The Derbyshire branch of The Donkey Sanctuary<\/strong> required a dependable frost protection system to prevent the animals\u2019 water troughs and supply pipes from freezing during harsh winter conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The site\u2019s outdoor water network frequently froze in sub-zero temperatures, leaving staff to manually de-ice pipes and refill troughs throughout the day. This not only disrupted care routines but also posed safety risks to both animals and workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A low-maintenance, automatic system<\/strong> was needed to keep water flowing at all times and withstand the challenges of outdoor installation on a busy animal sanctuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through our subsidiary Heatmat<\/strong>, Heatcom Group<\/strong> designed and supplied a trace heating system<\/strong> to ensure that all critical water supply pipes remained operational during freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system used self-regulating trace heating cables<\/strong> that deliver targeted, controllable heat along the pipework to prevent freezing and maintain water flow \u2014 even in temperatures as low as \u201315\u00b0C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, heating cables were installed inside selected water troughs<\/strong> located in exposed outdoor areas. This design ensured that the animals could not damage the cables and eliminated any risk of injury \u2014 a key consideration for animal welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system was equipped with fully programmable thermostats<\/strong> for precise temperature management and automation. Once installed, it eliminated the need for staff to manually de-ice pipes or disrupt daily routines, allowing them to focus on animal care instead of maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new frost protection system successfully keeps all water pipes and troughs at the sanctuary ice-free throughout the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Heatmat<\/strong> solution, delivered by Heatcom Group<\/strong>, provides reliable, hands-free operation and long-term durability, ensuring that the donkeys have continuous access to fresh water \u2014 no matter how cold it gets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This practical and safe installation now serves as a model for other animal welfare facilities across the UK seeking simple, energy-efficient frost protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At The Donkey Sanctuary in Derbyshire, Heatcom Group \u2014 through its subsidiary Heatmat \u2014 delivered a trace heating system to prevent frozen water troughs and pipes. Designed for \u201315\u00b0C conditions, the automatic, animal-safe solution keeps water flowing year-round while freeing staff from manual de-icing tasks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[729],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sne-issmeltning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nOur Solution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Result<\/h3>\n\n\n\n