Blueprint opts for flexible and energy efficient Elson package

Sustainable developer Blueprint has specified Elson heating and hot water packages for 63 apartments at its Phoenix Square mixed-use scheme in Leicester.  The tailor-made package offered low energy usage, had the ability to utilise solar thermal energy and maximised space within the apartments. 

Award-winning regeneration specialist Blueprint focuses on socially responsible investment, development and regeneration and aims to develop sustainable buildings that are well-designed and are kind on the environment. 

Opening in November 2009, Phoenix Square comprises 63 individually designed, open plan, modern apartments, ranging from studios to three bedroom, two-storey homes.  Situated in Leicester's cultural quarter, the mixed-used scheme also includes three cinemas, a digital media centre with a café bar and digital gallery, workspaces and self-contained offices. 

With Phoenix Square meeting level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, Blueprint has applied low energy thinking to a large-scale urban development.  It has been created using materials from sustainable sources and is designed to minimise environmental impact and reduce running costs - incorporating rainwater harvesting, ground source heat pumps, solar shading, a heat recovery system and solar thermal collectors. 

To provide energy efficient space heating and hot water in the apartments, 63 Elson Coral CBSi packages were specified.  Over recent years Elson has witnessed increased demand for packaged, prefabricated solutions - where complete heating and hot water systems are assembled in the factory and arrive at a site ready to be installed. 

Mounted on neat and compact frames for an aesthetically pleasing end result, the Phoenix Square packages comprise a Coral thermal store, a heating control interface and space for a washer dryer.  Each apartment includes a utility cupboard, and the packages were designed to fit into this space. 

The packages are fuelled by gas fired central boiler plant, housed in a rooftop plant room, but are preheated via an array of solar thermal collectors situated on the building's roof.   

As well as offering new build developers time and cost savings, packaged solutions guarantee the integrity, efficiency and performance of a system's components and provide aesthetic consistency.  Well-designed systems will also take up the minimum amount of space. 
         
Ordering a package means everything is delivered to the site at the same time - and this approach can be seen as being more sustainable than traditional methods.  It's far less likely that the components of a prefabricated system will be lost at site during installation, so replacement purchases won't be necessary.  In addition, the plant will usually be delivered to site in one vehicle, reducing the carbon footprint of the project. 

Peter Connolly, development director at Blueprint, said: "As well as including the things that we believe homebuyers want - such as generous living spaces, lots of natural daylight, access to roof gardens and balconies, a secure entry system and secure basement parking, we also wanted Phoenix Square to respect the environment and to have low running costs.   

"Elson has provided a package that uses a low amount of energy, which has helped us to achieve level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes and high A and B EPC ratings.  We were particularly impressed with the way the solar collectors have been utilised for preheating purposes, which only adds to the efficiency of the system. 

"The package is also very flexible, so we could include an integrated washer dryer, and it was simple to install.  This approach has really maximised space in the apartments - a more traditional arrangement would have undoubtedly eaten into the living spaces.

"From an operational point of view the Elson package is superb.  We like the way the whole system works, and plan to use it on future developments.”

Clyde Brown, managing director of Elson, said: "Being part of the Baxi Group, we can create a solution from a combination of products - for example, thermal store water heaters, boilers, unvented cylinders, heating control interfaces and renewable and low-carbon products - but can also provide packages that provide space for non-heating appliances, such as washing machines and washer dryers.

"We also have the capability and flexibility to manufacture packaged products in bespoke shapes and sizes.  A developer simply needs to explain what they are trying to achieve - and we will design a tailor-made solution to match those requirements.  We can supply packages in any configuration, and can adapt components in line with individual requirements.”

Though many manufacturers offer prefabricated, packaged solutions, Elson has the unique capability to provide bespoke designs - even for one-off cases - so the company can meet even the most stringent and challenging requirements.  For further information, contact Elson on 0191 427 0777.