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Low Temperature Modular CO2 Refrigeration

UK

Commercial, Shops

CO2, Cold Chain

Following the successful delivery of numerous natural refrigeration projects within the health sector, Green Cooling recently provided a Panasonic CO2 Condenser unit supplying a walk-in freezer at an M&S Simply Food franchise located within a large NHS Hospital. For this project Green Cooling provided a system that included a Panasonic 2kW CO2 Condenser unit (2kW at -30C) with RDM control incorporating remote monitoring, along with the cold room structure and associated services. The project was of a significant size and involved the refurbishment of existing areas within the hospitals main entrance to provide an increased level of service for the hospital visitors. Garry Broadbent of Green Cooling commented, “Alongside providing a retail environment that delivers the highest level of service to the hospital, a project of this nature also calls for the most practical, efficient and sustainable refrigeration solution, which is why Green Cooling selected the Panasonic CO2 system to provide real benefits”. Delivering class-leading low temperature efficiency (over 25% more efficient than the previously used F-Gas HFC refrigerant) the Panasonic Condenser units also achieve the lowest noise levels and are importantly provided with a 5-year compressor warranty.
In terms of sustainability, the projects natural refrigerant CO2 credentials mean that the installation sits outside the F-Gas refrigerant phase out legislation and regulations. This means from a-users perspective, the installed Panasonic CO2 refrigeration system not only provides the highest levels of efficiency but also future proofs the site against any cost or availability implications resulting from current or future F-Gas legislation.
Since its European launch in late 2017, the Panasonic CO2 Condenser range has proven to be attractive to specifiers, with over 250 units now being installed across Western Europe and where a modular approach to medium and lower duty applications is required, as was the case in this application. Neil Bilton, Head of Key Accounts at Panasonic UK further explains more about the benefits, “The Panasonic range has been specifically developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors and is particularly suited for installations in small supermarkets, convenience stores and garage forecourt retail operations. Furthermore, the range is also ideally suited to provide refrigeration within the restaurant and hotel sectors.” The 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. Panasonic is not new to this product range, having developed the latest version of the Panasonic CO2 Condensing units over time, with over 8,500 units being installed in Japan in approx. 3,700 stores since its launch in 2010 and thus building up essential knowledge and understanding of the end user experience and challenges.  This solution helps to overcome some of the major hurdles that small retail outlets encounter with previous solutions that are currently on the market. The Panasonic units offer a stable and reliable system that helps to maximise energy efficiency with a low carbon footprint. Furthermore, the units can be set to run at low and medium temperatures with four initial settings which can be modified by turning a simple and user-friendly rotary switch to further enhance energy savings. Project summary: This project successfully delivered a natural refrigeration solution to meet the clients’ sustainability and efficiency requirements.
Garry Broadbent of Green Cooling further added “This type of modular installation is typical in terms of the direction that food retail stores and catering facilities are heading. Sustainable food retail refrigeration solutions are now required to future proof the operation of a site and remove any operational risks, resulting from the F-Gas HFC refrigerant phase out legislation, in terms of both refrigerant costs and quota restrictions.”
From a legislation and compliance perspective, the use of CO2 in the above installation removed the need on this site for F-Gas reporting and hence there is also no inclusion required within the operators Green House Gas (GHG) report, as no F-Gas refrigerants are utilised.
In summary, within this application, the Panasonic CO2 units provided a practical solution which combined the highest levels of efficiency and practicality along with a value-based focus with regards to both capital and whole of life costs.
For more information on Green Cooling please visit 
https://www.greencooling.co.uk/ 

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Smart Neo-Georgian Home Kitted with Panasonic Heat Pumps

