12 April 2023
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Toshiba heating and cooling equipment has been used in combination with a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system as part of a project to help future-proof a five-bedroom home in Cheshire.
Two 11kW Toshiba ESTIA air-to-water heat pumps operating on lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R32 were installed at the 5,500ft2 property, alongside two Toshiba MiNi VRF systems.
The Toshiba solution replaced an inefficient heating system and is supported by a 16kW solar PV installation plus 11kW of battery storage and measures including triple-glazing. Homeowner Dave Meseck says the property is now “energy-neutral” during the summer months, with generated and stored energy offsetting electricity consumed from the grid.
One of the ESTIA systems serves around 90m2 of underfloor heating in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, while the other provides hot water and heats the upstairs radiators and towel rails from a supplied 300 litre cylinder. The ESTIA indoor units include a 3kW back-up heater to ensure continuity of operation at extreme low ambient air temperatures.
A 6hp (15.5kW) MiNi SMMSe VRF is connected to ducted units in the bedrooms and two of the newly designed compact 3.6kW one-way cassettes downstairs, which has been designed to fit between the joists on a traditional home. The second 5hp (14kW) system provides heating and cooling for the room above a triple garage via a 5.6kW Toshiba four-way cassette, while the garage space below, where a spa area is planned, is served by two wall-mounted units.
High performance Toshiba indoor units deliver heating and cooling
“The whole system has been running since December last year and the way it has transformed the house is fantastic,’’ said Dave Meseck, a specialist in renewables, sustainability and the circular economy. “It was important to get everything right; the project was sized correctly and the equipment installed properly. Together with the other measures, we now have an efficient, all-electric heating system with the added benefit of cooling in summer, and the annual servicing cost is comparable to boiler cover.
"As well as helping to future-proof our home and reducing energy costs, the changes have added value to the property. I would urge anyone looking to invest in their home to look at the bigger picture and make it an environmentally-responsible investment.’’
Four models are available in the ESTIA range, spanning capacities from 4-11kW, all with reversible operation to provide cooling as well as heating, if required.
Toshiba offers a space-saving wall-mounted hydro-module for boiler replacement projects such as this, with a choice of 150l, 200l or 300l capacity external cylinders. For new-build projects, an all-in-one floor-standing hydro-module with integrated 210l tank provides a compact solution for both heating and DHW storage.
Installer Peter Franks, managing director of Mansfield-based Woburn Mechanical Services Ltd, said: “This is by some distance the biggest domestic project we have undertaken. The customer knew exactly what he wanted and now has a comprehensive heating and cooling system.’’
A rooftop PV array integrates with the Toshiba heating and cooling systems
