A breath of Fresh Air

Individual controls allow staff to determine the temperature and air flow around their workstations so it's just right reducing grumbles about being too hot or too cold

View of an office work station which features desk, desktop computer, electronic device, furniture, laptop, office, personal computer, product design, technology, white — View of an office work station which features individual controls for temperature and air flow from UCI.

View of an office work station which features computer hardware, computer keyboard, electronic device, input device, product, product design, technology, gray

View of an office work station which features computer hardware, display device, electronic device, multimedia, office, personal computer, product, product design, technology, white, blue

View of an office work station which features computer hardware, desk, desktop computer, display device, electronic device, furniture, laptop, office, personal computer, personal computer hardware, product, product design, technology, white

View of an office work stations which feature ceiling, floor, flooring, interior design, office, gray, black

Large, open-plan offices offer many benefits but someone always seems to be nudging up the thermostat while someone else edges it down. Few people ever seem to be happy with the temperature.

UCI takes on the task of making the office more comfortable with Task Air, says Bob Hannam, director of UCI. The system changes the delivery point of the conditioned air by ducting it directly to workstations. About a third of the room's conditioned air flows through a diffuser set into the partition, while the rest disperses through conventional ceiling vents.

"Individual comfort is improved because the air goes directly into the breathing zone of the workstation occupant," Bob Hannam says. "The user breathes the air directly from the air conditioner filters before it can pick up any contaminants, such as germs when your neighbour coughs, or copier chemicals."

With so many outlets, air moves constantly, making it difficult for stale pockets to accumulate, resulting in greater air change effectiveness. More fresh rather than recycled air can be drawn through the system.

Correctly configured, Task Air can significantly save on energy use. The air can be up to 4º warmer when it is delivered from an outlet about 30cm above the desktop, rather than flowing down from the ceiling. UCI can provide full research data on the benefits of workstation-based air conditioning.

For more information, contact UCI, 3 Primrose Street, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006, phone 1300 824 824. Email: info@uci.com.au. Website: www.uci.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas

30 Jun, 2009

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A breath of Fresh Air

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