Product category:
Heating Systems, Controls and Management
News Release from: Ambi-Rad | Subject: Radiant tube heating systems
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 March 2007
Part L high performance in new, airtight
buildings
Ambirad radiant tube heating systems provide high performance in new, airtight buildings, compliant with reduced energy and airtightness requirements of Part L.
The latest Part L Building Regulations requiring airtight buildings that do not 'leak' carbon emissions will have an effect on space heating systems, already required to help achieve the government's 28% target reduction in fuel consumption Radiant tube heating systems from AmbiRad , used in conjunction with appropriate controls and other equipment, are compliant with the reduced energy and airtightness requirements of Part L
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 5 Oct 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Configuration can easily be optimised to ensure savings are maximised in most large space buildings.
Keith Sprague, Market Development Manager, of AmbiRad explains Heating systems in large space industrial and commercial buildings often have to operate in circumstances where poor insulation, draughts and loading bay doors in constant use compromise the heating system's efficiency.
Heat loss, especially when it is unforeseen or unnecessary, puts an additional burden on the heating system.
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A correctly-sized system may not be able to perform adequately if air leakage is significant.
Draughts and cold spots may compromise the comfort of building users, which could have a detrimental effect on staff productivity or customer footfall.
Part L now requires industrial and commercial buildings to be both energy efficient and airtight.
A target energy reduction of 28% has been set for non-domestic structures under the new Part L regulations.
However, the benchmark against which this is measured - a hypothetical building conforming to 2002 Building Regulations - assumes levels of insulation and heat retention that may not be present in certain types of large volume buildings - for example, hangars or large shed-type structures.
Large-volume buildings may be hard to heat, being of single skin construction and with a high air leakage rate.
Often, external doors, sometimes the width of the entire building, open frequently to allow the free movement of people and goods.
As soon as the doors open there is an influx of external air, which on cold days can temporarily wipe out the build-up of warmth achieved by the heating system.
It may be true to say that many heating systems are inadequate to the task of recovering comfort temperatures where the internal air volume is so great, and as a result may be operating at full capacity most of the time - leading to dramatic and unnecessary over-consumption of gas or electricity, with no guarantee that temperatures within the building will remain constant, a situation completely at odds with the requirements of Part L.
Long-term, other problems may arise - for example, damp air may penetrate the building fabric, with potentially damaging consequences to the structure and building materials.
An over-stretched heating system that can never properly operate at optimum effectiveness will not prevent this happening.
AmbiRad radiant tube heating is particularly effective and economical in large, high-roofed, high air volume buildings.
The tubes, which are suspended from the roof, generate heat in the form of infra-red rays.
Like the sun, infra-red heats only people and objects in its path.
Radiant heating does not, therefore, waste any energy heating the vast volume of air in a large space building.
This makes radiant an ideal heating solution for large space, high-roofed structures.
Since the air in the building is not heated directly, when external doors are opened the heat loss is minimal.
Operatives will continue to feel warm while within range of the infra-red rays.
Once the doors are closed again, comfort temperatures are restored almost immediately, with no interruption in the energy-lean operation of the radiant tube heaters.
Radiant generates heat at the point of use, eliminating heat loss through ductwork or other distribution methods.
AmbiRad radiant heating has intelligent controls that include optimised start-up and shut-down and zone control to allow temporary switch off in selected areas when heating is not required.
64% energy savings.
The installation of Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube heating from AmbiRad at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk produced some dramatic cuts in fuel usage and carbon dioxide emissions.
In two of the base's 5,500mand#61447; maintenance hangars, the existing high temperature low pressure water distribution system was replaced with gas-fired radiant heating, sectioned into six independently controlled zones.
Energy savings were immediate and over the course of a year, running costs for a 12-14 hour day were cut by 64% and CO2 emissions by 55%.
Comfort improved for those working in the hangars and even on the coldest mornings working temperatures are reached within a few minutes of start up.
Meeting Part L.
With proven energy savings of between 25-70% in heating decentralisation projects, AmbiRad radiant tube heating can meet - and in many cases exceed - the new requirements of Part L for reduced energy consumption in large, otherwise hard-to-heat buildings.
The system can be configured to ensure savings are maximised for space heating, including control options that effectively limit heater usage to the absolute minimum without compromising internal comfort conditions.
Part L may well make the draughty, badly insulated hangar or shed a thing of the past, but radiant tube heating will always ensure their heating is optimised for economy, fuel efficiency and effectiveness. Request a free brochure from Ambi-Rad ...
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