With climate change an increasing concern, we are using renewable energy sources, such as the sun and the wind, to heat our buildings.
Unfortunately, many renewable technologies are unsuitable for the large steel clad structures which are used for diverse buildings, such as leisure centres, factories and retail outlets.
Sustainable living can also come at a high price, which causes further problems for the occupants of these buildings.
A typical heat gain graph from SolarWall
SolarWall is a sustainable heating system that works without turbines, heat pumps or photo-voltaic cells.
Taking the form of steel cladding, the product has been designed to capture the sun’s warmth.
It uses solar heated air to heat the building.
Also available in aluminium, the cladding is suitable for industrial and commercial buildings.
It is an ecological alternative to traditional renewable energy technologies.
On a clear, sunny day, SolarWall is able to generate enough heat to warm an entire building whilst on cloudy days, it relies on pre-heated air.
Fitted to the southern exterior elevations of a building’s envelope, it also provides solar shading in the summer, reducing the need for additional ventilation and cooling.
Offering reduced energy bills, the SolarWall can improve air quality and distribution in a building.
How SolarWall works
The cladding is manufactured from aluminium or ColourCoat pre-coated steel from Corus.
Each panel comprises around 2,500 small perforations per square metre.
Solar heated air is drawn through these perforations and then fed into the air cavity.
From here, it is introduced into a heating system and distributed throughout the building.
The warmed air can then recover hot air that has risen to the ceiling and would otherwise be wasted.
SolarWall can be used in conjunction with a fully integrated AmbiRad heating system.
In the case of a retro fit installation, where existing heating systems are already fitted, a fan can be used to distribute the warmed air instead.
To test SolarWall, the CA Group installed a system on one of its existing buildings.
A thermographic survey and an air permeability test were carried out; 16 temperature and humidity sensors were also fitted to monitor heat distribution and stratification levels.
Following the installation, the building was noticeably warmer and heat was distributed more evenly throughout.
Twelve months after SolarWall was fitted, the CA Group reported a 50% saving of its fuel costs for heating.
AmbiRad’s gas-fired heating system can be connected to SolarWall and its distribution duct
The company also used SolarWall cladding on a new development.
It was installed to heat its extended production facility in Evenwood, working with three gas-fired warm air heating units from AmbiRad.
When used in conjunction with AmbiRad’s heating systems, the SolarWall is able to effectively harness solar energy and meet a building’s heating requirements.
Controlled by a single system, the integrated heating solution offers energy savings to buildings that are incompatible with other sustainable technologies.
Contact:
Nortek Global HVAC UK,
Fens Pool Avenue,
Brierely Hill,
West Midlands,
United Kingdom,
DY5 1QA
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