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Keeping building occupants warm while minimising the destructive effects of carbon emissions are key goals for every facility and building owner. In line with these objectives, Barnfield College, part of the West Herts College group and home to approximately 3,000 students, has faced the challenge of improving air quality and reducing environmental impact, by embarking on an ambitious plan to meet these requirements. This latest project is the second phase of Barnfield’s development, providing a four-storey hi-tech facility on the New Bedford Road College campus.
Challenge
In previous building projects Barnfield College had relied on VRF systems and traditional boilers for hot water. But it was keen to migrate away from these systems and assess alternative solutions that could deliver tangible energy-efficiency improvements in its buildings, reductions in energy loads and carbon emissions that it was looking to achieve.
VRF systems offer many advantages and are widely used but are not suitable for all building types. They require space, can incur high maintenance costs and are vulnerable to refrigerant leaks which can exacerbate climate issues. Synchronising them with other building systems can be challenging.
Solution
Using the latest technologies, Aermec working in close collaboration with its Irish distributor Shilliday Refrigeration, Irwin M&E and building services experts WP3 Consultants, created an HVAC system designed to meet Barnfield’s exacting criteria.
Focusing on the college’s environmental impact and the need to ensure the new building was resource and energy efficient, WP3 employed an innovative approach to energy modelling and in conjunction with Shilliday designed the HVAC system using Aermec’s cutting edge multi-purpose six pipe system for simultaneous heating and cooling at highly efficient temperatures whilst producing domestic hot water up to 73ºC.
In addition, an NRP chiller, TRS heat recovery units and 64 VED fan coil units (FCUs) were specified largely because of the attractive efficiencies and reductions in carbon emissions.
The CPS negates the need for a separate boiler, high temperature heat pump or electric top-up for hot water and uses significantly less refrigerant than a VRF system. It is an ideal solution for new installations, but it can also be used when upgrading existing systems. The VED’s compact design enables installation in locations where there is limited space.
The unit comprises four cooling circuits and three plate heat exchangers. One for chilled water, a second for medium hot water and the third provides a stainless steel heat exchanger for high temperature hot water production (DHW).
The multi-function unit provides high efficiency even with partial loads and provides a cooling capacity of 164.2kW to 491.1kW and a heating capacity of 175.6kW up to 504kW. This provides the college with simultaneous medium temperature hot water for heating and low temperature water for cooling as well as direct hot water (DHW) at 70°C at the same time.
Calorifiers are used to store the hot water equalling 20,000 litres and produced without flame and smoke, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to using a traditional boiler.
Aermec’s heat recovery systems looking after the college’s internal air quality and maximises the environmental comfort for the buildings occupants. It achieves this by saving most of the energy that would otherwise be lost, delivering environmental comfort as well as energy savings.
Result
The college’s HVAC system has delivered improved indoor air quality (IAQ), increased comfort for students and teaching staff, an improved learning environment, energy efficiencies, reduced carbon emissions and maintenance costs.
The free heating provided by the multi-purpose unit and its high efficiencies makes it a smart solution for Barnfield College in terms of market-leading energy consumption and cost effectiveness.
Cath Gunn, Principal of Barnfield College said:
“By incorporating cutting-edge technologies like Aermec’s HVAC system, we’re creating an environment that not only reduces emissions and energy costs but provides students with access to modern facilities that reflect real-world industry standards.
Decarbonising any building is challenging. The end result for Barnfield College is an HVAC system that is 50% more efficient, with significant reduction in carbon emissions, consolidated plant and a lower total cost of ownership and highlights how modern innovative technologies can make a significant and positive environmental impact.
