Overview

Burton RFC – known as the ‘Crofters’ – moved out of Peel Croft to their new home at ‘Battlestead Croft’ in Branston Road, Tatenhill.

Heatwise Systems Ltd was given the task of designing and installing a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system to provide heating and hot water for the new clubhouse.

As part of the project, Wilo UK provided pumps with smart features at an assisted price to give Burton RFC’s building project a big helping hand.

Project detail

James Marshall, Technical Director of Heatwise Systems Ltd, said: “From the start, the project needed to benefit the community and be environmentally sustainable. Plus, the hot water system had to meet all health and safety requirements in relation to Legionnaires’ disease, particularly with the number of showers that have been installed.”

Legionnaires’ disease can be spread by devices that produce a spray of hot water, such as showers, if it has had the opportunity to multiply in a low temperature stored hot water system, something commonly associated with GSHPs. Battlestead Croft has 32 showers.

James said: “Our solution to this challenge was to install a bespoke plate heat exchanger, together with a 5,000-litre heating water buffer tank and a Wilo-Stratos MAXO pump with temperature differential targeting.

“The system produces hot water instantly using the plate heat exchanger to avoid problems with large volumes of stored hot water at lower temperatures. This means any Legionella bacteria naturally present in the cold water supply doesn’t have a chance to multiply before being delivered to the showers.

“Meanwhile, the temperature differential targeting control ensures the pump only needs to run as fast as required at any given time to produce the hot water, rather than running at full power 24/7.

“So, with Wilo’s product, we’ve done some clever stuff.”

Heatwise Systems used three of the Wilo-Stratos MAXO 80/0.5-16 pumps for the project.

James said: “Another benefit of this Wilo product is it can operate in the most efficient way possible, to minimise electricity consumption.”

Outcome

James said: “The club had gas boilers at their old premises. But thanks to Wilo’s products, they can operate the heat pump system at their new ground with the lowest possible electricity input – which means lower bills.

“Burton RFC are delighted with the results. And for Wilo, this project was particularly important, especially because the team are so local to the company’s UK base.

“Wilo offered its advanced pumps with the temperature differential at a very special price, so the club could benefit from the savings the technology offers. It’s an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ product.

“The club are really proud of what they’ve got.”