Displaying items by tag: Monodraught

Monodraught Offers Cool-phase with Salix Finance Funding

10 Dec 2014

With the recent Carbon Trust Annual Survey showing energy costs as a key issue for most SMEs and corporate organisations, Monodraught has joined with Salix Finance Ltd to help empower public sector organisations to take a lead in tackling climate change by helping to drastically increase their energy efficiency with the installation of Monodraught’s Cool-phase system.

Salix Finance’s 100% interest-free capital for the public sector can help reduce public sector energy costs by enabling the installation of modern, highly energy efficient technologies such as Cool-phase. Cool-phase features an innovative Phase Change Material thermal energy store combined with intelligently controlled ventilation to actively ventilate and maintain building temperatures within the comfort zone. Utilising this technology can reduce energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems.

Commenting for Monodraught, Managing Director Andrew McCubbin explains: “Uniquely, this combination of energy savings, cost savings and environmental benefits, enables Monodraught’s Cool-phase to meet the requirements of building regulations for thermal comfort, ventilation and energy efficiency in a single easy to retrofit system. And since no compressors or global warming refrigerants are used, the system does not require the expensive servicing and statutory checks required of air conditioning systems which further reduces running costs".

As upfront capital is a common barrier for public sector organisations seeking solutions to cut their energy consumption, Salix Finance and Monodraught can remove this barrier by making funding and technology accessible to the public sector.

By supporting innovative technologies such as Cool-phase, which have the potential to make significant contributions to energy efficiency, the Salix Finance funding mechanism can accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.

How to apply for Salix funding

The funding approach is a client-led process operated directly through Salix Finance. In order to complete the necessary application form, a Persistence Factor (PF) is used to equate the potential savings from using Cool-phase. A higher PF means long-term savings are improved. Cool-phase has been given an initial PF of 23.75, which aligns the use of the Monodraught system to similar efficiency savings achieved using LED lighting.

Salix Finance Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Education, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Monodraught Creates ‘Education Learning Environments’ on Stand E17 at the Education Estates Exhibition 2014

Published in Monodraught

05 Nov 2014

Monodraught Creates ‘Education Learning Environments’ on Stand E17 at the Education Estates Exhibition 2014

Leading natural daylighting and ventilation specialist Monodraught will be on Stand E17 at the Education Estates Exhibition 2014 at the unique Manchester Central city centre location from the 11th to 12th of November.

The Exhibition covers the entire facilities lifecycle, from design and specification, through construction, to maintenance and management; and offers opportunities for visitors who are ‘Creating Learning Environments’ for the UK’s maintained schools, academies, free schools, independent schools, colleges and universities.

Visitors to Stand E17 can find Monodraught exhibiting the best ventilation and lighting solutions within the education sector focusing on innovative solutions such as Sunpipes, Cool-phase, HTM and Windcatcher; as well as a range of other Monodraught products.

Monodraught Delivers Industry Innovation Presentations

Published in Monodraught

30 Oct 2014

Monodraught Delivers Industry Innovation Presentations

Monodraught has reinforced its position as a leading innovator in the building services industry with the recent presentation of two technical presentations to CIBSE and Brunel University's IEA Annex 62 conference on Ventilative Cooling.

First, Monodraught's Commercial Product Engineer Sam Whitfield presented an illustrated talk on 'How is technology transforming the way we, as engineers, work? which looked at the use of 3D printing in building services manufacturing. This was presented to the CIBSE Young Engineers' Network, chaired by Angela Malynn, senior mechanical engineer at Arup and former CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year.

Says Sam: "Having used 3D printing extensively in the development of our Cool-phase system we wanted to give our audience an insight into the opportunities of the highly-digital approach to today's specified projects and working practices."

The presentation featured a series of short 'burst' presentations covering leading-edge technologies that are transforming the way the modern building services engineer works and included 3D printing; the growing sophistication of computer aided design; IT networks that allow engineers to work from anywhere in the world; etc. The full presentation will be reported in the CIBSE Journal and other leading industry journals.

The second presentation, by Monodraught's Senior Research Engineer, Dr Zsolt Bako-Biro, covered the 'Analytical and experimental modelling of energy storage in phase change material for natural cooling of buildings' in the context of Monodraught's innovative development of the second generation of its Cool-phase low-energy ventilation and cooling system.

