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Retrofitting can provide a relatively inexpensive opportunity to improve a building’s energy efficiency and add to its value, says John Grenville, Managing Director of air intake screens specialist, ECEX.
nder the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK has a legal obligation to cut emissions by a whopping 80% by 2050. It is, however, going to be far from easy to achieve this in the face of economic uncertainty and continuing debate over the country’s environmental direction. According to some estimates, there are 26 million existing homes and around two million non-domestic buildings in the UK that make a significant impact on the carbon footprint of our built environment. Most of these buildings will still be standing in 2050. They will need to be improved if we are to meet our tough carbon-cutting targets.
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How we do this has been the subject of debate for years, but one way to achieve it is by retrofitting (adding a component or accessory to something that did not have it when it was manufactured).
The biggest benefit of this is that it can make buildings more energy efficient and sustainable. This, in turn, can help reduce carbon emissions, make it less expensive and easier to operate buildings, and help overcome comfort problems or health issues. It can also boost the flexibility of buildings and increase their resilience. Non-domestic buildings account for 18% of the UK’s carbon emissions and the Carbon Trust has estimated that cutting 2005’s carbon dioxide emissions from non-domestic buildings by 35% could save the UK £4.5bn a year by 2020. So there is a financial as well as an environmental imperative for retrofitting.
Installing cavity wall insulation and double glazing can reduce heat loss; fitting new lighting controls can shrink energy consumption; smart metering can tighten control of power output and, in some cases, retrofitting refrigerants can
INDUSTRY COMMENT BSEE Consider retrofitting to lift AC efficiency
massively cut the global warming impact of air conditioning systems.
But in air conditioning systems, there are also simpler, less costly retrofit solutions to boost energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. One example is ECEX Air Intake Screens – long- lasting, weather-resistant filters retrofitted in high velocity airflow applications such as chillers, dry air coolers, air handling units (AHUs), cooling towers and air conditioning units.
They prevent airborne debris from entering the air conditioning system and causing irreparable damage to coils or internal filters. They are an ideal first line of defence for air intake systems, reducing maintenance, extending the service life of equipment, prolonging internal air filter life, and maximising airflow to save energy. Repair and maintenance (R&M) also has a critical role to play, offering quick wins by bringing the biggest energy savings with the least financial outlay.
Installing a new AHU to an existing system is not as straightforward as it may at first appear because the duties available will be governed by the existing air conditioning infrastructure (ducting, pipework and so on). Changing these will add cost. On top of this, the old AHU will need to be dismantled and removed from site – another cost. R&M, on the other hand, is a practical and cost- effective alternative to replacing with new. It can extend the lifespan of air conditioning equipment, increase its operating efficiency, save energy, boost performance, and reduce running costs. But there are also many other reasons to choose R&M. It is less expensive than replacing an AHU (typically just 35 to 50% of the cost of a new unit) and offers the opportunity to upgrade the existing specification by taking advantage of the latest energy efficient fans and components.
uAn air handling unit before and after repair and maintenance.
It also reduces downtime, overcomes the transport and access difficulties associated with replacing a unit, and is more environmentally friendly because it re-uses existing equipment. The key to a successful retrofitting or R&M project is to take on the right people before you start ruling out options, and even before you set a final budget. It makes good sense to consult an expert before taking any binding specification decisions.
www.ecex.co.uk
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BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2017 13
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