Ventilation
The natural way to save energy B
Erik Boyter, CEO at manufacturer of cleantech ventilation products and systems WindowMaster, talks about the potential of natural ventilation systems in today’s market.
ritish electrical suppliers have suffered from sharp price hikes and product shortages in key areas in the past year, mainly due to lingering Brexit-related issues and the Russia-Ukraine War. Based on data released in August by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 53% of organisations anticipate stagnation, contraction, or closure in the upcoming year. So as a recession looms and energy prices rapidly rise, stockpiling components appears the most sensible way for companies to safeguard themselves.
I believe there is a better way to address this situation and one that will benefit businesses, engineers, and the market overall. Importantly, it will cut down on materials used and energy consumed, reducing cost and waste simultaneously: natural ventilation systems. Crucially, it will also improve margins for electricians and HVAC engineers, through ease of installation and lower maintenance.
Achieving regulatory compliance Recent regulatory changes have prompted several businesses to address the persistent problem of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) (Part F). However, the retrofit required for many existing spaces can be seen as a daunting investment. Furthermore, an increasing requirement for energy efficiency and emission reduction (Part L) means that not only do asset owners need to ensure optimal IAQ, they also need to do it in a sustainable way. For example, from June 15 2022, commercial buildings are now obliged to have a 27% reduction in carbon emissions, in line with Net Zero targets. In the past, mechanical HVAC was seen as the go-to when ventilating buildings.
However, growing awareness around CO2 emissions and their contribution to the climate emergency has meant they’re increasingly being seen as a problem, as opposed to a panacea. This has thrown the efficacy of traditional, mechanical HVAC into the spotlight, leading more specifiers to consider a natural, low-energy and automated ventilation solution which complies with new standards whilst minimising financial and environmental impact.
Optimal performance
Whether new-build or retrofit, natural HVAC can be easily incorporated within existing facades and fenestration. Importantly, it doesn’t require as much work for engineers and electricians to install
28 | electrical wholesaler November 2022
significantly improved.
The controller, given its own IP address, can be hooked directly into banks of windows and keypads. Simple percentage position commands are then used by the controller to regulate the groups of windows which are in constant interaction with the BMS network. These devices, when appropriately calibrated, will prevent dampness, and energy loss, simultaneously ensuring a steady supply of fresh air and the efficient disposal of stale air.
in comparison to fitting a new mechanical system. But will achieve the same, if not better, IAQ with a fraction of the carbon.
The beauty is in the simplicity, harnessing the natural flow of air from outdoors, and ventilating the internal air using a passive AI-supported system that also helps to control the temperature inside. The advancement in technology has also progressed to enable a degree of accuracy and efficiency not possible with mechanical HVAC systems.
A pathway through tech Over the past decade, the specification of network-based controllers and power supplies supporting any 24v DC actuators and supported by native BACnet or Modbus communication has
Electricians and specialist HVAC engineers will also have the added benefit of not having to offer regular maintenance as, when programmed appropriately, the technology will allow buildings to be self-sufficient. For electrical wholesalers, this presents a strong commercial opportunity to supply forward-thinking electricians and HVAC project managers with innovative, higher-value products.
The way forward
Ultimately, in the wake of sky-rising inflation, which shows no signs of slowing down, the benefits of a system that can achieve optimal IAQ and reduce energy consumption will be invaluable. Investing in products that actively lessen our dependency on carbon-intensive systems, which will lower overall operational emissions, can benefit the wholesaler market. Suppliers who take the initiative to invest in natural systems will stand to gain by seeing a long-term rise in profits, enabling them to breathe easier.
ewnews.co.uk
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