Two installations were discussed in the presentation. One is the evaluation of the innovative phase change material (PCM) technology that was achieved by installing Cool-phase systems in two 'control' areas in Anglia Ruskin University. The second was for a Science Lecture Room at Bournemouth University, which was fitted with two new Cool-phase systems to provide natural cooling. The Monodraught design team carried out full dynamic thermal modelling to predict that the systems would fully dissipate heat gains within all areas of the building where the Cool-phase was to be installed.

Commenting for Monodraught, technical director Nick Hopper says the company's application of innovative green tech solutions are pioneering energy savings within the built environment. These presentations demonstrate Monodraught's continued development of sustainable solutions since the launch of its original Sunpipes and Windcatchers more than 40 years ago.

RAL Certification for Monodraught Cool-phase Material

Published in Monodraught

28 Oct 2014

RAL Certification for Monodraught Cool-phase Material

Monodraught's innovative Cool-phase low energy ventilation and cooling system is now further enhanced thanks to its high-performance phase change material (PCM) being awarded a RAL Certificate following extensive testing. The two-year test programme, which involves heating and cooling the material to capacity during 10,000 cycles, measures the material's performance levels and working life. The actual figures achieved by the PCM during the 10,000 cycles is equivalent to 28 years of life in service, which well exceeds the 5-year Cool-phase guarantee and the 25 year design life estimated by Monodraught during its own Cool-phase product development programme.

Commenting for Monodraught, technical director Nick Hopper says this level of accredited performance, furthers the long term acceptance of the technology within the built environment.

RAL Certification provides an audited test for long term performance of Phase Change Material. Successful certification puts the Cool-phase system in a class of its own as a low energy cooling, ventilation and heat recovery system that reduces the running costs of buildings while creating a fresh and healthy indoor environment without compressors or hazardous coolants. The system uses intelligently controlled phase change material to actively ventilate and cool buildings, maintaining temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems.

Monodraught Cool-phase now available as a Cloud-based BIM Object

Published in Monodraught

30 Sep 2014

Monodraught Cool-phase now available as a Cloud-based BIM Object

Cool-phase, the award winning natural cooling, ventilation and heat recovery system from Monodraught is now available to architects, consultants, specifiers and building contractors through BIMobject.com a major worldwide source of free-to-use Building Information Modelling (BIM) content.

The Cool-phase BIM objects are data rich and are able to integrate with leading BIM software. The 3D digital representations have been built with the full product data and technical properties. This enables designers of buildings to create a fresh and healthy indoor environment for their concepts without using compressors or hazardous coolants. At the same time

Cool-phase offers a significant reduction in the running costs of the future building and assists with life cycle analysis.

Architects and consultants wanting to reduce the communication time on construction projects between customers and suppliers are now able to download full technical data on Cool-phase systems directly from the cloud. The BIM objects integrate automatically with their 3D models, allowing Cool-phase systems to be dragged and dropped into their own projects, improving visualisation and highlighting items such as fixing points and duct positions.

The key benefit of BIM is to increase productivity within construction. BIM allows centralised storage of data, linking important information between all teams involved in the process. Dimensional details direct from the manufacturer allow a greater degree of accuracy, ensuring close coordination on site and reducing complications. This can result in reduced lead times and lower overall construction costs.

Monodraught’s Technical Director, Nick Hopper says the launch of the Cool-phase BIM Objects continues Monodraught’s long history of integrating products within Building Simulation and CAD software.

Monodraught Appoints New Managing Director

Published in Monodraught

20 Aug 2014

Monodraught Appoints New Managing Director

Monodraught is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew McCubbin as its new managing director, effective from 1st August 2014. He succeeds Steen Hagelskjaer who will become Chairman of the Board of Directors.

During the past twenty years Andrew has held a number of senior management roles with Japanese air conditioning manufacturers, most recently at Daikin UK Ltd, and therefore brings with him extensive industry experience in sales, marketing, product development and production.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew says he is proud to be joining Monodraught at a time when he believes the company is well positioned to expand with its portfolio of products and a demonstrated commitment to customer service.

Looking to the future he says: “We have an impressive and constantly evolving range of innovative products including our latest generation Cool-phase range of cooling and ventilation products. These, coupled with other advanced products from emerging technologies that we will be showcasing soon, will provide the platform for us to achieve significant market expansion. The team is committed to maintaining and developing its excellent reputation for innovation, reliability and quality that Monodraught has earned over the past 40 years.”

