Natural ventilation specialist Monodraught has extended the application of PCM technology with the introduction of an innovative, ceiling-mounted version of its COOL-PHASE庐 system. The new product is a low energy cooling, ventilation and heat recovery system that can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems. The system reduces the running costs of buildings and creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment without compressors or hazardous coolants. The system features a thermal energy store using phase change material (PCM) in combination with intelligently controlled ventilation to actively ventilate and cool buildings.
The first cool-phase system was installed for Workspace in a commercial office space that suffered from overheating caused by high solar gains through the windows and roof. The temperatures in the offices, and an identical ‘control’ space, were then monitored for 12 months with impressive results. Over the warmest six months of 2009, the average daily peak temperature was reduced from 27掳C to 22.7掳C, and an estimated saving in electricity of 86% was achieved during the same period.
Another project measured the number of occupied hours above 25掳C was 56% but following installation of the cool-phase, zero hours were above 25掳C. During the same period, the number of hours where CO2 levels were above 1500ppm was also eliminated, from 42% to 0%.
Uniquely, this combination of energy savings, cost savings and environmental benefits, enables cool-phase to meet the requirements of building regulation for thermal comfort, ventilation and energy efficiency in a single easy to retrofit system. And since no compressors or hazardous coolants are used, the system does not require the servicing and statutory checks required of air conditioning systems, further reducing running costs.
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