatible ceiling mounted room air cooler and electronic controller and expansion valve. The natural refrigerant of CO2 used in the condensing units has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) equal to 1 as opposed to the current refrigerant typically used such as R404A having a GWP equal to 3,800. With refrigeration legislation increasing over the coming years, HFC R404A will be out of circulation by 2020. Paul Taylor, UK Sales Manager for Panasonic UK further commented, “It’s great to see our units being used for mobile refrigeration logistic requirements and proving themselves on the larger trailers. The Panasonic CO2 units already have an impressive track record for reliability and efficiency with a clever single two stage temperature compression condensing unit and of compact size”.
Based on Panasonic monitored data, the units provide 16% energy savings for chilled refrigeration and 25% energy savings for lower temperature freezer applications achieved in comparison to R404A.*
Simon Andrew further added, “The Panasonic CO2 cold chain units offer a practical and straightforward method of installation with complete design support available. The units are compact, lightweight and have very low noise levels – we are more than happy with the collaboration of working with an eco-friendly manufacturer such as Panasonic. From our facility in the UK we are able to supply CO2 refrigerated trailers for sale built to the customers requirements; size, shelving or dual compartment function for example.
Furthermore, our client’s feedback has been very positive and has assisted with their objective of eliminating the need for their larger under-used cold store on site and HFC cooling systems dependency in general. Our client commented: “We have been pleasantly surprised by the unit’s performance during the warm weather spells this year and its reliability to date. It also contributes towards our goal of reducing our carbon footprint and eradicating HFC’s from our site”
For more information on Panasonic air source heat pumps, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.co.uk or to contact Greencold – www.greencold.com.

*Monitored within a 5°C to 27°C ambient 12-month operating period. Compared to R404A

More Information

Panasonic Provide First CO2 Solution for Refrigerated Trailer Rental

Commercial, Others

CO2, Cold Chain

The Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain Condenser units provided the perfect mobile refrigeration solution for cooling specialists, Greencold. A reliable, efficient and eco-friendly solution to cool and freeze a mobile trailer was required and where the Panasonic CO2 units have now been installed. Simon Andrew, Director of Greencold commented “We had always wanted a large cold-room test facility in our premises to enable us to carry out product testing for our customers for both chill and freeze temperatures. However, due to limited space inside our workshop we decided that it would be a better idea to construct a mobile CO2 cooling system in a refrigerated box trailer. This could then be parked both on our premises and also taken to our customers site to test their products locally or demonstrate the technology. Panasonic worked with us to develop a perfect solution”.
The Panasonic CO2 units are compact, lightweight, have low noise levels (a range of 35.5 dB(A) to 36dB(A)) and designed to fit into smaller spaces with dimensions of (HWD) 930mm x 800mm x 350mm and weighs only 67kg.
The condensing units use a natural refrigerant that has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) equal to 1 as opposed to the current refrigerant typically used such as R404A having a GWP equal to 3,800. With refrigeration legislation increasing over the coming years, HFC R404A will be out of circulation by 2020. Paul Taylor, UK Sales Manager for Panasonic UK further explains more about the benefits, “The Panasonic range has been specifically developed for small to medium capacity applications within the refrigerated retail and food service sectors. Furthermore, by combining reliability and efficiency with the natural refrigerant CO2, the range removes any risk of future costs associated with the F-Gas refrigerant phase out whilst also minimising energy use and operating costs.”
With the Panasonic CO2 units already having a proven track record for reliability and efficiency with a clever single two stage temperature compression condensing unit and of compact size, Simon Andrew went on to explain, “We were able to combine the Panasonic units with a suitable air cooler of sufficiently high working pressure from a cooler manufacturer, we knew we had a great solution”.
Greencold have also since identified their refrigerated trailer as an educational tool where they take it out to customers and prove the eco-friendly CO2 cooling system is nothing to be frightened about.
With changes to the F-Gas regulations coming into force, alongside reducing carbon emissions and energy costs becoming key drivers for change in refrigeration systems, both specifiers and end users are recognising the need to consider CO2 as a refrigerant.
Greencold have also identified a further revenue stream and use for the Panasonic CO2 trailer and set up a sister company called ‘QuickFreeze’, whereby they are successfully renting out the branded trailer to a variety of customers in the food manufacturing business for events and storage logistic sectors such as smaller catering, hotels and restaurants, corporate hospitality events, weddings, pop-up stalls and emergency back-up for food and medical pharmaceutical companies with refrigeration needs.
One recent use case was where QuickFreeze were contacted by a youth football club for a large team tournament event where the refrigerated trailer was required for a three-day event. The Trailer was parked in a convenient onsite location and placed next to a portacabin where food was being prepared.
Chris Terry, Team Chairman of FC Aztec Youth commented, “We commissioned Quickfreeze to set up the trailer for chilled conditions which enabled us to serve the food and replenish the stocks quickly, allowing us to store all our products in the vast amount of space and all kitted out with convenient shelving. The event ran trouble free for the whole of the tournament from Friday to Saturday evening and made our life a lot easier. The CO2 branding on the trailer also caused a few heads to turn and brought attention to the visiting public and showed the importance of green refrigerant technology”. The Quickfreeze trailer is helping to avoid the logistical challenges faced when delivering refrigerated solutions in an articulated HGV lorry, which is not always convenient for many smaller drop-off locations.
The Panasonic CO2 units offer a practical and straightforward method of installation with complete design support available through the distributor network. The units are compact, lightweight and have very low noise levels. Based on Panasonic monitored data, 16% energy savings for chilled refrigeration and 25% energy savings for lower temperature freezer applications have been achieved in comparison to R404A.*” Simon Andrew further added “We are happy to be collaborating with Panasonic and assisting them in spreading the word about the benefits of CO2 and demonstrating its technology”.

More Information

UK Based Food Factory Installs Panasonic CO2 Commercial Refrigeration to Cool and Freeze Sushi

Commercial, Restaurants

CO2, Cold Chain

Tanpopo Japanese Food, a UK-based food wholesaler, has recently equipped its warehouse in Feltham, West London, with condensing units from the Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain range. The units were installed by Versan Ltd of Chertsey, Surrey, a company that specialises in the installation of refrigeration technology. For over 20 years, Tanpopo has been making and supplying sushi to catering companies, supermarkets, hotels, stadia and event organisers across the UK. With the use of renewable technology and reliability high on the agenda for Tanpopo, Panasonic’s Cold Chain Commercial Refrigeration range, which uses environmentally-friendly CO2, was the ideal choice for all their frozen and chilled food storage refrigeration requirements when the business moved to its new premises in Feltham. Peter Bigmore, Owner of Tanpopo Japanese Food Ltd, commented, “After extensive trialling of another competing product, we chose the Panasonic solution because of its environmentally-friendly credentials. Other key factors were the range’s reliability, the fact the units are compatible with a range of control systems and due to the low charge of CO2 required by the units, no additional leak detection equipment was necessary for this application.” A further challenge for this installation was that the cooking and manufacturing process in the factory results in ambient temperatures of up to 43oC, so any refrigeration units chosen must be able to operate efficiently even in these extreme conditions. Fortunately, this is one of the unique benefits of the Panasonic units, which can operate efficiently at this temperature, and thus provides additional confidence in the technology of the product. The Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain units are suitable for both refrigerated and freezer showcases, as well as walk-in freezers and cold rooms – offering a solution for all commercial refrigeration needs. The technology has been specifically developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors. The range available in the UK features units for medium temperature (4kW to 16kW) and low temperature (2kW to 8kW) condensing units. Additionally, the 16kW (10HP) units can be connected to provide up to 32kW cooling capacity at medium temperature. Launched in Japan in 2010, the range has 10 years’ experience in projects within Japan and was first launched in the UK in 2018. The key benefits and factors to the success of the units is due to the reliability, the compact size, the unique two stage compressor, the easy installation and the use of the natural refrigerant CO2. Furthermore, the units are compatible with a range of different control systems. In July 2019, Versan Ltd commissioned and has currently installed four Panasonic 2kW CO2 units at Tanpopo Japanese Food Ltd’s premises in Feltham that replaced four of the R404 systems, two in the low temperature cold rooms at -30°C and two serving as medium temperature chillers at -4°C. Due to the advice from Versan Ltd and their experience of CO2, further units are due to be installed to replace all the current R404 systems at the premises. Each of the Panasonic units is used to either freeze or chill the products produced in the sushi factory, that are then stored prior to them being shipped to supermarkets around the UK. Xavier Debray, Managing Director of Versan Ltd commented, “One of the pre-requisites for many supermarket chains now is to review their supply chain and their green credentials, such as the use of renewable technology during their processes. The Panasonic units use CO2, a very attractive natural alternative to conventional refrigerant gases. CO2 has a zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and a GWP (Global Warming Potential) equal to 1 (compared to a refrigerant like R404A with a GWP of 3922).” Xavier has a keen interest in renewable and sustainable technology and in particular the use of CO2 and adds, “I studied the use of CO2 as a refrigerant some years ago when at University and was thrilled after recent research that manufacturers such as Panasonic are now embracing this technology and have developed a reliable commercial refrigeration range that uses CO2. Some of Tanpopo’s partners are also Japanese and really liked the fact that the technology from Panasonic has originated and been proven in projects for over a decade in Japan. Furthermore, the unique benefit of the Panasonic range is being able to easily switch from either freeze or chill mode.” Indy Tharnvithian, Technical Specialist for CO2 at Panasonic added “When installing the Panasonic CO2 range, just two settings are required – vacuum mode and evaporating setting – everything else is pre-set. Obviously if need be, settings can easily be modified with alarms that will indicate any wrong settings. If installers register on the Panasonic Pro-Club website, they will have access to free commissioning tools that includes a cooling capacity calculator, pipe calculator and EEV quick selection tool.” Xavier further explained that, “As Versan Ltd were one of the first to commission and install the Panasonic units in the UK, we were originally a little bit apprehensive, but found that by working with Indy, Technical Specialist at Panasonic, onsite during the design and commissioning stage, plus throughout the process, helped to make the process easier. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised by how easy the units were to install and how reliable the units have been since installation. So much so that Tanpopo are looking to install further units.”
For more information on Versan Ltd please see www.versan.co.uk.

