Built to perform
Andrews Water Heaters, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has supplied six of their SUPAflo high efficiency, condensing water heaters, each with a stainless steel storage tank, to provide domestic hot water for the Hilton Liverpool hotel. SUPAflo water heaters are quiet, compact, and highly energy efficient with an extremely fast recovery rate which makes them ideal for installations where peak demand for hot water occurs at specific times. Opened at the end of 2009, the four star hotel has 215 bedrooms and forms part of the Liverpool ONE development by Grosvenor, the largest mixed use, city centre regeneration project in Europe. Designed in a curve, reminiscent of Bath's Royal Crescent, the building consists of a basement and eleven upper floors with the hotel located on levels one to eight. The top three storeys are occupied by 47 residential apartments, each of which has its own independent water heating system.
Building services designers, Halcrow Yolles chose to separate the water heating function from the space heating in order to contribute to the energy efficient operation of the hotel by allowing the heating boilers to operate at lower temperatures, particularly in milder weather. Further energy savings are provided by pre-heating the cold water feed to the water heaters using waste heat from the CHP installation. The Andrews SUPAflo condensing water heaters were selected for their energy efficiency, high capacity and compact dimensions and, as they are installed in a rooftop plantroom with limited space, the water heaters' small footprint and square shape was an important consideration. Four water heaters serve the guestrooms and public areas and, in a separate system, two further water heaters serve the hotel restaurant's kitchen area. Installed by Kier Build IME (Integrated Mechanical and Electrical), the Andrews SUPAflo water heaters are connected to open flues.
The plantroom is located in reasonable proximity to the main high level hot water storage tanks and distribution is via 29 vertical risers from roof to ground floor/basement, with about 20,000 metres of domestic pipework throughout the building. A spokesman commented: "As usual, the Andrews water heaters 'did exactly what it said on the tin' and they were easy and straightforward to install." The SUPAflo range of high efficiency, condensing water heaters feature a downward firing, blown gas, pre-mix water cooled burner that fully modulates between 20% and 100% providing ultra low NOx and CO2 emissions and a net efficiency of 104% at 60/75ºC. The heat exchanger and header manifolds are constructed from stainless steel. The models installed at the Hilton Liverpool have a nominal heat output of 274kW and a recovery rate of 4697 litres/hour through a temperature rise of 50oC. The comprehensive control panel indicates all operational and lockout status with full history and, as in this installation, may be connected to the on-site Building Energy Management System.
The Hilton Liverpool hotel stands at the heart of the remodeled city centre, offering spectacular views over the Liver Buildings, Albert Dock and Chavasse Park. The hotel is a short journey from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and less than a mile from Liverpool Lime Street Station. A range of accommodation includes guestrooms, suites and executive rooms, all with views of the city or Albert Dock, wireless internet access, satellite TV channels and 24 hour room service. Facilities include meeting and conference rooms, a 7th floor Executive Lounge, the Exchange Restaurant overlooking Chavasse Park, the Pima bar with its own sun terrace and a 24 hour Fitness Centre.
Andrews Water Heaters, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has supplied six of their SUPAflo high efficiency, condensing water heaters, each with a stainless steel storage tank, to provide domestic hot water for the Hilton Liverpool hotel.
