Carole Titmuss from Refurb Projects looks at a new net zero office space in the heart of Manchester that is embracing sustainable comfort with the installation of a chiller and heat pump system from Mitsubishi Electric.
4 Angel Square is a net zero 200,000 sq ft contemporary office located in the heart of NOMA’s thriving business district.
With excellent transport links and Manchester’s food, drink and cultural offerings on the doorstep, NOMA is leading the way in creating sustainable, healthy workplaces for the city and for the future.
The building at 4 Angel Square is a pioneering project which is Designed for Performance. This means that the building services within the office building must match its sustainability and energy efficiency requirements.
4 Angel Square is on track to achieve an EPC rating of A
Carole Titmuss Editor of Refurb Projects
A perfect match
To meet this condition, the building owners opted for one Mitsubishi Electric EW-HT water-to-water heat pump and two i-FX-Q2-G05 chillers.
These low noise, high performance INTEGRA chillers are 4-pipe air cooled systems which utilise VSD screw compressors and EC fans. They are designed to produce chilled and hot water simultaneously and use lower-GWP R513A refrigerant.
This means they are not only the perfect match between energy efficiency and high performance, but they also comply with F Gas Regulations making them a future-proofed option for both new construction and retrofit projects.
The two chillers feed the EW-HT heat pump which can then produce high temperature water up to 78°C.
Looking ahead
The NOMA project not only looks ahead to net zero 2050, but it also looks across the board at carbon usage including whole life carbon, operational carbon and embodied carbon. It addresses all the elements that every commercial new build and investor should prioritise.
4 Angel Square not only delivers on sustainability, but it also aims to provide a healthy workspace with wellbeing at its heart.
The indoor environment is therefore just as important and a heating and cooling system which provides excellent occupant comfort was essential.
To ensure comfort is maintained, and to reduce any risks of system downtime, the installation was commissioned by MELServe and will be serviced and maintained with a 7-year MELServe Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) contract from Mitsubishi Electric.
A decarbonised future
“This was a great project to be involved in as it’s been built to address our UK net zero challenges and focuses on continual operational excellence by ensuring a robust service and maintenance solution is in place” says Kevin Wilcott who works at MELServe, Mitsubishi Electric.
“MELServe, By Mitsubishi Electric is our aftersales and lifecycle solution available to all outsourced facilities companies and in-house facilities teams where Mitsubishi Electric equipment or any brand of chiller is installed.”
4 Angel Square is accredited with Net Zero Carbon in operation, 5-start NABERS rating at design and BREEAM outstanding design; and is on track to receive both in operation, achieving an EPC rating of A.
It also highlights the use of energy efficient air source heat pumps are one of its key features, emphasising how sustainable and renewable heating and cooling systems are an essential part of our decarbonised future.
Carole Titmuss is Editor of Refurb Projects
