McDonald Engineers Supply Edinburgh’s Newest Hotel
McDonald Engineers has demonstrated its expertise in the hotel and leisure sector by installing its POWERflow commercial cylinders in Edinburgh’s newest hotel.
Situated in the Bruntsfield area of the city, The Links Hotel, has just undergone a major refurbishment spending in excess of £1million pounds with all 22 of the rooms undergoing a complete transformation.
And with such a large investment, owners Kingdom Hotels were determined to install a quality hot water system that would meet its exemplary standard of quality.
Copper’s thermal conductivity, which is almost 30 times greater than that of Stainless Steel enabling it to heat water to higher temperatures in a far shorter period of time. Add in its superior bacteria killing properties and its easy to see why copper is fast becoming the material of choice in the hotel industry.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained, “One of the biggest problems that hotels face is a lack of pressure and a drop in temperature when there is high occupancy levels, particularly at peak times.”
POWERflow’s ability to deliver mains pressure with superb heat recovery rates coupled with its reliability ensures peak performance, no matter what demands are placed upon it.
“We are delighted to have provided the management team at the Links hotel with the confidence and peace of mind that their guests won’t have to endure a cold or weak shower in the morning!”
World Heritage Site calls upon McDonald Engineers
McDonald Engineers has added World Heritage Site and the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, to its growing portfolio of clients with the installation of a number of their ECOflow heat pump cylinders.
Designed specifically to work with heat pumps, the ECOflow is quickly becoming increasingly popular in both the commercial and residential sector.
Sales Director, Jamie Stewart said “The industry is starting to turn with a notable increase in the number of heat pump cylinders being installed.” He continued “We have long preached the benefits of using Copper cylinders but with Heat Pump technology, Copper really does come to the fore”
Copper’s thermal conductivity rating is almost 30 times greater than that of stainless steel which helps to optimise the heat transfer process and maximise efficiency.
So, not only will Blenheim Palace be helping to conserve this national site of interest but they will be helping to conserve the environment and their long-term budget too!
To discover the benefits of using Copper cylinders over stainless steel click here
McDonald Engineers Increases Minimum Specification for Its Thermal Stores
McDonald Engineers has once again reinforced its position as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of copper hot water cylinders by increasing the specification of its standard Thermal Stores to deliver maximum performance.
The move comes following extensive trials with its market leading THERMflow Thermal Store, over the last 12 months where the company measured the response from clients and the effect on performance.
The THERMflow is now manufactured from a minimum of 1mm thick copper and features an extended length secondary coil for all units. This is a significant increase in specification from many copper cylinder manufactures which tend to offer a standard Thermal Store manufactured from 0.7mm thick copper and with far less coil surface area.
The units are supplied with a Check Valve, Y strainer, Mixing Valve, Jetseal Maintenance Free Ballvalve, Copper Float, Connecting Pipework and Immersed Cylinder Thermostat.
These decisions buck the trend in the industry as many copper cylinder manufacturers look to decrease the specification of their units in order to offset the rising cost of raw materials.
However McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, believes that the improved performance, cost effectiveness and reduction in potential defects are worth the investment, commenting: “The increase in thickness of the copper by as much as 75% more than competitors means that our cylinders are far more resilient and cope far better with the daily rigours, such as aggressive water conditions. When a sealed system primary coil is fitted, we use 9 or 12m of Finned Coil compared to other manufacturers who use 4.5 or 6m. This will reduce the heat up period and also reduce boiler cycling with all its associated benefits.”
The additional length of copper coil also means McDonald Engineers can deliver a dramatic improvement on the overall performance of the cylinder, enabling it to provide higher flow rates than competing products.
Jamie continued, “We have received a superb response from clients since we began the trial who have seen tangible benefits from the improved flow rates and the improvements in running costs the new standards deliver.”
With Thermal Stores tending to be used in projects where energy efficiency is a key focus, McDonald Engineers believe that their uncompromising approach to quality and performance will appeal to designers, clients and contractors alike.
