EFFICIENCY IN MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS
Multi-purpose six-pipe system reduces college campus emissions and energy costs
Energy generation and usage are two mainstream issues affecting us all. Keeping building occupants warm and minimising the destructive effects of carbon emission are key goals for every facilities and building’s owner. Barnfield College in Luton a leading college of further education in Bedfordshire with approximately 3,000 students has embarked on an ambitious plan to incorporate these requirements
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esearch shows that a good IAQ is essential in creating a comfortable and is conducive to the student learning environment. IAQ can have a significant impact on health too, making a good air conditioning system an important investment. Part of the West Herts College group, forward- looking Barnfield College grappled with the demands for improved air quality whilst minimising its environmental impact by installing Aermec’s innovative multi-function CPS system and the popular NRP chiller. Aermec’s CPS is a multi-purpose six-pipe plug and play unit that provides simultaneous heating and cooling at highly efficient temperatures whilst producing domestic hot water up to 73ºC. This is the first installation in the UK for Aermec’s CPS multifunction unit which was launched in mainland Europe at the end of 2023, Compact and highly efficient, the CPS
is revolutionising heating and cooling by combining the efficiencies of a multi-purpose unit with the performance of high temperature heat pumps. The technology is the latest innovatory step by Aermec in the drive towards near zero energy levels. In previous building projects Barnfield College had relied on VRF systems and traditional boilers for hot water. But it was keen to migrate away from these systems and assess alternative solutions that could offer tangible energy- efficiency improvements in its buildings and the reductions in energy loads and carbon footprints that it was looking to achieve. VRF systems offer many advantages and are widely used in large commercial buildings, shopping centres and hospitals. But VRF systems are not suitable for all building types. They require space, can incur high maintenance costs and are vulnerable to refrigerant leaks which can exacerbate climate issues. Synchronising them with other building systems can be challenging. This latest project is the second phase of
Barnfield’s development, providing a four- storey hi-tech facility on the New Bedford Road College campus. This new building is replacing the current campus on Enterprise Way which provides construction and engineering courses. The purpose-built facility will enable teaching to be provided under one roof, whilst giving students access to the latest technologies, equipment and help equip them with the skills that are needed now and in the future. Using the latest technologies, Aermec working in close collaboration with its Irish distributor Shilliday Refrigeration, Irwin M&E and building services experts WP3 Consultants, created an HVAC system designed to meet Barnfield’s exacting criteria.
Focusing on the college’s environmental impact and the need to ensure the new building was resource and energy efficient, WP3 employed an innovative approach to energy modelling and in conjunction with Shilliday designed the HVAC system using Aermec’s multi-purpose six pipe system, heat recovery and fan coil units. “Aermec’s innovative 6-pipe solution aided us in resolving the trade-off between low- grade heat efficiencies and high-temperature domestic hot water production inherent in modern energy efficient systems. Aermec and Shilliday’s input into our extensive and iterative energy & carbon modelling allowed us to optimise function and operational efficiency for Barnfield College year-round,’ explains James Everdell, WP3 director. David Evans, Aermec’s national sales manager added, “We have delivered a cost-effective, intelligent HVAC solution that optimises the building’s energy use and carbon emissions.”
Commenting on the collaborative nature of the project Shilliday explains: “We were excited to work with Aermec, Irwin and WP3 and bring the project together with the new CPS system and all the other Aermec products. In doing so we have addressed Barnfield College’s comfort requirements whilst respecting their focus on environmental and sustainability concerns.” Along with Aermec’s CPS multi-function unit, an NRP chiller, TRS heat recovery units and VED fan coil units (FCUs) were specified largely because of the attractive efficiencies and reductions in carbon emissions. The CPS negates the need for a separate boiler, high temperature heat pump or electric top-up for hot water and uses significantly less refrigerant than a VRF system. It is an ideal solution for new installations, but it can also be used when upgrading existing systems. The VED’s compact design enables installation in locations where there is limited space. The unit comprises four cooling circuits and
three plate heat exchangers. One for chilled water, a second for medium hot water and the third provides a stainless steel heat exchanger for high temperature hot water production (DHW). The multi-function unit provides high efficiency even with partial loads and provides a cooling capacity of 164.2kW to 491.1kW and a heating capacity of 175.6kW up to 504kW. This provides Barnfield with simultaneous medium temperature hot water for heating and low temperature water for cooling as well as direct hot water (DHW) at 70°C at the same time.
16 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025
Calorifiers are used to store the hot water equalling 20,000 litres and produced without flame and smoke, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to using a traditional boiler. Aermec’s heat recovery systems looking after the college’s internal air quality and maximises the environmental comfort for the buildings occupants. It achieves this by saving most of the energy that would otherwise be lost, delivering environmental comfort as well as energy savings.
Studies have shown that poor acoustic spaces can have a negative impact on a student’s cognitive abilities as well as the teaching processes. Acoustics can also impact overall physical and psychological health. The building’s close proximity to a residential area was a factor in selecting Aermec’s VED fan coils. Sixty four VED FCUs were selected to address these concerns. The VED units can function with any heat generator and installed vertically or horizontally. They feature anti-static plastic centrifugal fans and an impeller that is equipped with airfoil and scroll fins. The blades of the fins have a unique patented pitch offering acoustics with low noise levels that are superior to other fan coil units. The free heating aspect provided by the multi-purpose unit and its high efficiencies makes it a smart solution for Barnfield College in terms of market-leading energy consumption and cost effectiveness. Cath Gunn, Principal of Barnfield College said: “Our new state-of-the-art building is designed to meet the needs of today’s students while preparing us for a sustainable future. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like Aermec’s HVAC system, we’re creating an environment that not only reduces emissions and energy costs but provides students with access to modern facilities that reflect real- world industry standards.” Barnfield’s HVAC system has delivered
improved indoor air quality (IAQ), increased comfort for students and teaching staff, an improved learning environment, energy efficiencies, reduced carbon emissions and maintenance costs.
Decarbonising any building is challenging. The end result for Barnfield College is an HVAC system that is 50% more efficient, with significant reduction in carbon emissions, consolidated plant and a lower total cost of ownership and highlights how modern innovative technologies can make a significant and positive environmental impact.
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