Ideal’s heat pump R&D centre takes shape
8th July 2024
UK: Steelwork for Ideal Heating’s new £19.2m UK Technology Centre in Hull is now in place as the facility prepares for opening in early 2025.
The new R&D centre, which is backed by more than £2m of seed capital funding from Humber Freeport, will support the development of low carbon technologies, including heat pumps.
When completed, the 3,500m2 facility will house a range of simulators, test rigs and environmental chambers, all of which will advance the efficiency and performance of Ideal Heating’s product portfolio.
Laboratory facilities within the building will enable R&D teams to simulate a range of scenarios and conditions to test new innovations and advancements. The centre will also house a heat pump testing area, workshop spaces and a training room.
The centre will also boast its own sustainability credentials, with roof-mounted solar panels generating renewable electricity for the building and air-source heat pumps serving the mechanical heating system. LED lighting and controls will help reduce energy consumption within the building and high-performance building fabrics will reduce heat loss.
“The UK Technology Centre represents a significant investment in more ways than one,” said Ideal Heating COO Jason Speedy.
“We’re part-way through a £60m development programme at our National Avenue headquarters in Hull, largely focused on heat pump production, distribution and innovation. The R&D facility forms a key part of that programme.”
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Ideal gets go-ahead for £12.5m R&D facility – 14 August 2023
UK: Construction of Ideal Heating’s new £12.5m R&D facility will begin in October, following the heat pump manufacturer being granted full planning permission by Hull City Council. Read more…
