Addison House Community Living Scheme, Cardiff

Overview:

Addison House is a new, purpose-built Community Living development in Cardiff that combines modern comfort, renewable energy, and inclusive design. The five-storey complex comprises 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments, designed to provide flexible, accessible homes that promote independence and well-being.

Working in collaboration with Wates Construction and Sero, Thermal Earth designed and installed a highly efficient MasterTherm ground source heat pump system, providing heating and hot water for every apartment. The system includes four AQ90i and one AQ40ZHx heat pumps, supported by 14 boreholes drilled to 180 metres.

This installation delivers a sustainable, low-carbon energy solution that minimises environmental impact, reduces energy costs for residents, and supports Wales’ journey towards net-zero.

Challenge:

The project aimed to set new standards for sustainable, assisted community living by creating a fully renewable heating and hot water system for all 44 apartments.

The challenge lay in developing an integrated solution that could:

• Provide consistent high-temperature hot water suitable for multiple dwellings.
• Operate efficiently year-round while meeting stringent sustainability targets.
• Support residents’ comfort and independence through intelligent, easy-to-use controls.
• Align with the long-term environmental objectives of Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government.

Solution:

Thermal Earth supplied and installed a renewable ground source heating system using MasterTherm technology, specifically chosen for its intelligent modulation and robust performance.

The system comprised:

• 4 x MasterTherm AQ90i inverter-driven ground source heat pumps

• 1 x MasterTherm AQ40ZHx high-temperature unit

• 14 x 180-metre boreholes harnessing stable underground temperatures

Each heat pump dynamically adjusts its output to meet real-time heating demand, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal energy waste. The AQ40ZHx provides reliable high-temperature hot water, perfectly suited to the needs of a multi-resident building.

Every apartment is equipped with individual thermostatic controls, allowing residents to manage their heating preferences independently while optimising energy use. In addition, a smart energy management system monitors and balances overall consumption, further improving efficiency and reducing energy bills.

Key Benefits:

Results: 

• Significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional systems

• Reliable, efficient heating and hot water supply across all apartments

• Lower operational and energy costs for residents

• Enhanced comfort and autonomy through smart controls

• Demonstrates leadership in sustainable community housing development