A hybrid commercial heating system from Ideal Commercial Heating, combining ECOMOD heat pumps and Evomax 2 boilers, has been installed at Hawthorn Primary School in Cantley, Doncaster, delivering a reliable, lower-carbon solution to improve comfort and efficiency across the site’s multiple buildings.
The school campus includes several buildings of varying ages, which had made consistent temperature control difficult. Its previous system—two ageing open-flued boilers and undersized pipework—struggled to meet demand, resulting in high gas use and unreliable heating, particularly in winter.
To resolve this, Service 2 (HVAC) Limited designed and installed a hybrid system featuring two 50kW ECOMOD 290HT air source heat pumps and three Evomax 2 150kW condensing boilers operating in cascade. The heat pumps handle most heating and hot water demand during milder conditions, while the boilers provide support when temperatures drop.
A building management system (BMS) optimises efficiency by automatically selecting the most suitable heat source based on weather and demand, helping maintain comfort while reducing energy use and running costs.
As this was a retrofit project, the system was integrated with much of the existing infrastructure. The high-temperature capability of the heat pumps allows the system to operate with existing radiators, minimising disruption. Additional fan coil units were installed in selected areas to enhance performance.
The installation also included a plate heat exchanger to protect new equipment, along with external works such as a concrete base and fencing for the heat pumps. The project was supported by Ideal Commercial Heating’s commissioning service, which ensures correct setup and includes a five-year warranty.
