Production areas being too hot in summer and too cold in winter — that was the problem facing Teconnex at its plant in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Low-energy ECA heating, together with award-winning Breezair evaporative cooling, from CoSaf Environments resolved the situation
When clamping equipment specialist Teconnex bought the adjacent factory building to expand its business, the company found that the structure — which had previously been a clothing warehouse — had poor roof insulation and minimal ventilation from roof extractor systems. In summer the skylights in the roof, together with the heat generated from the plant, caused the factory to become unbearably hot, reaching temperatures of between 31°C and 32°C. In winter, despite the company using floor-mounted gas fired air heaters switched on 24/7, the workforce still complained they felt cold.
“We needed to find a environmental and cost-effective solution to the heating and cooling problem,” said Nadeem Anwar, Engineering Services Manager at Teconnex. “We went out to tender but were recommended to CoSaf Environment. The company spent time developing energy saving solutions for the project that would work really effectively”.
Heating — and cooling — solutions
CoSaf’s design consists of removing the central dividing wall of the production area to create a 6000sq.m area. It then installed ten suspended gas-fired warm air low-energy heaters operated with programmable controllers that allow zonal temperature response during occupied periods and night setback/frost protection thereafter. And when it came to selecting a cooling system, CoSaf arranged for Teconnex’s managers to visit its associate company, Hexadex in Lincolnshire, which already had the Breezair cooling installed.
“We extremely impressed with the Breezair system,” continued Mr. Anwar. “Not only does it provide our workforce with cooled fresh air and natural ventilation, it was also cost-effective to install, has low maintenance and is environmentally friendly.”
In total, 12 Breezair coolers have been installed on the roof of the building, with air being distributed through galvanised ducting and then through air grille diffusers, which direct cooled air into the central areas along the whole length of the building. The existing natural extract ventilation is used to accelerate heat extraction helping to create continual air changes. Both the heaters and coolers have their own timed and temperature controls and can be used in conjunction with the Building Management Systems.
Both the low-energy ECA heating and Breezair evaporative cooling have provided Teconnex with the optimum solution for its production areas. This has resulted in cost savings for the company and a far more contented workforce that is warm in winter and cool in summer.
