Contributing to the energy-efficient design of Ashley Gardens Care Centre in Maidstone, recently completed by Healthcare Development Services, is an Andrews SOLARflo solar-heating package for hot water and a Potterton Eurocondense boiler for space heating. They were specified by N&C Designs of Kidlington, Oxford.

The care centre comprises an 89-bed care home, which includes a 10-bed unit for younger physically disabled. The building must provide levels of heating appropriate to the sedentary lifestyle of the elderly and disabled residents. There is also a considerable demand for hot water for bathing, showering and hygiene maintenance.

The largest from the MAXxFLO water-heater range has been installed. It is of stainless-steel construction, a storage capacity of 300 l and a recovery rate of 2040 l/h through a temperature rise of 50 K. They have a fully modulating burners and can operate in condensing mode at 109% efficiency. Heat input and flow are carefully regulated to produce a closely controlled water temperature.

This water heater is supported by a SOLARflo 900 l tank to store water heated by solar panels on the flat roof of one of the care-home wings. The duplex water tank has stainless-steel solar and primary heating coils, with destratification and anti-legionella functionality as standard. The complete package includes solar controls, pump station, expansion vessels, first fill of heat-transfer fluid and collector mounting accessories.

Environmentally friendly pipework approved by Greenpeace is used. Magnetic technology is used for water softening, avoiding the use of chemicals.

The equipment was installed by Metcalfe Plumbing & Heating of Kettering.

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