Mega heat pump for Rathenow: Old mill becomes a climate target!

Mega heat pump for Rathenow: Old mill becomes a climate target!

Exciting developments are on the agenda in Rathenow, a charming town on the Havel. The old mill, which once housed several oat stores from 1895 and 1938, is to be converted into a modern heating concept. How maz-online.de reports, the Rathenower Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft (RWG) is planning to install a river water heat pump, which will make a significant contribution to the climate-neutral heat supply of the old town island.

RWG board chairman Jens Hubald explained that the cell storage that was once used is currently lying idle. The planned project plans to supply around 500 apartments in 20 blocks of flats with environmentally friendly heat. There is an urgent need to move away from the current heating system, which relies on oil and gas. The investment is estimated at around four million euros, with construction work expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2028.

Technical details of the heat pump

But how does a heat pump actually work? Loud rt-waermepumpen.de It consists of three main components: evaporator, compressor and condenser. The evaporator removes heat from the environment, in the next step the compressor brings this heat to a higher temperature level and finally the condenser releases the heat into the building's heating system. In addition, modern heat pumps are often equipped with smart home technologies, which makes them particularly user-friendly.

The planned use of the river water heat pump brings with it some special features. The Havel water is not only used for heating, but also fed back into the river. This moderately cooled return protects the river in summer while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.

Monument protection and challenges

Monument protection represents a significant obstacle. The entire mill complex is under monument protection, which means that special permits must be obtained to install the heat pump. How baufoerderung.de explains, the approval process for heat pumps in listed buildings is complex and requires careful planning. Contact with the responsible monument protection authority should not be neglected.

Hubald expressed concern about bureaucratic delays and stressed the urgency of moving away from outdated heating systems. In addition, the feasibility study on the heat pump is expected to be available at the end of July 2025 to enable further progress in this pioneering project.

With such ambitious plans, Rathenow could not only switch to an environmentally friendly heat supply, but also make a valuable contribution to climate protection. There's really something happening on the Havel!