McDonald Engineers Scoop Prestigious Award for Outstanding Achievement
McDonald Engineers, the Fife based manufacturer of hot water cylinders, has won the President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement at the annual Scottish Engineering Awards, held at the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow.
Despite the massive impact of the recession on the construction market and the fact that the company’s main raw material has increased in cost by 300% in the last 2 years, McDonald Engineers has continued to achieve significant growth and deliver an enviable profit.
The family owned and managed company, which was formed in 1946, has grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hot water cylinders with an extensive product range and a reputation for quality and service.
The company has also continued to invest in new technology and developed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre to ensure it remains at the forefront of its industry.
McDonald Engineers has also established itself as one of the leading players for hot water cylinders in the renewable energy market, having started making cylinders for solar cylinders over 30 years ago. It now offers cylinders for a wide range of fuel sources including heat pumps, wood burning stoves as well as wind and water power.
Picking up the award, Sales Director, Jamie Stewart explained “We have endured some fairly tough times in our 65 year history however nothing really compares to the last 2 years. However thanks to our financial stability and the tremendous efforts of our highly committed team, we have managed to buck the trend.”
He continued, “The business has been in our family since the sixties and it really has that family spirit about the place. This undoubtedly has given us the determination to overcome the odds, no matter what.”
And to prove the point, McDonald Engineers are proud of the fact that despite the tough times, the company has never had to carry out redundancies or adopted short time working in the last 25 years – a claim not many could boast.
Jamie concluded, “Given that previous winners include the like of Linn Products, FMC and Weir Group, this award is a tremendous accolade for the entire team and will hopefully spur us on in the coming years.”
CIPHE President Adds Support to McDonald Engineers’ Copper Campaign
MD, Bill Stewart and Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, with CIPHE President Allan McIntosh
McDonald Engineers campaign to promote the use of copper hot water cylinders has been welcomed by the president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering at a recent visit to the Fife company.
CIPHE President, Allan McIntosh, was visiting McDonald Engineers in his official capacity, where he was able to see first-hand how the copper cylinders were manufactured and understand the benefits copper cylinders have to offer.
Armed with the knowledge, Allan was keen to add his support to the “Nothing Hotter than Copper” campaign which was launched last month by McDonald Engineers to promote the benefits of using copper, especially when it comes to renewable energy application.
McDonald Engineers’ Managing Director, Bill Stewart, commented, “McDonald Engineers has been a long term supporter of CIPHE and so we were delighted when we received a call from Allan expressing his interest in what we were doing and asking if he could visit the site.”
Bill explains the benefits of finned copper coils
He continued, “As an experienced plumbing and heating contractor himself, Allan was particularly interested in our “Nothing Hotter than Copper” campaign and his visit enabled us to explain the key points during his time with us. Copper units for solar and heatpumps transfers the heat so much more effectively which means the payback period is greatly reduced.”
To find out more about the Nothing Hotter than Copper campaign contact McDonald Engineers or call us on 01592 611123.
High Temperature Feed and Expansion Tanks From McDonald Engineers
McDonald Engineers has secured a number of contracts for its range of high temperature, primary feed and expansion tanks. These are used with open vented systems, especially when combined with additional fuel sources such as wood burning stoves.
Manufactured from copper and available in a range of standard sizes including 40 litres and 65 litres, as well as made to your exact requirements. The expansion tanks feature a ball valve and copper float to cope with potentially high temperatures that could reach as high as 100°C.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained “Whilst unusual in standard open vented installation, overheating can become a real issue with multi fuel installations and standard plastic feed and expansion tanks are likely to rupture when subjected to high temperatures.”
He continued, “Our expansion tanks are insulated using 35mm foam lagging and come equipped with an alloy lid. As these are often going into tight or unusual places, we offer a wide range of tailor made sizes to suit all installations.”
For more information and to discuss your requirements contact McDonald Engineers’ technical sales team on 01592 611123.
