HVAC in schools
www.heatingandventilating.net
Air conditioning learning curve
Every day, those in charge of school finances have to maintain their buildings at legal and comfortable tem- peratures in the face of ever-decreasing budgets and other demands. The right heat pump air conditioning could provide the answer, while improving the learning environment, says Roberto Mallozzi, Gree UK MD
T
he Education (School Premises) Regulations require schools to have heating capable of maintaining
minimum temperatures of 18˚C for classrooms, 21˚C in sick rooms and 15˚C in gymnasia. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, combined with the HSC Approved Code of Practice says that non-teaching areas should be kept at 16ºC during working hours. However, there are increasing reports of inefficient school heating systems being kept going long after they should have been replaced, with the knock-on consequences to running costs and carbon emissions. There are even press articles about pupils sitting in coats; something reminiscent of the 70s and the three-day-week. While there are no legally-prescribed maximum temperatures for school premises or other workplaces, there is a well-recognised phenomenon that there is a Goldilocks zone for learning; not too hot and not too cold. While this has been known for some time, little has been done about it. A study by an undergraduate at Loyola
University Chicago found that air temperature has an impact on memory ability. Using a computer-generated memory test, 52 students randomly participated in memory tests in rooms with varying temperatures, set at 72˚F, 80˚F and 64˚F (22˚C, 27˚C and 18˚C). The result showed that in the 80˚F and 64˚F (27˚C and 18˚C) environment, memory was impacted negatively. Test scores were significantly higher in the classroom where the temperature was 72˚F (22˚C). In another US study as far back as the
70s, male college students were asked to learn and recall pairs of numbers at five temperature settings 52ºF, 62ºF, 72ºF, 82ºF, or 92°F (11ºC, 17ºC, 22ºC, 28ºC, or 33ºC). They learned and recalled best at 72°F (22ºC), with performance declining at successively lower and higher air temperatures. So, when there is so much evidence of
26 April 2018 Using electricity as a fuel source these
Heat pump air conditioning is a cost-effective forms of heating as well as cooling, producing 3.5kW or heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed
the benefits of maintaining the ideal temperature range, why are there so few inquiries from educators, except when there is brand new construction, major refurbishment or temporary classrooms are being added? I suspect there are two main reasons.
The first is cost. In a climate of austerity, air conditioning is perceived as an expensive luxury, that is only necessary for a brief period of the year. This of course ignores that fact that heat pump air conditioning is one of the most cost- effective forms of heating as well as cooling, typically producing 3.5kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed. It also ignores the fact that there are a number of better value brands, such as Gree, available, with the same performance as the more expensive versions. The other reason is the belief that the buildings themselves would either be unsuitable for the installation of air conditioning, or that the units would not blend in to the classroom environment; especially in older buildings. This is to hugely underestimate the variety and style of modern units, and the numerous mounting options. Also, most schools have large windows to maximise natural light, with one side of the complex facing the sun at any one time. These rooms will need cooling, while the opposite side may still need heating. With three-pipe VRF, an amount of free cooling and heating can be provided to each side.
Unlike traditional gas, oil or coal fired systems, air conditioning systems do not need a boiler room. Also, floor space is not taken up by radiators and pipes as systems are high-wall or ceiling mounted
days also means carbon emissions are likely to be lower as 20% of UK power comes from renewable fuels; definitely a plus for the school image. This can be further enhanced if the school uses VRF directly linked to photovoltaic cells, as in the system pioneered by Gree. This also drastically reduces running costs. In addition, while most schools are, in some way, state run, many private schools are businesses or charities. While schools with charitable status do not pay Corporation Tax on their education related income, they do on their non-charitable trading activities, such as consultancy, analytical services, closed courses, non- academic conferences, external catering services and so on. As heat pumps are classed by the Government as energy saving technology, they are eligible for its Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme, which means the entire initial capital cost can be written off against Corporation Tax. Finally, there is a considerable saving
in space that can be re-used for other purposes if air conditioning is used for heating and cooling, instead of more traditional methods. In the classroom, this means floor space is not taken up by radiators and pipes, as air conditioning systems are high-wall or ceiling mounted, recessed into false ceilings, or ducted through grilles fitted flush to the wall. So, unlike traditional gas, oil or coal fired
systems, they do not need a boiler room. This is extremely popular with schools that have changed their heating system. The old boiler room can be either cleaned up and used directly as an extra room or demolished to provide building space. The educational sector is potentially a very fertile area for air conditioning sales, but suppliers need to do much more to promote the product, which is one of the reasons we have been offering a special schools discount.
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