Delivering Crucial Cooling for Homerton Hospital: A Case Study

Homerton University Hospital in London is undergoing a significant refurbishment to enhance both its facilities and services. As part of this upgrade, the hospital’s old cooling equipment was removed, and new Air Handling Units (AHUs) were installed. With the new chillers not scheduled for installation until 2025, a temporary solution was essential to supply chilled and hot water to the new AHUs.

The team here at Andrews Sykes stepped in to deliver a tailored heating and cooling solution that would meet the hospital’s immediate needs while ensuring operational efficiency.

Here’s how we did it:

What Challenges Did We Face?

The main challenge of the project, which commenced September 2024, was maintaining a consistent temperature of 22°C within the operating theatres of Homerton Hospital. This temperature is crucial for ensuring the safety and comfort of both patients and medical staff during procedures.

With the existing chillers removed and the new equipment yet to be installed, the urgency for a reliable temporary solution was vital. Initially, the hospital requested a quote for a HPAC90; however, after discussion, our team determined that a heat pump chiller would be a more suitable option given the specific cooling and heating requirements of the facility.

How Did We Solve the Problem?

To address the needs of Homerton University Hospital, we provided a 65kW R290 heat pump chiller, which features an ultra-low carbon footprint due to its R290 refrigerant. This refrigerant has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating of just 3, making it an environmentally friendly choice ideal for a hospital refurbishment.

The equipment package included 100 meters of 1” Camlock hose and a booster pump to facilitate the effective distribution of chilled and hot water.

To ensure optimal operation, we installed an internal thermostat within the return air ductwork, which controlled the heating and cooling functions of the chiller. Set to maintain a steady 22°C, the thermostat would trigger heating if the temperature dropped to 21°C and switch to cooling if it exceeded 23°C. This careful calibration made sure that the operating theatres maintained a comfortable and safe environment.

Additionally, while the HPAC90 was initially considered, it was determined that the ducting run from the ground would have been too long for efficient operation. The innovatively designed R290 heat pump chiller was the best fit for the hospital’s requirement.

The Results

The outcome of this project, led by Matthew Stapley and Kane Wood, has been highly successful. We are currently maintaining a comfortable 22°C within the operating spaces of Homerton Hospital to fulfill the client’s expectations. The inverter technology on the chiller’s compressors has resulted in a remarkable 65% reduction in running costs compared to similar-sized chillers equipped with traditional scroll compressors.

The customer was satisfied with not only the performance of the unit, but also with the noise levels, which were noticeably lower than anticipated. Despite the R290 heat pump chiller being a new product for Andrews Sykes, the feedback from the client and their end-users has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming the effectiveness of our tailored solution.

The collaboration between Andrews Sykes and Homerton University Hospital exemplifies our commitment to delivering innovative, efficient, and environmentally conscious solutions precisely tailored to the needs of our clients.

As we continue to move forward with the project for completion in April 2025, we look forward to supporting the hospital in its continued dedication to excellence in patient care.