Guide to Retrofit Commercial Heating and Hot Water Solutions

We focus on retrofitting heating and hot water energy-intensive building systems, traditionally powered by gas.

In today's rapidly changing energy landscape, Automatic Heating is leading the charge in transforming traditional gas-powered heating and hot water systems to sustainable, electric solutions.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, the move towards electrification is not merely a trend—it's an imperative. This guide delves into the intricacies of retrofitting heating systems, offering insights into the challenges, solutions, and the innovative offerings by Automatic Heating.

Whether you're a building manager, an engineer, or simply an advocate for sustainable solutions, this guide provides a roadmap to understanding and implementing retrofit heating solutions for a greener future.

Why Retrofit?

Retrofitting is not just an environmental imperative; it's a smart business decision. As global efforts intensify to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions, retrofitting existing buildings to be more energy-efficient is pivotal. But beyond the environmental benefits, retrofitting offers tangible economic advantages:

• Cost Savings: While there's an initial investment, retrofitting can lead to significant long-term savings. Energy-efficient systems often mean reduced operational costs, and with the rising prices of non-renewable energy sources, the savings can be substantial over time.
• Increased Property Value: Energy-efficient buildings are increasingly in demand. A retrofit can enhance the value of a property, making it more appealing to potential buyers or tenants who prioritise sustainability and reduced utility bills.
• Operational Efficiency: Modern electric systems often require less maintenance than older, gas-powered systems. This can translate to fewer disruptions and lower maintenance costs.
• Future-Proofing: As governments worldwide set more stringent energy efficiency standards, retrofitting now can ensure your building remains compliant and avoids potential future penalties or mandatory upgrades.

Switching to Heat Pumps

In the quest for sustainable heating solutions, heat pumps have emerged as a pivotal component. These versatile systems, capable of both heating and cooling, offer energy efficiency that’s hard to match. As the shift away from traditional gas systems gains momentum, heat pumps stand out for their ability to harness heat from the environment, amplifying it for our use.

The broader goal is clear: decarbonise our existing heating and hot water systems. Transitioning to electric solutions, especially heat pumps, is a significant stride towards this objective. When paired with renewable energy sources, the result is a dramatic reduction in emissions and a boost in system efficiency. But this isn’t just an environmental endeavour; it’s a strategy aimed at long-term cost savings and operational excellence.

At Automatic Heating, our expertise lies in navigating the challenges of this electrification journey. Through innovative engineering, creative strategies, and foresight, we’re paving the way for a greener, more efficient future.

Retrofit Planning Essentials

When transitioning to modern, energy-efficient heating and hot water systems, it’s essential to approach retrofitting with a comprehensive understanding of the building’s unique needs and challenges. The following factors play a pivotal role in ensuring a successful retrofit, optimising both efficiency and cost-effectiveness:

• System Sizing: Boilers and heat pumps do not offer a straightforward one-to-one replacement in terms of kilowatt output. Equally, without instrumentation measuring the current system energy consumption and water load, determining the building’s requirements can be a mystery. It’s possible the current gas system is oversized and not efficient, so matching like with like is inefficient and ineffective, and considerably more expensive. Some boilers are installed for redundancy and not a true reflection of the kW requirements of the system. With new, high temperature heat pumps it is possible to maintain the heating temp required with considerably less energy input.

• Electrical Capacity: Older buildings often grapple with outdated electrical infrastructure. Before retrofitting, a thorough assessment of the building’s electrical capacity is essential to ensure the new system can be supported without overloading the existing circuits.
• Space: Heat pumps typically require more space than traditional gas water heaters. Creative solutions are essential, such as utilising car parks with forced ventilation that have higher ambient temperatures than outside, or building rooftops. An illustrative example is the 600 Bourke Street project, which deploys heat pumps in a car park to produce domestic hot water for end-of-trip facilities.

• Equipment Placement and Access: The placement of retrofit equipment is a crucial consideration. The choice of location is influenced by several factors, including the noise, weight, and size of the equipment. Adjustments might be necessary depending on the site, and proper ventilation is paramount for heat pumps to operate efficiently. Beyond the physical placement, the logistics of retrofitting can have significant implications on project costs and timelines. Considerations include potential costs for crane lifts or the time and expense associated with installing multiple smaller units. A case in point is the Park Royal project, where budget and power limitations necessitated a staged retrofit approach to achieve the desired outcome.
• Location (Geographic Considerations): The geographic location of a building can directly influence the retrofit strategy, especially when considering the load. For instance, the load directly affects the capital expenditure (capex). Starting by electrifying just 20% of the current system can provide insights into how often boilers are needed. Regional temperature variations play a role here; for example, Melbourne experiences colder temperatures during winter compared to Sydney, which can influence heating requirements and system efficiency.

• Hot Water Temperatures in Retrofitting: When retrofitting older buildings, one of the primary challenges is accommodating the existing hot water temperature requirements. For heating hot water, many existing systems operate with flow and return temperatures of 80°C/60°C. Retrofitting with heat pumps designed to cater to these requirements, can avoid the need for extensive system replacements. For domestic hot water, CO2 heat pumps are capable of achieving temperatures up to 90°C. When combined with thermal storage tanks, these heat pumps can effectively meet hot water demands which previously required a gas-fired boiler with a higher kilowatt output. In the context of retrofitting, selecting the right heat pump technology is crucial to ensure seamless integration with existing systems and to meet the building’s hot water needs.
• Staged Electrification: A phased approach to electrification can be both budget-conscious and efficient. By electrifying in stages, budget constraints are addressed, and real building data can be gathered to inform subsequent phases. This approach allows for adjustments based on actual performance, ensuring optimal system efficiency throughout the retrofit process.

System engineering for electrification retrofits

The engineering behind retrofitting is not just about replacing old systems with new ones; it’s about selecting the right technologies that align with the building’s requirements and future-proofing the system for advancements in heating solutions. Take? a closer look at some of the state-of-the-art products and considerations

Conclusion

The journey towards retrofitting and electrification is both a challenge and an opportunity. As we transition to a more sustainable future, the choices we make today will shape the energy landscape of tomorrow. Retrofitting is not just about replacing old systems; it’s about embracing innovation, optimising efficiency, and positively impacting the environment.

At Automatic Heating, we’re more than just a service provider; we’re industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates. Our commitment to offering tailored solutions, expert insights, and unwavering support ensures that our clients are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of retrofitting.

Ready to Begin Your Retrofitting Journey? Whether you’re looking to explore the latest in heat pump technology, seeking consultation on retrofit strategies, or simply want to learn more about our range of products and services, we’re here to help. Reach out to Automatic Heating today and let’s shape a sustainable future together.