The results of the diving survey work Keith highlighted recently are starting to come back in, so I thought I would start to make the links between divers splashing about in the Menai Strait having a fantastic time, and how the survey work they are supplying us with ensures that the Marine heat pump solution does indeed meet the heating requirements of the mansion.
The starting point for all of this was to replace the ageing (one boiler is 40 years old) and inefficient oil boilers which currently go through 1500 litres of oil per day in the depths of Winter with a viable renewable alternative. As such we have to ensure that whatever heating system replaces these can meet both the comfort heating temperature requirements and also the conservation heating requirements to manage relative humidity of the mansion.
Firstly we needed to know what heat was available to us from the sea. Luckily enough just around the coastline is Bangor University School of Oceanographic Sciences who have been collecting sea temperature data on the Menai Strait for the last 40 years -
We secondly needed to know the temperature requirements of the mansion in order to assess whether the sea could meet this demand.
In order to achieve this we comissioned several dynamic heat loss assessments of Plas Newydd. Every room of the mansion was modelled showing the current situation; what would happen if efficiency measures such as heavily lined curtains, insulation and secondary glazing were incorporated. How would this affect temperatures and relative humidity in the rooms? 
This information was then taken a step further recording the affect of solar gain at different times of the year. This was mapped out via 3 dimesional dynamic models – 
Together this information confirmed that the heat available to be harvested from the sea would be able to meet the needs of the mansion.
Now we get to the divers (finally I hear you cry).
They have been assessing the working area for the possible marine heat pump in order to find out exactly where the reef is. This will allow us to design the system to avoid anything which they identify under the water.
They have also carried out depth profiling work within a defined work area along the Strait which would allow pipework to be located and remain below low water level at all times -
So, thats how the divers work fits together with everything else to ensure that Plas Newydd ends up with a heating system which is not only innovative, but one that does indeed meet the current and future requirements of this stunning mansion property.