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Others

AQUAREA

The team at Panasonic have been working in collaboration with architects, engineers and local crafts people to create an unfiltered, unique and comfortable luxury living experience in bubble style Domes to bring a 180-degree transparent window to the world of nature. Michael Beare of Finn Lough Resort is the visionary behind this unique holiday experience. He explains: “Our aim was to be able to offer holidaymakers a truly unique experience in this glorious setting, yet with minimal impact on these wonderful surroundings. We aimed to minimise the footprint of the domes, offering off grid power and heating solutions, minimal construction requirements and a design that blends into the landscape.” Each Dome is kitted out with Panasonic Aquarea Fan Coils which are connected to air to water Panasonic Aquarea Monobloc heat pumps for quick reaction heating and cooling as well as domestic hot water. Panasonic additionally supply DX ERV units to maintain a constant air flow rate. Furthermore, each Dome can be monitored via the Panasonic Aquarea Smart Cloud technology to maintain the optimal environment for each guest. Michael shared his original dream for the Domes: “I wanted to create a unique environmental experience where people can enjoy all the different elements of nature from a safe environment in a bubble of peace and tranquillity – I believe we have now achieved this.” The first Domes were created in 2015 but had several challenges such as misting up, being cold in winter and too hot in the summer months. Michael then started discussions with Panasonic to understand and solve these issues. With continuous prototyping and testing, the team has since adapted and improved the Dome’s comfort and experience for guests. Walter Stephens of Panasonic Ireland added “We are delighted to be part of this exciting and innovative project. The Panasonic Aquarea Mono-bloc air to water heat pump is an ideal, energy efficient solution, to heat or cool the Domes. The units have the added benefit of using the outside air and passing the air over refrigerant-filled coils (like a refrigerator). The then captured heat is automatically transferred to water, which is then ready for use in the heating or cooling system within the domes and for supplying hot water. Furthermore, the units do not require access to mains gas.” The Panasonic Aquarea heat pump technology was chosen for this project as the units easily adapt to extreme low temperatures (-20oC) and high temperatures, whatever the climate. The units are highly energy efficient (COP of 5.08), are compact, positioned externally to save on internal living space, quick and straightforward to install. The Domes are proving popular, with seven initially installed at the Finn Lough Resort in Northern Ireland which has recently increased to 14 Domes due to the high demand. Visitors’ feedback is highly positive, so much so that the resort now has an ever-growing waiting list. Each dome has a unique four poster bed, ensuite bathroom, nespresso coffee machine, fluffy robe and daily breakfast included and reside in the middle of a private forest. Visiting guest, Ainhoa Barcelona from Hello Magazine commented “Each dome has been fitted with underfloor heating and a boost button by the bed that can give you a blast of heat at intervals. This is glamping taken to the next level.” Another recent guest commented on trip advisor “I don't know where to start, Finn Lough was incredible! We stayed in one of the Bubble Domes and it was the most amazing experience. Before going I was slightly worried it would be cold, however, it looks like they have fully listened to feedback as it has heated floors, a heater and a heated mattress. Privacy never felt like an issue and we were blessed with a clear night with an incredible view of the stars.” Enthusiasm for the Dome experience has now reached a global level with orders for more Domes in remote locations coming from Australia, North America, Italy and France to name a few.

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea T-CAP

PANASONIC GENERATES SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN RESTORED WATER TOWER

An abandoned water tower on the outskirts of Harrogate, Yorkshire, has been converted into a stunning family home by Carol and Majid Nadry from Bradford. Sustainability and energy efficiency were at the heart of the project, so they chose an air source heat pump from Panasonic to provide a low-Carbon heating and hot water solution.

The four-storey water tower, which was built in the 1940s to supply a nearby village, was in need of significant refurbishment, as it had lain derelict for several years. However, this offered the Nadrys a blank canvas on which they could design their home - and exactly the way they wanted it. Energy efficiency was one of the core principles of their restoration project, and this presented a number of challenges to Cumbria-based renewable heating firm Heacol, who were asked to design and install the heating and hot water system.

System design has a significant impact on how efficiently it runs, as a heating system that is not designed and installed correctly will not deliver optimum performance. As a large four storey building, it was crucial that the property had a powerful water flow to provide an even capacity around the building, and that all this was achieved with energy efficient technology. As the water tower was so old and run down, the installation had more in common with a new build project than a retrofit. Heacol were therefore able to design the whole system themselves, rather than adapt it to existing infrastructure, which appealed to the Nadrys as it meant that they could ensure it was as efficient as possible.

Heacol specified a Panasonic Aquarea T-CAP heat pump, which was integral to delivering the efficient solution and capacity they needed to heat a large home like the converted water tower. The T-CAP was the ideal solution as it is not just efficient and powerful, but also extremely reliable and provides advanced control options to make the system more efficient. The T-CAP also works well with underfloor heating, which was chosen as the primary method of delivering heating to the building, to increase the efficiency of the system.

“We never have any problems with the Panasonic T-CAP” says Brendon Uys of Heacol. “It is one of the most reliable heating systems I’ve ever come across, in three years of installing it I haven’t had to do one repair job, I would go so far as to say it’s bulletproof. Another really important feature for me is how simple it is to install, it makes completing a project so much easier. It provides a really efficient solution as well, which is great for a family like the Nadrys who were keen to reduce their energy bills and be environmentally friendly.”

Heacol installed two Panasonic Aquarea T-CAP heat pumps to provide the necessary capacity for the house. The T-CAP includes weather compensation controls as standard, so that when the outside temperature falls, the water temperature rises, meaning the system is always running at peak efficiency. Heacol also installed proportional thermostats so that when the outside temperature drops below 17°C the system will run 24 hours a day. This enables the system to run at a much lower flow temperature when providing heating and hot water, and therefore it consumes significantly less energy while still performing at peak efficiency. Heacol also installed a thermal store, which heats the water as it flows through a pipe rather than in a tank, which not only reduces the risk of legionella but also lowers the running costs of the system.

Completely restored, the Pannal Water Tower is equipped with an efficient, fully-controllable heating and hot water system. With monitoring equipment recently installed, Carol and Majid Nadry will soon be able to see the significant savings on their energy bills generated the Panasonic Aquarea T-CAP.

More Information

Lingfield Point

Commercial, VRF, Offices

ECO G

PANASONIC DIALS UP THE ENERGY SAVINGS IN CAPITA CALL CENTRE

When Capita, the business process management and outsourcing giant, decided to establish their new call centre in the Lingfield Point business park, it was important sustainability play a key role in the refurbishment. This included the heating and cooling system, for which M&E consultants Quinnross specified an energy efficient Panasonic system with advanced control technology.

Lingfield Point was originally constructed in 1946 as a wool production facility and now serves as a centre of business and innovation in the North West, with over 30 companies and organisations based there. Capita opted to convert one of the original large warehouses to a modern, high-tech call centre accommodating 500 staff. Quinnross had already installed a GHP system in another project at Lingfield Point with great success, winning a number of regional and national awards, so when it came to designing a heating and cooling system for the Capita call centre the choice was easy. Working with distributor ESS, Quinnross specified the Panasonic ECO G 3 way system, which would take advantage of the abundant gas supply on the site, and is renowned for its energy efficiency and ease of installation.

“We completed a fantastic project with the Panasonic GHP system a few years ago and, with Capita’s focus on sustainability, we thought this was a great opportunity to use the technology again,” says Derek Quinlan of Quinnross. “Panasonic’s ECO G gas heat pump really ticks all the boxes for us, it’s easy to install, very powerful and is also really efficient.”

Panasonic’s ECO G 3 way system uses gas, instead of electricity, to provide the power to draw in air and generate heat. This greatly decreased the load on the electricity supply at the Capita site, allowing it to be used for other essential systems that had to be installed to make the call centre a modern, technologically advanced facility. The ECO G 3 way can also be powered using LPG, meaning that if there were ever an interruption to the main gas supply, the units could still function. The demand for electricity for heating and cooling is reduced further by the ECO G 3 way’s use of a DC motor, which lowers the power consumption of the unit.

Capita is planning for 500 staff in their call centre so they required a system that could accommodate several different requirements at the same time, and also cope with a high level of demand for heating and cooling. Quinnross therefore specified 11 of the Panasonic ECO G 3 way units, which can provide heating and cooling simultaneously, to be installed to ensure the required system capacity and to connect to as many indoor units as possible. By installing over 150 indoor units in meeting rooms and open-plan areas Quinnross enabled accurate local heating and cooling, because groups of the units can be controlled individually, which creates a more comfortable environment for employees by adapting the system to their requirements.

Quinnross specified a comprehensive control system to increase the efficiency of the heating and cooling system. 11 wired timer remote controllers were installed to regulate operations of the ECO G 3 way units, and control air flow direction, temperature and fan speed. Panasonic’s intelligent touch screen controller, the CZ-256ESMC2, was also installed to interface with the site’s BMS. It combines the functionality to programme a schedule of operations, control factors such as fan speed, temperature and operation with the ability to control 256 units, which was absolutely vital in a project of this scale. The CZ-256ESMC2 also allows different levels of prohibition so employees can be given permission to change certain settings, such as temperature, but not others, like operation mode, preventing the system from being tampered with resulting in inefficient operation.