He adds that the Monodraught brand is the strongest in the natural ventilation, natural lighting and natural cooling market places and is trusted and valued for its quality and reliability. Surpassing customer expectations is one of its core values and Andrew looks forward to leading Monodraught during this exciting period of growth.

Monodraught products and services are available throughout the UK and in export markets around the world.

Cool-phase ‘Science’ Improves the Student Environment in Bournemouth University Laboratory

Published in Monodraught

22 Jan 2014

Cool-phase ‘Science’ Improves the Student Environment in Bournemouth University Laboratory

COOL-PHASE®, Monodraught’s ceiling-mounted low-energy cooling and ventilation system featuring phase change material technology, has been installed in a busy laboratory at Bournemouth University to provide a more comfortable, environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient atmosphere for students working in the space.

The second-floor laboratory in Christchurch House regularly accommodates up to seventy students at the same time, carrying out practical scientific experiments.

With Bunsen burners and fume cupboards being used throughout the day, and seventy people, each student generating 100 Watts of heat gain combined with substantial levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), there were on-going problems with the 100 square metre space due to poor indoor air quality. Whilst the laboratory was fitted with windows, its second-floor location meant that restrictors were fitted; so the limited amount of fresh air entering the space was not enough to reach all areas of the ‘deep-plan’ space.

The University’s Estates Department decided it was time to address the problem and the Henderson Green mechanical/electrical engineering consultancy based in Southampton, which supplies design services to Bournemouth University on a range of projects, was briefed to improve environmental conditions within the space.

Henderson Green managing director Russell Pitman says first thoughts involved traditional approaches such as AC units or a roof-mounted air handling unit pumping fresh air into the laboratory.

But having discussed options with the University’s Environment & Energy Team it was decided to investigate alternatives that would also provide a low carbon solution.

Commenting for the University, the Estates Department’s Energy Officer (Technical) Dave Archer says that during the initial search he came across a Cool-phase article in a HVAC journal and decided to add the new system to the list.

The Cool-phase system, which reduces the running costs of buildings and creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment without compressors or hazardous coolants, can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems.

Henderson Green was then asked to undertake a feasibility study to establish whether Cool-phase could handle the two key objectives – the fresh air requirements and the cooling load; and Monodraught was asked to design the system and provide calculations to confirm it could achieve the required flow rates, etc.

Says Russell: “We reviewed, and eventually tested, Monodraught’s Cool-phase system against the air handling option and found that from the energy-saving viewpoint Cool-phase won hands-down, with relatively little increase in cost. Encouraged, we then went into a more detailed phase with Monodraught to ensure that the initial calculations matched the requirements of the space in everyday operational conditions.”

Once the air quality calculations and financial appraisals were completed and the University was satisfied that the system would do the job, Cool-phase was given the green light and two systems were installed in the laboratory by Monodraught, as part of a turnkey contract with one of the University’s approved building contractors.

Commenting on the installation Russell Pitman says everything went very smoothly, the project was delivered on time, with a minimum of fuss and no real issues and commenting on the Cool-phase itself he says it is almost too good to be true because it ticks every box.

Regarding the consultation period, he says Monodraught was very professional; and very flexible in incorporating changes the University team wanted to make to the initial calculations.

“In all, the working relationship was a very pleasant experience.” He says: “Work to install the two Cool-phase systems was carried out over four days, and even though some minor structural issues were encountered, the work didn’t stop – Monodraught’s team worked around the problems so that everything went smoothly and the job was delivered on time.” He adds that, besides improvements to the laboratory environment the Cool-phase system is also very quiet in operation, which is ideal in a space that is used for lectures.

Since completion of the installation Monodraught has been monitoring the laboratory’s environment to gather its own data, and the University Estates Department has also been recording data from the Cool-phase system on its BMS. Performance data from both parties will be reviewed to establish the overall effectiveness of the installation.

Dave Archer says Monodraught Windcatchers and Sunpipes are located in other areas of the campus and they have also proved to be very effective, so while it is too early to be definitive, early indications are that the Cool-phase system will perform to specification. He also anticipates that, at the end of the first year, the data will enable the Cool-phase software to optimise the system’s performance to best suit the laboratory space.

Cool-phase, Windcatcher and Sunpipe are registered trademarks owned by Monodraught Limited.

