HVAC Archives - Facilities Management Forum | Forum Events Ltd
Posts Tagged :

HVAC

In focus: The key trends impacting HVAC solutions for Facilities Managers
By:

In the realm of facilities management, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems play an indispensable role in maintaining comfort and air quality. As part of our focus this month on HVAC, we summarise the latest technological advancements and sustainability concerns…

Firstly, the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) in HVAC systems is becoming increasingly prevalent. IoT-enabled HVAC systems offer real-time monitoring and control, facilitating proactive maintenance and increasing energy efficiency. They can adjust automatically to changes in weather or occupancy, saving energy and reducing operational costs. Additionally, these systems can predict and identify potential issues, alerting facilities managers before significant problems arise.

Secondly, the shift towards greener, more sustainable HVAC solutions is gaining momentum. Energy-efficient HVAC systems, utilising technologies like geothermal heat pumps, solar-powered cooling, and waste heat recovery, are becoming more common. They not only reduce energy consumption and costs but also contribute to sustainability goals, aligning with the global trend towards reducing carbon footprints.

The rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning (ML) in HVAC systems is another significant trend. AI and ML can analyse vast amounts of data from the HVAC system and other building systems, optimising performance, predicting equipment failure, and providing insights for better decision-making.

Another emerging trend is the use of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems. These systems allow for precise control over the heating and cooling of individual zones within a facility, enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption. Their flexibility and scalability make them a popular choice for diverse facilities.

The increasing focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is also notable, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. More facilities are investing in HVAC technologies that improve IAQ, such as air purifiers, UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) systems, and advanced filtration systems. These technologies can remove pollutants, allergens, and pathogens, enhancing occupant health and wellbeing.

Lastly, the trend towards HVAC as a Service (HVACaaS) model is emerging. This subscription-based model allows facilities to outsource their HVAC operations, including maintenance and upgrades. It reduces upfront costs, provides access to the latest technologies, and allows facilities managers to focus on their core operations.

The trends shaping HVAC solutions in facilities management reflect a broader shift towards smart, sustainable, and health-focused solutions. As these trends continue to evolve, facilities managers must stay abreast of the latest technologies and practices to maximise comfort, efficiency, and sustainability in their buildings.

The ultimate goal remains to create a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for occupants, while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability concerns.

Are you searching for HVAC solutions for your company or organisation? The Facilities Management Forum can help!

Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay

HVAC on you mind in 2023? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
By:

If you’re looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company, the FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Extreme heat in the workplace: How to keep factory & warehouse staff safe and comfortable
By:

With England experiencing its first ever red warning for extreme heat this week, raised temperatures in the workplace have the potential to become a health and safety issue as employers struggle to keep working areas within the recommended temperatures.

In line with this concern, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for a legally enforceable limit, suggesting a maximum temperature of 30C for regular indoor work and 27C for strenuous work.

The TUC says employers should act to bring down temperatures if they exceed 24C, however.

Slingsby, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of industrial and commercial equipment, has some simple and practical tips on how employers can keep factory and warehouse staff safe and comfortable at work during the soaring temperatures of the current heatwave:

  1. Check air conditioning and ventilation units are working at their optimum level – there may not be time to install new systems, but some quick maintenance checks could make all the difference. If more localised air cooling is required, in the case where conditioning systems are not adequate or, air conditioning systems are not installed within industrial environments, then a combination of fans, mobile air coolers and evaporative air coolers can be adopted.
  2. Place plastic PVC strip curtains over open building entrances to help block out harmful UV rays and maintain temperatures.
  3. Solar-control window film can be installed quickly and will work to deflect the sun’s heat, especially on windows that you know receive a lot of direct sunlight. This method can help to reduce your reliance on air-conditioning and work to save on your energy bills.
  4. Keep machinery and electrical equipment switched off overnight and when not in use. Heavy machinery generates a lot of heat, and this will help to bring down the room temperature of your warehouse or factory floor. Placing signage near machinery to remind workers to ‘switch off when not in use’ could prove helpful too.
  5. Adding water coolers to communal areas can help staff members stay cool and hydrated.
  6. Encourage employees to take cover away from the direct sunlight during lunch and smoking breaks. Create additional temporary shaded areas outside with parasols if you have the space.
  7. Monitor room temperatures across the different areas of your workplace with thermometers.
  8. During heatwaves and throughout the summer, the pollen count may be high and so, it is worth considering investing in air purifiers for your working environment, to help ensure employees are comfortable, especially those with hay fever.

