Energy refurbishment of the Archdiocese of Gniezno
The Archdiocese of Gniezno in Poland manages several administrative and residential buildings which, over time, have highlighted the need to modernise their heating systems. The goal was clear: to reduce energy consumption and operating costs while adopting more sustainable technology than traditional fossil fuel-powered systems.
Given the harsh winter conditions and frequent sub-zero outdoor temperatures, it was crucial to opt for a solution that could guarantee reliability, efficiency, and uninterrupted operation throughout the heating season.
The existing systems could no longer ensure the required efficiency, consequently resulting in high energy consumption. The thermal refurbishment of the Archdiocese's buildings therefore required a system that could offer:
- greater energy efficiency,
- reduced emissions,
- steadier and more predictable operating costs,
- seamless integration with the existing plumbing system,
- reliability, even at very low outdoor temperatures.
The presence of varied structures with different construction characteristics presented an additional challenge that was overcome with a modular and flexible solution.
The project
| Goal |
Modernising the Archdiocese of Gniezno's buildings' heating systems to improve energy efficiency, reduce consumption, and adopt a more sustainable solution than traditional systems. |
|---|---|
| Installed solution |
Use of air/water heat pumps, integration with the existing hydraulic system, and an external glycol circuit with an internal heat exchanger and storage tank. |
| Results |
Reduced energy consumption, greater stability of indoor temperatures and improved system performance. |
To meet the Archdiocese's needs, we designed a project to install four air/water heat pumps with inverter technology, all featuring a low-noise configuration to ensure maximum operational silence.
This enabled high efficiency to be achieved even at sub-zero outdoor temperatures, while ensuring operational continuity of the pre-existing systems.
Enerblue heat pumps were selected based on the thermal requirements of each building, and were integrated into the existing hydraulic system to maintain the same heat distribution through the existing terminals.
The solutions implemented:
Air/water heat pumps
Monobloc units installed in external locations, engineered to function efficiently even in harsh climates. These units guarantee consistent delivery temperatures and the production of hot water for heating and domestic use.
Integration within the pre-existing system
The heat pumps were connected to the original hydraulic circuit and the configuration was adapted to maximise efficiency with the existing building terminals.
External glycol-based circuit and internal heat exchanger
The units operate using a propylene glycol mixture to ensure frost protection. Inside the plant room, heat is transferred to the system water via a dedicated heat exchanger.
Thermal storage system
The hot water generated by the heat pumps is managed via a storage tank, which stabilises the system's operation and improves its overall energy efficiency.
Engineering strategy
The main challenge of the project was to adapt the heat pumps correctly to the existing heating systems while preserving the original hydraulic structure.
To ensure maximum efficiency at particularly low design temperatures, each configuration was designed so that the heat pumps could independently cover the heating requirements down to an external temperature of 0 °C. Below this value, the backup systems take over, acting as the primary heat source and ensuring continuity even on the coldest days.
The installed heat pumps are also used to produce domestic hot water, making for a complete, integrated system.
Thanks to the team's careful design and technical expertise, all units were installed quickly and without the need for a major overhaul, ensuring full compatibility with the existing systems.
Results
The work brought immediate benefits in terms of both efficiency and system management:
- Reduced energy consumption, thanks to the high efficiency of the heat pumps even at the low temperatures expected in Poland.
- Greater thermal comfort stability, with more constant indoor temperatures and optimised load management.
- Reduced environmental impact thanks to the replacement of traditional heat generators.
- Optimisation of system operation, thanks to the control system and the adoption of a storage tank.
- Full integration into the existing setup, without the need for structural alterations.
A forward-looking project
The modernisation of the Archdiocese of Gniezno demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can ensure effective and sustainable thermal refurbishment that can be seamlessly incorporated into existing buildings.
This project highlights the role of heat pumps and confirms their potential in complex environments with challenging climate conditions.