Monodraught Donates and Installs Windcatcher X-Airs and Sunpipes for Children in Need ‘Little Miracles’ Charity Build Project

Published in Monodraught

13 Nov 2013

Monodraught Donates and Installs Windcatcher X-Airs and Sunpipes for Children in Need ‘Little Miracles’ Charity Build Project

In September, natural ventilation, daylighting and cooling specialist Monodraught supplied and installed free of charge a number of its natural ventilation and daylighting systems to ‘The Little Miracles’ Project as part of BBC’s charity ‘Children in Need’ featured in the BBC One special programme 'DIY SOS: The Big Build. The systems were used as part of a life changing transformation to the centre for disabled children in Peterborough.

‘Little Miracles’ (http://www.littlemiraclespeterborough.org.uk/about.html) is a Peterborough-based, parent-led centre support group and charity for children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Set up by Michelle King in 2010 after she was refused access on public transport because of her son Oliver’s medical equipment; Little Miracles now helps 700 families and has over 2500 children registered to use the centre. What started out as a coffee morning for mums with similar issues quickly became a registered charity and a lifeline to the many families that use it. A staggering 83% of the families that use Little Miracles live below the poverty line, so all services are free-of-charge and, for many of the children that use the centre, Little Miracles is the only place where they are able to communicate freely, make friends, and most importantly – be themselves.

Built in Peterborough in just ten days in September, the Little Miracles site was erected on a gifted 2½ acre site, which includes an old, run down concrete prefab. While the new site is bigger than the Charity’s previous property, its existing building was not fit for purpose and had the potential to cause significant problems to many of the families who desperately rely on the help given by Little Miracles. There were no disabled toilets, access ramps or changing facilities, and the existing climbing structures were unsafe and condemned. The building contained asbestos, was not secure and had none of the sensory equipment so many of the children depend upon. Monodraught’s contribution was to supply and install three WINDCATCHER® X-Air 140 natural ventilation systems complete with an iNVent® fully-automatic control system, to provide natural ventilation to the Main Hall. In addition, nine 300mm diameter SUNPIPE® natural daylight systems were supplied and installed to serve the main corridor next to the “living wall” and toilet areas.

All of the systems were donated and installed free-of-charge by Monodraught. A team of four installers and a project manager completed the installation in just two days, amongst all the other activities involved in completing a brand new building from the ground up in less than two weeks!

Commenting for Monodraught, technical director Nick Hopper says: “To say it was chaotic at times would be an understatement. Monodraught, and in particular all of the engineers involved in this project, are proud to be associated with such a great cause.”

The top cappings and skirts of the three Windcatcher X-Air units were finished in different colours – one red, one yellow and one orange; and all the louvres were painted grey.

Set to be one of DIY SOS’s biggest builds yet, the show needed to demolish the existing space and build an entirely new centre using a timber frame structure. Essentials included full wheelchair access, a dedicated sensory room, space for counselling, an office, workable disabled toilets, a working kitchen and an area for the kids to eat, along with distinct spaces for both the young and the older kids that attend the centre. In addition, the centre was set in two and a half acres, with woodland, antiquated climbing structures and a football pitch, whereas the children needed a safe space to play with accessible equipment, sensory stimulation and space to run around.

Cool-phase Delivers Low Energy Ventilation and Cooling for Anglia Ruskin University Computer Room

Published in Monodraught

27 Nov 2013

Cool-phase Delivers Low Energy Ventilation and Cooling for Anglia Ruskin University Computer Room

Early in January 2013 a computer room in the Bryant Building used by the Faculty of Science and Technology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, had its aging air conditioning system replaced with two Cool-phase low energy cooling and ventilation systems fitted discreetly within the existing ceiling void.

In an effort to reduce its energy consumption, Anglia Ruskin University is keen to explore low energy alternatives to conventional air conditioning technologies and as a result, two Monodraught Cool-phase systems were specified to serve the Science & Technology classroom, replacing the existing end-of-life air conditioning system that provided comfort cooling but no ventilation. The Cool-phase systems provide intelligently controlled ventilation that naturally cools the area through the use of phase change material housed in thermal battery modules. The systems maintain thermally comfortable conditions and good air quality levels throughout the year.

Following the award of the contract, Monodraught’s design engineers first carried out dynamic thermal modelling, the results of which determined that two Cool‑phase systems (8KWhr) were required to ventilate and cool the space and, as is often the case with retrofit projects, the installation was rather challenging.

