The Compass Project Aberdeen

Commercial Air Source Heat Pump Installation for the Compass Project

Client: Camphill Wellbeing Trust

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Completion: October 2025

System Installed: Six CTC EcoAir 622 air source heatpumps in a cascade configuration

The Project

The Compass Project, led by Camphill Wellbeing Trust, has transformed the former Aberdeen Waldorf School into a community hub promoting health, wellbeing and sustainable living.

The centre hosts workshops, volunteering opportunities, educational activities and community initiatives, all centred around sustainability. As part of the redevelopment, the Trust needed a heating system that reflected these values while providing reliable, energy-efficient heating and hot water.

The historic building, which dates back to 1897, had been vacant for several years before undergoing extensive renovation.

The Challenge

The existing oil-fired heating system no longer aligned with the Trust's sustainability ambitions, and an air source heat pump solution was chosen as part of the building's wider redevelopment.

The new heating system needed to:

·        Deliver reliable heating and hot water throughout the building.

·        Meet the changing demands of a busy multi-use facility.

·        Perform efficiently throughout the Scottish climate.

·        Integrate into a historic building.

·        Provide resilience for a site supporting vulnerable members of the community.

The Solution

SugPlumb designed and installed a commercial cascade system comprising six CTC EcoAir 622 air source heat pumps, controlled by a CTC EcoLogic L controller.

The cascade configuration allows the heat pumps to work together, automatically adjusting output to match demand while improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

To further improve performance, underfloor heating was installed across both floors of the property. This enables the system to operate at lower flow temperatures, helping maximise the efficiency of the heat pumps.

The project also included solar PV panels and battery storage, helping to generate renewable electricity on site and offset the running costs of the heating system.

The system provides added resilience. If one heat pump requires maintenance, the remaining units continue operating, ensuring uninterrupted heating and hot water. The EcoLogic L controller manages all six units, balancing the workload to maximise performance throughout the year.

The installation was completed over three months as part of the wider redevelopment, which received Scottish Government funding in recognition of its positive impact on the local community.

The Outcome

The Compass Project now benefits from a renewable,energy-efficient heating system that supports its day-to-day operations while helping to reduce carbon emissions.

By replacing the previous oil-fired heating system with a cascade air source heat pump installation, alongside solar PV, battery storage, and underfloor heating, the Trust has invested in a future-ready energy solution that reflects its environmental values while helping to reduce ongoing energy costs.

Today, the system provides dependable heating for staff, volunteers and visitors while supporting the wide range of activities across the site. It demonstrates how renewable heating can be successfully integrated into a historic building, creating a sustainable solution for the community for years to come.