New Medlock House ASHP Crane Installation

New Medlock House; Fortis Vision’s largest project to date.

Fortis Vision’s work at New Medlock House, Manchester, provided several firsts. Not only was the Unite Students’ project Fortis Vision’s largest to date, it also included the installation of 6 state-of-the-art air source heat pumps, lifted into position by a crane.

Technologically advanced Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Q-ton Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) were installed on the roof of the seven-storey building, a logistically challenging operation.

New Medlock House’s busy city centre location meant careful planning was required, with minimal space for the crane’s operation and the assembly of the ASHP’s large steel frames, which were housed in modular plant room containers. To make room for the ASHPs on the roof, the team also had to re-arrange the existing solar panels, requiring specialist contractors.

“One of the primary challenges were the constraints on the site, including the lack of usable space to build the steel bases for the ASHPs,” said Fortis Vision’s Project Manager, Dylan Bradley.

“The team had to think strategically to ensure this element of the project was delivered successfully.”

Technologically advanced & sustainable

The technologically advanced ASHPs are a sustainable way of heating water, helping to minimise New Medlock House’s carbon footprint.

Q-Ton is a sanitary and eco-friendly hot water solution that has been used in multiple high-profile projects, including hospitals, universities, hotels, and gyms globally. The equipment utilises patented compressor technology and CO2 gas as refrigeration, providing a reliable and efficient hot water solution.

The high-efficiency system consumes 46% less energy than a gas heater and 76% less energy than an electric heater, leading to significantly fewer emissions entering Earth’s atmosphere and lower operational costs. The Q-Ton’s high-quality robust technology ensures it has a long-life expectancy, further enhancing its sustainability credentials.