PROJECT 29
This was achieved by installing five 18kW air source industrial heat pumps with the new heat pumps becoming the primary source of hot water and the existing boilers remain the storage vessels as a backup or standby heat source . The five heat pumps were positioned on the roof of each of the Blocks and kitchen .
The air source heat pumps used have a COP of 4.1 and will generate 18kW of heat energy the actual electrical current input required by the heat pump is 3.9kW as opposed to the electrical elements current input of 18kW to heat up the same volume of water .
The heat pumps are installed outside the existing boiler room on a dedicated galvanised steel structure mounted on the concrete landing of the Blocks . A Service Contract of two years is included .
The heat pumps are locally manufactured , and comply with SANS 10400 -XA , wherein it states that 50 % of energy must be drawn from an alternative source . Included in this standard is thermal insulation / lagging of pipework which further adds achieving the energy saving objective .
Pipe from boilers for 40 metres to end of building .
In the * TIPSASA Guidebook reinforces the XA standard and Class-R1 thermal Insulation was applied to all exposed hot water pipes .
To achieve the above , the entire hot water reticulation system ( HWRS ) was upgraded to eliminate frustration of guests and save electricity as well as money . The HWRS operates through a semi-loop of the new hot water system which includes seven X active draw off lines , dedicated to each of the service ducts , each draw offline has a dedicated isolation vale which allows for the ease of shutting off hot water supply to specific services duct in case of maintenance in the future .
The direct heating capability of the heat pumps is 55 degrees at outlet and up to 60 degrees internally .
The reconnection of the existing hot water pipes in the service duct as piping for bathrooms was not included in this work .
As the kitchen is served by its own 1 000 litre boiler and did not have long runs the only need was to insulate the exposed pipes as per above .
* Thermal Insulation Products & Systems Association SA PA
One of the four cat ladders installed .
“ The heat pumps comply with SANS 10400 -XA wherein it states that 50 % of energy must be drawn from an alternative source .”
April 2021 Volume 27 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za