Solahart helps keep the lights on for The Portsea Camp

The Portsea Camp

Customised hot water upgrade set to save children’s charitable organisation over 70% in hot water running costs each year

The Portsea Camp, a community-focused organisation on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, has been making a lasting impact on the lives of children since its establishment in 1946.

For more than 75 years, the centre has provided enriching experiences to over 100,000 children, helping them embark on memorable adventures, build life skills, and create lifelong memories.

As a valued hub for school and charitable programs, The Portsea Camp fosters resilience, teamwork, and personal growth among young people, particularly for those without access to opportunities such as outdoor education, recreational activities and community-based support programs.

Outdated system risks Camp closure

The Portsea Camp’s Parade Ground buildings, accommodating up to 177 campers, faced a critical issue with a failing 30-year-old hot water system. Serving 45 showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and a community hall, the deteriorating infrastructure was unreliable, costly to operate, and posed an urgent risk to the site’s continued operation.

As a charitable organisation, The Portsea Camp was determined to address the problem quickly while aligning with its sustainability goals. To this end, it turned to Solahart Mornington Peninsula to deliver a trusted water heating solution within a tight timeline.

“The new system needed to handle our high-demand periods while reducing costs and energy usage,” The Portsea Camp CEO, Sandra Martin, explained.

“Quick, innovative, and safe responses like this hot water upgrade are crucial to keeping The Portsea Camp open and thriving. Without Solahart, we would have faced the difficult decision of closing during one of our busiest seasons,” she said.

Innovating with heritage in mind

Upgrading the hot water system presented unique challenges due to the Parade Ground’s heritage-listed status, with its buildings dating back to 1887. For the site to remain operational, the installation would need to be completed in just 15 business days.

With outdated pipework, limited access to infrastructure, and the requirement to preserve the property’s historic character, Solahart Mornington Peninsula designed a discreet yet energy-efficient solution in partnership with the commercial arm of Solahart’s parent company, Rheem Australia.

The team installed a total of 21 AMBIHEAT 270-litre heat pump water heaters at strategic locations around the back of the buildings, with each unit supplying hot water to specific sections independently.

“The existing system at The Portsea Camp was not only failing but also cost-prohibitive to repair, making it urgent to find a sustainable solution. Utilising renewable energy from the surrounding air to heat water, the AMBIHEAT heat pumps significantly reduce the site’s carbon footprint and avoid costly infrastructure replacement work,” Solahart Mornington Peninsula’s General Manager, Gerard Clarke, said.

Financial relief from Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), along with support from Smart Ease and Greenbank Environmental, also significantly reduced the project’s costs.

“By working closely with partners like Rheem Commercial and supporting organisations, such as Smart Ease and Greenbank Environmental, we were able to deliver a tailored solution that met The Portsea Camp’s needs.”

“The extensive range of heat pumps and solar water heating options, along with access to government incentives and commercial financing, means we were able to help The Portsea Camp continue to play a vital role in the community. By assisting the facility to stay operational, we’re ensuring young people can continue to connect with nature and develop life skills.” Gerard said.

Collaboration keeping the campers warm

Thanks to the expertise of Solahart Mornington Peninsula, the installation was completed within the 15-business day timeframe, ensuring the site remained operational.

The partnership with Rheem Commercial, Smart Ease and Greenbank Environmental ensured the delivery of a reliable and sustainable supply of hot water to meet the site’s daily demands.

With the new heat pump system now fully operational, The Portsea Camp expects to save over 70% in hot water running costs annually. These savings will be redirected into its core mission of providing enriching experiences for over 10,000 children a year.

Sandra underscored the impact of the upgrade, adding, “The installation and financial relief, coupled with the energy savings, will allow us to reinvest in the programs and experiences that make The Portsea Camp so special.”

“Not only has this project truly safeguarded our ability to keep our programs accessible to all, but it also reinforces our commitment to sustainability and creating a positive impact for young Australians in need,” Sandra concluded.

For more information about Solahart Mornington Peninsula, visit www.solahart.com.au.

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