May 17 2017

Dartington Hall

One of Stokvis Energy Systems’ widely specified Econoplate plate heat exchangers has been installed within the plant room of a Devon hotel to provide its domestic hot water, following the failure of an oil-fired water heater, which has since been replaced with a new biomass boiler.

Dartington Hall near Totnes is part of the historic Dartington Hall Trust estate which now attracts many thousands of visitors annually and provides a venue for music festivals as well as other events.

Being in a rural, off-gas area it was dependent on oil as its fuel source prior to fitting a biomass boiler and, when the old water heater burned out during a busy holiday period, its building services manager contacted Sherwoods Mechanical and Electrical (www.sherwoodsonline.co.uk) of nearby Newton Abbot to rapidly remedy the situation.
The building services contracting specialist had, in fact, installed one of Stokvis Energy System’s Econoplate units at another Devon hotel last year – the equally stylish Gidleigh Park on Dartmoor and believed a similar specification would meet the Dartington Hall accommodation needs  just as well.

Following consultation between Sherwoods’ Commercial Business Manager, Phil Hesketh, and Stokvis Energy System’s area sales manager, it was decided to install an E3Ai119+1T Econoplate. This was supplied in combination with a transfer pump and a 500 litres stainless steel buffer vessel in order to ensure peak demands can be met throughout the year. The plate heat exchanger is set up to draw its primary energy from the Hall’s new biomass boiler, working efficiently and quickly to top up the buffer vessel when its temperature is depleted.

The Commercial Business Manager for Sherwoods, Mr Phil Hesketh, recounted: “Stokvis is a well-established manufacturer that has been known to me for many years, and which gives very good service and technical support. In this case, the sales manager joined me in making an initial site visit and the Hall’s management is very happy with the outcome.”
The Econoplate E3Ai119+1T plate heat exchanger and buffer vessel have now been in service for several months since installation and commissioning work was successfully completed last year; keeping the Dartington Hall guests supplied with plentiful hot water.

As well as boosting efficiency and offering very reliable service, the Stokvis Econoplate units are also often specified to remove the risk of Legionella contamination that can be associated with more outdated forms of hot water heating.