World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

R1234ze Carrier heat pump makes UK debut

UK: The first UK installation of Carrier’s AquaForce 61XW heat pump using low GWP refrigerant R1234ze is providing cost-effective cooling and heating for one of the country’s leading vegetable producers. 

The 1.2MW system is predicted to save the vegetable producer between £120,000 and £150,000 a year in heating costs and, with support from the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, payback is anticipated within two to three years.

Previously, the company’s large cold store was cooled by a traditional air-cooled chiller with individual LPG boilers providing heating and hot water for the offices and 70 static caravans for seasonal workers. This system was said to be expensive to run and significant energy was being wasted through heat rejected by the chiller.

The company commissioned Stoke-on-Trent-based OMNI Heat and Power to design and install a more energy efficient and environmentally-responsible solution, based on low-carbon renewable energy and harnessing waste heat.

“The very wide temperature range, spanning -5ºC for the cold store to 55ºC for domestic hot water presented a particular challenge,” observed OMNI Heat and Power director Bradley Martin, noting that few heat pumps could cater for this while maintaining efficiency.

The solution uses the Carrier AquaForce 61XW heat pump to harness low-grade heat from ground loops buried in the soil, plus waste heat from the cold store refrigeration system. Hot water generated is piped to accommodation facilities and offices via a mini district heating system, providing comfort heating and DHW.

Power for the heat pump is provided by a large photovoltaic array on site. This supplies up to 1.5MW of electricity, making the facility almost totally self-sufficient in energy.

“We see huge potential for this solution in agriculture, where there is often a need for cooling for produce alongside heating for seasonal workers and offices. The Carrier system is unique in being able to cater for this diverse requirement,” said Bradley Martin.

Latest News

29th March 2024

BUS applications up 75% in February

UK: Applications for grants under the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in February were 75% higher than during the same month last year, new statistics reveal.
29th March 2024

EBM-Papst opens new Chinese HQ

CHINA: German fans and motors manufacturer EBM-Papst has established a new 33,000m² local headquarters in China, bringing together the company’s previous four locations in Shanghai.
28th March 2024

Hudson warns of unsafe US recovery cylinders

USA: The US refrigerant supplier and reclaimer Hudson Technologies has warned of illegal and unsafe recovery cylinders entering the US market.
28th March 2024

Topical talks at Bath breakfast meeting

UK: The next South West South Wales Refrigeration Society breakfast briefing will feature talks from three experienced and knowledgable speakers on varied refrigeration and air conditioning topics.
28th March 2024

CO2 compressor for multiple applications

ITALY: Frascold’s new TK HD series transcritical CO2 compressors are designed for a wide range of refrigeration and air conditioning applications, as well as high-temperature heat pumps up to 100°C.
28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.