Johnson and Starley looks at HVAC systems

Johnson and Starley takes a look at choosing the right HVAC products for new build and refurbishment sectors, as the market for these products in the social housing sector continues to grow.

Stan Bell, sales director, Johnson and Starley, discusses the heating and ventilation specification challenges that face specifiers, consultants, developers, RSLs, housing associations and local authorities, in the July issue of ABC&D magazine.

In the new build sector of the market, the choice of heating and ventilation products is extremely wide in terms of both the technology available - renewable or traditional - and the vast array of brands to choose from.

Legislation has also had a significant impact in recent years with the result that buildings have become more tightly sealed than ever before, with proper ventilation becoming important if new developments are not to become quickly exposed to the risk of condensation and a long term attack on the building's fabric.

Therefore, for new dwellings, a combined heating and ventilation strategy needs to be set in place by developers based upon the building type and structure, its specification and levels of accommodation, its heating requirements and even the lifestyle of the occupants.

Traditional forms of HandV such as gas fired boilers and warm air central heating systems are proven technology generally with low maintenance costs.

The innovations that have hallmarked boilers in recent years, such as condensing and combination technology, have further enhanced their energy efficiency credentials.

New gas saver modules, which effectively recycle otherwise wasted heat, take the energy efficiency process a further step forward.

Many of the new products in this area also qualify for SAP Appendix Q listing, demonstrating their energy efficient operation.

Finding the most effective approach to ventilation is often considered difficult and many housebuilders have little knowledge or experience of the options available.

However, companies such as Johnson and Starley, with over 20 years experience in all types of ventilation solutions, can provide detailed system designs, technical drawings and advice, as well as the all important consideration of after sales service.

This approach can ensure compliance with regulations, provide the most appropriate solutions and ensure long term service support.

When specifying ventilation, many often look no further than what appears to be the easiest option - the installation of extract fans for the property's wet rooms.

This approach, however, is frequently not the best in terms of cost-effectiveness although the up front costs may appear attractive.

It also is by no means necessarily the best approach in terms of energy efficiency or controlling emissions to the outside atmosphere.

In terms of energy efficiency, with the potential to recover heat energy used in a home, a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery is the optimum choice.

This type of system effectively removes all stale air from a house and replenishes it with fresh air.

Its beauty, from an energy efficiency point of view, is that it actually takes the stale extracted air, recovers heat from it and passes it back into the property.

This approach satisfies Part F of the Building Regulations in every way, significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The energy savings are now even more significant with the availability of EC fans that save immensely on running costs.

Central extract systems represent the next level of efficiency, yet can still incorporate highly efficient EC fans.

Central extract systems also extract stale air from wet rooms and exhaust it to the outside atmosphere.

Fresh air replenishment is through trickle vents.

Systems are available for both larger premises and in-line versions for smaller houses or apartments.

The unit can be conveniently located in a roof space, (or even a cupboard), with ducts fed into the individual rooms as required.

With both these types of ventilation systems, an often overlooked fact is that close control of their operation is absolutely essential for optimum performance, and therefore, energy savings.

Both the heat recovery and central extract systems can be specified with a balancing panel that is set by the installer during commissioning and provides infinitely variable control - not just stepped control - of fan speeds.

This results in exactly the required amount of air being extracted.

Over or under ventilated properties are simply not energy efficient.

Additional wall mounted controls for the occupiers themselves can also be specified.

Meanwhile, even with simple extract fan technology as the basis of the ventilation strategy, there are choices to be made.

Today, there is a wider range of solutions on the market than ever before.

Extract fans can have a basic on/off pull cord operation but can also, however, be multi-speed and feature humidistat controls.

Versions are now available with a virtually silent constant running feature with very low running costs, continually providing the required levels of extraction from specific rooms.

Overall, they offer a cost effective and simple solution.

When it comes to refurbishment, and adherence to the Decent Homes Standard, there is a choice between planned and reactive maintenance.

The exact form of refurbishment being undertaken also needs to be considered.

If a property is being stripped to a shell, the choice of HandV solutions available is much wider than if a single bathroom or kitchen is being brought up to a decent standard.

As with new build choices, technology available ranges from simple extract fans to positive pressure systems, to central extract ventilation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

Each has its own merits based on specification requirements.

The selection of particular makes of products is usually down to the specifier.

However, from the contractor's viewpoint, ease of installation is a very important consideration.

Sourcing from one manufacturer who can provide a package of ventilation and heating products will ensure a fully integrated solution that delivers maximum energy efficiency and easier installation.

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