The seal unit was an uninsulated building dating back to the mid-19th century, making it more vulnerable to the colder climate in the northernmost region of the UK.

The seal pup residents of the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary in the Shetland islands are now enjoying an improved environment thanks to an energy-efficient heating system from Panasonic.  Heatsave Shetland LTD, experts in heating and cooling, replaced inefficient and expensive to run plug-in electric heaters with a Panasonic 9kW R32 PACi Standard heat pump with a wall-mounted indoor unit to bring an easy to control and comfortable climate to the centre. The sanctuary aids in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured native wildlife. 

The remote Shetland Islands are home to some of the UK’s most important habitats for harbour seals, grey seals, and otters. Since 1987, the Hillswick Sanctuary has been playing its part in looking after the wildlife residents of the islands, providing sanctuary to care for sick, injured, or abandoned seals and otters. A crucial element of caring for the seals in the sanctuary is to keep them warm as they recover, which posed a challenge, as the seal unit was an uninsulated building that dated back to the mid-19th century, which made it more vulnerable to the colder climate in the northernmost region of the UK.
 
 Whilst the building already had underfloor heating installed, the air temperature was being managed with inefficient plug-in heaters, which could not provide the stable air temperature required for the seals. Heatsave Shetland was asked to provide an effective and energy-efficient heating solution to create a fully climate-controlled area where the wild lodgers could be comfortable whilst in recovery. A major challenge arose around the thick walls that would need to be drilled through, so ease of installation for the units was crucial to ensure the process went as smoothly as possible. 
 
 “When we approached the project, we immediately knew, with a building of this type, we needed an efficient air-to-air heat pump solution. The Panasonic PACi Standard was ideal, as the units are reliable, easy to control and have excellent SEER/SCOP figures. Additionally, the compact design made the installation very flexible, and we were able to place the internal and external units in the easiest location.  We completed the installation in just one day,” explained Sean Fillingham of Heatsave Shetlands. 
 
 Panasonic PACi Standard units come in a compact design offering outstanding efficiencies, top class SEER levels of up to A++ and SCOP levels of A+ at 10 kW. The unit has a DC FAN for better efficiency and control to maintain a reliable temperature. The units are designed for easy connection and control.  

Sean added, “Once installed, the unit’s warmth started kicking in straight away and within ten minutes the area felt more comfortable. When we returned to the sanctuary, we had the privilege of being introduced to the seal pups who were being looked after. The team explained that the seal pups were having trouble maintaining blubber, their vital insulation from the cold environment, so it is great to know that the Panasonic system we installed has been keeping them warm whilst they put blubber back on.”
 
 “We have been really pleased with the Panasonic air-source heat pump in the Seal unit. It is important that we offer them a safe and warm environment to help them put on weight. Trying to maintain the air temperature was very difficult when we had to use just plug-in heaters. Now we can just set it to the temperature we need, and it keeps the temperature stable, and the seal pups nice and warm,” explains Pete Bevington, Trustee of the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary. 
 
 “We are proud of the performance our units could provide, becoming the reliable solution needed to support the Wildlife Sanctuary in its efforts to rescue the seals. At Panasonic we pride ourselves on continuing to develop innovative technology, providing easy installation and excellent performance. We wish the seal pups well and commend the wonderful work the Sanctuary is doing; it is great that our unit can play some small part in that,” says Darren Reis, Panasonic Sales Manager for Scotland. 

R32 PACi Standard heat pump

wall-mounted indoor unit

9 kW