JDW sheds light on energy-saving pub

JD Wetherspoon has revealed the range of energy-saving devices and design innovations being trialled at its first green pub, the Kettleby Cross, opening in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, later this month.

The outlet will be a flagship eco-pub for the company, with the aim of using 50% less energy than a similar-sized Wetherspoon pub.

Energy will be generated from a wind turbine and saved through modern techniques, such as rainwater-harvesting and other innovative green technologies, including solar panels, sun pipes and evaporative coolers.

Camouflaged solar roof panels will provide a minimum of 33% of the energy used to heat the pub's hot water. Evaporative coolers will keep customers cool whenever the pub's temperature rises above a certain level. Sun pipes containing prisms will reflect sunlight to parts of the pub it wouldn't otherwise reach, thereby saving on the amount of energy needed to light the interior.

Other technologies include photovoltaic tiles, converting the sun's energy into electricity, again cutting down on energy use.

The opening of the pub was delayed by flash floods in June, which meant little construction work was possible.

Chief designer Andrew Witcomb said: "Everyone is really excited. The Kettleby Cross will be a landmark in the evolution of the British pub - and we are sure that others will learn from it."

The area around the en-trance to the pub will have a coffee-shop feel. Further inside, there will be information explaining all the different ways in which the pub saves energy.

"The design is traditional - while keeping the energy loss to a minimum. We have tried to combine all the new technology available with traditional design values," said Witcomb.

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY...

The energy-saving techniques the pub will use:

Structural design: Designers opted for a reinforced concrete structure, to maximise the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems. It is easier to keep concrete buildings at the right temperature.

Insulation: The pub has twice as much insulation as required by law. A ground-source heat-pump, based on six bore holes, each 100m deep, supplies underfloor heating and cooling. This system will heat the pub in winter and cool it in summer, slashing energy use on heating by 50%.

Condensing boilers: These super-efficient systems bring heat into an air-handling unit that can top up the heating and hot water, as required.

Thermal wheel: This device recovers 95% of the heat lost through extraction.

Wind turbine: This will supplement electricity by harnessing the energy of the wind. The three-dimensional turbine will be raised above the pub's roof, to draw wind from all angles. This will supply half the energy needed to cool the cellar, and energy to heat water.

Sun pipes: Prisms inside will gather sunlight and reflect it to where it's needed, shedding natural light on dark internal areas.

Rainwater-harvesting: Rainwater collected at the site will provide the "grey water" for flushing loos.

Evaporative coolers: These will keep customers cool whenever the temperature rises above a certain level. It will also take heat out of the kitchen and help to cool staff. Operated by the pub's manager, this can quickly lower the temperature in the bar area by up to 5°C.

Solar panels: Roof-mounted solar thermal panels will provide a minimum of 33% of the energy for hot water.

Photovoltaic tiles: Camouflaged roof tiles convert the sun's rays into electricity, saving energy.

Heat recovery systems: Sited in the air-circulation system, these recover heat that would blow out of the building. Heat recovery from the ventilation system and beer-cooling equipment will provide 10% of the hot water.