UK University: 40% Heat Pump Energy Reduction
A prominent UK university working towards Net Zero by 2030 needed measurable, cost-effective progress. A Smartcool pilot on six heat pump systems reduced energy consumption by 40%, delivering 80,000 kWh in annual savings and a payback period of just 16.5 months — well inside the institution's 10-year threshold.
Results at a rate of 15p/kWh. Higher energy rates result in shorter payback periods and higher ROI.
The Challenge
With a target of reaching Net Zero by 2030, the university was evaluating every viable avenue to reduce emissions across its estate. Any investment needed to demonstrate a payback period of under 10 years. As part of a multifaceted approach to sustainability, Smartcool was approached to show what could be achieved on the building's heat pump systems.
Our Approach
Smartcool's ECO3™ technology was installed on six Mitsubishi inverter heat pump systems at a single building. To produce a transparent, impartial comparison, the technology was run in savings mode for one month and then bypassed for the following month. Device-level energy consumption was tracked wirelessly throughout using Panoramic Power, with data transmitted in real time to a cloud-based dashboard. This allowed both parties to review the results independently and continuously throughout the trial.
The Results
The trial exceeded expectations. Average energy consumption across the six systems fell by 40% (site dependent) at a rate of 15p/kWh, producing projected annual savings of 80,000 kWh and a return on investment of 73%. The payback period of 16.5 months was well inside the university's 10-year requirement.
Following the success of the pilot, the university proceeded with a full installation across 107 Mitsubishi VRF heat pumps in the building, extending the same savings across the wider system. av
Want to learn more? Explore our ECO3™ compressor optimisation technology or see how Panoramic Power monitors your equipment at circuit level.
Talk to Our Team
If your institution is working towards Net Zero and looking for solutions that can demonstrate measurable, auditable results quickly, book a free call with one of our experts. We will take the time to understand your estate and tell you honestly what we think is achievable.