HVAC Design

Fernhouse Lodge

Plant room refurbishment with a low carbon ready design for future adaptation.

Client

Neater Heat

Date

January 26, 2025

Services

Full HVAC Design, Specification and Product Selection

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The Project

Brief Overview

Fernhouse Lodge is a retirement home complex located in Farnborough, operated by Vivid Housing. The property consists of 20no. Apartments, central kitchen and laundry and communal areas. The plant room is lifecycle expired and due to be renewed under a programme of works.

Working alongside Neater Heat and Smith Brothers Stores Southampton, Hamwic Technical designed and specified the plant room to meet the clients requirements.

The client required a heating system that would provide energy efficient design today and could be easily adapted to low carbon technology (Air Source Heat Pumps) in the near future.

Hamwic technical attended site ahead of the project, 3D scanning the existing plant room (See Below)

The heating, hot, and cold water services were provided from the ground floor plant room and consisted of the following components:

  • 4 Natural Gas Ideal Concord Super 50-300, 50kW output boilers operating in a Duty/Assist configuration (total 200kW output)
  • 1 Siemens Control System with weather compensation
  • 2 Beaumont Water Heaters with 58.6kW output and 287 litres capacity each (74kW input), totaling 117.2kW with 574 litres

The heating system featured a single zone with weather compensation. The flue utilised the chimney stack for termination above the roof level externally. The plant room had passive low-level ventilation via double doors with louvres and high-level ventilation via the chimney stack. It was served by an external gas meter with a supply running underground to the front of the plant room.

The plant room upgrade aimed to reduce breakdowns and improve efficiency, enabling future adoption of low-carbon technologies without major refurbishment. Key changes included:

  • 2 Ideal EVOMAX 2 120kW Natural Gas Boilers (replacing 4 Ideal Concord Super 50kW units)
  • 1 Flue Header to Vertical Flue, using the existing flue to save time and cost
  • 1 Lovato Hercules Pipework System for rapid installation and superior insulation
  • 1 SBS Core Mini Pressurisation Unit for automatic system top-up and pressurisation
  • Smart Micro BMS for remote control, weather compensation, alarm notifications, and diagnostics (lower cost than a full BMS system)
  • 1 Filter Pot Mini Side Stream Filter with Inhibi-Clean 400 to improve performance and reduce corrosion
  • 2 Lovato T-FAST DHW Stations for instant hot water production at lower temperatures, reducing legionella risk and future-proofing for low-carbon tech
  • 1 CALTAC Water Conditioner, 99.6% efficient at removing scale, needing service every three years, reducing operational costs.
System Upgrade Benefits -

Upgrade your plant room and unlock a new level of efficiency, savings, and future-proof technology with our cutting-edge solutions. Let’s take a closer look at how each upgrade can transform your system, cut costs, and enhance reliability.

Ideal Evomax 2 Boilers -

Ideal Evomax 2 Boiler

Say goodbye to outdated, inefficient boilers. Did you know that boilers over 20 years old can be as low as 70% efficient? With our Ideal Evomax 2 boilers, you’ll enjoy up to 98% efficiency, drastically cutting your fuel costs and carbon footprint. These boilers come with free commissioning and a 5-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind. Plus, their compact, space-saving design simplifies installation in your plant room.

Filter Pot Side Stream Filtration Unit -

Filter Pot Mini


Maximize your system’s performance with our Filter Pot Side Stream Filtration Unit. This innovative solution provides top-notch filtration, including magnetite and debris removal, without interrupting your system. It’s proven to increase efficiency by over 30%, reduce breakdowns, and restore your system to a “like-new” condition. Save on operational costs and extend the life of your equipment—why settle for anything less?

Smart Micro BMS Control -

T-MAC Smart Micro BMS Cloud Dashboard


Take control of your system with our Smart Micro BMS, the smarter way to manage your energy usage. Enjoy full remote control of your heating, hot water, and plant room equipment through a secure cloud-based dashboard. Monitor performance, optimize energy usage with weather compensation, and receive instant alarm notifications—wherever you are. You can save up to 20% on energy over the heating season. It’s simple, smart, and incredibly effective.

CalTAC Water Softener Alternative -


Ditch traditional water softeners and switch to CalTAC—our chemical-free solution that’s 99.6% effective at removing limescale. CalTAC requires zero energy, zero water wastage, and only needs servicing once every three years. This system not only protects your water supply but also saves you money on maintenance and reduces your environmental impact. Plus, it’s safe for drinking water!

Lovato Hercules Pipework Distribution System -

Lovato Hercules Distribution System


For rapid, modular installation, the Lovato Hercules Pipework System is your go-to. It’s energy-efficient, easy to install, and built for durability. The pre-insulated jackets offer best-in-class insulation, reducing energy loss and delivering consistent performance throughout your plant room.

Lovato T-FAST -

Lovato T-Fast Hot Water Generators


Reduce your hot water energy costs and eliminate the risks of legionella with Lovato T-FAST. This state-of-the-art hot water module produces hot water instantly, without the need for bulky storage tanks. Ready for the future? The T-FAST can connect to low-carbon energy sources, such as air source heat pumps, so your system is not only efficient today but ready for tomorrow.

Upgrade your system today for greater efficiency, lower costs, and future-ready performance. These solutions are designed to deliver long-term savings, superior reliability, and a greener footprint for your business. Let’s make your plant room smarter, stronger, and sustainable!

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