Teconnex Limited, a world leader in stainless steel clamping solutions, has resolved the problem of its production areas being too hot in summer and too cold in winter with energy saving solutions from CoSaf Environments, a leading expert in the design and installation of evaporative cooling and heating systems. The company has installed low energy ECA heating together with the award-winning environmentally friendly Breezair evaporative cooling at Teconnex’s production area in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

When Teconnex bought the adjacent factory building to expand its business, the company found that the structure, which had previously been a clothing warehouse, had poor roof insulation and minimal ventilation from roof extractor systems. In summer, the skylights in the roof together with the heat generated from the plant caused the factory became unbearably hot reaching temperatures of between 31°C and 32°C. In winter, despite the company using floor-mounted gas fired air heaters switched on 24/7, the workforce still complained they felt cold.

“We needed to find a environmental and cost effective solution to the heating and cooling problem”, said Nadeem Anwar, Engineering Services Manager at Teconnex. “We went out to tender but were recommended to CoSaf Environment. The company spent time developing energy saving solutions for the project that would work really effectively”.

CoSaf Environment’s design consists of removing the central dividing wall of the production area to create a 6,000 square metre area. It then installed 10 suspended gas fired warm air low energy heaters operated with programmable controllers that allow zonal temperature response during occupied periods and night setback/frost protection thereafter.

When it came to selecting a cooling system, CoSaf arranged for Teconnex’s managers to visit its associate company, Hexadex in Lincolnshire, which already had the Breezair cooling installed.

“We extremely impressed with the Breezair system”, continued Mr. Anwar. “Not only does it provide our workforce with cooled fresh air and natural ventilation, it was also cost effective to install, has low maintenance and is environmentally friendly”, he concluded.

A total of 12 Breezair coolers have been installed on the roof of the building with air being distributed through galvanised ducting and then through air grille diffusers, which direct cooled air into the central areas along the whole length of the building. The existing natural extract ventilation is used to accelerate heat extraction helping to create continual air changes. Both the heaters and coolers have their own timed and temperature controls and can be used in conjunction with the Building Management Systems (BMS).

Both the low energy ECA heating and Breezair evaporative cooling have provided Teconnex with the optimum solution for its production areas, which has resulted in cost savings for the company and a far more contented workforce that is warm in winter and cool in summer.

Related Information: Breezeair Evaporative Cooling Systems