With the Panasonic ECO G 3 Way system installed, Capita have ensured a low energy heating, cooling and solution that reduces demand on the electricity supply and provides a comfortable, well-controlled environment for their employees.

More Information

Hotel Europa

Rust, Freiburg

VRF

EUROPA PARK HOTELS BENEFIT FROM PERFECT TEMPERATURES BY PANASONIC

Germany’s Europa Park resort based in Rust, Freiburg, has recently undergone a major renovation within its ‘El Andaluz‘ and ‘Castillo Alcazar‘ hotels, where 300 rooms now benefit from Panasonic’s innovative VRF air conditioning systems.

The Europa Park resort is one of the most prestigious leisure parks in the world, boasting five 4-star themed hotels and over one hundred attractions, drawing more than five million visitors through its doors each year. The family owned resort, voted best theme park worldwide for two consecutive years, prides itself in its commitment to consistent, high quality standards surrounding its attractions, food and beverage, shows, gardens and, its themed hotels.

181 rooms of Europa Park’s ‘Spanish summer residence‘ themed hotel, "El Andaluz" required two phases of a complete renovation, and equipping the rooms with the latest air conditioning technology was high on the hotels brief. Similarly, 112 rooms of the ‘Castillo Alcazar‘ hotel, themed around a Spanish knight's castle also required a smart air conditioning system that would lower the overall bills of the hotel whilst ensuring guests comfort at all times.

Freiburg based Installer, BS-Air GmbH, was tasked with providing a reliable and sustainable heating and air conditioning system. The technologies needed to be of high quality, quiet when in use and as inconspicuous as possible. This was a major challenge as no two rooms across either of the hotels were the same. The hotels high volume of occupants meant it was imperative for a quick and easy installation to minimise the disruption and down time of the building whilst the rooms under-went its HVAC revamp.

The installation was implemented in two phases. Initial planning and design began in 2012, where detailed CAD drawings and air conditioning load calculations according to VDI2078 were first established. Between 2012 and 2013, 3,500 meter copper cables were laid within Hotel El Andaluz, whilst and 82 rooms were appointed with a new Panasonic air conditioning system within just eight weeks. The second phase commenced between 2013 and 2014 where 211 rooms between ‘Castillo Alcazar‘ hotel and "El Andaluz" hotel were commissioned within just nine weeks.

"The biggest challenge in the two hotels at Europa-Park was probably the strict time limits we were restricted to, “explains Peter Scheidthauer, Managing Director of BS-Klima GmbH. “We are proud that we were able to implement all systems throughout both hotels in such a timely manner, all thanks to our dedicated employees. We would also like to thank the management of Europa-Park for putting this trust into us to create a fully integrated and reliable heating and cooling system for two of its 4-star hotels".

Panasonic’s ECOi range of VRF systems were selected thanks to its impressive performance, new DC inverter compressor, new DC fan motors, a newly designed heat exchanger and its low power consumption which is achieved through the use of the high-performance refrigerant, R410A.

A total of 14 outdoor units were installed between both hotels, ranging in output sizes from 22.40 kW to 45 kW*. ‘El Andaluz‘ homes nine of Panasonic’s ECOi VRF systems whilst the ‘Castillo Alcazar‘ boasts five units, producing a total refrigerating capacity of 500.80 kW.

Once the outdoor systems had been fully installed, BS-Air moved into the indoor units of the hotels. In order to camouflage the systems against the low ceiling and interior design of each room, the installer decided Panasonic‘s MM1 series would be the ideal solution for indoor heating and cooling, thanks to its shallow channel devices. With a height of just 200mm, Panasonic’s MM1 Superflat channel devices offer the ultimate flexibility and are suitable for installation narrow, false ceilings. With its high energy efficiency and extremely low noise levels, this was the perfect solution for Europa Park’s indoor heating and cooling requirements.

For accurate and flexible control of Panasonic VRF systems, an interface designed and programmed specially by wholesaler Alfred Kaut GmbH + Co. integrates the VRF system into the hotels in-house building management system. This enables quick and easy central control and the detection of faults. Three heating and cooling settings are controlled via the building management system, which is set depending on whether the room is occupied, how many people are straying in the room, and also allows for a basic temperature set point. Each individual hotel room was also equipped with Panasonics CZ-RE2C2 Hotel Remote Controller for guests to adjust the temperatures at the touch of a button. This remote makes increasing or decreasing the temperature, fan speed or shutting off the system completely a hassle-free process.

"We could not close our hotels for more than a few weeks for renovation, therefore it was important that we put our trust into companies that we could rely on and that we could trust to not neglect the quality of equipment that was specified, and the implementation of these systems. BS-Air GmbH provided us with the best advice in recommending Panasonic air conditioning systems, and our high quality standard has remained firmly intact," says Roland Mack, owner of Europa Park.

The project has been such a success that it was awarded a Panasonic PRO Award for Best Hotel Installation.

*2x U-8ME1E81
6x U-12ME1E81
3x U-14ME1E81
3x U-16ME1E81

More Information

Oil Burner Alternative

Cambridge, UK

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

ECO INSTALLER PROVIDES SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION WITH PANASONIC

As public awareness and new technology continues to progress, homeowners are constantly striving for a way to lower their bills and establish a ‘greener’ way of living. For one homeowner, Panasonic’s Aquarea heating and cooling system was the perfect match when looking for an alternative, environmental solution to the existing oil fired burner.

The homeowner’s four bedroom family home in Comberton, Cambridge was previously heated by an old oil fired burner. Although at the time of renovation oil prices were low, the homeowner also understood these prices could rise. The volatility in the price of oil, alongside the high maintenance cost of the tank as well as being reliant on the delivery of the oil led to the search for a new heating and hot water system.

Local energy efficiency specialist and installer, Eco Installer, was tasked with proposing a sustainable alternative. Not only did the homeowner want to run an environmentally friendly property, but she also wanted to reduce her energy bills. After considering the available options, it was agreed that a modern air source heat pump was the only reliable solution. With a guaranteed saving against oil heating, a heat pump also allowed the homeowner to cut her carbon emissions down significantly.

Panasonic’s 12kW split system T-Cap air source heat pump was specified for the project. Replacing the current oil burner, the Panasonic system was teamed with both a Panasonic Aquarea indoor cylinder unit and DHW buffer tank to tend for the families heating and hot water needs. Panasonic’s DHW hot water tanks offer impressive efficiency, with a large surface exchange area and high insulation levels to minimise energy losses.

“Once we had established our client’s desire for a super-efficient, environmentally friendly heating and hot water system with low running costs and minimum maintenance, Panasonic was our first choice,” explains Shane Freeland, Director at Eco Installer. “Panasonic’s impressive Aquarea T-Cap range stood out as the perfect solution. Its ability to maintain the same nominal capacity even at -15C without the help of an electrical booster heater, alongside its reputation for the best efficiency compared to other heating systems meant we could guarantee our client a reliable and sustainable source.”

Panasonic Aquarea heat pumps have a maximum COP of 5.08 at + 7C, making them more efficient than fossil fuel, oil fired burners, gas boilers and electrical heaters. Alongside being very quiet when in use, the systems also have a night mode program for even lower noise. This is controlled via its accompanying remote control which also features an auto mode, holiday mode and a special concrete speed drying mode to ease installation.

For the ultimate sustainable solution Eco Installer connected the Aquarea heat pump to a solar kit and iBoost system to increase the overall system efficiency and minimize the impact on the environment as requested by the homeowner.

Within one week, Eco Installer had replaced a dated and costly heating and hot water system with Panasonic’s efficient heat pump, buffer tank and indoor cylinder, replaced all radiators and installed solar technology.

More Information

VRF, Offices

VRF

A breath of fresh air for an old building - That was the brief for the conversion of a downtown office and commercial building in the centre of German city of Bochum into a university building complete with lecture halls and conference centre, the "blue square”.

The most important parameters for the project were:
·         Enough fresh air for 100 people on each floor
·         Use of the existing district heating system due to current contractual obligations
·         Air conditioning for secondary rooms
·         Limited space due to the inner-city location
·         Compliance with the Energy Saving Ordinance currently in force
·         Air temperature control, i.e. cooling and heating
·         Building data: Use of the first to fifth floors, each measuring 240 m², including lecture halls each measuring 130 m².

The requirements in the guidelines for places of public assembly meant each floor of the building would require approx. 3,000 m³/hr of fresh air. Early on in the planning phase, the decision was taken to use a central ventilation unit with a total of 15,000 m³/hr of fresh air and an integrated heat recovery element. The heat recovery rate is 75 % (depending on the operating condition). The air is distributed to each floor via an outdoor duct.

The integrated underfloor heating system covers the base load for heating, meaning the district heating is suitable for use here.

The only issue left to resolve was that of the air conditioning. This had to be done as much as possible on an individual floor basis depending on the layout of each lecture hall, as it was not always the same on every floor.

A VRF system (variable refrigerant flow) from Panasonic's ECOi series, which allows for individual temperature control for each cooling point, was therefore the obvious solution. Due to the wide-branching duct system however, it was not possible to use standard Panasonic components, as these do not have enough static pressure.

The ingenious approach of Bochum-based Climatic was to combine standard ventilation equipment from GEA with DX kits from Panasonic's VRF range. Each duct unit can heat or cool the air as appropriate, so temperatures do not fall below 14 °C in cooling mode or exceed 28 °C when heating. In addition, the air speeds had to be no greater than 1.5 m/s, to ensure comfort.

