Mitsubishi Electric air source heat pumps are now providing renewable heating to the zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope habitats at Chester Zoo’s ‘Heart of Africa’ zone, as part of its ongoing partnership to support the zoo’s decarbonisation journey.
Chester Zoo is one of the most popular paid attractions outside London and home to more than 30,000 animals. Having committed to becoming carbon net zero in scope one and two emissions by 2030, the zoo has been working closely with Mitsubishi Electric to decarbonise heating and cooling across its 130-acre estate.
The latest project involved the installation of two Mitsubishi Electric CAHV commercial heat pumps which help keep the habitat of the zebra, ostrich and roan antelope as warm as the African savannah. The heat pumps deliver 80kW of heat capacity to the building, with radiant panels heating each area, and providing the ideal temperature for each species, ranging from 18 to 24 degrees.
Chris Newman, Net Zero Design Manager for Mitsubishi Electric, comments: “We’re able to deliver different temperatures to different parts of the habitat to make sure that each animal has got the right environmental conditions to exactly match their needs.
“Our partnership with the zoo is not just about decarbonising existing buildings on the estate, but also about making sure that any new buildings are also designed and built with sustainability in mind.”
The partnership has already seen Mitsubishi Electric provide air conditioning and renewable heating to the luxury guest lodges in the zoo’s new ‘Heart of Africa’ zone.
Robert Arathoon, M&E project manager, comments: “The Heart of Africa experience is part of our biggest development at the zoo in over 10 years. We’re pleased that such a large-scale project has been designed with sustainability at its core, using renewable heat pump technology to minimise our carbon footprint.”
Heat pumps in more areas
Mitsubishi Electric has also supplied air source heat pumps, air conditioning and ventilation to The Square, the zoo’s conference and events venue. Additionally, six Ecodan air source heat pumps have been installed in the habitat for the endangered Eastern Black Rhino, with a further seven units fitted at the zoo’s purpose-built butterfly habitat.
Jennifer Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Chester Zoo, adds: “We know that we can’t be part of the problem that we’re trying to solve, so we need to develop sustainable plans that help the zoo reduce carbon emissions and achieve net zero.”
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