Green light

PART OF THE green philosophy for Conservation House is not only setting up energy-efficient building services systems, but also ensuring they stay energy efficient. The company responsible for installing the forward-looking air conditioning solutions and efficient plumbing systems will also service them to ensure they remain in optimum, fine-tuned condition.

Aquaheat Industries is a broad building services provider, undertaking air conditioning, plumbing and service maintenance on large commercial projects. On this ground-breaking project the company installed several distinct elements that together form the heart of Conservation House's green agenda.

Aquaheat addressed the air conditioning and plumbing, with the servicing of these up-to-the-minute systems likely to be an ongoing agenda, says director Paul DeBernardo.

"The introduction of several hundred highly energy-conscious active chilled beams throughout the podium levels was central to the air conditioning fit-out," he explains. "We have installed passive chilled beams on a small project before, but the DOC fit-out entailed upscale application of active chilled beams. These have air jets expelled into the environment that proactively encourage the room's air movement across concealed water-carrying coils within the beam."

Passive beams rely on warm air rising, cooling on contact with the cold coils and then descending to cool the room and tend to have a fairly localised effect.

"Active chilled beams have the added advantage of being able to be situated anywhere in a room. The coils can be switched to carry hot water instead of cold, providing the DOC offices with warm air instead of cool in the colder months."

In addition, a computer-driven building management system, BMS, monitors the air conditioning in terms of time and zone control to further optimise energy saving. The BMS also controls night purges and spring and autumn cycles, where the major plant shuts down and relies on natural ventilation to control comfort levels via motorised control windows.

Plumbing services were equally high-impact in terms of the building's energy efficiency.

"Even in material terms, this job was different," says DeBernardo. "PVC piping was eschewed in favour of Wavin AS, a recyclable material popular in Europe apartment design for its excellent acoustic properties that avoid the sound of water running through walls or across ceilings. In design terms, we installed heat pump hot water cylinders to efficiently create hot water for the building."

Aquaheat also set in place the complex reticulation system that sees storm water channelled into a basement level 65,000-litre storage tank, for use in toilets, urinals and even to water the building's rooftop gardens. When the tank is full, excess water runs away through conventional stormwater outlets. The reticulation system is also controlled via BMS intelligence.

"No detail was spared in this fit-out we even installed tapware with in-built motion sensors to ensure precious resources aren't wasted down the plug hole."

For details, contact Aquaheat Industries, 92-96 Main Rd, Tawa, Wellington, phone (04) 232 5179, fax (04) 232 4170. Email: pdebernardo@aquaheat.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas