Navien Tankless Heaters Enhance Northern Ireland Dairy Operations
Carrowcroft Holsteins, a family-owned dairy farm in Northern Ireland, has upgraded its water heating system by replacing two electric heaters with three Navien NPE tankless water heaters. The farm, operated by Geoffrey and Suzanne Patton along with their sons, houses 250 cows and faced challenges with its previous electric hot water system. The electric heaters were responsible for heating water across the farm, including for washing the milking parlour and milk tank, and preparing milk for calves, but often proved insufficient and costly.
The transition to the Navien system was completed over a year and a half ago, with installation assistance from a local expert. The new tankless heaters run at temperatures up to 85 degrees, providing immediate hot water availability around the clock. According to Navien, the system requires gas refills only once a month, leading to a substantial reduction in operational expenses, with Geoffrey Patton estimating savings between 30% and 40%.
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial for dairy farms to meet stringent hygiene standards and ensure food safety. The previous electric heaters occasionally ran out of hot water, causing delays. The Navien system eliminates this issue, offering consistent hot water supply, which is essential for various farm operations such as feeding calves and cleaning.
Navien highlights the system's low maintenance requirements, enhanced by automatic monitoring and scheduled gas usage updates. This feature allows farm staff to focus on more pressing tasks without worrying about the water heating system. The heaters also incorporate ComfortFlow technology and dual stainless-steel heat exchangers, ensuring reliable and energy-efficient performance while minimizing heat loss.
The five-year parts and labour warranty offered by Navien was a significant factor in the Patton family's decision to switch, as it provides longer coverage compared to other options on the market. Additionally, the system supports remote monitoring of gas consumption through a connected app, notifying users when a gas top-up is necessary.
Overall, the Navien tankless water heaters have improved the farm's operational efficiency, reduced costs, and ensured a consistent supply of hot water, which is vital for the farm's daily activities and maintaining high-quality milk production.
