Chester Zoo, renowned for its international conservation efforts, has integrated a sustainable heating solution in its newly completed event space, known as The Square.
This venue combines the historic Grade II-listed stables block, built in 1886, with a modern area catering to conferences, weddings, and product launches, accommodating up to 200 guests. This historic site was once home to the zoo's initial collection of animals, including various species such as bears and lions, making it a significant and iconic part of the zoo.
Heating and Cooling Challenges
The integration of modern heating and cooling solutions into The Square gave unique challenges
The integration of modern heating and cooling solutions into The Square presented unique challenges. Given the differences in architectural elements, the older, listed sections of the building demand high-temperature heating, while modern sections require lower temperatures suitable for underfloor heating.
As Rob Arathoon, Mechanical and Electrical Projects Manager at Chester Zoo, stated, the venue's diverse requirements call for distinct heating solutions tailored for both the historic and newer sections of the facility.
Innovative Heat Pump Technology
To address these challenges, the zoo installed two Ecodan CAHV air source heat pumps in conjunction with a Climaveneta EW-HT water-to-water heat pump. This combination ensures high-temperature water is available for the older sections, achieving temperatures up to 75°C, while the newer sections benefit from underfloor heating with lower temperatures.
Additionally, a separate Ecodan QAHV air source heat pump is used to provide temperatures up to 90°C for the site's kitchen and restroom facilities.
Commitment to Carbon Net Zero
These systems use R32 refrigerant, known for its lower global warming potential, aiding the zoo's sustainability goals
Beyond solving heating challenges, The Square also required efficient cooling solutions for the conference area, leading to the deployment of three Mr Slim R32 air conditioning systems.
These systems use R32 refrigerant, known for its lower global warming potential, aiding the zoo's sustainability goals. Jennifer Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Chester Zoo, emphasized the zoo's commitment to reaching carbon net zero by 2030 by reducing carbon emissions across its 128-acre span.
Expanding Decarbonization Efforts
Heat pumps have played a key role in meeting these objectives and now support not just the event spaces but also specific animal habitats like those of the Eastern Black Rhino and Butterfly Habitat.
Chris Newman, Zero Carbon Design Manager for Mitsubishi Electric, highlighted that the zoo's strategy entails not only decarbonizing animal environments but also implementing efficient systems in human-occupied spaces. Chester Zoo's sustainable initiatives reflect its ethos of conservation and responsibility, ensuring both animal and human facilities benefit from state-of-the-art technology.
Chester Zoo is the UK’s favourite zoo, as well as an international conservation charity, supporting projects worldwide to prevent animal extinction and aid conservation.
So, when the zoo was looking to install the heating for its popular venue space, it needed a sustainable solution that would help reduce carbon emissions, while keeping guests warm and comfortable.
Grade II-listed stables block
The Square event and conference facility was completed in 2023 and combines the historic Grade II-listed stables block – constructed in 1886, with a modern area that plays host to everything from conferences to gala dinners and product launches, seating 200 guests.
The stables were home to the zoo’s first animal collection, including bears, monkeys, chimpanzees and reptiles, with the west wing of the stables used to house lions, so it is an iconic part of the Zoo.
Challenge for the heating and cooling requirements
The development makes for a stunning venue for weddings, product launches and meetings, but there was a particular challenge for the heating and cooling requirements, because parts of the building need high temperature heating for the Grade II listed elements, while the more modern elements need lower temperatures for the underfloor heating.
“The Square combines a conference space that is also used for weddings, plus some smaller spaces that are used for meetings and private functions in the older, listed-status areas and both elements have very different heating requirements,” explained Rob Arathoon, Mechanical and Electrical Projects Manager at Chester Zoo.
Ecodan CAHV air source heat pumps
Arathoon added: “This presented some specific challenges to the design as we’re trying to achieve a higher temperature circuit to heat the listed building, whereas the newer, more insulated area had to have a lower temperature circuit which was feeding an underfloor heating system.”
The solution sees two Ecodan CAHV air source heat pumps feeding a Climaveneta EW-HT water-to-water heat pump to provide a boosted temperature circuit. The CAHV units provide water at 45°C, with the EW-HT boosting the temperature to 75°C.
Ecodan QAHV air source heat pump
Together the heat pumps deliver very high temperature water for the radiators in the historic parts of the building and lower temperatures to serve the underfloor heating in the new part.
The Square also benefits from an Ecodan QAHV air source heat pump which delivers water temperatures of up to 90°C for use in the facility’s kitchen and toilet areas.
Ambitious target to be carbon net zero
Aside from meeting the heating requirement at the Square, the designers also faced the challenge of how to cool the conference area in the summer, which is where three highly efficient Mr Slim R32 air conditioning systems come into play to provide cooling in an efficient manner when required.
The energy-efficient air conditioning utilises R32 refrigerant which has a much lower global warming potential (GWP) and helps reduce the embodied carbon for the equipment.
Chester Zoo opened in 1931 and is home to more than 37,000 animals and more than 500 species. As part of its commitment to sustainability, the zoo has an ambitious target to be carbon net zero in its scope one and two emissions by 2030 and a critical part of this is decarbonising heat right across the 128-acre site.
Reduce carbon emissions
“As a world-pioneering conservation and education charity, we know that we can’t be part of the problem that we’re trying to solve, so we are developing sustainable plans that help us reduce carbon emissions and achieve our net zero targets,” explained Jennifer Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Chester Zoo.
“A major part of this is our partnership with Mitsubishi Electric and we’re also keen that this helps to showcase the best of heat pump technology in some of the most challenging applications to inspire others to act.”
Heating and cooling for human spaces
Heat pumps will play an increasingly important role in the Zoo’s decarbonisation programme and have already been installed in several animal habitats, including those for the Eastern Black Rhino’s and the Butterfly Habitat.
“The solution used at the Square goes to show that across the zoo’s estate, it’s not just about decarbonising animal habitats, it’s also about decarbonising and using the most efficient technologies to provide heating and cooling for human spaces as well,” added Chris Newman, Zero Carbon Design Manager for Mitsubishi Electric.
