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photovoltaic
test rig
Blind
protection in summer of south facing glazing (97% solar reflection)
& high sun roof shading of widows (new house Abbots Leigh)
Sustainable Solutions
The partners have for many years been committed to the principles of energy and resource conservation. In both refurbishment of existing properties and design of new buildings we aim, as far as possible, to ensure that resource consumption is minimized through a full environmental audit of the project.
It is also necessary to achieve a careful balance of capital and revenue funding, and we can provide cost-in-use studies in addition to normal capital cost plans.
We have designed many low energy buildings incorporating passive solar and cooling design principles and had installed:
photovoltaic systems and solar water heating installationsAlternative forms of construction employed recently have included straw bale walls, and turf covered timber framed roofs.
thermal mass tempering of air and heat recovery systems
We also been involved in university research and design projects into the above..
solar
thermal panels
Generally these should be the first choice for cost and energy contribution.
The 10sq metres of panel mounted on the roof make a substantial contribution to the heating of hot water for washing and the laundry of this new 8 bedroom residential unit constructed for St Christopher's School, Westbury Park, Bristol
solar
thermal & solarium
LOW
ENERGY HOUSE - HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION, SOLARIUM & THERMAL PANELS
On
sunny summer days the 4sq
metres of thermal solar panels regularly
heat a 210ltr.
hot water storage cylinder
to over 60C's providing the hot water needs
of this 2 bedroom house in Gibson Road, Bristol.
On a sunny mid winter day (20 December 05) a full tank of solar heated
water was available at 57degs.C!
A low energy ventilation installation keeps
air fresh and condensation under control.
The heat exchanger in this unit is very efficient and recovers up to 95%
of the heat energy from exhausted air
.
A
sliding
double low 'E' glazed roof over the 'solarium'
contributes solar heating.
The solarium is separated from the main living space by retractable double
glazed sliding doors so that a thermal buffer is created in winter when
closed. In summer the roof can be half opened to provide copious ventilation
and, if required, shade the glazed doors below (the louvres were not
installed at the time of this photo).
The house was designed to include high thermal mass in the construction
to damp the day/night thermal cycle both in summer and winter. This
has proven to be successful, the house is cool in summer and solar gain
in winter is of benefit in the evening.
links:
www.pvsystems.com
