Water power for air-to-water heat pump

Renewable energy is used in more ways than one by a Dimplex heat pump providing space heating for a new visitor information and community resources centre at one of the National Trust’s most important industrial sites in Wales. Not only does the heat pump utilise energy from the air to produce hot water for the underfloor heating system, but it is also powered by hydro-electricity — so the installation has zero carbon emissions. For over 400 years, Aberdulais Falls in the Vale of Neath has been an industrial centre, beginning with copper in 1584, followed by iron smelting and a tin-plate works. The new centre combines the latest principles of sustainable design in a low-energy building, using power from hydro-electric scheme on site. The new building is designed for high solar gain, and the National Trust appointed Green Dragon Energy, an approved Dimplex heat-pump installer, to advise and supply the energy-efficient heating. The system is based on a Dimplex L20AS air-to-water heat pump. It is planned that it will form part of the exhibition display for visitors coming to see the dramatic waterfalls and gorge.

Related links:

• www.dimplex.co.uk/