Leisure giant saves big on energy bills
/Find out how they did it here…
We know a contractors’ responsibility falls beyond simply providing excellent customer service. They should also endorse the most socially and environmentally responsible solutions. We believe in delivering solutions that provide longevity, cost efficiency as well as being environmentally conscious. For those reasons, we promote and install R32 charged air conditioning and heat recovery equipment wherever possible, and when it is most suitable. Your next HVAC project decisions may trigger a positive environmental change and result in energy and operational cost savings.
R32 AC Systems
R32 air conditioning systems have been available in the UK since 2015, the refrigerant technology means these systems are ultra-energy efficient. JCW have been installing and maintaining these units ever since and know that the lower price of the refrigerant isn’t the only benefit.
In a recent interview with our National Installations Manager, Mick approximates that 85% of the new AC split systems we now install, are charged with R32. We believe the demand for R32 units is a driving force behind the recent price decrease in the refrigerant. In addition to this price decrease, in our published eBook A Guide to R32 Refridgerant, we have published about the difference in volume required when comparing an R410a unit to an R32 unit. With R32 AC systems requiring on average 75% less volume per Kw, it reduces maintenance costs, as well as repair costs, should a rare breakdown occur.
Need an AC System Upgrade?
If your commercial properties, retail units or leisure facilities are in need of their older heating, cooling and ventilation systems to be upgraded, or perhaps a complete brand-new HVAC design is required? JCW would urge all Project Managers to consider our findings below before deciding on project budget and preferred system.
JCW carried out a number of installations of R32 heat recovery units, for our client who has a national chain of leisure Bingo clubs, Buzz Bingo, formerly Gala Bingo. Buzz Bingo have long supported R32 air conditioning systems and agree that the reduction in running costs very soon pays for the installation itself.
Inefficient Existing HVAC Systems
Like many leisure venues in the UK, our client Buzz Bingo have had their large HVAC systems in place for many years. Large commercial heating systems and AHU’s were often gas fired providing cooling and air exchange. These ventilation systems were often running inefficiently, due to original design inefficiencies, and in some cases, where designs were oversized
These large HVAC systems required a tremendous amount of gas and electricity to provide comfort to patrons of the Bingo Clubs. So, in recent years Buzz Bingo has been replacing these large units, where appropriate, and rolling out these ultra-efficient R32 systems, together with automated controls and modified ventilation systems
How R32 Equipment Saves on Energy Bills
As an example, some Buzz Bingo locations were spending on average over £20k on gas bills alone per annum/winter, this figure excludes electrical costs associated with the heating and ventilation systems. Now these clubs have made it through their first winter on their new heat recovery systems, we caught up with the Head of Maintenance to see exactly how much the sites have saved on the total bill, since opting for R32 Heat Recovery systems.
After a full year of operation, and observation of actual consumption data, comparison can now be made against the previous years’ energy costs.
“In some cases, a typical spend on gas alone per annum was around £20,000. Following the installation of new heat pumps, gas costs have been eliminated altogether and increases in electrical consumption have only been marginal, at around £5000 per year.”
“This has resulted in a gross saving of about 75% on the total energy invoiced costs, this means an investment payback of under three years, which is considered “short term” by the Carbon Trust. In addition, the multi split systems improves environmental comfort, are very reliable and easy to service, which reduces overall service costs.”
What are you waiting for?
Technological efficiencies in HVAC equipment have advanced significantly in recent years, the replacement of old systems with new more efficient units saves costs, improves environmental comfort and helps to meet the challenge of increasing energy costs.
If these figures still haven’t got you convinced, or perhaps you are not sure if R32 is right for your premises, please call us, and one of our R32 Heat Recovery experts would be very happy to answer any of your questions.
