MONITORING & METERING


GAS DETECTORS: AN OVERLOOKED ENERGY-SAVING SOLUTION


As costs continue to spiral, energy reduction in commercial and large residential buildings is becoming increasingly important. Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate Instruments, highlights how gas detection technology can deliver meaningful reductions in electricity use


H


eating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems play a vital role in creating


safe and healthy buildings – they control temperature, improve air quality, reduce humidity and enhance the overall comfort of the indoor environment. Unfortunately, they are also one of the largest consumers of electricity, accounting for up to 40% of a building’s energy usage. According to the Carbon Trust, most businesses can reduce their energy consumption by up to 15% by implementing a combination of energy saving solutions. While there are several such solutions to consider, one which applies specifically to HVAC systems – and which can make a significant difference to a building’s energy consumption – is the installation of gas detection technology. The reason this technology is invaluable in the quest to reduce energy consumption is because refrigerant gas leaks are the foremost contributor to energy loss in modern HVAC systems.


IMPACT OF GAS LEAKAGE Most systems leak refrigerant gases. When a leak occurs, the system becomes inefficient and needs to work harder to maintain heating or cooling capacity. This increases electricity consumption. According to the Carbon Trust the average


leakage rate in UK systems is around 20% per year. In a typical system, this loss would mean a reduction in efficiency of around 11%, as well as a direct increase in energy costs, an elevated carbon footprint and higher operating costs. In fact, it has been found that a small continuous


leak in a 300kW system, left unrepaired for three months, could use an extra 10kW in electricity once the leak becomes critical. Considering the rapid rise in energy prices, this can quickly add up to several thousand pounds. Coupled with this, gas leaks can have harmful


environmental impacts: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have a global warming potential over 3,000


times that of CO2 and, as it gets released into the atmosphere, it causes ozone depletion and contributes to global warming. As such, an understanding of fluorinated gas (F-Gas) regulations is vital for anyone working


with HVAC systems, especially considering that the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sector is the largest source of F-gas emissions due to refrigerant leakage. F-Gas regulations, which aim to phase down the


CO2 equivalent emissions from HFCs by 79% (relative to 2015) by 2030, have been in force


since 2020. The Environment Agency has the power to impose civil penalties of up to £200,000 for various breaches, including failure to comply with provisions in the regulations or permitting another person to breach those provisions.


A SMART SOLUTION A gas leak can result from mechanical damage, equipment failure or poor maintenance. Regardless of the cause, detecting such a leak can be challenging because refrigerant gas is both odourless and colourless – it is estimated that


“The reason this technology is invaluable in the quest to reduce energy consumption is because refrigerant gas leaks are the foremost contributor to energy loss in modern HVAC systems”


60% of gas escapes before anyone notices. Although there are several things that can be


done in the case of a suspected leak, nothing can replace the accuracy and efficiency of using specially designed technology for this task. In fact, designers and manufacturers of electronic equipment for the refrigeration and HVAC industries have worked diligently over the past few years to improve the effectiveness of refrigerant, toxic and combustible gas sensors, with modern sensors boasting greater intelligence and capabilities to combat risks posed by toxic and non-toxic gases. Thanks to rapidly evolving technology, the latest generation of sensors and systems are smart, self-contained single fixed gas sensors, which are particularly suited to detecting refrigerant gases. Many of these sensors have a proven return on investment of just two years, and that is without taking into consideration the cost of repairs to an existing faulty system. Sensor equipment with signalling alarms, LED


lights that indicate the presence and status of each sensor, as well as audio/visual alarms to alert staff, are also available. Functional and efficient HVAC systems are not


only an integral part of modern buildings, they are a fundamental operational requirement. They are also one of the largest energy consumers, making them prime targets for improving energy efficiency, minimising carbon emissions, and reducing operating costs. Even though systems can vary, by concentrating on common energy wasters such as refrigerant gas leaks, energy savings can be maximised, and energy efficiency improved.


Stonegate Instruments T: 0113 224 4440 sales@stonegate-instruments.co.uk


Shaun Evers


36 ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2023


www.essmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40