Copper Washers for Council Contract
McDonald Engineers were recently approached by a merchant who had a bit of unusual request - ‘Can you supply copper washers for a council who needs them for a particular contract they are working on?’
Copper Washers
As you may be aware, copper washers are often used in piping, electronics and biomedical applications as they are a great conductor of heat and when very pure, a good conductor of electricity. Copper is also quite a malleable material which means that when a copper washer is crushed between two surfaces, it can fill any imperfection.
As specialist copper manufacturers, we of course rose to the challenge and delivered the project on time and to everyone’s satisfaction. “We were delighted to fulfil the council’s requirements and demonstrate that we can apply the same quality of workmanship and flexibility to such unusual requests as we do to our range of hot water cylinders” commented Sales Director Jamie Stewart.
He continued, “In an industry where every second counts, it is imperative that our products are turned around quickly. Many installers and specifiers don’t realise just how quickly we can make copper cylinders for them with most orders despatched within two to three days. We also stock over 90 different sizes of cylinders for immediate availability.”
So, the next time you need some copper washers, or indeed require any product manufactured from copper, contact our technical sales team on 01592 611123 who will be only too happy to help.
Solar Cylinders: McDonald Engineers Play A Key Role in Solar Energy Programme
Filed under: Renewable Energy Cylinders, Uncategorized, solar cylinders
Hot Water Cylinders for Solar Panels
McDonald Engineers is using its extensive experience in harnessing the power of solar energy in its solar cylinders, to provide hot water to one of Scotland’s largest local authorities, who is rolling out its highly successful programme to private households and firms.
McDonald Engineers has been one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hot water cylinders since 1946 and has been developing the solar compatibility of its cylinders for the last three decades, establishing itself at the cutting edge of renewable energy.
The company will be providing vital specification assistance and installation advice to the various partners involved with the project, to ensure that every project maximises the energy transfer from solar panels to the hot water.
McDonald Engineer’s Managing Director, Bill Stewart, explained “Studies show that a solar water heating system could provide around a third of annual hot water needs and reduce the impact on the environment but only with a highly efficient heat transfer process.”
He continued, “There is a growing recognition of the superior benefits that copper coils and cylinders can have in the renewable energy sector. Copper’s thermal conductivity is far superior to other material, such as stainless steel and also our manufacturing process allows a far larger heating surface than other manufacturers. ”
“The improved thermal conductivity, means that it will take significantly less time and solar energy required, for the copper coil to raise its temperature to the required level, compared to the stainless steel coil.
The company now offers full compatibility across the range, of its POWERflow 2000 Unvented Mains Pressure Hot Water Cylinder, THERMflow Thermal Storage Cylinders, ELECTRAflow Electric Wet Central Heating Systems, the TIMEsaver plumbing unit, its full range of Calorifiers and of course its original SOLARsave system.
If you are considering solar energy for your property or project, or indeed any renewable energy source, such as Geothermal and Air Source Heat Pumps, McDonald Engineers are available to assist you, to ensure your hot water cylinder is the perfect solution.
Please call on 01592 611123 or email sales@mcdonald-engineers.com
McDonald Engineers Calorifiers
McDonald Engineers recently supplied an 1800 Litre POWERflow Commercial Calorifier for Perth Grammar School. We manufacture a large range of Calorifiers and Buffer Vessels. These can be adapted for heat pump or solar thermal input. Our flexibility of manufacture, allows Calorifiers to be manufactured to your specification and requirements. Please contact us for prices and details.
POWERflow 2000 Unvented Mains Pressure System Installation Course.
Another successful POWERflow 2000 Unvented Mains Pressure System course has been completed. If you require to sit the course please contact us for details, as dates can be arranged to suit.
The course involves a tour round our factory to see the manufacturing process for copper cylinders. We have a demo display with our Unvented Cylinder and also our THERMflow Thermal Store and also a solar cylinder.
Anyone wishing a factory tour is more than welcome at any time please contact to arrange a suitable time.
