Qbic Hotels, Tower Hamlets, UK

Qbic

SUSTAINABLE HEATING SYSTEM FOR NEW ETHICAL HOTEL

ELCO UK, formerly MHS Boilers, has supplied two gas-fired GB6-12 ENERGATOR® CHP units, two 145kW THISION L wall mounted boilers and three INOX-MAXI single coil cylinders to the new Qbic Hotel in Whitechapel, London. The installation was part of the complete refurbishment of an empty office building, incorporating a range of renewable energies in order to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating.

Consisting of 171 bedrooms, the hotel’s unique concept is created around the Cubi: a prefabricated room which arrives flat-packed from China and can be assembled in a day. All Cubis are connected to the building’s main M&E services, with the heating and hot water provided by the ENERGATOR® CHP and THISION L boilers.

The ENERGATOR® range of CHP units comprises six gas-fuelled models and six oil-fuelled models. Units in the range are capable of supplying electrical generation up to 49kW and thermal outputs up to 90kW – perfect for reducing primary energy use in a variety of commercial applications.

M&E Contractors for the project were Suffolk-based Floheat Services Ltd. Commenting on ELCO UK, Kevin Leonard, Director, said: “To meet the planning obligations and hotel’s ethical approach to the project, we required the main plant to be as efficient as possible. We were also keen to ensure all of the equipment installed came from the same manufacturer – and one that was renowned for supplying high quality products. The CHP unit and wall-mounted boilers from ELCO UK were the perfect choice and, having worked with them on previous projects, we knew we could rely on them for quick and reliable after sales service.”

By utilising low revving multi-cylinder industrial engines, the ENERGATOR® range delivers a combination of highly efficient energy generation (up to 95.9% net efficiency), alongside reduced environmental impact.
All models feature total hydraulic separation, which ensures protection to the engine’s waterways from any contaminants or debris found in the system. Plus, by operating at just 1,500rpm, the new ENERGATOR® unit offers low noise emissions and a long service life.

THISION L is a range of light commercial gas fired, high efficiency, wall-hung condensing boilers with outputs from 48kW to 145kW. Featuring a double helix stainless steel heat exchanger, the boilers have a high turndown rate of 6:1, affording the potential for accurate output-to-load matching and outstanding reliability for the lifetime of the boiler, while delivering excellent seasonal efficiency and reduced emissions.

With capacities from 450 to 3,000 litres, the INOX-MAXI range of stainless steel cylinders offers ultimate flexibility in commercial hot water system design. The range is available as direct or indirect with single or twin coils, or as a hot water buffer storage vessel.

Located in Tower Hamlets, Qbic Hotels aimed to contribute to the regeneration of the local area and encourage economic dynamism and job creation in the community. The hotel has also just recently become the first hotel in London to be awarded the Trip Advisor Platinum Award for Green standards.
Due to the success of the Qbic Hotel London City, there are now expansion plans which included the development of four new sites over the next two years.

ELCO UK, formerly MHS Boilers, has over 30 years’ experience in supplying light industrial and large commercial condensing boilers. This is complemented by the latest renewable energy technology and is supported by a dedicated field-based sales team. In conjunction with strong technical departments, ELCO provides system design advice and heating solutions to both specifiers and installers.

For more information on commercial boilers, hot water generation or renewables, please visit www.elco.co.uk.