The recent AGM of IHEEM’s North-West Branch was followed by a talk by Swegon on air terminals and air handling units, with particular emphasis on energy performance, compliance with part L of the Building Regulations, and occupant comfort.
The many attendees had a chance to view a display of a working air handling units, which included a thermal wheel heat recovery system, and controls that can be incorporated into a building energy management system. The evening was kindly hosted by modular construction specialist, MDWS (UK), in Heywood, Lancashire, which also took attendees on a brief tour of its modular ward facility. North-West Branch members also recently visited the University of Salford to hear about the work being carried out by the University on its Energy House (see above) – a traditional pre-1920 2-up 2-down’ Victorian terrace house reconstructed using reclaimed materials from local sources. Erected within a fully environmentally controllable chamber that enables climatic conditions to be maintained, varied, and repeated, and patterns monitored, the house provides a testing and development facility in which researchers can work with industry to develop and test new technology and solutions to improve the energy efficiency of projects and processes. It is constructed so that the roof, windows, wall finishes, ceilings, electrical, and heating systems, can be changed as and when required. Each room is monitored for temperature and humidity, while gas, electricity, and water consumption, are also carefully scrutinised.
