NHS Hospital saves 40% on energy costs with upgraded heating pumps
The Challenge
An NHS hospital in the Oxford area called Dura Pump to look at replacing some Holden & Brook Starflex belt-driven pumps with 37kW fixed-speed motors. The pumps were obsolete belt-drive models, which are typically considerably less efficient than comparable direct-drive models, often using 30-40% more power. Major challenges included:
- Increasing efficiency
- Handling the large motors
- Ensuring continuity of service during the installation process
The Solution
As specialists in heating and cooling pumps, the Dura Pump team analysed the pump system and realised that there were massive energy savings to be made. We specified two Grundfos NB end-suction pumps with 18.5kW motors, coupled with two Grundfos CU2 variable speed inverters. These pumps met the duty of the existing pumps while massively reducing power consumption.
We prefabricated the stainless steel pipework and base plates off-site to ensure a swift swap-out of the pumps, then removed the old pumps one at a time, replacing them with the new Grundfos NB pumps and inverters. This included replacing the pipework, bellows and making all electrical and mechanical connections. We also provided a BACnet connection to the inverters so they could be controlled by the site BMS.
The Outcome
The new pumps not only met the hospital’s requirements but also saved them 194,472kWh per year, helping them move closer to their net zero targets and saving them a large amount in running costs. For example, at an illustrative rate of 33p per kWh, this would save them £64,175 per year, giving an ROI timeframe of only 6 months.
Additional benefits were the reliability of more modern pumps, reducing downtime and additional maintenance, with more readily available spare parts. Staff also reported greatly reduced noise in and around the plant room, improving the work environment for staff and patients.
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