At Chester Zoo’s Heart of Africa zone, Mitsubishi Electric has installed two CAHV commercial air source heat pumps to provide heating for the zebra, ostrich and roan antelope habitats that are as warm as the African savannah.
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 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, the zoo has been working closely with Mitsubishi to decarbonise heating and cooling across its 130-acre estate.
The latest project involved the installation of two Mitsubishi CAHV commercial heat pumps. They 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°C.
“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,” explains Chris Newman, net zero design manager for Mitsubishi. “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 designed and built with sustainability in mind.”
The partnership has already seen Mitsubishi provide air conditioning and renewable heating to the luxury guest lodges in the zoo’s new ‘Heart of Africa’ zone.
“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,” says Robert Arathoon, M&E project manager.
Mitsubishi has also supplied air source heat pumps, AC 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 butterfly habitat.
