Chester Zoo has installed Mitsubishi Electric air-to-air heat pumps in its snow leopard enclosures to keep the animals cool during summer while reducing the zoo's carbon footprint. The project is part of a broader partnership with Mitsubishi Electric aimed at cutting scope one and two emissions to net zero by 2030 across the 128 acre site. The heat pumps use R32 refrigerant and are sized at 3.3 kW for the indoor habitats, providing targeted cooling for the endangered species without the high energy draw of conventional air conditioning. The zoo has already deployed similar low carbon HVAC in its butterfly and rhino habitats. This latest installation shows how heat pump technology can handle niche cooling loads even in facilities with unusual requirements like animal enclosures. For facilities managers and sustainability teams, the takeaway is that air-to-air heat pumps are not just for heating. They can replace traditional AC in specific zones and help cut scope two emissions without compromising on environmental control.
