Across a number of Espira’s nurseries in Norway, a new approach to underfloor heating has made a significant difference. By implementing Grundfos MIXIT, Espira has achieved a simpler, more efficient operation while also improving indoor comfort for children and staff.
From Trondheim in the north to Kristiansand in the south, Espira’s 107 nurseries provide the backdrop for everyday life for thousands of children in Norway. Here, the focus is on creating safe, healthy indoor environments that support the wellbeing and comfort children need to play and learn. One of the nurseries is Espira Sangereidåsen, located just 15 km from Kristiansand, where the ambition was to find a better and more efficient way to manage heating.
Steady temperature control with MIXIT
In collaboration with Grundfos and installation partner Agder Ventilasjon, Espira implemented Grundfos MIXIT – an all-in-one mixing loop that increases a building’s energy performance by adapting to the actual demand. And that’s exactly why Espira opted for MIXIT:
– In a nursery, you want warm floors but not an overheated room. It’s all about maintaining a steady temperature and a good indoor environment. Whether it is 20, 21 or 22 degrees in each individual room isn’t always crucial. MIXIT helps keep the temperatures steady which also makes the air feel noticeably better,” says Tore Grundeland, Property Manager at Espira.
For the installer, MIXIT represented a shift away from traditional mixing loop solutions. And that took some getting used to:
– As installers, we are used to controlling each room separately. With MIXIT, everything is much simpler. We tend to rely on familiar methods and sticking to what we know, but after seeing what MIXIT can do, I have to say Grundfos has really done a fantastic job. From an installation perspective, I highly recommend MIXIT, says Espen Aamodt, Installer at Agder Ventilasjon.
“MIXIT provides a solid foundation for climate reporting and documentation for environmental authorities. And that’s one of the reasons why we’re now pursuing a full rollout, implementing MIXIT across all 31 Espira nurseries with underfloor heating.” - Tore Grundeland, Property Manager at Espira
“As installers, we tend to rely on familiar methods and sticking to what we know, but after seeing what MIXIT can do, I have to say Grundfos has really done a fantastic job.” - Espen Aamodt, Installer at Agder Ventilasjon
Simpler control and less manual work
For those in charge of building operations, the transition to MIXIT has quite simply transformed their daily work. Previously, system optimisation required extensive manual adjustments at each individual site. But with MIXIT, all systems can be controlled from a centralised digital platform:
– I used to travel to every site to adjust everything manually, which took up a significant amount of time. Now, it's all connected via an online platform, allowing us to manage things much more efficiently. I save a lot of time, which of course leads to service and operational savings, explains Frode Kulleseid, Operations Manager at Espira.
A complete overview with Grundfos BuildingConnect
Systems are monitored and managed through Grundfos BuildingConnect, an online platform that provides visibility across all installations. Through a single interface, Espira can monitor, adjust and manage underfloor heating across its nurseries nationwide. On top of that, it allows operators to adjust temperatures directly, making commissioning and day-to-day optimisation much easier.
According to Tore Grundeland, the simplicity of Grundfos BuildingConnect is one of its greatest strengths:
– Grundfos BuildingConnect is a fantastic platform. It provides a clear overview with only a few parameters to manage. We have a map of all our installations across the country, and from there, we can adjust the underfloor heating in all our nurseries. It’s easy and extremely efficient, says Tore Grundeland.
Grundfos BuildingConnect is a fantastic platform. It provides a clear overview with only a few parameters to manage. We have a map of all our installations across the country, and from there, we can adjust the underfloor heating in all our nurseries. It’s easy and extremely efficient.
Fewer complaints and energy savings beyond expectations
The implementation of MIXIT has had an immediate impact at Espira Sangereidåsen. Temperature fluctuations have been reduced, the overall indoor comfort has improved and it has contributed to notable energy savings:
– We no longer receive complaints about the indoor climate in the buildings in which we’ve installed MIXIT. On top of that, we’re seeing energy savings of up to 25%. That’s much higher than we initially expected and results in a payback period of around three years. So, it’s an investment that quickly delivers real value, says Frode Kulleseid.
Ready for the next step
With documented improvements in indoor comfort, operations and energy efficiency, MIXIT is already delivering strong value for Espira. But it also represents an important step towards a more sustainable future, which is a major priority for Espira:
– MIXIT makes our buildings more comfortable which is fantastic. But it also provides a solid foundation for climate reporting and documentation for environmental authorities. And that’s one of the reasons why we’re now pursuing a full rollout, implementing MIXIT across all 31 Espira nurseries with underfloor heating. It’s a really exciting journey and we’re only just getting started, concludes Tore Grundeland.
“I used to travel to every site to adjust everything manually, which took up a significant amount of time. Now, it's all connected via an online platform, allowing us to manage things much more efficiently.” - Frode Kulleseid, Operations Manager at Espira
“We no longer receive complaints about the indoor climate in the buildings in which we’ve installed MIXIT. On top of that, we’re seeing energy savings of up to 25%. That’s much higher than we initially expected and results in a payback period of around three years. So, it’s an investment that quickly delivers real value.” - Frode Kulleseid, Operations Manager at Espira