The cooling requirement for each lecture hall was estimated at 16kW and for the secondary rooms at 18 kW. The total cooling power required was calculated at 90 kW.

In order to minimise both the quantity of coolant in the entire system and the length of piping, two separate coolant circuits were selected, each with 14 hp / 45kW of cooling power.

The positioning of the two external components was also a problem, due to both the inner-city location and the building's listed status. The central air conditioning unit's position already took up the available roof space, both physically and with regards to the forces exerted on the building.

The solution was to set aside a room on the fourth floor as a plant room, which offered space for the control cabinet and the two external components. The air for both external components is drawn in via grills that were installed in the listed facade in place of windows. The air is then blown out again via two exhaust spouts over the roof of the plant room.
This solution also leads to reduced noise emissions.

For control, the team selected the central operating station from Panasonic's ECOi VRF range. This fulfilled the following requirements:
·         Free timer programming depending on the layout of the individual lecture halls
·         The ability to calculate energy costs individually in the event the building is rented to separate tenants
·         Web-based remote monitoring for service and elimination of faults, which ideally can be reset as they accumulate; otherwise, they can be analysed beforehand, allowing for better service planning.

The building started hosting lectures, ranging from business and law studies to cultural events, a year ago. Thanks to the outstanding energy efficiency ratio of 3.36 and the coefficient of performance of 3.85, the VRF system ensures energy efficient operation for both cooling and heating.

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

Rising energy prices coupled with the desire to be more environmentally friendly, lead an Essex family to make the switch to a more sustainable heating solution - Panasonic’s Aquarea air source heat pump.

The Peters family were keen to make the change from their large and out-dated oil boiler in their Victorian home, The Old Rectory, to a more compact, energy efficient and economical system.

There were two key motivators which lead them to choose the new Panasonic Aquarea air source heat pump. Firstly the cost benefits - having a large twenty room property meant that their heating costs were significant and they were keen to find a solution that kept them warm, whilst reducing their energy bills. The family are now saving approximately £200 per month compared to their past oil fuel bills - a considerable saving.

The other significant reason for the install was the family’s wish to reduce their carbon foot-print and choose a system that was environmentally friendly. This follows a growing trend and greater demand for more sustainable energy and heating solutions.

This particular installation was first approached by conducting an energy efficiency study – vital for a period property with over twenty rooms. Due to the house size the installers decided to fit two Aquarea units, in order to deliver the heat the house needs. Fortunately no changes were needed to the house itself, even the existing radiators were able to be retained. The house also had adequate existing roof insulation.

“We are delighted with the results from installing the Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pump and the house always seems warm and cosy, despite such a cold winter” said the homeowner. “We are finding that heat pumps are a reliable system for our home, they don’t need any more maintenance than a gas or oil boiler and they deliver the hot water and heating that we need in our house, whilst saving money compared to our previous heating system.”

“…We also like the fact that the Aquarea heat pumps are very straight forward to use and easily controlled, just like a normal boiler - you flip down the lid, you select what sort of temperatures you want in the house for your hot water and what times you want it. It’s easy.”

Jonathan Evans of IME Systems Ltd, the installation company for this project commented: “We get asked sometimes what the benefits of the Aquarea heat pump systems are, so we tell our customers that Panasonic consistently produces reliable and good quality pieces of kit, and from our point of view as installers, they’re straight forward to install. Like any good quality air source heat pump they’re quiet and not intrusive, they don’t keep you awake at night with spinning motors and they don’t irritate your neighbours.”

An extremely compact and versatile heating system – the Aquarea heat pump will be able to fulfil heating demands even in temperatures as low as -20°C. Independent tests have also shown that Panasonic’s air-to-water heat pump is capable of saving up to 78% on heating expenses, being far more efficient than fuel-fired boilers, gas boilers and electric heaters.

Panasonic’s Aquarea is the most comprehensive, versatile and cost-effective range of air-to-water heat pumps on the market. It features heat pumps from 7 to 16 kW, single and three-phase, alongside stand-alone and split-units.

More Information

Wealden District Council

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

For many years, the search for a reliable, efficient and long-standing renewable energy solution has been at the top of the agenda for social housing providers, councils and communities alike. Renewable technologies not only provide a cleaner, safer and more efficient heating and hot water solution, but these technologies are above all cost effective.

Whilst all renewable technologies can protect tenants from the growing risk of fuel poverty, certain systems are better suited to different properties. It is crucial for installers to specify the right system for each project, allowing the tenants to enjoy maximum benefits.

A great example can be found at the Wealden District Council. In fact, Ecosphere Renewables has just been awarded a top prize in Panasonic’s PRO Awards, winning the Best Residential Project in the Social Housing category for its ambitious project with Wealden District Council. This project has already seen 110 Panasonic Aquarea air source heat pumps and tanks successfully installed, delivering significant benefits to both the council and the tenants.

The Brief
In August 2013, Wealden District Council launched a £291,000 pilot scheme, grant-funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The aim was to update the heating systems of 110 village properties to fall in-line with the Government’s energy efficiency targets by 2015.

Led by Abdul Hussain, the Wealden Home Energy Efficiency Officer, East Sussex based installer Ecosphere Renewables, signed a ten year contract to replace the solid fuel heating and electric storage heaters with a reliable, efficient and durable renewable technology solution within these properties.

“Despite using other large manufacturer-branded air source heat pumps in the past, it was obvious that switching to Panasonic’s Aquarea Mono-Bloc units would be more beneficial to our customers and the environment,” explains Abdubl Hussain. “At the end of the day, cost, reliability and COP performance is essential for meeting council objectives and ensuring that our residents are in a well-heated, happy environment. Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pumps offer just that, and are fully compatible with solar PV panels. Heat pump technology is also eligible for payments through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).”

Originally, 60 units from another manufacturer were trialed alongside two Panasonic Aquarea units. After extensive comparisons, the Panasonic units delivered better value and higher efficiencies. With an impressive co-efficiency performance rating of 5.08 and compatibility with solar PV panel technology, switching to the Aquarea air source heat pumps improves performance for the Council’s tenants – as well as the surrounding environment.

Challenges
This project had major challenges as there was a significant variety in the types of properties requiring new systems. The houses were mainly rural buildings, built from the 1900’s to 1990’s, with differing construction materials, insulation and existing heating systems. An additional challenge to be addressed was the variety in the tenants themselves, from families with small children to persons of an elderly age. With little knowledge of renewable technologies, a number of tenants were unsure about replacing their existing, traditional heating system with a new renewable technology.

Therefore, over a series of days, Panasonic took its fully working Aquarea air-to-water demonstration trailer to the Wealden district, allowing visitors to see the system first hand, hear how quiet it is, and appreciate its compact size. Representatives from Panasonic, Wealden District Council and Ecosphere were on hand to answer any questions and explain the benefits of having a heat pump installed. That same day, over 40 residents signed up to the Wealden District Council’s programme.

The Panasonic Solution
Now, 110 Panasonic Aquarea air source heat pumps and Panasonic tanks have been installed, with the project continuing for a further eight years. The systems specified include the Aquarea Mono-Bloc in 6, 9 and 12kW, along with ten Bi-Bloc units, which are installed across a block of ten flats.

“This is one of the largest projects we have ever worked on - with strict budgets, hundreds of tenants relying on our install and tight deadlines to work to, we had no room for fault when specifying our choice of technology. We have installed Panasonic’s heat pumps for many years and have always found its systems to be one of the most reliable and efficient technologies on the market today,” says Sam Phyall, Renewable Energy Manager at Ecosphere. “We are proud of the impact our installs have had on the community already. One family of five had their solid fuel back boiler with separate immersion heater replaced with an Aquarea unit; they are now saving £150 a month on their heating bills compared to before.”

Panasonic’s Aquarea air source heat pumps have a COP of 5.08, meaning for every one unit of heat the pump consumes, a further 5.08 units of heat is created. This will reduce the Wealden District’s carbon footprint by an impressive 5000 tonnes over the next seven years and, on average, will save tenants £500 a year on heating bills. By replacing oil boilers and inefficient storage heaters, Wealden District Council has also seen a significant reduction in maintenance costs and breakdown call outs.

Panasonic’s heat pump technology qualifies for the governments RHI scheme, meaning the council will   benefit from an average payment of £500 per property per year over seven years.

As a result, Ecosphere Renewables has helped Wealden District Council reach its targets under the Home Energy Conservation act. The council are now considering heat pumps for all their off gas small   properties and flats within the Wealden District.

More Information

Renault-Nissan Dealership

France

Commercial, VRF, Others

VRF

Gennevilliers, 26 January 2015 – Panasonic Heating and Cooling has just fitted out the Renault-Nissan dealership in Romans-sur-Isère (southern France) with two ECO G VRFs.

Heating in the Renault-Nissan dealership in Romans-sur-Isère was originally provided by a gas-fired air heater. The dealer wanted to change the system so it would provide both heating and air conditioning. Using a 100 % electric VRF presented some problems. Considering the footprint of the building (1450 m²), such a solution would have consumed too much electricity, so much it would have required increasing the power supply to the site. This is why the dealer preferred the Panasonic Gas VRF solution, a system capable of providing heating and air conditioning without causing an increase in energy costs.

An air ventilation system combining aesthetics, efficiency and innovation
The heating and air conditioning system had to meet strict criteria. It had to respect the design of the site and the Renault-Nissan visual identity while providing maximum comfort to customers and employees and limiting the site’s electrical consumption. Particular care was taken with the aesthetics. Panasonic preferred interior units that were as discreet as possible (ductable), and customized the housings to the colours of the dealership so as to integrate them harmoniously with the decor.

