Client brief
The Serpentine Lake Boat House, a prominent visitor destination in Hyde Park, London, required a sustainable, modern solution to provide both heating and cooling for the facility. The brief called for a low-carbon, energy-efficient system that could maintain year-round comfort for staff and visitors while minimizing environmental impact in this highly sensitive and iconic location.
Our solution
Better Planet designed, supplied, and installed a brine-to-water heat pump system that provides both heating and active cooling, using the natural resources of the Serpentine Lake.
Key system components:
- Heating:
- 16kW Ground Source Heat Pump for renewable heating.
- Heat distributed efficiently through underfloor heating for visitor comfort.
- Energy collected from the lake via three pond mats
- Cooling:
- Active cooling technology: In warmer months, the heat pump reverses operation to produce cold water, with excess heat discharged back into the Serpentine Lake.
- Cooling distributed via three fan coil units, ensuring efficient and even cooling throughout the facility.
- 200-litre buffer tank for cold water storage, providing cooling during peak demand periods.
This integrated renewable solution delivers comfortable indoor temperatures year-round while making the most of the Boat House’s unique location beside the Serpentine.
Project success
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Year round comfort: Delivered efficient heating in winter and active cooling in summer, ensuring a pleasant environment for both staff and visitors.
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Low carbon, sustainable solution: Utilising thermal energy from the Serpentine Lake, significantly reducing the facility’s reliance on gas.
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Preservation of iconic location: The system was designed and installed with no visual and environmental impact, respecting the sensitive Hyde Park surroundings.
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Future proofed efficiency: The advanced system supports long-term energy savings and contributes to sustainability initiatives within one of London’s most famous landmarks.
