Radiant tube heating from Ambi-Rad

Radiant tube heating from Ambi-Rad was the best value option in the long-term at RAF Coltishall with 64% annual cost savings.

A major energy efficiency programme on the RAF Coltishall air base, begun in 1993, committed to reducing fuel consumption to pre-1990 levels by 2000.

Among other methods of achieving this was a decentralisation of the existing, and highly inefficient, high temperature hot water distribution system.

The station energy manager conducted a thorough investigation of the options, including a whole-life costing.

His calculations showed that, taking all relevant factors into account, radiant tube heating from Ambi-Rad was the best value option in the long-term.

His selection was justified when, in just a few months following the installation, energy consumption had reduced dramatically.

Comparative running costs over the previous boiler system showed a 64% cut, and CO2 emissions were down by 55%.

Discounted savings over the following 10 years amounted to GBP148,000.

The gas fired radiant systems have impacted positively on the air base's liabilities in more ways than one; the reduction in fuel consumption has had a positive effect on the Climate Change Levy; plus the equipment is NOT included in the EU ETS (European Union Emissions Trading Scheme) which became operational on 1st Jan 2005, thus limiting the base's liabilities in carbon dioxide trading.

How long is a life?.

The lifetime of a heating system is variable - there is no minimum or maximum time period.

The most reliable heating products can last between 20 and 30 years, or even longer.

A reasonable average for the purposes of whole-life calculations would be around 25 years.

Whole-life costing analysis is an invaluable source of information on which to justify rational and considered purchasing decisions.

It takes the guesswork out of predicted running and maintenance costs and ensures that the relationship between cost and end-user value remains healthy, since the net result should be the installation of the most appropriate system (heating or otherwise) for the building, operating at optimum efficiency and cost.

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