Feature Energy management


Energy savings via HVACR insulation


Considerable energy savings can be achieved through the optimal insulation of buildings. However the energy saving benefits of insulating air conditioning and refrigeration systems are sometimes overlooked. Yet it is investments in the insulation of HVACR service equipment that are recovered much faster. This is equally true for refrigeration and air conditioning as it is for heating systems. A study by insulation specialist, Armacell looked at what can be achieved with optimal insulation


uildings account for almost half of energy consumption and carbon emissions in the UK and air conditioning and refrigera- tion in buildings account for up to a third of annual electricity costs (Department for Communities and Local Government, Guide to Reducing Energy Emissions in Businesses). Any measures to increase energy efficiency in this area therefore have great envi- ronmental and cost saving potential. The insulation of cold pipes is usu- ally aimed at preventing condensa- tion, with insulation thicknesses of 6 to 13mm being common practice to control condensation. However as the results of a recent study carried out by Armacell show such thicknesses are not optimally designed to reduce asso- ciated energy losses, with substantial


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determined the savings achieved through the use of thicker levels of insulation. These savings were then compared with the cost of investment. A wide range of applications were tested, incorporating building air-con- ditioning systems with different cool- ing demands, together with typical refrigeration systems used in super- markets for food and drink storage.


energy and CO2 savings possible when thicker insulation materials are used. The objective of the study was to find an optimal, cost-effective insula- tion thickness for various types of plant. For this purpose, Armacell


Optimal insulation thickness Irrespective of the complexity of the system and the cooling demand, an optimal insulation thickness of 15.5 to 25mm Armaflex insulation was deter-


Armacell T: 0161 287 7040 armacell.com/uk Enter 300


nstalling ground and water source heat pumps has become more financially attractive for organisations, thanks to the Government’s commitment to incentivise sustainable low carbon heating technology under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. The RHI, set to launch later this year, guarantees subsidy payments over 20 years that


Pumping up the returns on low carbon heating I


will reduce the payback period for organisations that install ground source heat pump and water source heat pump technology. According to ENER-G, a 200kW ground source heat pump operating eight hours a day – typical for a moderately sized business – will qualify for payments of three pence for every kWh of useful heat generated, creating a payment of around £210,000 over the 20-year duration of the tariff (based upon 350,000kW hours of heat produced per annum). The scheme will provide payments on heat pumps installed since 15th July 2009 and aims to support a range of heating systems at all levels, from small businesses and offices, and public sector buildings right up to large factories. “The RHI demonstrates the Government’s commitment to renewable technologies and is another benefit for clients utilising heat pumps as part of their low carbon strategy,” says Paul Burley, managing director of ENER-G (pictured). ENER-G Sustainable Technologies


T: 01623 666340 8 www.energ.co.uk/heatpumps Enter 301


Significant energy savings can be achieved by insulating air conditioning refrigeration systems


mined for chilled-water pipes. The higher investment for this thicker insulation pays for itself in the course of the service life, accruing consider- able savings after only a few years. For refrigeration system pipework an even thicker level of insulation pays off and for these applications Armacell recom- mends 32 to 50mm as the optimal insulation thickness. Even at this level of thickness, costs are recoverable after just seven to nine months of normal plant operation.


Energy savings can be achieved through optimal insulation thickness of pipes


Potential for CO2 savings The results are also favourable from an


environmental point of view. CO2 emissions from the systems investi-


gated were reduced by several tonnes annually, just by insulating pipes to the optimal thickness. These findings allow the following generalisations about the environmental performance of the insulation material.


Per installed cubic metre of Armaflex, the use of optimal insula-


tion thicknesses allows annual CO2 savings of:


• 1,150kg for air-conditioning systems. • 1,900kg for refrigeration systems with a line temperature of -5°C and. • 2,550kg for refrigeration systems with a line temperature of -36°C.


The study shows considerable potential for savings exists through the use of optimal insulation levels in refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. Moreover, the investiga- tion findings were not achieved on specialised equipment, but with stan- dard commercial systems. In future, the objective when insulating pipes in cold applications should therefore not only be condensation control, but also energy saving for sound economic and ecological reasons.


Armacell manufactures engineered foams and is a leader in the field of flexible technical insulation materials. Headquartered in Münster, Germany, Armacell employs 2,300 people worldwide, with 18 factories in 12 countries. Apart from Armaflex, its flexible technical insulation, it pro- duces thermoplastic insulation materi- als, covering systems, fire protection and noise control products and special foams for industrial applications.


MAY 2011 Factory Equipment


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