Lochinvar and Richard Irvin Facilities Management Deliver Sustainable Water Heating for Popular Scottish Visitor Attraction
Lochinvar partnered with Richard Irvin Facilities Management to implement a sustainable water heating solution for one of Scotland’s most iconic attractions. Standing at 30 metres tall, these stunning equine sculptures pay tribute to Scotland’s industrial past, symbolizing the heavy horses that powered the nation’s economy. In a fitting parallel, the installation of Lochinvar’s Amicus Altus R290 Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) represents a keystone in Scotland’s push towards a decarbonised future. Positioned alongside the famous Kelpies, the new heat pump system reinforces the commitment to sustainability while providing an efficient and environmentally friendly hot water solution for visitors and facilities at the site.
Objectives
The project aimed to support the local council in delivering a sustainable domestic hot water system that aligned with Scotland’s national decarbonisation strategy. With the site attracting thousands of visitors annually, the solution needed to provide a reliable and efficient hot water supply for the park’s facilities, including visitor centres, cafés, and restrooms.
A core objective was reducing carbon emissions by transitioning towards a more efficient heat pump system which utilised R290 natural refrigerant. The chosen solution had to not only improve energy efficiency but also integrate seamlessly into the surrounding environment, preserving the integrity of this landmark site. Additionally, the local authority sought a long-term, cost-effective solution that would support Scotland’s ambitious net-zero targets, making this project an important step in the region’s sustainable infrastructure development.
Solution
Richard Irvin Facilities Management selected Lochinvar’s Altus R290 Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system to meet the project’s demanding requirements. Lochinvar’s well-established reputation for providing high-performance water heating solutions made them a natural choice for this large-scale public attraction. With a long history of supplying trusted, reliable, and energy-efficient heating systems across commercial and industrial sectors, Lochinvar was ideally positioned to support the local council’s sustainability goals.
The Lochinvar Altus R290 ASHP offers exceptional efficiency and reliability, making it the perfect fit for a high-traffic site like The Kelpies. This system efficiently captures heat from the air—even in Scotland’s colder climate—and converts it into hot water at high temperatures, ensuring year-round performance while significantly lowering energy consumption. The advanced low-carbon technology aligns with the UK’s drive for greener heating solutions, while its compact and adaptable design facilitated a smooth installation process within the site’s infrastructure.
By implementing this cutting-edge, energy-efficient solution, Richard Irvin Facilities Management and Lochinvar have set a new standard for sustainable water heating in public attractions. The equine sculptures now stand not only as a tribute to Scotland’s industrial heritage but also as a symbol of progress toward a cleaner, greener future.
