High Performance, High Specification: Air source heat pump at Celtic Manor Resort

High performance, high specification  It had to meet the high specification which was evident throughout this luxury accommodation, offer ease of use for residents and flexible operation for the resort, all with no access to gas. It was not an easy brief but Dimplex stepped forward and we were impressed with the product, information and support available  .  Rob Clarke, Lodgico.  “  ”  Client: Celtic Manor Resort  Partner: RES (Devon) Ltd 

A collection of new, eco-friendly log houses at the prestigious five-star Celtic Manor Resort combine luxury accommodation with energy efficient heating thanks to the installation of Dimplex air source heat pumps.  Ten lodges, each containing four bedrooms and five bathrooms with a sauna and outdoor jacuzzi, were built on land close to the resort’s Twenty Ten golf course, venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup.   Built by Lodgico, specialists in the design and build of custom timber homes, at a cost of  £4.3million, they will accommodate up to eight guests at a time, aimed primarily at the family market for leisure or activity stays.   And the installation of Dimplex air source heat pumps and underfloor heating has ensured that the heating system delivers low running costs, flexible operation to fit in with occupancy and a high specification to match the prestige of the  accommodation.  Rob Clarke from Lodgico said: “By their nature log houses are energy efficient because the logs have the ability to absorb heat and release it back into the air when it becomes cooler inside. Additional insulation measures were also included on each property, including triple glazed windows, but we knew that the heating system design would be key to further maximise the energy performance of each lodge.   “More importantly, it had to meet the high specification which was evident throughout this luxury accommodation, offer ease of use for residents and flexible operation for the resort, all with no access to gas. It was not an easy brief but Dimplex stepped forward and we were impressed with the product, information and support available.”   Dimplex’s dedicated heat pump system design team designed a system which could be installed in all ten properties, comprising a Dimplex LA 16 MI air source heat pump feeding underfloor heating, together with a 400 litre unvented cylinder for domestic hot water with 150 litre buffer.   The energy efficient construction of each lodge and additional measures which had already been taken helped to reduce heat loss from the properties, whilst the installation of underfloor heating throughout also ensured optimum efficiency of the air source heat pumps.   Dimplex and Lodgico worked closely with renewable energy specialists RES (Devon) Ltd to ensure the smooth delivery of the heat pump installation, commissioning and handover.  Clarke added: “Dimplex recognised that we had no experience of working with air source heat pumps and they completed all necessary surveys, heat loss calculations and designs for the heating system.   “Everything has been designed to suit the requirements of the resort, including the installation of Net Monitor systems which allow the heating to be controlled centrally from the main hotel building and the fact that each heat pump is only in operation when the underfloor heating for that property is switched on in 2014.  “We are delighted with the results and all the feedback received from our customer during trial occupations has been positive, with excellent levels of comfort and plenty of hot water being reported.”  Clyde MacVeigh, marketing director for Dimplex Renewables, said: “The very fact that air source heat pumps were specified for this project shows how far they have come in recent years. Where no other technology was deemed suitable, the expert design and unrivalled performance of Dimplex’s air source heat pump system provides efficient, reliable and economical heating for the most luxurious of properties, built to the five star standards of the Celtic Manor Resort.”  The lodges are due to open to the public in 2014.  0844 879 3587  dimplex.co.uk   Dimplex  Millbrook House, Grange Drive, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2DF  D1742/0115  Products: Air-Eau  air source heat pump