AW290 Air Source Heat Pumps for Bridgwater Community Hospital

Project Overview

Modutherm supplied two AW290 50kW air source heat pumps for Bridgwater Community Hospital in Bridgwater, Somerset. The installation was completed by Masefield Building Services.

The Facility

Bridgwater Community Hospital is a £36 million NHS facility opened in 2014, replacing a previous hospital that had served the town for over 200 years. Designed by DKA Architects and delivered by Integrated Health Projects, the building provides a comprehensive range of community health services including:

• 30 inpatient beds (18 in single en-suite rooms)
• Midwifery-led birthing centre
• Minor injuries unit
• Diagnostic and radiology facility
• Endoscopy suite serving the whole of Somerset
• Outpatient, therapy, and day treatment departments

The hospital was delivered on time, below budget, and with zero defects at handover—winning the Design category at the Community Hospitals Association Awards 2016 and receiving a Highly Commended award at the Building Better Healthcare Awards 2014.

Sustainability was central to the building's design from the outset. Solar PV systems, high levels of fabric insulation, and the AW290 air source heat pumps work in combination to minimise energy usage and carbon output—supporting the NHS's long-term net zero commitments whilst reducing operational costs.

The Challenge

Healthcare facilities present demanding requirements for heating systems. Continuous, reliable performance is essential—any disruption to heating and hot water in a clinical environment directly affects patient care, staff comfort, and the operational integrity of sensitive medical facilities. The system needed to deliver consistent output year-round whilst supporting the hospital's sustainability objectives.

The Solution

• Two AW290 50kW air source heat pumps in cascade configuration
• 100kW total heating capacity
• Natural R290 refrigerant with GWP of 3
• COP up to 4.4 at standard rating conditions
• A+++ energy efficiency rating
• EVI scroll technology for stable performance at low ambient temperatures
• BMS-ready controls for integration with the building's management systems

Key Benefits

• Reliability: Cascade configuration provides built-in redundancy, ensuring heating continuity if one unit requires maintenance
• Efficiency: COP up to 4.4 delivers substantial energy cost savings compared to traditional heating
• Low Carbon: Natural R290 refrigerant and high efficiency support the NHS's net zero commitments
• Performance: EVI scroll technology maintains output even during cold Somerset winters
• Integration: BMS-ready controls enable centralised monitoring and optimisation alongside the hospital's other building services

Results

The commissioned AW290 installation delivers reliable, low-carbon heating for this busy community hospital, supporting the NHS's sustainability objectives whilst meeting the demanding performance requirements of a clinical environment. The cascade configuration ensures continuity of heating across all departments, from inpatient wards to the maternity unit and endoscopy suite.