HVAC Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Kinetic whole house mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system
Climate control
T
hanks to the increasing demand for energy-efficient products that can reduce CO2 emissions, these are exciting times for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) sector. In fact, the ways in which temperature and air quality are controlled have never been under as much scrutiny as they are today, and HVAC technology is at the forefront of the move towards low-carbon-emitting buildings. These factors, when combined with the upturn in fortunes of the construction industry in general, mean the HVAC sector now boasts some of the highest level of innovation anywhere in the building services industry. This represents a valuable opportunity for manufacturers and electrical contractors alike; at least if building owners and occupiers can be persuaded to buy into the concept. “We have the
products, designers and the skilled installers to deliver a comfortable internal environment, in some of the most energy-efficient ways possible,” says John Kellett, general manager, product strategy and marketing, at Mitsubishi Electric’s Living Environmental Systems. “The key is education because we need building occupiers to understand how the industry can help them achieve their objectives.” Contractors have an important role to play here, suggests Chris Stammers, marketing director at Dimplex. “Energy efficiency remains the biggest issue in the electric heating industry,” he says.
‘The key is education because we need building occupiers to understand how we can help them achieve their objectives’
Greater emphasis on cutting carbon emissions and energy bills means heating, ventilation and air-conditioning is becoming more important. Contractors need to be prepared By Rob Shepherd
“With millions of UK households facing fuel poverty and energy bills still high, the onus on electrical contractors to provide affordable, efficient and reliable heating for their customers has never been greater.” Health scare Modern buildings are designed to retain as much of their heat as possible, but this has one major side effect: poor air quality. When considering that each of us exhales between 10-75 litres of carbon dioxide and 175g of water vapour per hour, while a family of four produces 10-15 litres of additional water vapour each day through cooking, washing and breathing, poor air quality can soon become a problem. According to a YouGov consumer survey, conducted on behalf of the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA), 58 per cent of people have experienced mould or condensation in their homes. Furthermore, a study by Prism & Waverton Analytics discovered that 91 per cent of homes tested for volatile Connections Summer 2015
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