Thomastown Health Centre
A sustainable heating system using Thermocold Domino EXR Heat Pumps
The Health Centre
Thomastown Health Centre was built in 2021. The building provides an easy access point to local health
services such as GPs, physiotherapy, public health nursing, occupational therapy, speech and language
therapy services, dental services, and support for chronic illnesses, cardiac, diabetes, and respiratory
illnesses.
Project Background
This building has space heating and significant high-temperature water demands for sanitation purposes.
As the project was a new build, it needed to comply with the latest building regulations. The European
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Recast (EPBD) requires that all buildings acquired by public
bodies be NZEB compliant by 31st December 2020.
The primary objectives of the installation were to:
• Provide space heating and hot water heating for the building
• Provide a cost-effective solution for the heating of the centre
• Comply with current regulations for new buildings and optimise the use of renewable energy
• Minimise the use of fossil fuels
• Deliver the necessary performance under all possible Irish weather conditions
Installation at Thomastown Primary Healthcare Centre
A model of the performance of the building was developed using the EN14825 methodology.
In order to comply with the regulations and meet the NZEB requirements, it was decided to use a hybrid
heating system consisting of high-temperature heat pumps combined with modern high-efficiency gas
boilers.
The combination of heat pumps and boilers resulted in a lower capital cost while remaining NZEB
compliant.
Two Thermocold Domino EXR 170 three-phase air/water heat pumps with a nominal capacity of 76kW
each were installed. The high-temperature heat pumps have SCOP data available at 55°C. This is
necessary to achieve building regulation compliance.
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These supply a 1500L buffer tank and can
meet the heat load of the building during most
of the year.
The heat pumps are supported by two
Immergas Victrix PRO 80kW natural gas
boilers, which provide additional capacity
when required. DHW is heated by a 1000 L
TML water heating tank. This is
manufactured from 316 Stainless Steel.
This hybrid heat pump/ boiler solution
ensures a lower capital cost than a heat
pump-only system.
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Equipment selected
Thermocold Domino EXR heat pumps
The Domino EXR is a commercial three-phase heat pump from Thermocold, a leading Italian manufacturer
of chillers and heat pumps. Thermocold is a division of Trane Technologies.
The Domino EXR can deliver water at temperatures up to 65°C and
is available in heating capacities from 59kW to 168kW. They may
be cascaded to provide larger capacities. They are ideal for many
commercial applications.
Domino EXR units are characterised by an extended operating map
and can reach high outlet water temperatures even at extremely low
outdoor temperatures. The ability to provide 65°C water at an
outdoor temperature of -10°C allows operation year-round with
medium or high-temperature heat emitters.
The Domino EXR units are designed in compliance with the ErP
Directive 2009/125/EC. Ecodesign-compliant EN14825 data is
available for low (35°C) and medium temperature (55°C)
applications.
Features:
Scroll compressor optimised for heat pump operation with innovative vapour injection system
Propeller-type fans with Inverter technology
Stainless steel AISI 316 brazed plate type condenser complete with differential pressure switch and
antifreeze protection electric heater
Evaporator coils with seamless copper tubes and aluminium fins
Electronic expansion valve
Advanced microprocessor control
Pump speed control function to optimise inlet temperatures
Reversible - can also provide cooling
Weather compensation
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Operating envelope
The Thermocold Domino EXR range is equipped with liquid injection technology and can maintain flow
temperatures of 65°C under adverse weather conditions. This is not possible with conventional heat pump
technology.
Control
A BMS system is used to manage the system.
Thermocold's Multi-manager controls the two Domino EXR heat
pumps in cascade. It provides convenient central control with
high versatility.
The thermal loads required may be distributed equally between
the units for optimum load matching, efficiency, and reliability.
Communication between the Multi-Manager system and each
unit is performed via an RS485 serial connection.
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Victrix PRO boiler
Two Immergas Victrix Pro 80 2 ErP boilers were installed to provide
additional heating capacity.
The Victrix PRO 2 ErP range are high-efficiency condensing gas boilers
with capacities from 35kW to 120kW available. They are suitable for
installation as standalone boilers or as part of a cascade of up to
600kW / 5 boilers.
They are ideal for commercial applications. The boilers comply with
the EU ErP directive, meaning that the boiler is fuel efficient and Eco
Labelled.
Features:
4-star Energy Efficiency (92/42 EU Directive)
Improved modulation range of 10 - 100% to exactly match
heating needs
Up to 5 boilers may be installed in a cascade installation
Compact dimensions allow flexible installation
Weather compensation may be activated by connecting the optional outdoor sensor, automatically
allowing the boiler to adapt its operating temperature to the prevailing weather conditions
A temperature sensor may be mounted on the water heating tank and directly connected to the
boiler. Hot water is then produced automatically on demand
Long-life heat exchanger manufactured from 316L stainless steel
Inbuilt frost protection
The boiler has a protection index of IPX5D and is approved for outdoor and indoor installation
Applications
The Thermocold Domino EXR heat pump is ideal for both new buildings and retrofits.
Applications include:
Hotels
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Gyms and sports centres
Food production
Commercial buildings
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Parties involved in the project:
Consulting Engineers: Douglas Carroll Consulting Engineers, Waterford
www.dceng.ie - info@dceng.ie - 051 306670
Installer: M & D Fennelly Ltd, Kilkenny
mdfennellyltd@gmail.com - 056 7724583
Contact us
Please get in touch with us for further information.
RVR Energy Technology Ltd
Kenmare, Co. Kerry V93F386
www.rvr.ie - info@rvr.ie - 064 6641344
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