Highly efficient Carrier 50FC comfort solution for cinema entertainment group
A UK-based cinema chain has taken it one step further with its popular ‘entertainment destinations’ offering state-of-the-art cinema screens, ultra-comfortable seats, well-stocked bars, and even bowling alleys and arcade machines.
The Challenge
Many of these units the chain was running were installed over 10 years ago and are no longer among the most energy-efficient models on the market. In today’s climate of high energy costs, inefficient units are expensive. Therefore, the cinema chain has invested in Carrier rooftop heat pumps at each of its new developments.
“We have some really reliable units installed across our estate; however, they are not the most energy-efficient,” said the client’s managing director. “We needed newer, more advanced units to help us to reduce our energy bills and help us achieve our sustainability goals.
“During the construction at one of our sites, the UK had adopted BS EN 14825, which sets performance requirements for heat pumps in terms of their efficiency, noise levels, and emissions. This new standard became a third driver for change because we wanted to install units that were compliant.
“We used a consultant to help us find the best solution for our needs. They specified Carrier’s 50FC rooftop packaged heat pumps with thermal wheels and energy recovery. The units run very efficiently, and the technology in them gives us much better system analysis and diagnostics. To date we have purchased and installed over 30 units across our sites.”
The Solution
The packaged rooftop heat pump 50FC 020-093 operates on R-454B refrigerant. The 50FC units are compact, autonomous air-to-air units that offer the advanced technology the client was looking for.
R-454B refrigerant is the best choice for rooftop units thanks to the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) - 77% lower than R-410A, the reduced refrigerant charge, and higher energy efficiency.
The 50FC units provide a nominal cooling and heating capacity from 22 to 90 kW, with an airflow rate of between 4,080 and 19,200 cubic metres per hour. In total, over 30 units have been installed across the cinema group’s locations.
Where these units really excel is their efficiency. The multi-scroll compressors provide efficient capacity control. Greater aerodynamic rotors enable the units to run at very high operating pressures, and the variable speed ensures a constant airflow rate to keep cinema screens and entertainment spaces at the optimum temperature.
Furthermore, the dedicated thermodynamic circuit recovers energy from extracted airflow. The passive recovery feature uses a heat recovery exchanger to transfer energy from the extracted air to the fresh air. On top of that, the free-cooling feature, which comes as standard with Carrier heat pumps, allows the units to make the best use of outdoor air conditions when these are more favourable than the return air conditions.
With guests spending long periods of time inside the cinema, the client takes full advantage of the unit’s air filtration capabilities. The CO2 sensors control airflow to remove carbon dioxide and replace it with fresh air to create a healthy building.
On top of energy efficiency and clean air, the 50FC units are made with safety and reliability in mind. There is a refrigerant leak detector with infrared technology which immediately alerts engineers of a leak. There is also a smoke detection control unit in accordance with NFS 61-961, to alarm at the first signs of smoke.
Carrier’s BluEdge servicing provides extra peace of mind as the units can be wirelessly monitored for diagnostic readings, pinpointing any faults so engineers can rectify the problem as quickly as possible.
Carrier’s commitment to providing industry-leading products is supported by the Eurovent Certification, which certifies performance ratings in accordance with European and international standards.
“These units are the unsung heroes, really,” the cinema groups managing director added. “Given that energy is one of our most significant cost lines, we’re saving a considerable amount. The added air filtration feature enables us to provide fresh air for our guests, and the advanced technology allows for better diagnostics and fault finding. We also have the added benefit of the wireless connectivity so that Carrier engineers can connect remotely to see the status of units and, if needed, fix them there and then. A remote fix speeds up the whole process, meaning our units are back up and running and we didn’t have to wait for an engineer to travel out to us.
“We’re an environmentally conscious organisation and reducing our carbon footprint is important. Being less dependent on fossil fuels is fantastic, but using less energy in the first place is just as important, if not more important. Thanks to these units, we are actively reducing our energy consumption, and that is why Carrier is a preferred supplier for us.”
Find out more about energy efficient solutions like the 50FC unit and Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance goal to reduce its customers’ carbon footprint by more than 1 gigaton. For more information about Carrier’s products please visit Carrier Commercial UK.