At the Anglia Ruskin site the conventional wall louvre assembly for supply and exhaust air also had to be reconfigured due to the existing building construction, but the design team engineered a solution that utilised a roof mounted supply and exhaust system to serve the two Cool-phase units. Similarly, the installation of both Cool-phase systems was also carried out by Monodraught’s installation team in to prevent disruption to teaching commitments.

Commenting on the selection of the Cool-phase systems, Andy Lefley, assistant director of building services, estates & facilities at the University says the university was grateful to the department for allowing the trial in the Bryant Room and will be monitoring the results closely to gauge the impact.

“If the trial is successful, the Estates & Facilities team will consider a range of further applications across the Cambridge and Peterborough campuses.” He says.

Each Cool-phase system continually monitors and records temperature, CO2 concentration and energy usage. Data collected the computer room between January 25th and September 2nd 2013 show very impressive results.

The average daily temperatures for the Science & Technology computer room clearly demonstrating that the Cool-phase systems have consistently maintained the internal temperature well within a comfortable band and that while internal temperatures have exceeded 25°C, 28°C and 32°C during the data logging period, the Cool-phase systems have maintained an ideal temperature of less than 25°C within the room for 97% of the occupied hours across the thirty-one week period. At no point has the room exceeded either 28°C or 32°C – a level of performance that far exceeds the target overheating criteria stipulated by both CIBSE Guide A and BB101.

The typical background or atmospheric CO2 concentration is recognized as approximately 400 parts per million (ppm). In education facilities CO2 levels should ideally remain below 1500 ppm, with levels above 1500 ppm considered high. The CO2 concentration in Room 016, where the two Cool-phase units are installed, is consistently maintained below the threshold level.

But perhaps the most impressive result shows that the combined energy consumption of the two Cool-phase systems was 197.6 KWh of electricity across the thirty-one week data logging period. Assuming a standard electricity tariff of 0.11£/KWh, this amounts to total energy costs of £21.74, or just 70p a week, for both Cool‑phase units.

Commenting on the choice of Cool-phase for the project, Andy Lefley, assistant director of building services, estates & facilities said; “I am very excited by this technology and by the opportunity to improve student comfort without increasing the energy burden to Anglia Ruskin University. The results achieved show that the solution has complied with the overheating and air quality criteria, keeping temperatures and CO2 concentrations within acceptable levels. This has been achieved with very low energy usage and equally low running and maintenance costs.”

Commenting for Monodraught, Cool-phase development manager John Curley says the two systems have clearly met the design criteria and specification requested by the client, adding: “Both Cool-phase systems delivered comfort cooling and maintained internal temperatures within an acceptable band, whilst providing fresh air to ensure that CO2 levels were maintained within acceptable boundaries.”

Further information and videos are available at http://www.cool-phase.net

COOL-PHASE® is a registered trademark owned by Monodraught Limited.

Monodraught’s Cool-Phase System Wins Prestigious Ashden Award

Published in Monodraught

21 Jun 2013

Monodraught’s Cool-Phase System Wins Prestigious Ashden Award

Natural ventilation specialist Monodraught has been awarded the Impax Ashden Award for Energy Innovation for its COOL-PHASE® natural cooling system. The award was presented by The Hon. Sir Jonathon Porritt at the Ashden Awards ceremony hosted on 20th June at London’s Royal Geographical Society.

Commenting for Monodraught, delighted technical director Nick Hopper says: “Winning the prestigious Ashden Awards with our Cool-Phase system is a real boost for everyone at Monodraught, because the whole company has been involved in its development. Designing and manufacturing sustainable products that reduce energy consumption is a worthwhile objective for any company and at Monodraught we relish it as our long-term mission.”

By using phase change material (PCM) as a thermal energy store and combining it with intelligently controlled ventilation to actively ventilate and cool buildings, Monodraught’s Cool-Phase system can maintain temperatures within the comfort zone, while radically reducing energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems.

Commenting for Ashden, the awards judging panel says: “This is a ground-breaking innovation from an established business that has built up a reputation for its long term commitment to sustainable buildings in the UK. It is no exaggeration to say this could potentially change the whole ventilation and cooling market.”

Summarising, Nick Hopper says the business support Monodraught receives from winning this prestigious award will enable the company to access a global platform on which to build its profile for low energy cooling and ventilation solutions.

Cool-Phase is a registered trademark owned by Monodraught Limited.

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