Newton Park Library HVAC refurbishment
Ferguson Brown Sustainable Engineering have provided a feasibility option study for the replacement of the HVAC system serving the first floor of the library, Newton Park, Bath Spa University.
A site survey was undertaken to understand the existing systems and installations to establish a baseline for the design work.
IES dynamic energy modelling information has been used to establish the existing buildings loads and HVAC system energy performance, and the resultant performance of three HVAC replacement options.
- Option A: extension of the library radiator system across the 1st floor and couple with evaporative
cooling. - Option B: extension of the library radiator system across the 1st floor and couple with automated
natural ventilation. - Option C: a new VRF system with heat recovery, and individual room CO2 sensor-controlled
ventilation.
Additional modelling has been undertaken to indicate the performance impact of cavity wall insulation and an upgrade of the existing lighting to LED.
Similarly, the University’s plans to restrict access to reduce the need to condition areas is encouraged and should be prioritised for co-ordination with control and zoning specification during
the HVAC system design development.
Energy demand reduction opportunities: Cavity wall insulation has the lowest capital cost and lowest estimated installation cost per unit of total energy consumption reduction, the LED lighting retrofit
does, however, have the greatest total energy consumption reduction potential.
Design Considerations
- Optimised low carbon energy sources
- Integrate use of the new VRF system with natural ventilation
- Allowance for summer period space utilisation strategy
