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When the ageing hot water system at Republic Apartments in Belconnen began experiencing ongoing service issues, the client sought a more efficient, reliable and future-ready solution for the residential precinct.
Rinnai Demand Duo condensing units were selected to improve energy efficiency, increase system capacity and reduce operating costs, while overcoming the logistical challenges of a rooftop installation.
Background
Republic is a large residential precinct in Belconnen, positioned on the shores of Lake Ginninderra. The apartment block itself was fitted with a hot water system that was around five to seven years old and had been experiencing ongoing service issues, prompting the client to look for a more efficient, durable and reliable replacement.
Challenge
The main obstacle was access. With the existing system located on the rooftop, the building's lift size posed a real constraint on how the new equipment could be delivered to site.
The contractor worked around this by splitting the manifolds down at union points, allowing the components to be broken down small enough to fit into the elevator and transported up to the rooftop plant room for reassembly.
Solution
Rinnai specified Demand Duo condensing units, with capacity derived from the previously installed system to ensure the replacement could comfortably meet the building's existing hot water demand.
The units' 97% efficiency rating was a key consideration in getting the solution across the line, offering a meaningful step up in performance over the ageing system it replaced.
Outcome
The result was a hot water plant that delivered improved energy efficiency and reduced running costs for the building, along with greater reliability and increased capacity compared to the previous setup.
The replacement also supported the building's broader sustainability outcomes.
Despite the access challenges posed by the rooftop location, the modular nature of the Demand Duo system meant the overall installation remained straightforward.