20 August 2024

Tarnoc’s Turbine Heat Pump in Rijksmonument Middelburg is a Success

The monumental home of Bernard, located in the historic city center of Middelburg, has been the setting for a promising pilot over the past year: the installation of one of the first versions of Tarnoc’s Turbine Heat Pump. This pilot, supported by grants from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed), marks an important step in the search for sustainable heating solutions for monumental buildings.

The Beginning of a Special Collaboration

How did this pilot come about? Tijmen from Tarnoc explains: “We came up with the idea after attending an inspiring session at the Middelburg municipality. Bernard, an expert in monuments and architecture, contacted us after this session. The match was obvious; Bernard’s house, a monumental building, was ideal for our pilot project.”

Bernard adds: “My house, ‘De Vergulde Schoe,’ dates back to 1610 with elements from as early as 1495. It is always a challenge to make such a historic building more sustainable without compromising its aesthetics and historical value. I have been working on making my house more sustainable since 2007, and the installation of a Turbine Heat Pump fit perfectly into this.”

Feasibility Study and Permits

Before the installation of the Turbine Heat Pump, a thorough feasibility study was conducted. Tijmen explains: “We installed meters to measure the heat demand and ensured that the installation complied with regulations. This study showed that the installation was technically feasible and received a positive evaluation.”

Obtaining a permit was an essential part of the process. Bernard explains: “It took three months of consultations to get the permit, mainly because of the required wall penetration. Fortunately, during that time, we were able to create a suitable design that met the monumental aesthetics.”

Bernard’s First Experience with the Turbine Heat Pump

The installation of the Turbine Heat Pump took place in May 2023, and the heat pump has been running since the end of June 2023. Bernard shares his experiences: “It was a challenge to get the boiler into the basement, but we managed.” Once installed, Bernard began to experience the benefits: “The boiler is energy-efficient and runs on electricity, which is ideal. The transition to this new technology required some adjustment, especially in terms of noise and heating speed, but it is a positive change.”

Benefits and Energy Costs

A major advantage of the Turbine Heat Pump is that it operates entirely without gas. Bernard says: “I can heat my monumental building without modifying the existing infrastructure, which is ideal for a historic building.”

The Turbine Heat Pump runs on electricity. “I now pay about 125 euros per month and expect to get some money back,” says Bernard. Tijmen adds: “The next prototype will be even more efficient.”

Feedback from Residents and Visitors

Bernard has had many visitors recently who were eager to see the brand new Turbine Heat Pump. To measure the impact of the Turbine Heat Pump, Bernard created a survey among residents and visitors. Out of the 60 people approached, 46 responded: 4 residents, 8 neighbors, and 34 visitors. Bernard explains: “The responses were predominantly positive. Residents appreciated the operation of the boiler, although the costs and noise production are still points of attention. Neighbors experienced little noise disturbance, and visitors saw a lot of potential in this technology, especially for monumental buildings.”

Tarnoc and Monumental Buildings Are a Good Match

The pilot has provided valuable insights for Tarnoc. Maurits from Tarnoc says: “We have learned that our technology is a good match for monumental buildings. The feedback we received from Bernard and others confirms that we are on the right track.”

Bernard is enthusiastic about the future: “I am glad that the boiler has run without problems for a year. I have full confidence in the Tarnoc team and expect that future versions will perform even better in terms of efficiency and cost, and that the noise will be further reduced.”

Our Heating Solution Works

The pilot with Tarnoc’s Turbine Heat Pump in Bernard’s listed building in Middelburg demonstrates that sustainable heating solutions for historic buildings are possible without compromising the aesthetics and integrity of the building. With the support of key grant providers and the positive feedback from users, the future looks promising.

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