Sustainable Hot Water Solution for LIV Albert Fields

LIV Albert Fields, a landmark build-to-rent (BTR) development by Mirvac in collaboration with Milieu, is setting new standards in sustainable urban living. Located in Brunswick, just 6 km from Melbourne’s CBD, this development is designed to provide high-quality, long-term rental housing.

With 498 apartments, commercial spaces, and extensive resident amenities, LIV Albert Fields is a pioneering project targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings certification and a 7.5 NatHERS rating.

The project was designed in collaboration with Fieldwork, Breathe, and Openwork, ensuring a renter-centric approach that prioritizes sustainability and community needs. Additionally, a public engagement program launched in August 2020 gathered over 700 responses, informing key design aspects to align with resident priorities.

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Project Solution

A key component of the sustainability vision for this development is the fossil-fuel-free infrastructure, which extends to the hot water systems. To meet these ambitious targets, Automatic Heating was engaged to design and deliver a high-efficiency, natural refrigerant-based central hot water solution.

Automatic Heating supplied and commissioned a custom-engineered hot water system for each of the four buildings at LIV Albert Fields. The solution was designed for high performance, energy efficiency, and ease of installation, incorporating:

  • Revere CHE Series Air-to-Water Heat Pumps (natural refrigerant)
  • Thermex 316L Stainless Steel Twin Coil Storage Tanks (WaterMark-approved)
  • Pre-fabricated Galvanised Skid Frames for rapid rooftop installation
  • Integrated expansion systems, insulated pipework, return loop pumps, and controllers
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Each of the four buildings was equipped with a tailored system configuration:

  • Building 1 (North & South) and Building 2 (West)
    • 3 × Revere CHE-015 Heat Pumps per building
    • Thermex Twin Coil Storage Tanks
  • Building 2 (East)
    • 3 × Revere CHE-035 Heat Pumps
    • Thermex Twin Coil Storage Tanks

These systems were pre-assembled on galvanised skid frames, allowing them to be craned into position on the rooftop, reducing installation time and minimising on-site disruption.

The skid frame solution was built and assembled at Automatic Heating’s head office in Melbourne, demonstrating the expertise and dedication of our in-house team in delivering a turnkey solution.

Key Challenges and Solutions

1. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

LIV Albert Fields is committed to eliminating fossil fuels from its operations. The Revere CHE Series Heat Pumps were selected for their use of R290 (propane) natural refrigerant, which has an ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) of just 3. These heat pumps achieve high COPs (coefficient of performance), ensuring significant energy savings over traditional gas boilers.

2. Optimising System Performance in a High-Density Development

With 498 apartments relying on a stable hot water supply, system redundancy and efficiency were critical. The multi-unit heat pump setup with twin coil storage tanks ensures consistent hot water delivery, even during peak demand periods, while maintaining optimal energy efficiency.

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3. Seamless Rooftop Installation

Pre-fabrication of the heat pump and storage tank assemblies on custom skid frames simplified logistics and installation. These units were craned into position on the rooftop, reducing installation time and costs compared to traditional on-site assembly.

4. Long-Term Reliability and Low Maintenance

The Thermex 316L Stainless Steel Tanks offer superior corrosion resistance, extending the lifespan of the system and reducing maintenance requirements. The integration of an automated return loop system further enhances operational efficiency.

Project Outcomes

  • 100% Electrification: Fully aligned with LIV Albert Fields’ fossil-fuel-free commitment.
  • Energy Efficiency: Reduced operational costs and carbon footprint with high COP heat pumps.
  • Simplified Installation: Pre-fabricated skid-mounted systems minimised on-site work and risk.
  • Reliable Hot Water Supply: Designed to meet the needs of a high-density residential community with redundancy and peak-demand resilience.
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Conclusion

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The success of this project highlights Automatic Heating’s expertise in delivering sustainable hot water solutions for large-scale residential developments. The combination of Revere CHE heat pumps, Thermex stainless steel tanks, and skid-mounted assemblies ensures that LIV Albert Fields residents benefit from energy-efficient, low-carbon hot water for years to come.

Automatic Heating is proud to support Mirvac’s vision for greener, more sustainable urban communities, providing solutions that align with best-in-class energy efficiency standards and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Project Images
LIV Albert Fields
LIV Albert Fields
LIV Albert Fields
LIV Albert Fields
LIV Albert Fields

Key Products

Revere CHE Series Air to Water Heat Pump Advantages

Water Temperature up to 70°C
Thanks to the new technology and the low GWP refrigerant, this Revere Heat Pump features a wide operating temperature range and high water temperature.

Low Global Warming Potential
The natural refrigerant used in this heat pump has a GWP=3 which is significantly lower than the refrigerants widely used today, such as R410a, R32 and R454B.

Versatile
The Revere® Heat Pump suits a wide variety of applications, including space heating, pool heating and domestic hot water production for residential, commercial and industrial projects.

DC Inverter Technology
DC inverter technology allows for precise adjustments in output and compressor speed, resulting in energy efficiency, consistent comfort, and a quiet indoor environment.

Details
REVERE CHE Series Air to Water Heat Pump