I recently had the opportunity to visit Chester Zoo and have a look at the brand new, premium lodges which offer guests a luxury stay at the heart of the zoo.
These are part of the ‘Heart of Africa’ development which is the largest addition to the zoo for over a decade. The accommodation sits in the middle of animals normally found in the African savannah and guests can wake up with giraffe, zebra and antelope outside their window.
Despite my excitement for the trip, I was slightly disheartened by the stormy weather forecast for the day. By the time I arrived at Zoo, my clothes were soaked, and I was shivering from the piercing cold.
The much-welcomed warmth I felt as I stepped into one of the lodges felt heavenly, as though I had been wrapped in a large, cosy blanket.
The giraffes had awoken from their slumber and made their way towards our balcony
Wranga Wardak Policy and Public Affairs Graduate at Mitsubishi Electric
Renewable and luxurious heating
I later found out that each lodge had an Ecodan air source heat pump installed, which would explain the consistent, ambient temperature flowing throughout the building.
It is reassuring to know that you can enjoy a warm, comfortable, cosy stay during the peak of UK winters without feeling guilty over harming our environment. Relying on heat generated via low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, as opposed to fossil fuel heating systems, removes the need for any compromise between home comfort and care for our planet.
Modern heat pumps are around three to four times more efficient than even a new gas boiler, and an Ecodan heat pump can provide hot water and space heating even at temperatures of -25 degrees Celsius outdoors – although the coldest temperature recorded in Chester was -10C in 2010.
Much like the rest of Chester Zoo, the lodges have been created with sustainability at the core of their design.
Alongside the low-carbon heating, each lodge has air conditioning units to deliver warmth in the winter and cooling at the height of summer. Photovoltaic panels installed on its roof help to further cut carbon emissions by generating renewable energy.
Low carbon animal care
The cushy yet sustainable heating solution is not reserved solely for human guests. At Chester Zoo, several animal habitats have had heat pumps installed to provide whatever temperature best suits each species.
The indoor rhino habitat had six Ecodan air source heat pumps to ensure the critically endangered black rhinos have a warm, healthy home for them to thrive in.
The hoofstock habitat, which is home to zebras, antelopes and warthogs is heated by two CAHV commercial heat pumps, as my colleague Vanessa has written about here.
Tropical paradise
As I wandered further into the zoo, I found myself at the butterfly habitat – a purpose-built space which is home to a variety of animals and insects from as far as Southeast Asia and South America.
This included stream frogs, anoles, millipedes and a dazzling display of butterflies. Now you may wonder how these creatures from across the world could adapt to their new climate, seeing as Cheshire is not quite as tropical as their home countries.
The animals and critters at the butterfly habitat require a constant temperature of between 22-25 degrees Centigrade, which must be consistently maintained regardless of the weather outside.
To deliver a steady, low intensity heat throughout the habitat, seven Ecodan air source heat pumps have been installed to replace an aging liquified petroleum gas (LPG) heating system.
Decarbonising the zoo
This switch is part of a programme to help Chester Zoo significantly cut carbon emissions, whilst also ensuring the comfort and well-being of the wonderful creatures of the butterfly habitat.
The zoo is one of the world’s leading conservation and education charities, committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of key conservation and environmental challenges.
Although fascinated by the butterfly habitat, it’s warmth made the cold walk back to the warm sanctuary of the lodges feel even more chilly. However, there was a sweet surprise awaiting us upon our return – the giraffes had awoken from their slumber and made their way towards our balcony.
Sitting on the balcony with my colleagues, sipping our coffee whilst watching giraffes grazing away was an entirely serene experience.
Although I have yet to tick the African savannah off my bucket list, this magical stay at Chester Zoo’s lodges has satisfied the itch for now.
Wranga Wardak is a Policy and Public Affairs Graduate at Mitsubishi Electric
