PROJECT 27
Eco-friendly solutions . The Tech
The insulation used is zero ODP ( Ozone Depletion Potential ). The hot water tank itself is made from fibreglass consisting of 40 % recycled plastics . The insulation on the tanks is 95 % recycled plastic bottles and is 100 % recyclable at end of life .
By harvesting heat from the generators , running dedicated heating for the hot water system is avoided . That negates the electrical energy that would have been required to be generated either by coal-fed grid power or burning additional dedicated gas heaters . So , the hot water is effectively 98 % free energy of the building required electricity .
Owner
Growth Point Architect / Engineer Danie Bruyns Plumbing contractor SA Heat Pump Engineers ( Pty ) Ltd and IEES
Wilo
Suppliers
Energas Rinnai
• Three way actuated control valves
• Heat exchangers
• VSD ( variable speed drive ) driven circulation pumps
• Soft starters on compressors for heat pumps to prevent spikes in electricity demand
• The gas generators are sensitive to spikes in energy
• PLCs for gas generator and hot water system control including both backup heating sources ( heat pumps and burners )
• Colour touch screen interfaces
• Online monitoring with read / write capability and data logging
• Specialised hot flow heat pump soft starter installed per compressor in the heat pumps ( SA Heat Pump Engineers )
• IEES Thermal Tower indirect hot water vessel
• Bulk cold-water storage
This tech makes the system reliable and automated , and there is no need to worry about maintenance staff not paying attention , or their level of understanding of the system . If something does go wrong , IEE Solutions will know immediately , and quite possibly why , too . Action can be taken remotely . PA
80mm control valves , Energas generator .
BWH40T soft start heat pumps .
February 2025 Volume 30 I Number 12 www . plumbingafrica . co . za