Heat Pumps Today

24 When Glengarnock Ironworks Bowling and Community Club wanted to de-carbonise the heat used in their pavilion, the age and unique requirements of the building meant that a standalone air source heat pump solution wasn’t the most effective option. However, a hybrid system - combining heat pump technology with a modern gas boiler - provided the perfect alternative to reducing the club’s carbon emissions and meeting its heating needs. Bowled over – Vaillant hybrid heating solution reduces fossil fuel use by 75% With help from a lesser-known Scottish government grant to buy and install this solution, club members can continue to enjoy the pavilion facilities comfortably, but in a more sustainable way. Looking for a sustainable solution For decades, the heating and hot water in the pavilion at Glengarnock Ironworks Bowling and Community Club had been powered by a Vaillant gas boiler. With the boiler nearing the end of its life and the club keen to reduce its carbon footprint and energy bill, it started looking at ways to make the building’s heating more sustainable. The club sought advice from Zero Waste Scotland, a not-for-profit environmental organisation. Funded by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund, Zero Waste Scotland April | May 2022 I N S T A L L A T I O N S has been set-up to help accelerate resource e„ciencies for Scottish SME’s. It carried out a virtual survey of the club’s heating requirements, where it was suggested an air source heat pump (ASHP) in tandem with gas boiler could be the most eŒective solution to improve the energy e„ciency of the building. To make some ‘on the ground’ estimates for installing a new low carbon heating system, the club called upon MCA Renewables, a renewable energy consultancy and installer business based in Glasgow, for their expertise. Maximising eciency Working with the experts from MCA Renewables and Valliant, an assessment of the bowling club’s requirements was carried out. It was recommended that a hybrid heating solution, combining a heat pump and a gas boiler, would be the most eŒective option. As the clubhouse is mainly used in the summer months, during this time the air source heat pump would be able to provide all the bowling club’s heating and hot water demand. The boiler would therefore only be used during the colder winter months, when temperatures drop, to support additional heating requirements.