Panasonic VRF, combining simplicity and effectiveness
Split into two buildings, the Romans-sur-Isère dealership’s footprint exceeds 1450 m² with offices, sales areas, delivery areas, and a computer room. No fewer than 30 interior units were installed (high-pressure ductable units for the sales areas, housings and wall units from the offices, two mini splits for the computer room and is the after-sales area) and two ECO G VRF units placed on the roof of the building. The reversible system can provide either heat or cooling in optimal conditions of comfort: each room is independent with a temperature control by thermostat. “This dealership is the perfect demonstration of the advantage of a gas VRF solution, especially when the site to be air-conditioned is subject to severe energy constraints,” highlights Hervé Guillard, manager at Panasonic Heating and Cooling in France.

Focus on the Panasonic Gas VRF
A professional solution, the Panasonic GHP VRF range is a market leader. This range has been specifically designed to save energy, especially for projects subject to restrictions in electrical power. These systems offer high effectiveness and performance with maximum relia bility. They enable considerable energy savings. Using Panasonic Gas VRF limits maintenance costs and is the perfect solution to heating, air-conditioning and cooling needs. The noise level is considerably reduced, which is particularly important to guarantee the acoustic comfort of users and the surrounding neighbourhood.

More Information

Mead's Business Centre

VRF, Offices

VRF

Panasonic’s market leading heat pumps have been installed in the Meads Business Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire, to provide heating and air conditioning to the centre owner, London-based property development company St Modwen.

The Meads Business Centre is a fully furnished office building set in the heart of Farnborough’s Meads district, surrounded by major retailers and leisure destinations. Installers Woodhouse Environmental Services were tasked with designing and installing a heating and air conditioning system that would be energy efficient and fast to install, without interfering with the design aesthetic of the interiors. St Modwen, the centre’s owners, also needed the system to be flexible enough so that it could be used by a future tenant without requiring any further changes.

“The key concern was to select a system that was energy efficient, quick and easy to install and flexible enough for us to adapt the design to the needs of the site,” said Trevor Woodhouse, MD of Woodhouse Environmental Services. “Panasonic’s system was ideal for this project so for us it was really a simple decision. The tenant’s own facilities team agreed when they came over for a final inspection from the USA, they thought it was fantastic.”

The architect working on behalf of the tenants, sustainability consultancy Hurley Palmer Flatt, had decided to have all the services on show with a flat concrete ceiling above and large vaulted areas in between. This presented a particular challenge to the design of the heating and air conditioning system, as it meant that the positioning of all the components of the system had to be carefully planned, including the units, ductwork, cable tray pipe runs and drain services. The components also had to be meticulously laid out to ensure that the system looked completely uniform to retain the aesthetic of the interior, which again presented a challenge to the installers from Woodhouse.

These challenges required Woodhouse to design a system that was quick and easy to install, but that also provided functionality and control to the end user. Working with distributor Environmental Site Supplies (ESS), they specified a Panasonic system, which allowed them to create a flexible design with a high energy efficiency rating. Panasonic air conditioning systems also lead the industry with their low levels of noise, which enhance their value for use in such office projects because they don’t disrupt a peaceful and productive atmosphere. Woodhouse installed two Panasonic 3-Pipe ECOi MF2 VRF systems, an extremely efficient outdoor unit that can heat and cool simultaneously and is easy to install and maintain. To meet the architect’s specified design style, inside the office they fitted multiple concealed ducted units, the Panasonic S-36MF2E5, and a wall-mounted unit, the S-36MK1E5.

To ensure accurate zonal heating and air conditioning Woodhouse installed the CZ-256ESMC2, a web enhanced touch screen controller that gives central control to a designated user. This function also ensures that unauthorised individuals cannot interfere with the system by changing the temperature settings. The company also installed a range of energy recovery ventilation units, which improve running costs by reducing the load on the air conditioning units by about 20% and also ensure cleaner air coming into the building.

Panasonic’s system installed on this project was comprised of a range of their most advanced products. The indoor units specified by Woodhouse are easy to install and maintain and, crucially for an office environment, have industry leading low sound levels, meaning disturbance is kept to a minimum. The intelligent controller allows flexibility in how much control is given to individuals, limiting their influence on factors such as temperature and timings of operation. The heat recovery units recover up to 77% of the heat in the outgoing air and also have very low sound levels.

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential, Public buildings

Corporate

Panasonic are celebrating as part of the winning team that won the ‘Energy Balance’ award at the Solar Decathlon Europe competition which took place in Versailles, France.

A joint project between the University of Anger, France and the Appalachian State University in the United States, ‘The Reciprocity House’ was one of 20 projects competing at the event which took place from 28th June 2014 to 14th July 2014 at The City of the Sun Park, Versailles.

Panasonic’s 5kW Aquarea unit was installed in the project and its outstanding performance helped the team to win the award.

Based around the concept of a townhouse, the Reciprocity house adapted seamlessly into the context of an urban-French home offering the space and ability to perform as a fully functioning house on either one level or up to four floors.

The envelope of the house was designed to provide thermal insulation, whilst a passive standard "sun shading" provided simultaneous climate protection and energy production. Other energy saving facilities applied to this property included 20 mono-crystalline modules on the roof-terrace, with a total capacity of 4.8 kWp, which were attached to a galvanized steel chassis at an inclination of 18°.

"When we were contacted by the team, while the house existed only on paper, we did not hesitate to join them in this adventure,” comments Marie Giraud, from Panasonic Heating and Air Conditioning France. "We are very proud of this award and offer our congratulations to the entire team involved in The Reciprocity House."

Inspired by the original American Solar Decathlon, the Solar Decathlon Europe was an international competition that united universities and colleges from around the world to design, build and develop full-scale, fully-functional and affordable solar homes.

The international judging panel inspected each entry on its energy-saving aspects, environmental transition density, simplicity, cost, mobility, innovation and contextualisation.

More Information

WDS Call Centre

Bournemouth, UK

VRF, Offices

VRF

Panasonic was called upon by Woodhouse Environmental Services Ltd to provide equipment for call centre giant, WDS, to retrofit its busy offices with an energy-efficient Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Working against strict time and space constraints, Panasonic’s VRF systems coupled with large ducted and wall mounted indoor units were specified for a quick, simple and energy efficient install.

WDS negotiated with the building owners, St Modwen Properties PLC, a multi-million pound property development and investment company, to redevelop one of three buildings at the Discovery Court Business Centre in Bournemouth.

With the brief to remove and replace the old, existing system with a high-performance, easy-to-install HVAC system, the design and build contractor, Woodhouse Environmental Services Ltd, required a product that offered a large selection of different units, providing a maximum performance system to cater for this large building.

WDS Call Centre (a part of the Xerox group) provides customer service solutions to some of the world’s best known technology and communications brands including Tesco mobile, Google and many other blue-chip brands.

This complete system would need to cater for the high density office, providing exceptional heating and cooling efficiencies whilst maintaining close conditions, introducing continuous fresh air and removing stale exhaust air, ensuring a comfortable work environment at ideal temperatures. The install was to be undertaken whilst the tenants were still in residence. This meant that it was imperative for staff disruption levels to be kept to an absolute minimum.

Woodhouse Environmental Services initiated a fast track install programme between June 2013 and October 2013, splitting the renovation into three phases to cover each ‘zone’ of the building, satisfying a tight budget, and remaining within the allocated time.

In the first phase, Panasonic’s integrated VRF and heat recovery ventilation systems were installed to replace the existing air cooled chilled water system operating on R22 along with a ducted fan coil system, which no longer provided the efficient and reliable service in this demanding application. Specifying Panasonic’s VRF unit made for an all-round easy-to-use system, whilst it’s clever, innovative integrated technologies meant wasted energy was avoided and significant savings could be made on the buildings annual energy bills. Additional extras including an energy monitoring touch screen control with multi-zone temperature adjustment, making this Panasonic system the efficient, ideal replacement that was so desired.

As part of the second and third phases, Panasonic’s ducted indoor and wall mounted units were also incorporated in the building refurbishment. Not only were these systems integrated to provide fresh air input and stale air removal, but they also fitted the outlined noise criteria. Panasonic was able to supply all of this equipment on short notice so as not to delay the project.

As a result, Panasonic proved to provide the most energy efficient units on the market, suitable for this large-scale project. With approximately 250 members of staff based in each zone, the quick turn-around, replacing the old systems and fitting brand new Panasonic equipment, meant staff were able to move straight back into the refurbished offices immediately on completion.

More Information

Sunprime Atlantic View

Canary Islands, Spain

VRF, Hotels

ECO G, VRF

Specifying a system which can provide heat and hot water, supply sufficient air conditioning to cool hotel rooms, spa facilities and communal areas, whilst still keeping energy costs low, is a regular challenge confronted by hotel chains across the Canary Islands.

The exclusive Sunprime Atlantic View resort, owned by Thomas Cook, has 229 rooms plus full spa and swimming pool facilities. Holding an EU-Eco Label as testament to its commitment to the environment, Sunprime had set a goal to reduce its energy bills by 25%.

Its current heating and cooling system had proved to be extremely costly. Seven years ago, two large chillers had been installed to cool the rooms, whilst a gas boiler system heated the water, swimming pools and spa centre. Both systems were proving to be inadequate, with high running costs for the hotel plus customer satisfaction, claims about the fluctuations in water temperature for the swimming pools.

