Hubbard Econ-O-Mate recycles heat created by refrigeration equipment and converts it into hot water for heating and washing

(20/11/2008)

Hubbard Products has launched a new product that should significantly reduce central heating and hot water charges for premises that use refrigeration or cellar cooling/conditioning systems. The Hubbard Econ-O-Mate module is a simple and cost effective heat recovery device that recycles heat created when cellar cooling or commercial refrigeration equipment is operating and converts it into hot water for heating and washing.

When combined with any Hubbard ECA approved energy efficient Cellar Cooling System, tax efficient cellar cooling now adds reduced water heating costs to the equation giving substantial long-term financial savings.

The optional Econ-O-Mate system reduces the need to generate heat and reduces a sites carbon footprint in an eco-friendly and economically viable way and can be retro fitted to existing cellar cooling, air conditioning or refrigeration systems or can be specified at the outset on Hubbard Condensing Units.

In 2005, the Hubbard Premium Cellar Cooling System was the first cellar cooling system to qualify for inclusion in the Carbon Trust’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme, which is designed to encourage UK businesses to reduce carbon emissions.

Specifically aimed at the hospitality sector the incentive was two fold, firstly, ECA qualifying energy saving- products are certified highly energy efficient and produce significant long-term financial benefits by reducing energy bills. Secondly, tax breaks provide upfront tax relief, enabling businesses to claim 100% first-year capital allowances delivering a cash flow boost and shorter payback periods on investment supported by Interest Free, unsecured loans.

The Hubbard Premium Cellar Cooling system is designed to be energy efficient and is available in environmentally friendly low noise variants and uses R407C CFC free refrigerant.

Hubbard Products have added another energy saving incentive, cheaper hot water. By reclaiming heat created in the cellar cooling refrigeration process water can be heated to temperatures as high as 50°C for use in on site heating and washing systems. The Hubbard Econ-O-Mate system is a compact unit that not only saves energy and of course the cost of that energy, but improves the efficiency of the cellar cooling system, especially when the ambient temperature is high.

Economic and Eco-friendly benefits of the system include:
• Reduced heating costs through recycling waste heat.
• Reduced refrigeration operating costs through the consumption of less electrical power.
• Reduced system wear and tear which saves refrigeration maintenance costs
• Reduced physical carbon emissions created by service engineers traveling to and from locations.
• Reduced carbon emissions at the point of electricity generation through reduced overall consumption.

Econ-O-Mate capitalises on the basic principles of refrigeration. Most refrigeration and air conditioning systems extract heat in an evaporator coil by evaporating liquid refrigerant, the refrigerant vapour is then compressed which increases pressure and produces heat. The superheated refrigerant vapour then passes to a condenser where heat is extracted and the refrigerant liquifies again for re-use.

The Econ-O-Mate system uses a simple, double pipe principle, heat exchanger fitted between the compressor and the condenser. Heat, which is normally wasted, is recovered and used to heat water.

The Econ-O-Mate system can be used to boost traditional heating or hot water systems, is compact and easy to install, has few moving parts, is quiet, visually unobtrusive and is designed to recover the cost of purchase and installation in less than two years in an average sized installation.

Dougie Stoddart, Commercial Director of Hubbard Products says; “Hubbard is committed to refining and developing its products not only from an environmental position but in the current economic climate from a financial position as well. As the first company to qualify its cellar cooling equipment for the Carbon Trust’s Energy Technology List we are aiming to make Hubbard the only realistic choice for anyone specifying cellar cooling or conditioning equipment, The Econ-O-Mate system is currently being installed to 40 cellar cooling systems within a major pub retailers estate, but it is just as appropriate for single outlets who are looking to control their running costs”.

Related categories:  Air conditioning - commercial and industrial   Air conditioning - light commercial   Commercial and offices applications   Energy Conservation   Hot water generation and supply   Industrial applications   Refrigeration