Cambridgeshire, UK

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

Aquarea

Energy conscious homeowners, Vincent and Jacqueline Haines wanted to create an eco-friendly home for their outstanding Georgian style, 570sqft self-build project in Cambridgeshire. Amongst several sustainable elements to the three-storey residential property, such as triple glazing throughout and 43 solar photovoltaic panels, this high-spec 6-bedroom home is heated via two Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap Air-to-Water Heat Pumps. The family was looking for a reliable and renewable heating source to connect to two floors of underfloor heating for the property, in addition to a cost-effective supply of hot water for the kitchen and bathrooms. The property is in a moderately remote location, and with potential piping issues at the site, the family’s heating specialist, Roland Gurner from Eco Installer investigated various renewable options and recommended two Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap Air to Water Heat Pumps for the property.  The heat pumps were supplied from authorised UK distributor for Panasonic, Oceanair. Homeowner, Vincent Haines comments “Panasonic is a well-known, reliable efficient brand and proved excellent value for money. As an IT Consultant working from home, we opted to have smart remote controllers throughout the property, thus allowing us to monitor usage in each room. Our installation was completed 2.5 years ago, and since its installation, we have found the system to be reliable and energy efficient with the added benefit of a constant supply of free hot water.”
It has always been a dream of trained architect, Jacqueline Jiang-Haines, to design and construct her own home. The original purchase of the site was some ten years prior to the build. The 2.4-acre plot of land has far-reaching views and offered plenty of scope for the couples’ ambitious self-build to take place. The site also had an existing property on the land where the couple lived for ten years and when the time was right, put fencing around their existing home, which left them with 2.1 acres with a driveway leading down to where the new dwelling would be, at the back of the plot. The couple were able to live in the original property during the 12-month construction phase, which meant they were able to keep a close eye on progress.
The couple went through several design styles for the house before settling on a neo-Georgian style design, this was partly due to a nearby property being of a similar design and with the couple preferring a more traditional brick and block construction, which suits the style. “We both like the solidity it offers, and we felt that ultimately it would give us more control over the layout we wanted to create.”
Roland Gurner of Eco Installer adds “It was beneficial to be involved early on in this project, allowing us to look at the optimum space available for the units and advise on the best renewable solution. Two Panasonic Aquarea T-Caps were specified, partly because of the size of the property, plus it also means that when demand in the summer is lower and only the hot water is required, only one of the units is needed – of course this is also beneficial for the long-term impact and longevity of the system.”
“The Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap Air to Water Heat Pumps are very quiet compared to its competitors, aesthetically pleasing and highly energy efficient (COP of 5,08)” explained Tony Holland from Oceanair. “The T-Cap stands for Total Capacity and ideal for maintaining the heating capacity even at very low temperatures. The T-Cap range is an ideal solution for this project as it can also be connected to a solar kit and smart controls in order to further increase efficiency and minimise the impact on the environment which is precisely what the Haines family were looking for.”
The Panasonic Aquarea range is renowned for delivering major energy savings for residential homes thanks to its incredible efficiency levels. The Aquarea system operates by transferring heat instead of generating it. The range uses a renewable, free energy source (the air) to heat or cool the home in addition to producing hot water. The T-Cap line-up can maintain the heat pump output capacity until -20oC outdoor temperature without the help of an electrical booster heater.
The range is designed and produced by Panasonic and among the technologies listed on the International Energy Agency (IEA) Blue Map, whose goal is to reduce CO2 emissions to half the levels emitted in 2005, by the year 2050.
The Haines family enjoyed their self-build journey are now looking forward to their next renewable and eco-friendly project.

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20 New Homes Installed with Panasonic Aquarea Air Source Heat Pumps

