Heat pumps judged quiet and efficient
22nd October 2025
UK: Panasonic air-source heat pumps have replaced two outdated and inefficient chillers providing air conditioning to a 200-year-old court building in East London.
The crown court’s original air conditioning system was not only inefficient but also difficult to upgrade due to the building’s listed status and the age of its pipework. This increased the risk of corrosion and leaks, while water quality issues further threatened the longevity of any new system.
The installers – Crawley-based Sub-Cool FM – specified five 170kW Panasonic ECOi-W R32 units operating in cascade to overcame infrastructure constraints, while improving energy efficiency by 50%.
To address the risk of corrosion in the pipes, hydraulic separators were installed for the secondary circuit, paired with a plate heat exchanger to protect the new equipment and extend its lifespan.
The Panasonic ECOi-W R32 units offer capacities from 50kW to 170kW, operating in a wide temperature range from-15°C to 48°C.
Jacob Swei, MD of Sub-Cool FM said that the Panasonic units were selected for their flexibility and quiet operation. “At 25–50% capacity, they are virtually inaudible,” he said. “Utilising multiple cascade control connected heat pumps increases system flexibility, maximises efficiency, plus allows run hours across multiple units to be shared by each unit and in turn prolonging the life of the units.”
