Integrated Heating, Ventilation, and Air Cooling Solution
The Glass House Retreat in Essex has benefitted from Air Craft’s in-depth knowledge of how to provide the highest levels of indoor air comfort with sustainable and energy efficient HVAC technology. The company’s integrated solution has included air conditioning, heat recovery and ventilation systems, renewable solar PV technology, a Ground Source Heat Pump, small duct heating and cooling technology as well as underfloor heating .
The interior environment plays a vital role and the Glass House Retreat was also to be built to the highest standards of energy efficiency. Air Craft needed to take these factors into consideration when designing and specifying the most suitable heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Air Craft worked closely with the project’s M&E Consultants to ensure that the building would meet the performance conditions of the BREEAM code that sets the highest standards within the sustainable built environment. As a result, the Glass House Retreat was classified on completion as an A certified building with a near net zero CO2 emissions standard.
Consisting of a number of discreet areas from reception, Air Craft’s HVAC solution took into consideration all these different spaces. The need for individual user and room temperature control in the guest bedrooms defined the use of Daikin concealed fan coil air conditioning units with a Daikin VRV heat recovery pump system. For comfort and appearance, a versatile underfloor heating (UFH) system was selected for installation within the first and second floor corridors of the bedroom block. A concrete screed UFH system was chosen for use throughout the common areas. The energy sources are a Ground Source Heat Pump technology powered by a 48 kWp solar PV system, featuring Solar PV modules and a PV inverter.
The common and public areas all needed a discreet HVAC system that would create the right ambience in terms of matching the carefully designed interior space through its appearance and low sound levels. For these areas, Air Craft specified a Small Duct HVAC system with its very discreet room outlets and low operational noise levels. The system is linked to Daikin outdoor condensing units. Also featured within the property are Building Regulations compliant in-duct extract fans which have been installed in out of sight accessible locations including corridor ceiling voids for ease of servicing.
