05/01/2009
Until recently the introduction of LZC technologies in the industrial and commercial sector has largely been driven by new government legislation concerned with
reducing carbon footprint in buildings. In the current economic climate, however, the issue of reducing running costs and saving money has become equally important. Complementing the comprehensive range of Potterton Commercial high efficiency condensing boilers is the recently launched GeoFlo ground source heat pump which, as an integral part of a suitably designed system, can help reduce both the running costs and the carbon footprint of many commercial buildings.
This is accomplished by the GeoFlo heat pump harnessing the energy created by solar rays being absorbed into the ground, thereby creating a thermal store which
remains at a fairly constant temperature of around 10ºC to 12ºC at a depth of around 1m to 2m. A ground loop from the heat pump extracts this heat to commence and sustain its refrigeration cycle, during which process the state of the refrigerant is changed, causing heat to be generated which can be utilised, via a plate heat exchanger, for space heating or pre-heating cold water.
The GeoFlo heat pump has a best of class output of 21.3kW and 4.7 Coefficient of Performance (COP), achieving outstanding levels of efficiency when used with a
low temperature heat load such as underfloor heating. Its operating noise level is whisper quiet being only 33dB(A) at 1 metre. Available for installation in multiple
unit cascade configuration, GeoFlo controls are based on the same platform as the Paramount two and Eurocondense two high efficiency condensing boilers.
Therefore the GeoFlo package can be supplied complete with these Potterton Commercial high efficiency condensing boilers which would provide the heat to satisfy peak demand. The GeoFlo solution includes the heat pump, pump station for the ground loop and optional 500 litre buffer tank.
Potterton Commercial together with Andrews Water Heaters, both part of Baxi Commercial Division, can provide a 'one-stop-shop' approach to the design of complete maximum efficiency heating and hot water systems including integration of LZC technologies such as solar thermal water heating and the GeoFlo ground source heat pump.