Project Overview

As part of Hudson Bay Hotel’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency, a full heating plants upgrade was undertaken across all  areas of the property. This comprehensive project focused on replacing aging boiler systems with high-performance, renewable heat pump technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

A new prefabricated plant rooms were installed to accommodate some plant while other has been located in existing plant rooms  , Leisure Centre and key accommodation blocks, providing modern, low-temperature and high-temperature heating across the site.

Scope of Work

• Leisure Centre & Pool Plant Room
• Removal of the existing boiler system.
• Installation of a new prefabricated plant room equipped with air-to-water heat pumps 5 x BA60iS.
• Heat pumps supply Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) to each heating zone via a new primary distribution manifold.
• System includes heating for AHU, as well as a dedicated pool heat exchanger.
• Spa UFH and thermal beds
• Heated by two BA60i monobloc heat pumps at weather independent basis
• 93-Bedroom Accommodation Block
• Installation of a second prefabricated plant room with a water-to-water heat pump cascade. 4 x BA60i and two AQ75ZHX units for DHW
• Designed to deliver high-temperature water to newly installed DHW calorifiers for domestic hot water generation.
• Existing gas boilers retained as backup, fully integrated and controlled via the new PLC-based control system.
• AHU Upgrades & Conference Facilities
• Replacement of three standalone Air Handling Units (AHUs).
• Each new AHU is served by a dedicated heat pump system, with:
• Weatherproof external plant enclosure
• Integrated buffer tanks
• Includes a high-performance Atrea AHU servicing the Killanuire Conference Room, improving comfort and ventilation efficiency in large event spaces.
• 39 Bedroom block provides space and DHW heating for brekefest area and 39 bedrooms

System Overview

The completed system comprises 21 high-efficiency MasterTherm heat pump units, each selected to meet the heating and hot water demands of specific hotel zones.

System Integration & Controls

All systems are fully integrated using a Carel controller with MastyerTherm software (PLC) platform.No additional BMS is required on the entire site..

Features include:

• Real-time performance monitoring
• Weather-compensated heating controls
• Automated backup boiler activation
• Zonal control and remote system diagnostics
• Integration with Building Management Systems (BMS)

Tech Notes & Smart Control

• A Multi-plant architecture with inverter driven lead/lag rotation and wide turndown maintains comfort during events and off‑peak hours.
• Mixed LTHW/HTHW regime: AHUs, spa UFH and thermal beds operate at low flow temps for high SCOP; DHW circuits elevated as needed via ZHX units.
• Pool HX sizing based on design ΔT ensures stable water temps; AHU pre-heat reduces latent load in leisure areas.
• Carel PLC with MasterTherm logic orchestrates cylinder pasteurisation, DHW priority, weather compensation and remote diagnostics.
• Buffer volumes selected to prevent short-cycling in conference peaks and bedroom setbacks.

Guest Experience & Operations

• Quieter plant and tighter temperature bands in conference/bedroom zones.
• Segmented control lets FM teams service one block while others run normally.

Energy & Carbon (SEAI)

• Switching from fossil-fired plant to high-efficiency heat pumps reduces on‑site combustion (Scope 1) and cuts overall CO₂ per guest‑night.
• Heat recovery (where fitted) further lowers electrical input per kWh of useful heat or DHW.
• Aligned with SEAI guidance for decarbonising hospitality; suitable for BEC‑style M&V and public‑sector style reporting where applicable.
• Benefits grow as the Irish electricity grid continues to decarbonise, improving the carbon intensity of delivered heat over time.