Spire View, Cambridgeshire, UK

Aquarea air to water heat pump, Residential

Aquarea

Spire View, a development of 20 new executive four and five-bedroom homes in the market town of March in Cambridgeshire by James Development Co Ltd, has been equipped by Panasonic distributor Oceanair with renewable Panasonic Aquarea Monobloc air to water heat pumps to supply heating and domestic hot water to each home. With sustainability and quality high on the agenda for this new modern development in popular March, Cambridgeshire, making the right choices through intensive research for all elements in the specification throughout the properties, was very important to the developer.
Marcel Cooper, Construction Director of James Developments commented, “We  find that today’s prospective purchasers are far more aware of environmental issues, emissions and the need for their homes to be sustainable. Purchasers increasingly  look for cleaner, greener homes and are far more mindful of potential running costs. By comparison, we installed air source heat pumps in a development of 36 homes about ten years ago but then, purchasers were not aware of the benefits and economies that air source heat pumps offered although they were all very pleased with the way the homes functioned once they had moved in. Now, information online and in the media has made the average purchaser visiting site today more aware that air source heat pumps are a desirable way to provide renewable heating.”
Tony Holland - Southern Area Account Manager for Oceanair added, “Following the initial decision to go with the Panasonic systems, we had various meetings with all parties to agree on all aspects of choosing the correctly sized system and position of each individual install at Spire View, deliveries to suit the progress of the development and full training for all the engineers working on this side of the project. This has been a team effort between Oceanair and Panasonic from day one when we witnessed the archaeological dig on site through to the installation of each system in the fully built residential estate and the final result of a very satisfied customer which we always strive to achieve and gives the most satisfaction”.
Spire View consists of 20 new high end executive four and five bedroom homes, with the four bedroom homes having one en-suite and a family bathroom while the five bedroom homes have three en-suites and a family bathroom so the adoption of  large, high efficiency Panasonic Aquarea hot water storage tanks is the ideal way to provide a constant and abundant supply of domestic hot water for the occupants.
The Aquarea Monobloc is extremely energy efficient with a COP of 5.08 for the new 5kW range, 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.
Marcel further went on to explain “after comparing the benefits and costs of air source heat pumps with a traditional gas boiler solution and the attendant cost of bringing a gas main into the site and installing all the service ducts and meter boxes etc., we came to the conclusion that air sourced heat pumps were more cost effective and beneficial for us, as the developer, for our purchasers and most importantly, for the environment.
Furthermore, we researched air sourced heat pumps currently available, often dealing with manufacturers directly but ultimately we were guided by Tony Holland at Oceanair, whose personal and attentive service, market knowledge and in depth product awareness led us to specify the Panasonic system which offered the optimum balance of high energy performance, perceived quality, an internationally trusted brand, good and approachable technical back up, advanced technology and a fair price.
Tony Holland of Oceanair further commented, “It is important, when buying a heat pump, to choose a reputable manufacturer who will provide a quality service, a comprehensive warranty and provide proper guidance about the buying and installation of heat pumps. The initial outlay of a sustainable heating system may be slightly higher, however buying from a reputable manufacturer will ensure a high-quality, long life product, low maintenance costs and the peace of mind that you’ve made an optimised investment. A reputable manufacturer will also have the confidence in their products to offer a comprehensive warranty, such as Panasonic’s seven-year warranty*1.”
Tony Lathey, Panasonic’s UK Air to Water Pre-Sales Manager further added “Up to 80%*2 of the energy generated by air source heat pump comes from the air, with electricity making up the remaining 20%, so not only is this an extremely cost-effective alternative, but it is also environmentally friendly. With increasingly volatile energy prices, an air source heat pump is a great option to reduce overall energy bills by up to 60% (when compared to fossil fuel alternatives).”
The Aquarea Mono-bloc line-up can maintain the heat pump output capacity until -15oC outdoor temperature without the help of an electrical booster heater. The range is designed and produced by Panasonic and among the technologies listed on the International Energy Agency (IEA) Blue Map, whose goal is to reduce CO2 emissions to half the levels emitted in 2005, by the year 2050.The Spire View Development is nearing completion (July 2019) with many of the homes now ready to move into. To get in touch with James Developments please go to
http://www.jdhomes.co.uk/For more information on Panasonic air source heat pumps, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.co.uk.
 *1 Available via qualified Panasonic Accredited Installers subject to T&C’s *2 Compared to a direct electric system. Information provided by Aquarea customer *3 WH-MXC09H3E5 output flow temperature of 350C

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