In search of a more cost and energy efficient system, five of Panasonic’s ECO G VRF systems were specified as they met all of the hotels heating and cooling needs via one simple solution.

Extensive development and research into the technology behind Panasonic’s ECO G system means these units use an engine cooling system, to heat water at up to 75ºC, covering all heating demands for the hotel. This includes all the rooms and most impressively, to heat the spa and outdoor swimming pool facilities, keeping temperatures at a consistent temperature of 28ºC. Additionally, Panasonic’s ECO G systems offered the ultimate ease of maintenance thanks to its remote monitor and maintenance software, which allowed the Maintenance Manager to control the status and temperature of the hotel from any site.

“Not only did the Panasonic system enable all of our heating and cooling requirements to be fulfilled through one compact system, but the installation itself was extremely quick, meaning the normal operation of the hotel was not affected,” explains Angel Hernandez Ramos, Resort Manager Sunprime Resorts. “Our customer satisfaction ratings have improved as a result of installing this system, which has meant an extremely quick return on investment for us.”

This new solution from Panasonic provided the hotel with energy savings so quickly that it was decided to replace the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in other Sunprime hotels across the Canary Islands, including Hotel Sunprime Riviera Beach & Spa, Arguineguín.

Within one year, Sunprime Atlantic View Hotel had made savings of 24% in electricity consumption and 32% in gas consumption, surpassing its original goals, thanks to a more efficient system by Panasonic.

To watch a full video report on this project, go to http://youtu.be/dEzOgliLlZU

More Information

Family Home, Lombardy

Lombardy, Italy

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

A homeowner in Lombardy, Italy, is reaping the rewards of using not one but two renewable energy sources to heat their home and produce hot water. Thanks to Panasonic’s intelligent technologies and the ease at which they can be integrated with other systems, an Aquarea 7kW-heat pump is harnessing the energy from the property’s 3kW-solar panels on the roof to ensure energy efficiencies and financial savings.

The resident had wanted to make the most of the energy produced by the photovoltaic panels, and made enquiries about whether it was possible to link the panels to a heat pump. An Aquarea heat pump was installed, and the two technologies are synced and managed using a Heat Pump Control Manager (HPM). The HPM can be adjusted to optimize the heat output of the heat pump, as a function of the independent production of energy.

Thanks to the HPM, it is possible to manage and exploit the overproduction of electrical energy – as captured by the photovoltaic panels - and store it in the form of hot water by using the Aquarea heat pump.

This project is a brilliant example of how considerable financial savings can be made by integrating technologies in the home. Through making the most of renewable and reliable energy sources such as energy from the sun, households are able to guarantee a warm and comfortable home for years and years to come, without having to worry about increases in energy prices.

The heating system uses an Aquarea Bi-block High Performance 7kW (High Connectivity Hot and Cold), which is connected to solar thermal and photovoltaic panels. In this configuration, when the solar panels produce sufficient energy to cover the consumption of the heat pump, the water temperature stored inside the tank increases up to 55°C. For this particular installation, an outdoor unit was installed in the courtyard of the property and the hydronic kit in the utility room below, along with the HPM.

Alessandro Ferrara, Regional Key Account for Panasonic said: "Our Heat Pump Manager is the only programmable controller on the market that can manage a heat pump based on photovoltaic energy production. This product offers the market several benefits including speed of installation, efficient and well-integrated installations and commissioning of the system”.

Using the HPM control system enabled the owner to cut heating costs while maintaining high performance heating and cooling even in adverse weather conditions. The HPM also enables the homeowner to monitor the Aquarea remotely.

Gaetano Nigro, Regional Key Account for Panasonic, said: "The homeowner has been more than satisfied with the choice of Aquarea and HPM. He said he chose Panasonic because he wanted the reliability of a well-known brand. The ease of connecting the solar panels and Aquarea heat pumps was also a key motivation."

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

Installer Company: Nexus Buildings Solution
Year installation: 2013

Background: Panasonic has recently been involved in a unique residential property where both solutions have been installed and are working together to provide maximum energy savings. Originally a four-bedroom residential property situated in a village in Warwickshire, the homeowners invested the help of Nexus Building Solutions for a complete refurbishment and extra two-bedroom extension. The family were looking for a heating solution that would not only fit in well with the existing oil burner and radiators, but also provide reliable and superb-quality performance.

Project Challenge: There were two key challenges which lead to the installation of a new Panasonic Aquarea air source heat pump. Firstly the cost benefits; having a new large six-bedroom room property meant that their heating costs were significant and they were keen to find a solution that kept them warm while reducing their energy bills. Secondly the heat pump’s compatibility with solar thermal technology meant that the family could qualify for Government rewards from the FiT scheme and any surplus would go straight back into the pump. The family are now saving money every month compared to their previous fuel bills.

Solution: Specifying 4kW Panasonic 250W HIC panels to accompany Panasonic’s 6kW T-CAP Monobloc Aquarea heat pump, PRO Partner Premium Installers of the month, Nexus Building Solutions has helped the property to benefit from extremely energy-efficient and cost-effective underfloor heating, which runs through 6 different zones within the house. Supplying heat to an extension for an elderly relative, the bedroom, living room and downstairs bathroom, as well as a two-storey bedroom and living room for the rest of the family, now all benefit from Panasonic’s renewable technology.

With an impressive COP of 4.75 and option to add on a Panasonic PV panel, consumers are provided with a completely renewable and cost-effective energy solution, which sits in perfectly with current government incentives.

An extremely compact and versatile heating system – the Aquarea heat pump will be able to fulfil heating demands even in temperatures as low as -20°C. Independent tests have also shown that Panasonic’s air-to-water heat pump is capable of saving up to 78% on heating expenses, and far more efficient than fuel-fired boilers, gas boilers and electric heaters. Panasonic’s Aquarea is the most comprehensive, versatile and cost-effective range of air-to-water heat pumps on the market. It features heat pumps from 7 to 16 kW, single and three-phase alongside stand-alone and split-units.

Installer Comments: “Since fuel prices continue to rise, we have seen a change in our customer’s heating needs, requirements and priorities,” says Avnash Jhita, Operations Manager at Nexus Building Solutions. “Faced with an economic climate that stretches outgoings, homeowners want energy-efficient heating and hot water on demand. Offering a heating solution that is affordable, reliable and offers an attractive return on investment, is vital for stimulating business.”

3rd Party Comments: “We are delighted with the results from installing Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pump and PV solar panels. Not only is the house warm and cosy, but the extra energy generated from the solar panels is transferred straight back into the pump. We’re so impressed that we’re currently in discussions with Nexus Building Solutions to install another Aquarea heat pump that will replace our oil system in the main house when a retrofit is required. Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pumps are very straight forward to use and easily controlled, just like a normal boiler - you flip down the lid, you select what sort of temperatures you want in the house for your hot water and what times you want it. It’s easy.”

Installation Data
Range: Aquarea
Product: 4kW Panasonic 250W HIC panels and 6kW T-CAP Monobloc Aquarea heat pump
Quantity: 1

More Information

Smart Electric, Lyon

Wiesbaden, Germany

Public buildings, Others

Convergence energy

Wiesbaden, Germany, 6th November 2013 – A ground-breaking project, billed as the largest European experiment on the electrical systems of the future has commenced in Lyon. Supported by Panasonic Heating and Cooling, the President of Greater Lyon, EDF and its 20 partners, Smart Electric Lyon officially launched with the opening of its showroom in Lyon, France on October 28, 2013.

CEO of Panasonic Europe, Mr Laurent Abadie (pictured in main image, 2nd from left, with the Mayor of Lyon) commented: “The development of smart energy infrastructure is key to improving energy efficiency, an important focus area for Panasonic. Our core competencies combine electronic intelligence with heating and cooling solutions. Smart Electric Lyon will undoubtedly explore large advances in the area of intelligent energy management, which includes not just energy savings but also smart energy creation and storage. The partnership between Panasonic and Smart Electric Lyon consortium members means we can share our expertise to develop innovations in energy management. The ergonomic and sociological studies during the project will also enable us to develop equipment to meet growing consumer needs and ensure ease of use. ”

Panasonic will provide the project with a variety of its energy efficient heating and cooling products, including the Aquarea Air Source Heat Pump – a super-efficient system for providing heating and / or cooling facilities, as well as the production of domestic hot water. These heat pumps are especially equipped with connectivity solutions from Panasonic to ensure the systems are easy to use, and collect the vital, accurate data. The company will also integrate other home equipment solutions such as LED white lighting products to optimize the overall energy management of the project’s properties.

Technologies installed at Smart Electric Lyon are designed to control power consumption, improve comfort of living at home and improve the performance of businesses and communities: they include new equipment for heating, cooling, lighting, home automation, or even innovative digital solutions.

Smart Electric Lyon is led by a consortium around EDF and supported by ADEME in Future Investments. It consists of 21 partners from the world of industry and research, which includes electrical equipment manufacturers, telecommunication carriers and leading research centres. All are mobilized to develop, combine and evaluate innovative solutions. Greater Lyon has been selected as a pilot city because of its involvement in innovative projects that highlight it as a “city of tomorrow” based on mobility, quality of life and respect for the environment.

This large-scale test encompasses 25,000 individuals, retailers, businesses and communities of Grand Lyon to test electrical systems of tomorrow. This collaborative approach will run for four years with recognized experts in their various fields, all committed to combine their respective experience and expertise to meet futures energy challenges.

This project is particularly apt for Panasonic, as heating and hot water occupy a prominent place in household energy consumption. Panasonic plans to make its European and French resources available for Smart Electric Lyon. The company has committed to the project a dedicated and experienced R&D team from Panasonic’s European technical centre in Frankfurt.

