Partnership for low energy, low carbon heating

Ambirad announces partnership with CA Group for low energy, low carbon heating.

New system praised by Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment) Industrial heating manufacturer AmbiRad Group and CA Building Products, manufacturer of metal building envelope systems have joined forces to create a unique new energy-saving heating system for commercial and industrial buildings.

The new system is proven to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 50% per year - even when compared with the most efficient heaters.

This is achieved by teaming up CA's transpired solar collector SolarWall with AmbiRad's market leading range of heating and ventilation equipment.

Directors of both companies presented the concept to Ian Pearson, Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment), DEFRA, at AmbiRad's headquarters in the West Midlands this month.

On viewing the system in action, Mr Pearson said, "This is an environmental solution for large buildings that can have a dramatic impact on their carbon footprint".

"This is exactly what the government is looking for, and I am delighted that two companies have taken the initiative in marketing it." SolarWall is a metal cladding on the southerly elevation of the building, which absorbs solar radiation and converts that energy into a current of warmed air.

This is circulated into the building as fresh heating air, and will also help to reduce loads on HVAC units.

On sunny days, no matter how low the outside temperature may be, a transpired solar collector can deliver all of the building's heating, at no cost and with no carbon emissions.

Brian Watson, commercial director of CA, added: "On a cloudy day however, or at night when the solar collector cannot deliver enough heat by itself, the AmbiRad heating system is computerised to supplement the ambient temperature to the required degree, hence no energy is wasted".

AmbiRad has designed a number of alternative integrated heating options to work with a SolarWall.

All of these heating products are listed on The Carbon Trust Energy Technology List and eligible for 100% enhanced capital allowances for qualifying users.

Frank Staniland, sales director of AmbiRad, said, "Systems can be matched to different heating applications from the AmbiRad, Reznor and Nordair Niche portfolios - for example, full heating, tempered make-up air or frost protection, in each case optimising the use of solar heated air produced by the SolarWall".

"In all cases, the potential savings are truly extraordinary." Return on investment for the heating system is between two and three years for new build and six to eight years when retrofitted to existing buildings.

In one application, the SolarWall system saved approximately 150 tonnes of CO2 in a single year - the equivalent of 48 2-litre Ford Focus cars travelling 10,000 miles each.

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