Cool kit from Daikin saves energy at the Icehotel

The Icebar by Icehotel, is housed in the former wine vaults of the British monarchy. The walls, bar, tables and even the cocktail glasses are hand-crafted from ice from the River Torne in Jukkasjärvi in Northern Sweden.

Each autumn, a team of ice sculptors creates a new themed interior using chisels and chainsaws to create an impressive artistic transformation to enhance the customer experience.

In order to maintain this temperature and to preserve the ice sculptures, an energy-efficient refrigeration system was required to work in conjunction with a total climate control solution that would provide air conditioning, heating and ventilation to the bar, restaurant, kitchen and washroom areas.

Two Zeas condensing units from Daikin UK were chosen, along with a VRV heat recovery system, a Biddle Air curtain and ventilation via Daikin's VAM system.

Daikin VRV heat recovery units were used to provide space cooling, with the recovered heat used for the over-door air curtain and to heat hot water in the kitchen and washrooms. Daikin's VAM ventilation system was also used to temper fresh air to a comfortable temperature and to provide free cooling when available.

Alex de Pommes, director of the Icebar, said: "We had been meaning to upgrade our heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems for a while.

"Ascertaining the correct comfort levels for our customers in the restaurant was of prime importance and had to be balanced against energy loss from the large open entrance doors. The work we have done with Daikin UK to design a controlled installation for the whole venue will lead to heat recovery savings of over 50% by using new technology."