For years, Panasonic Heating and Cooling has developed solutions to enhance the connectivity of its products and to inject intelligence into heating and air conditioning to reduce and optimize energy consumption. Whether for residential projects, or for large installations, Panasonic provides easy to install interfaces that can automatically detect all the hardware in place. These interfaces are compatible with all existing systems (i.e. ZigBee, KNX, EnOcean, or Modbus).

For more information, visit : www.smart-electric-lyon.fr and www.aircon.panasonic.eu/GB_en/heating-and-cooling/eco/

More Information

Panasonic 'Smart Home'

Tokyo, Japan

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Domestic air to air heat pump, Residential

Smart House

• The Panasonic 'Smart House' shows visitors how to live in a house with zero emissions.
• Save, create, store and manage energy are the key factors to an efficient home.

The world is struggling to reduce emissions. However, changes in technology allow homeowners to achieve a zero emission lifestyle in their home.

Panasonic envisions a future in which all families can almost completely eliminate CO2 emissions through the use of efficient appliances and the combination of solar power generation, fuel cells and storage batteries. Panasonic demonstrates this in a 'Smart House' in Ariake, Tokyo. Visitors are invited to experience what it would be to live in a house with practically zero emissions.

The Panasonic ‘Smart House’ highlights the four key factors to being energy efficient – saving, creating, storage and power management.

Save energy
Whether you save energy, depends on the appliances which are used in the home. These days it is easy to find the most energy efficient product as most of them have an energy label.

Panasonic has proposed that by 2016, over 80% of its labelled models will achieve one of the first two energy efficiency classes. This is already the case for some of Panasonic’s products. For example, its refrigerators have an insulation panel called U-vacuous, which allows twenty times more insulation than traditional panels.

Panasonic’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) products also support this development. It air conditioning units have an energy saving technology called ECONAVI. This is a smart sensor system which is capable of controlling the intensity of sunlight, movement, activity level and human absence, automatically adjusting the cooling output and saving energy efficiently. This saves energy of up to 38% in cooling mode and up to 45% in heating mode.

Panasonic also used a system of sensors in its washing machines. This is the 3D sensor that adjusts the rotational speed to optimize the effect of the fall in the drum and maximize water and energy.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic dryers have a heat pump, based on the same principle as heating with an air conditioner.

Panasonic’s Inverter technology ensures optimal performance while minimizing energy consumption. In air conditioning systems for example, inverter technology allows the system to quickly reach the desired temperature and then keep it all the time increasing energy savings and comfort. Washers, dryers and refrigerators also feature Panasonic inverter technology.

Lighting is also very important in saving energy in a home. Using a Panasonic LED bulb instead of a traditional light bulb, results in energy consumption dropping by 85%. In addition, LED bulbs have a service life up to 40 times higher than incandescent bulbs.

Create energy
It is important or a home to have the tools to generate energy by itself with minimal CO2 emissions. A good example is solar panels.

Panasonic aspires to be one of the three leaders in the field of solar panels by 2016.

Panasonic Home Solar Power Generation System HIT are able to:
• Offer one of the highest ratios of conversion efficiency: 24.7%.
• Provide energy production 5% higher than conventional solar panels.
• Ensure a high performance even in warm weather conditions.
• One of the most reliable products in the market, with a failure rate of 0.0036%. Of the 3.3 million solar panels that are sold in Europe, there has only been 120 cases requiring revision.

Another tool for energy is the fuel cell for home use. Fuel cells are a highly efficient method to generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Furthermore, the remaining residual heat of reaction is used to generate hot water. This system can save around 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, compared with a house that runs on electricity and heat with a heating system with gas.

Panasonic was the first company in the world to sell fuel cells for use in the home. It is called ENE FARM. Since its launch in May 2009, Panasonic has sold 31,000 units in Japan (up to September 2013). In Europe, Panasonic has two R & D centers located in Langen (Germany) and Wales (United Kingdom) that focus on developing residential fuel cells for the European market. Although not yet marketed in Europe, these research centers work closely with utility companies related to energy.

Store energy
The storage of energy in a home is achieved through a combination of solar power generation, fuel cells and storage batteries.

Devices such as Panasonic batteries lithium-ion, allow homeowners to conserve energy and ensure stable power supply.

In June 2012 Panasonic started mass production of a set of lithium-ion compact, safe and long lasting systems. Thus, Panasonic has become the first company to mass produce a system of its kind in Europe.

Manage energy
It is important to be able to control when, how and how much energy is consumed. This is why the smart homes of the future integrate systems for managing home energy such as Panasonic’s Smart Home Energy Management System (SMARTHEMS). The main features of this system, which incorporates AiSEG (Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Energy Gateway (SEG), are:

• Real-time measurements of the consumption of electricity, water and gas. For electricity, the monitor displays the current state and the CO2 balance of the entire house, estimated electricity charges as well as the ability to generate energy through solar energy or fuel cells. The different types of data, including the amount of charge of storage batteries, can be monitored through televisions, computers, smart phone screens and other displays.

• Artificial Intelligence (AiSEG) and Smart Energy Gatewway (SEG) is the control center SMARTHEMS, which allows connection and control of electrical equipment and appliances in the home, and helps to increase energy savings.

• The cloud will play a key role in the field of energy. The cloud is essential not only to connect the devices, but also to anticipate and respond to consumer needs - both at home and outside. Panasonic has partnered with some of the world's leading IT companies to convert this vision into reality. In fact, Panasonic and IBM have agreed to work together to evaluate the commercial and technical appliances connected future in the cloud value.

More Information

Panasonic, Lawson store

Tokyo, Japan

Commercial, Shops, Restaurants

Corporate

On 6th February 2014, an experimental, next-generation convenience store was opened as part of a collaborative project between Lawson, Inc. and Panasonic Heating and Cooling at the Panasonic Headquarters in Moriguchi, Japan.

In April 2013, Panasonic and Lawson launched their collaborative project in which they shared their retail and technology visions. The store is directly managed by Lawson, and is operated in the same way as a regular Lawson store whilst utilizing Panasonic technologies.

With three main goals, both Panasonic and Lawson wanted to investigate ways in which they could fuse their businesses together and offer:
Eco-friendly solutions: via the introduction of equipment and systems to enable reduction of power usage by 50%; HIT solar panels, lithium-ion storage batteries, CFC-free showcases, LEDs/lighting control and air-conditioning/ventilation control Convenience with the aid of ICT: Alternate ways of sales promotion, such as using digital signage; through the introduction of a camera-based in-store marketing system Healthy lifestyle choices: By introducing in-store cooking appliances; through the installation of a relaxation corner that offers a sense of comfort to customers Panasonic and Lawson were able to trial the environmental, store operation and security alternatives in a public environment. This provided Lawson the opportunity to use this outlet to experiment with ways in which to strengthen its customer-orientated business, whilst at the same time utilising a range of equipment from Panasonic including air source heat pumps, air conditioning systems and air curtains, putting them into practice in a retail environment.

The two companies will judge the effectiveness of this concept store based on actual operational data, enabling them to make improvements and then extend the accumulated knowledge and know-how to Lawson stores across Japan as a result of the experiment.

"Lawson and Panasonic decided together to create a convenience store by using Panasonic's technologies to address various challenges we face in serving our customers daily,” explains Lawson COO, Tamatsuka. “Throughout this experiment, we have been faced with many challenging requests for Panasonic and we have greatly appreciate the positive approach they constantly showed whilst solving these demands."

Enokido, Panasonic Executive Officer said, "Environment, health, and information and communication technology (ICT) are important aspects of the food industry which are often exploited. This experimental store allowed both companies to enhance practice in all of these areas, and work towards a customer engaging and innovative business. We hope to keep evolving our technologies and services for an advanced future in home technology sector."

More Information

Domestic air to air heat pump, Commercial, Hotels

RAC

Norwich, UK.
Type of project: Refurbishment
Installer Company: Fridge Spares Wholesalers (FSW)
Year installation: 2012

Background: After responding to customer feedback, the Mercure Norwich Hotel’s owners embarked on a project to install in-room air conditioning to enhance the comfort of their stay.

Project Challenge: The hotel required stylish indoor units, capable of providing cost-effective, reliable air conditioning in the 68 bedrooms of the hotel.

Solution: 45 Panasonic Etherea ECONAVI air conditioning units were fitted because the innovatively eco-friendly units proved to be an all-round cost-effective and energy-saving solution. Panasonic’s Etherea range incorporates the innovative Econavi technology. Econavi features an intelligent human activity sensor to optimise air conditioner operation according to room conditions – it detects and reacts to human presence and activities.

Building Energy analysis: The hotel rooms are now constantly monitored with the ECONAVI sensors and patrol systems; detecting human presence and levels of activity, adjusting the cooling, heating and air flow levels accordingly.

3rd Party Comments: “Fundamentally the ECONAVI system within Panasonic’s air conditioning wall mounts really sold it to us as suppliers and advisors. We knew from the off-set that contractors and consumers alike can see the obvious benefits from the Etherea’s energy saving initiative”, says Peter Emanuel, Air Conditioning Product Manager of FSW.

More Information

**Hotel Claris 5 * GL**

Spain

Commercial, VRF, Hotels

ECOi 3w

Background
Housed in a building built in the year 1883, neoclassical style, was one of the first palaces that were built in one corner of the District of l'Eixample in Barcelona. The 5* Grand Luxe hotel, which opened its doors in 1992, integrates the façade of the old palace with a modern glass structure. In 2012 the building replaced its existing air-conditioning system with Panasonic’s ECOi system. The 120-room hotel also has a gallery of Egyptian art from the collection of Jordi Clos.

