Qantas Lounge: Auckland International Airport – Premium Commercial Hot Water System

Located within Auckland International Airport, the Qantas Lounge is a high-performance commercial environment where comfort, reliability, and presentation are non-negotiable.

Behind the scenes, that expectation extends to every system in the building, including hot water.

The brief: Deliver a premium domestic hot water solution that aligns with sustainability targets, operates efficiently under variable demand, and meets the expectations of an international brand.

Project Partners

Consultant: NDY
Builder: Alaska Construction
System Installer: Express Plumbing

Technical Summary

Project: Qantas Lounge, Auckland International Airport
System Type: Commercial Domestic Hot Water Heat Pump
Heat Pumps: 2 × Ritter Thermal R290 (50kW)
Buffer Tank: 500L Ritter
Storage: 3 × 500L Protankplus 2.0 (10 bar)
Design Platform: PureFlow Commercial Modelling

The Challenge

Airport environments don’t operate like typical commercial buildings.

They require:

• Consistent performance under fluctuating demand
• Quiet, reliable operation in premium spaces
• Compact, efficient plantroom design
• Long-term operational efficiency
• Future-ready compliance

This wasn’t just about supplying hot water.
It was about delivering confidence.

The Waterware Solution

Waterware engineered a PureFlow-designed commercial heat pump system built around the Ritter R290 platform.

At the core of the system:

• 2 × Ritter Thermal R290 Commercial Heat Pumps (50kW each)
• 1 × 500L Ritter buffer tank
• 3 × 500L Protankplus 2.0 storage tanks (10 bar)
• Caleffi control and balancing components

The system was modelled and value engineered through PureFlow to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and plantroom integration.

System Breakdown

High-Performance Heat Pump Platform

Ritter R290 heat pumps deliver high-temperature hot water using natural refrigerant technology, supporting low carbon operation without sacrificing output.

Intelligent Storage Strategy

Buffer and storage tanks are configured to manage peak demand, maintain system stability, and optimise efficiency across varying load conditions.

Precision Control

Caleffi components ensure system balance, protection, and long-term reliability, critical in high-demand commercial environments.

Designed with Purpose

PureFlow modelling provided full system validation before installation, reducing risk and ensuring performance targets were met from day one.

Performance & Outcome

• High-efficiency R290 heat pump solution
• Designed for premium commercial performance
• Reduced operational carbon impact
• Stable hot water delivery under variable demand
• Optimised plantroom footprint

This is a system designed not just to perform, but to perform consistently.

Delivered with Precision

Installed by Express Plumbing, the project showcases exceptional attention to detail in layout, connection, and commissioning.

In premium environments, execution matters.

This project delivers on both engineering and craftsmanship.

Built for Performance. Designed for Confidence.

The Qantas Lounge project reflects Waterware’s approach:

• System-first thinking
• Engineered performance
• Trusted components
• Proven delivery

When the environment is premium, the system behind it needs to be as well.