An energy saving VRF air conditioning system from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was prescribed to ensure high efficiency heating and cooling for the new wing of a south London medical centre. The KXR system installed at Parchmore Medical Centre in Thornton Heath utilises inverter technology and surplus heat recovery to achieve an impressive CoP of up to 3.4. The Centres new MHI system qualifies for the Governments Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme, which offers enhanced tax relief for investment in plant and machinery that meets the required energy saving criteria. Being able to claim under the ECA scheme means that the Centre can cut its carbon emissions and the capital cost of purchasing the equipment.
The new Beulah Wing provides Parchmore Medical Centre with six additional consulting rooms, a minor operations suite, and a staff conference facility. Supplied by AMP Air, the KXR heat recovery system from MHI was installed by Surrey-based Lee Air Conditioning Services Limited - a longstanding installer of MHI equipment. We recommended MHI for this project because of its comprehensive and competitively priced product range, says Mike Kinnear, Managing Director of Lee Air Conditioning Services Limited. We worked closely with AMPs team and found their attention to detail and service invaluable, he adds.
MHIs KXR inverter range provides simultaneous heating and cooling as and where required. The three-pipe heat recovery system at the Medical Centre uses surplus heat on the sunnier, south facing side of the new extension to provide useful energy for the cooler, shadier side. Additionally, the system offers highly sophisticated control to provide heating or cooling operations to individual units according to single or multiple area requirements. Energy efficiency is maximised by MHIs inverter controlled compressor which adjusts automatically to meet the precise demands of indoor units to optimise energy consumption and reduce temperature fluctuations.
Parchmore Medical Centres MHI system consists of two 8HP outdoor units with nominal cooling and heating capacities of 22.4kW and 25.0 kW respectively. Refrigeration pipework is routed through a duct into the building and into service risers to the ceiling void on each floor where it is distributed to a total of 17 indoor units. MHI 4-way cassettes are installed in most areas, with three slimline wall-mounts serving the lobby, waiting room, and stairway / lift area. Indoor units range from 1.64kW to 3.89kW depending on the cooling/heating requirements of each area. MHIs compact 4-way cassettes permit individual control of all four flaps to maximise the airflow in all directions. Wall-mounted units are designed to achieve uniform air conditioning to the furthest corners of the room.
Each indoor unit in the Medical Centre is connected to an MHI RC-E3 controller featuring a highly sensitive temperature sensor for finely tuned air conditioning. Centralised control is provided by a SLA2AE controller located in reception. This displays temperature mode and fan speed settings of individual units and can be used to override localised settings if required.