The combined demands for more comfort cooling and increased efficiency necessitate more carefully thought-through air conditioning solutions. Schools, surgeries and smaller offices are a case in point, says Karl Richardson of Walter Meier (Climate UK) Ltd.
As expectations of comfort have increased, along with growing internal heat gains from electrical equipment in the workplace, the demand for comfort cooling has spread rapidly. As a result, specifiers and installers now find themselves providing solutions for a much wider range of building types than would have been the case 10 years ago.
Fortunately, the types of system available have also evolved within the same time span, offering a much wider range of options. Unfortunately, some installations fail to take advantage of the latest innovations and continue to be based on 'the way it's always been done'.
Schools are a case in point. While natural or mechanical ventilation will be adequate for most classrooms there will be some spaces, such as IT rooms, laboratories and offices, which require additional cooling. One of the challenges here is that most schools are spread over quite a large area but may be limited as to where condensing units can be safely located.
On the face of it a VRF system might seem to be the best option as this will accommodate long pipe runs while delivering a high level of energy efficiency. However, the majority of school budgets will not extend to a full VRF system. A modern multi-split or mini-VRF system might be considered but in most cases the limitations on duty will limit their usefulness in these applications.
Very often, the result is that the school ends up with single split systems dotted around the building so that energy efficiency is compromised while capital, installation and maintenance costs are increased.
An alternative approach would take advantage of the innovative Hitachi IVX Split/2-Pipe VRF hybrid systems on the market. These offer more variety than the multi-split range of equipment. They are installed in a similar manner to a twin/triple/quad split system but the big difference is they also incorporate VRF control technologies so that each indoor unit can be controlled independently. With capacities up to 30kW they can provide cooling and heating for up to four spaces, using up to 100m pipe runs, and provide a COP as high as 4.24.
This same approach might also suit an irregularly shaped open plan office space, where different areas may have varying temperature demands. Use of hard-wired or infra-red controllers can provide occupants with control over their space with, perhaps, limits on the extent of control to prevent 'over-tweaking'.
There is also scope to apply innovative air conditioning solutions in the health sector. In many areas, for instance, traditional primary care facilities are being incorporated into Primary Care Centres that may accommodate two or three GP practices, dental surgeries and a host of ancillary treatments.
The challenge with such facilities is the sheer diversity of different spaces (waiting room, reception, theatres, treatment areas, consulting rooms etc) and significant variation in occupancy - so the chosen solution needs to be able to address these issues.
As many such buildings are relatively new, though, the building fabric should mitigate against major temperature fluctuations, so that heating and cooling loads in individual spaces will often be lower than 2kW. These same considerations can also apply to traditional GP, dental and veterinary surgeries - which are often located in converted dwellings but feature similar levels of diversity and occupancy variation.
In these cases it is worth considering the use of a dedicated mini-VRF system. Again, it's a matter of being aware of the options available and keeping up to speed with the latest systems. For example, there are now 2 pipe heat pump mini-VRF systems that can offer up to 150% diversity with a wide selection of indoor units. The use of a single fan, single phase condensing unit also makes such systems ideal for older buildings.
These are just some examples of how the greater flexibility that is being designed into newer air conditioning systems is giving specifiers and installers more scope to deliver the best solution. The key is to be aware of what's available, talk to suppliers about the various options and, most importantly, keep an open mind.
For information and prices on our Hitachi products contact us on our free phone/fax number 0800 801 819 or contact our Packaged Product Manager direct on the E-mail address given below.
Karl Richardson
E-mail: >>
Fortunately, the types of system available have also evolved within the same time span, offering a much wider range of options. Unfortunately, some installations fail to take advantage of the latest innovations and continue to be based on 'the way it's always been done'.
Schools are a case in point. While natural or mechanical ventilation will be adequate for most classrooms there will be some spaces, such as IT rooms, laboratories and offices, which require additional cooling. One of the challenges here is that most schools are spread over quite a large area but may be limited as to where condensing units can be safely located.
On the face of it a VRF system might seem to be the best option as this will accommodate long pipe runs while delivering a high level of energy efficiency. However, the majority of school budgets will not extend to a full VRF system. A modern multi-split or mini-VRF system might be considered but in most cases the limitations on duty will limit their usefulness in these applications.
Very often, the result is that the school ends up with single split systems dotted around the building so that energy efficiency is compromised while capital, installation and maintenance costs are increased.
An alternative approach would take advantage of the innovative Hitachi IVX Split/2-Pipe VRF hybrid systems on the market. These offer more variety than the multi-split range of equipment. They are installed in a similar manner to a twin/triple/quad split system but the big difference is they also incorporate VRF control technologies so that each indoor unit can be controlled independently. With capacities up to 30kW they can provide cooling and heating for up to four spaces, using up to 100m pipe runs, and provide a COP as high as 4.24.
This same approach might also suit an irregularly shaped open plan office space, where different areas may have varying temperature demands. Use of hard-wired or infra-red controllers can provide occupants with control over their space with, perhaps, limits on the extent of control to prevent 'over-tweaking'.
There is also scope to apply innovative air conditioning solutions in the health sector. In many areas, for instance, traditional primary care facilities are being incorporated into Primary Care Centres that may accommodate two or three GP practices, dental surgeries and a host of ancillary treatments.
The challenge with such facilities is the sheer diversity of different spaces (waiting room, reception, theatres, treatment areas, consulting rooms etc) and significant variation in occupancy - so the chosen solution needs to be able to address these issues.
As many such buildings are relatively new, though, the building fabric should mitigate against major temperature fluctuations, so that heating and cooling loads in individual spaces will often be lower than 2kW. These same considerations can also apply to traditional GP, dental and veterinary surgeries - which are often located in converted dwellings but feature similar levels of diversity and occupancy variation.
In these cases it is worth considering the use of a dedicated mini-VRF system. Again, it's a matter of being aware of the options available and keeping up to speed with the latest systems. For example, there are now 2 pipe heat pump mini-VRF systems that can offer up to 150% diversity with a wide selection of indoor units. The use of a single fan, single phase condensing unit also makes such systems ideal for older buildings.
These are just some examples of how the greater flexibility that is being designed into newer air conditioning systems is giving specifiers and installers more scope to deliver the best solution. The key is to be aware of what's available, talk to suppliers about the various options and, most importantly, keep an open mind.
For information and prices on our Hitachi products contact us on our free phone/fax number 0800 801 819 or contact our Packaged Product Manager direct on the E-mail address given below.
Karl Richardson
E-mail: >>