Industry insight
www.heatingandventilating.net
Lead the way in decarbonisation
Stuart Doggrell, general manager of water heating at Fabdec, discusses how manufacturers can innovate to create products that maximise sustainability without sacrificing performance
Stuart Doggrell of Fabdec A
ccording to latest Office for National Statistics figures, the manufacturing industry was responsible for 86 million tonnes of CO2 in
2017. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that the built environment is responsible for 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions. The UK government has committed to cutting
greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050 under wider plans to help tackle climate change. While both sectors have taken strides to reduce their impact on the environment, doing their part to support these wider sustainability targets will be no easy task. Particularly energy intensive sectors, such as manufacturing and construction, should work together and combine efforts – putting sustainability at the core of their operations. This presents a significant opportunity for the
HVAC industry. As a key part of the property industry supply chain, we have a huge effect on buildings’ emissions already. By showcasing product innovation that helps buildings operate in a more sustainable way, while also ensuring our own manufacturing processes are improved to reduce carbon emissions, we can help contribute heavily to the ongoing sustainability agenda.
Energy efficient technology
The HVAC sector is constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the built environment. Customers are demanding more energy efficient products and HVAC providers are regularly bringing new innovations to market to meet their needs. As such, sustainability is now placed at the heart of product design.
January 2020
This culture of innovation has been demonstrated in the past. In particular, water heating has developed from vented systems through to unvented or pressurised systems. This progression enabled improvements in performance, efficiency and water conservation and showcases just how important a forward-thinking approach is when looking to react to the ongoing push for heightened sustainability. The advent of slimline water heaters to meet the rising demand for smaller and better packaged products that fit within high-density and space-poor developments offers an example of how the industry can adapt. The advent of sustainable water heating options that are viable for these schemes has had a huge impact on our ability to support a low-carbon built environment given the increased popularity of city centre living and growth of high-rise development. Looking outside the sector we also need to
consider how we can better collaborate with new technology partners to help us deliver new systems for the future. Engaging with this sector not only means that valuable insights can be shared across the disciplines, it also means new technology can be integrated into new heating and cooling products. Smart tech developers can create systems that harness the potential of volumetric water heating systems. These advancements mean that customers only heat water as they need to, rather than heating up an entire tank in anticipation of use – resulting in significant energy savings, reducing wastage and lowering bills.
By using new manufacturing processes that allow the creation of bespoke vessels equipped to
integrate this new technology, these companies demonstrate the potential benefits that HVAC and technology partnerships hold. Building a wider culture of innovation within the sector along these lines means that advancements in technology can continue to drive decarbonisation efforts. The importance of this cannot be overstated given
the urgency of the ongoing climate crisis, and the continued growth of construction work in the UK.
Rethinking manufacturing
New product development is only one half of the story though and the push to improve industry standards must also extend beyond system performance in isolation. Manufacturers themselves have a responsibility
to address the current situation and lead the charge on improving sustainability in the sector. New machinery can play this role and help to adapt to the challenging new targets facing UK manufacturers. At Fabdec we have made this a major business priority going forward by significantly enhancing our operations. This includes the installation of an innovative new laser welder – which significantly lowers the number of consumables required during the manufacturing process and lowers the energy used to create our products. This is further supplemented by the recent
introduction of a new hydraulic press, which contributes to improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process. We’ve also looked to maximise our estates’ potential for sustainable energy generation by installing an extensive solar PV array to power the factory. This has lowered reliance on the National Grid and, at times, allows the organisation to send power back to the Grid, meaning we can actively contribute to greening the UK’s power. It’s clear that with the right approach the HVAC
Fabdec has installed an extensive solar PV array to power its factory
sector can play a major role in the UK’s ambitious decarbonisation effort by embracing this new technology. By combining green manufacturing with renewable products we can ensure that the future built environment is futureproofed and comes from a sustainable source.
www.heatingandventilating.net
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