Challenge of the project
The challenge presented by this project was to replace an existing VRF system without affecting the normal activity of hotel. The main objectives were to reduce running costs, provide a more comfortable atmosphere with more precise temperature control, and quieter operation for guests. In addition, the property required excellent after-sales service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The solution
The heat recovery system is ideal for a hotel of this category. A smart combination of 2 pipe and heat recovery units significantly reduced the investment costs, without affecting the requirements of comfort. Thanks to the modularity of the system ECOi, the installation was performed plant-by-plant without affecting the normal activity of hotel.

Control
The integrated system control was provided by the KNX/EIB interface and in addition, a central touch panel with web server (CZ-256ESMC2) was installed for centralized system control

INSTALLED SOLUTION

ECOi Range (Electric VRF)

Outdoor Units:
ECOi Heat Recovery: 12 x U-14MF1E8
ECOi 2 Pipe: 1 x U-8ME1E8; 5 x U-10ME1E8; 2 x U-14ME1E8
Mini ECOi: 3 x U-6LE1E8

Indoor Units
Duct Type MM: 3 x S-22MM1E51; 60 x S-28MM1E51; 99 x S-36MM1E5; 27 x S-45MM1E5
Hi Static Pressure ME: 1 x S-73ME1E5; 6 x S-106ME1E5; 5 x S-140ME1E5; 1 x S-224ME1E5; 5 x S-280ME1E5
Ducted Standard MF: 1 x S-56MF1E5; 1 x S-140MF1E5
Ceiling MT: 3 x S-45MT1E5

Controls:
Hard Wired Wall Controller: 233 x CZ-RTC2
Centralized Touch Screen: 1 x CZ-256ESMC2.

Connectivity and BMS:
Interface KNX/EIB: 2 x PAW-AC-KNX-128.

More Information

Café 40

Spain

VRF, Restaurants

ECOg

Background
40 Café is the first café restaurant belonging to Los 40 Principales, in Spain's popular music radio station. The installation is within the basement of an old building in one of the busiest streets of Madrid. 40 Cafe, aims to become a new icon of nightlife in Madrid.

Challenge of the project
There were several challenges to implementing this project. The first was the power limitation in the building. Despite being in the Centre of Madrid, there was a restriction on power to run conventional HVAC installation. Another major challenge was the opening date. The tight deadline was a requirement to meet the demand of the owners. Outdoor units were installed at roof level with the help of a crane. Due to the limitations of restricting Street access and the imposition to residents of the building, the external installation was carried out in just one day available prior to opening.

The solution
ECOg, the gas powered VRF, was the ideal solution to overcome the power limitation of the area. The system combines seamlessly with Panasonic’s VRF indoor units and allows additional connection to a hydronic system. Panasonic pledged delivery of the units for the only day in which the crane could be used, in spite of the fact that the systems still had to be produced. The installation date was just 2 months after being awarded the project. This was all made possible thanks to the involvement of various departments as well as Senior Management, highlighting Panasonic’s commitment to meet customer needs.

Control
A touch panel with PAIMS management (CZ-256ESMC2), was installed for centralized air conditioning system control, including PC software and web server interface.

INSTALLED SOLUTION

ECOg (Gas Powered VRF) range

Outdoor Units:
ECOg 2 Pipe: 1 x U-16GE2E5; 1 x U-20GE2E5; 2 x U-25GE2E5
Hydraulic Module: 1 x S-500WX2E5

Indoor Units:
Hi Static Pressure ME: 4 x S-224ME1E5; 1 x S-280ME1E5
Ducted standard MF: 1 x S-140MF1E5; 3 x S-160MF1E5; 1 x S-28MF1E5; 1 x S-73MF1E5; 1 x S-90MF1E5
Wall MK: 1 x S-36MK1E5

Controls:
Hard Wired Wall Controller: 14 x CZ-RTC2
Centralized Touch Screen: 2 x CZ-256ESMC2

Connectivity and BMS:
Software PAIMS: 1 x CZ-CSWKC2

More Information

INPS Siena

Italy

VRF, Offices

GHP

System: GHP + hydraulic kit
Installation capacity: 822 kW
installation Year: 2013

Background
INPS institute is the most complex social security institution in Europe. By implementing standards and laws that govern the world of social security, INPS manages more than 500 articles concerning social security. Each Italian region has provincial headquarters. One of the provincial headquarters in Tuscany is located in Siena, via Lippo Memmi, near the centre of the town just 10 minutes far from the famous square Piazza del Campo. Its dimension is 9,237 square meters and it is divided into two floors.

Challenge of the project
First challenge: best economical tender.
Second challenge: In order to improve the energy efficiency and the value of the building the owner has decided the refurbishment of the building office for INPS (Istituto Nazionale Previdenza Sociale). The building is near some residences and the consultant needs outdoor units with a low level of noise and respect the restriction on power to run conventional HVAC installation.

The solution
The heating and cooling system air to water is composed by 13 Gas Heat Pumps 2 way and 13 hydraulic kits, connected to the existing water indoor units. Each hydraulic kit controls a pump to move the water in the existing plant. The choice of this solution was determined by the following benefits: best economical tender, high performance in heating and cooling in severe weather conditions, powerful cooling/heating of the rooms, quite mode of the outdoor units, flexibility of installation.

Control
13 wired timer remote controllers were installed to set actions for each day and for service information

INSTALLED SOLUTION

GHP + hydraulic kit

Outdoor units
1 x U-16GE2E5
5 x U-20GE2E5
7 x U-25GE2E5

Indoor units
6 x S-500WX2E5
7 x S-710WX2E5

Controls
13 x CZ-RTC2

More Information

Casa Clima Gold

Italy

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

Owner: C’è Casa e Casa Srl Boves (CN), New building in Italy
System: Aquarea High Performance 9 kW
Outdoor unit WH-UD09CE5-A,
Indoor unit WH-SDF09C3E5
Inst. capacity: 9 kW
Installer company.: Termoblu
Project Management: Marco Mauro - Architettura e Costruzioni Srl
Year installation: 2012

Background:
KlimaHouse Gold is the first residential villa in Piemonte to benefit from the installation of two 9kW Aquarea High Performance units. Located in rural North West Italy, Panasonic’s renewable heating system is part of a major rebuild project, with the now modern villa replacing a traditional local mountain house.

Project Challenge:
The challenge for this project included specifying a product for heating systems and sanitary hot water, which would satisfy the Gold Class energy certificate technical requirements; energy-efficient as well as fairly priced.

Solution:
Technically advanced and cost-effective, Panasonic’s 9 kW Aquarea High Performance heat pump is also compatible with a solar panel system and therefore proved the ideal solution for this challenging project.

3rd Party Comments:
“We recommended this model because of its high technical characteristics and great value for money in comparison with others on the market" - Luca Giordano, Distributor.
“We have compared many products and done technical scrutinizing, but no one guaranteed the same results of Aquarea system"- David Parola, Owner/Contractor
“We had no problems at all, this product is intuitive and easy to install” – Michele Pellegrino, Installer

More Information

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

AQUAREA

This was the choice taken by a family from Devon who has recently installed an Aquarea 14kW High Connectivity Heat Pump with 300 litre water cylinder in her home.
Debra is certainly reaping the benefits of switching; “The Aquarea system allows us to control exactly how much energy we’re using over the course of 12 months. With our old oil based system we were totally at the mercy of the charges imposed by the energy supplier. We can now predict our energy costs as we can shop around for an energy supplier that can give us a good price for our electricity. The unit is so economical and is saving us between £600-£900 per year, just to do exactly what our old oil-fired system did before.” Installation Data
Range: Aquarea
Mono-bloc
Product: High Performance
Quantity: 1

Accessories
Range: Aquarea
Product: 300 litre
Water cylinder
Quantity: 1

More Information

Trecobat house builder

France

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

AQUAREA

Aquarea heat pumps on You Tube

Watch the videos

Nearly 700 homes are already equipped with Panasonic’s Aquarea; the most comprehensive, versatile and cost-effective range of air-to-water heat pumps on the market.

Trecobat has chosen equip their customers’ homes with the Aquarea Monobloc 6kWh. The decision was based on a combination of ease of installation and commissioning, and the unmatched performance of the Aquarea Range. Particularly compact, this new 6kWh Monobloc model only comprises of an outdoor unit, instead of the extra module usually needed inside the home. This, added to the minimal requirement for accessories, provides the home-owner with a space-saving heating solution and saves installation time for the contractor.

BBC homes are particularly well insulated regardless of their size and therefore do not require high-power heating solutions. Able to achieve a COP rating of 4.74, despite its low consumption capacity, the Aquarea 6kWh Monobloc was chosen as an ideal hot water and heating solution due to its impressive heating and energy efficiency.

With the Aquarea Monobloc all components are combined into one unit: the heat exchanger, a 3-speed hot water circulating pump, 6 litre expansion, safety valve, pressure gauge and 3kW electrical resistance. This together with its proven reduced noise impact ensures maximum comfort even when outside temperatures drop to -15°C. The Aquarea range features heat pumps from 7 to 16 kW, single and three-phase alongside stand-alone and split-units. These high-efficiency heat pumps are designed to also provide cooling in summer.

Super-efficient In combination with the new Panasonic HR200 sanitary hot water tank, Aquarea units can deliver hot water at a temperature of 55 °C, even at outside temperatures as low as -15°C. The HR200 tank is specially designed for connection to heat pumps, features a 1.8m² surface and is extremely efficient. It therefore ensures that hot water production is conducted in the most energy efficient way.