Dimplex Edel hot water heat pump specified for a build-to-rent development at Cardiff’s Central Quay
Cardiff’s Central Quay build-to-rent (BTR) required an energy-efficient HVAC system that would help reduce carbon emissions, meet building regulation requirements and allow for integration with prefabricated build elements. The search for the right fit solution led the consulting engineer team at McCann & Partners to the specification of the Edel hot water heat pump, direct acting panel heaters and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units (MVHR) as part of a fully electric solution.
The derelict brownfield site in the centre of Cardiff was turned into a landmark project, deemed the largest in the UK by leading BTR developer Watkin Jones Group and architects Falconer Chester Hall. The completed development will not only provide great sustainable living spaces, but will also include a concierge, lobby, gym and various gardens and terraces, as well as over 19,000 sq ft of leisure and retail space.
The 718 units that make up the residential element are a mixture of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments designed to deliver outstanding value and comfort whilst complying with the 2021 uplifted building regulations. These include changes aimed at improving energy performance (Part L) and ventilation strategies (Part F), as well as the steps required to mitigate overheating (Part O).
The mixed-use development was designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, placing an increased focus on sustainability across the whole project. The PV panels on the roof, along with the all-electric heating and hot water solution with Dimplex’s Edel at its heart, helped meet design sustainability targets.
The fully electric heat pump system delivers a host of benefits for the build-to-rent development
Because the building was constructed with a highly thermally efficient building envelope. This meant that the building service with the highest energy demand was domestic hot water. The average coefficient of performance (CoP) of the Edel hot water heat pump is above three, which made it an ideal solution for efficient delivery of low-carbon domestic hot water in Central Quay. Edel 200 and 270 models were complemented by direct-acting panel heaters and MVHR units to complete the fully connected, fully electric heating, domestic hot water and ventilation system.
Decentralised hot water heat pumps installed in individual apartments have a range of advantages when compared to a centralised plant for hot water generation within a build-to-rent development.
• Fit-out time could be reduced as there are no requirements for low temperature hot water (LTHW) distribution pipework and ancillary items such as brackets and lagging.
• Reduction in latent heat gain that would have been present if the LTHW distribution pipework were in place. This helped the project meet the updated Part O requirements to mitigate causes of overheating.
• A reduction in failure risk for building services. If a central plant system fails, then all the apartments and services will be affected. By moving to individual apartment hot water provision, the risk of one issue affecting multiple occupiers is eliminated.
• The elimination of distribution pipework from and to central plant helped minimise the risk of leaks and the need for multiple penetrations through the building fabric. This reduces the need for firestopping works and maintains more thermal integrity within the building fabric.
• Additional usable space could be generated and incorporated into the floor area of the apartments through the elimination of the central plant. Additional space was available through reduction of mechanical riser shaft size.
As well as addressing the multiple challenges presented by building regulations, the high quality of the fully
electric HVAC system delivered uniform products, increased speed of construction and carbon reductions for
the developer.
The Dimplex hot water heat pump provided the perfect solution to incorporate in prefabricated Resipoint utility rooms specified for Central Quay
Utility cupboards to house Edel and MVHR units were manufactured off-site by prefabrication specialist Resipoint. The prefabricated units were designed for simplified and faster installation on site. Edel was the ideal unit to fit the requirement as it doesn’t require a certified heat pump specialist for installation.
Vernon Milner, Preconstruction Manager at Resipoint, noted: ‘The fully packaged utility rooms not only incorporate all the essential services required for each apartment but also create a separate user-friendly area for the occupier with a space for a washing machine and a worktop. The high quality of fit and finish is in keeping with the rest of the project.’
He also added: ‘The prefabricated utility rooms incorporate Dimplex Edel hot water heat pumps and help reduce the complexity of construction, keep to site scheduling, and on-time delivery. The requirement for our prefabricated units was to be ‘plug and play’, to make installation quick and simple with no extra parts required, and Dimplex hot water heat pump technology helped us achieve that.’
For BTR developers, considerations around operation and maintenance of technologies play a large part in the procurement of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) package. Edel is simple to maintain and install, requiring only an annual inspection of the hot water cylinder, making it easier to service than a gas boiler alternative.
Dimplex low-carbon technologies help to deliver sustainable solutions and comfortable living spaces
Edel hot water heat pumps helped create thermally comfortable, sustainable living spaces for the residents of Central Quays. The plug-and-play solution helped streamline the construction phase for the developers and provided the occupiers with an easy-to-use system that puts them in full control of their utility bills.
Dimplex offer a range of renewable solutions for modern apartment buildings. These include the Edel hot water heat pump with direct acting panel heaters, MVHR units and smart controls. If you are looking for a hydronic system, the Zeroth Energy System, an ambient loop with in-apartment heat pumps, is the ideal solution that can work with commercial air source heat pumps and district networks including low temperature networks.
If you are looking for a sustainable way to meet heating, hot water, ventilation and comfort cooling requirements for your project, contact our Dimplex Renewables team, who will be happy to advise on the options available and provide technical support.