Looking for HVAC solutions for 2022? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
By:

Looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Looking for HVAC solutions? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
By:

Looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Reducing the time and cost of pump maintenance
By:

By Armstrong Fluid Technology

Recent advances in connectivity have revolutionised service and maintenance of HVAC systems, predicting problems before they have chance to occur. Utilisation of Armstrong Fluid Technology’s Pump Manager, a Cloud-based service, can realise up to 50% savings in service and maintenance. In addition, by optimising the system’s performance and reducing energy drift, it can deliver up to 40% savings in energy usage throughout the pump’s lifecycle.

Armstrong’s Pump Manager uses the embedded intelligence and connectivity of Armstrong Design Envelope pumps to provide performance reports to system operators. With this information, operators can make changes and address issues to optimise HVAC performance, and can predict future technical issues before they become a problem.

Online trending and analysis across multiple parameters on single pumps, or on an aggregated basis for multiple pumps, assists in identifying performance degradation and facilitates a predictive and proactive approach.

Pump Manager will, for example, report issues such as excessive vibration, a broken coupling, risk of cavitation or a dead head should they occur, or conditions such as impeller imbalance, bearing failure, seal failures and shaft misalignment that would impact on operation of the pump if undetected. It provides a fully reactive and integrated vision of an individual building, able to integrate with BMS, EMS and CMMS, as well as offering API-APP integration.

In addition to optimising system performance and increasing pump reliability, Pump Manager has important service and maintenance benefits.  As it is cloud-based, system operation can be viewed remotely by multiple stakeholders from various locations, enabling issues to be dealt with in the most efficient way, reducing the number of engineer visits.  Those with responsibility for multiple sites can also monitor all of their HVAC assets remotely and in one place on a single system.  Previously they would have had to visit each site in person, or liaise with individuals at multiple sites to collect the necessary data from the pumps/system/BMS.

The reporting function is particularly helpful for organisations submitting SECR reports. Pump Manager retains historical data and can help to identify opportunities for future efficiency upgrades. The comprehensive data also helps FM companies and energy managers to demonstrate the progress they have made towards KPIs, by enabling them to quantify the improvements in building sustainability they have made possible

Click here to learn more.

Looking for HVAC solutions? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
By:

Looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Looking for HVAC solutions? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
By:

Looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

For a short period of time, your business can now be included in the FM Directory for FREE!

In these times of uncertainty for everyone, we are offering support to the industry by providing a free listing for a 3-month period, to support businesses through these difficult circumstances.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

ebm papst

CASE STUDY: UBS achieves award-winning energy savings
By:

ebm-papst recently completed a project for UBM that has delivered energy savings of 10,657MWh – Here’s how those savings were achieved…

Project Overview

UBS operates a 130,000 sq ft data centre in west London which is fundamental to the operation of the firm’s global banking systems. Within this site there were a number of misson critical Down Flow Units (DFUs) operating around the clock to sustain the required operating conditions for the computer equipment in the data centre.

The Fans

ebm-papst replaced the existing Down Flow Units in the data centre with high efficiency direct drive EC fans in the computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units. UBSs objective for the project was to reduce the drawn-down power by up to 30%, resulting in a 180kW power reduction load to be allocated to IT equipment.

The Project

The challenge was to improve the energy efficiency of the data centre, freeing up additional electrical capacity to use on IT resource. In addition, our task was to improve the airflow and improve controllability of the cooling units in the data hall.

Typically heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be responsible for over half the energy consumed by data centres. In cases where energy is limited, improving the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment will result in a more improved allocation of energy resource to IT equipment.

The Results

The solution resulted in a load reduction of 250 kW against a target of 180 kW. This resulted in an annual power saving of 48%, which allowed UBS to increase IT power consumption in addition to reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs.

Over the past 4 years and 10 months since the project took place (as of March 2017), UBS has achieved:

  • 191 fans installed
  • 76 CRAC units upgraded
  • 3 different models installed
  • Energy savings -10,657MWh (4 years and 10 months)
  • Financial savings – £667,836 after payback of total install costs

(payback period of 23 months)

www.ebmpapst.co.uk