The school has undergone a complete energy overhaul, including external insulation, upgraded windows, heat recovery ventilation, a building management system (BMS), and an advanced air-source heat pump system. This system features four BA90iS split-type, inverter-driven heat pumps with a total capacity of 140kW, supplying 90% of the space heating and 100% of the domestic hot water needs.

The air-source heat pumps utilise a unique desuperheater technology, which enhances the efficiency of the system by recovering excess heat during the cooling cycle. This ensures maximum performance, especially in providing domestic hot water, while significantly reducing the overall energy consumption of the building. The desuperheater allows the heat pump to reach higher efficiencies, contributing to the reduced energy footprint of the school.

The system operates on a weather compensation basis, further optimising the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP), ensuring the building responds dynamically to external temperature changes. This maximises efficiency and comfort for students and staff throughout the year.

The integration of the heat pump with the school’s Building Management System (BMS) allows for seamless, centralised control. The BMS directly communicates with the heat pumps, maintaining the system’s sophisticated controls and providing an easy-to-use interface for the end user, streamlining operation and ensuring optimal performance.

This upgrade also aligns with the Department of Education’s energy saving targets, designed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across school buildings. Through the installation of the highly efficient heat pump system, the school achieves significant CO₂ savings, contributing to Ireland’s overall climate goals. By reducing dependency on traditional fossil fuel-based heating methods, the project showcases how renewable technologies can support the government’s sustainability agenda for educational institutions.

Designed in collaboration with MasterTherm’s design team and Ipsum Energy Consultants, the project exemplifies a cutting-edge approach to energy conservation, providing long-term sustainability and cost savings for the school.