Heat pumps earn their stripes at Chester Zoo

UK: In its ongoing partnership with Chester Zoo, Mitsubishi Electric is now supplying air-source heat pumps for the zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope habitats at the zoo’s Heart of Africa zone.

Chester Zoo is one of the most popular paid attractions outside London and home to more than 30,000 animals. Having committed to becoming carbon net zero in scope one and two emissions by 2030, the zoo has been working closely with Mitsubishi Electric to decarbonise heating and cooling across its 130-acre estate.

The latest project involved the installation of two Mitsubishi Electric CAHV commercial heat pumps which help keep the habitat of the zebra, ostrich and roan antelope as warm as the African savannah. The heat pumps deliver 80kW of heat capacity to the building, with radiant panels heating each area, and providing the ideal temperature for each species, ranging from 18ºC to 24ºC.

“We’re able to deliver different temperatures to different parts of the habitat to make sure that each animal has got the right environmental conditions to exactly match their needs,” explained Mitsubishi Electric’s  net zero design manager Chris Newman.

The partnership has already seen Mitsubishi Electric provide air conditioning and renewable heating to the luxury guest lodges in the zoo’s Heart of Africa zone.

Mitsubishi Electric has also supplied air-source heat pumps, air conditioning and ventilation to The Square, the zoo’s conference and events venue. Additionally, six Ecodan air source heat pumps have been installed in the habitat for the endangered Eastern Black Rhino, with a further seven units fitted at the zoo’s purpose-built butterfly habitat.