Enershield Energy Saving Air Barriers
Air Curtain

Archive for November, 2014

Enershield Provides a Solution for Heat Loss Problem

Posted by Enershield

INDUSTRY

PRESTIGE OFFICE SUITES

APPLICATION AREA

MAIN ENTRANCE

Customer Challenge:

Maintaining heat within building

We were approached by Alba Facilities Services on behalf of their client, Tanfield House, to provide a solution to their heat loss problem.  Due to the continuous high footfall passing through the main entrance/exit, which resulted in the doors being   constantly open, there were on-going concerns over heat loss, wasted energy and lack of thermal comfort within the large open plan main reception area.

There is one main entrance/exit door to this building (3m high by 2.6m wide) located by the main reception making it almost impossible to maintain any level of heat.  As a result reception staff required additional heaters to keep warm.  As well as heat loss and thermal/energy concerns, there was also a problem with the  ingress of smoke fumes, leaves and flying insects, especially during the summer months.

 

Enershield solution:

Following a detailed site survey, an Enershield ECS-72 (European Comfortshield) was installed above the main reception internal sliding doors.  Using ambient air,  Enershield Air Barriers create a laminar flow of air, forced across the opening to create a virtual door and form up to a 90% seal which separates the environments on either side.  The barrier prevents the escape of heated or air conditioned air and the ingress of cold air, fumes, flying insects and leaves.

Result:

Prior to the Enershield Air Barrier installation internal temperatures were commonly between 13°C and 16°C which would drop to around 7-9°C with the door open.

With the Enershield now in operation, the reception area is maintaining a comfortable environment with a temperature of around 22°C and no sudden and extreme temperature drops while the door is open.   Temperature recovery time is reduced and there is no longer any need to use temporary heaters which has provided immediate additional cost savings.

The ingress of leaves and fumes has been eliminated improving cleanliness as well as a noticeable drop in fly ing insects in and around the main reception area.

Additional Benefits:

In addition, since installation of the Air Barrier, the   energy rating of the building has improved and there have been no complaints from clients or staff of feeling cold while in the main reception area.

Another benefit has been recovery of heated air from the high atrium ceiling area.  As the Enershield air      barrier draws in ambient air from above, it achieves an element of destratification by bringing hot air back down, further reducing heating costs and increasing comfort.

 

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 THINK EFFICIENT, THINK ENVIRONMENT, THINK ENERSHIELD

 

 

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Keep your door open AND keep your heat in.

Posted by Enershield

With temperatures due to plummet, the height of the shopping season just around the corner and visitor footfall into your premises due to increase, keeping your premises heated can be challenging as well as crucial for the comfort of customers/visitors and staff alike.

An open door policy is becoming more and more common (especially within retail) as it generates a welcoming vibe, attracting more visitors to a premises, but this comes at a great financial and environmental cost.  The warm air escapes, the cold air enters, the temperature drops and the thermostat triggers the heating to come on.

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An Enershield Air Barrier can create up a 90% seal across an open doorway by recirculating ambient air.  The seal separates the atmospheres on either side preventing the transfer of temperature, humidity, dust, odours, smoke and insects.  As an indication, for each unit of energy that an Enershield Air Barrier consumes, it will save 15.

 

 

The effectiveness of Enershield air barriers (in preventing heat loss and the ingress of cold air) is clearly illustrated by these thermal images.

 

 

Enershield Air Barrier Off
Notice the leakage of warm air at the top of the doorway and the ingress of cold air at the bottom.

 

 

Enershield Air Barrier On
Enershield successfully separating two environments.

 

 

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The installation of an Enershield Air Barrier:

- Reduces energy costs

- Provides thermal comfort for staff and customers

- Provides environmental separation

- Prevents flying insect ingress

- Prevents external pollutant ingress

- Improves cleanliness

- Enhances overall comfort

- Provides return on investment

 

 

Air Barrier Vs Air Curtain

 

Air barriers should not be confused with a heated warm air curtain, whose primary design objective is to provide warmth at an open doorway.  Without a proper seal across an open door, your expensively heated air along with the warm blast from the typical heated air curtain is immediately conveyed to the outside.  A typical 5Kw air curtain will operate 8hours per day, 5 days per week and will consume in excess of £1,000 electricity per annum.  Under the same conditions an Enershield Air Barrier will consume £60 of electricity per annum.

 

Here’s what some of our clients said about their Enershield results

“The problem was the main entrance in the reception area consisting of four automatic doors.  Staff had been complaining about the cold, especially on days when there was a strong wind.  During winter months internal temperatures were dropping to as low as 5 or 6°C.  We struggled to resolve our problem as the existing over door heaters were not providing a solution.

By installing two Enershield Microshield Air barriers, we are now achieving the targeted temperatures of at least 20°C.  This solution has improved customer satisfaction and dramatically enhanced our staff comfort.”  Synergy Director

 

“There was a problem of cold air rushing into our main reception whenever the automatic doors were opened.  The problem was twofold, firstly for comfort and secondly; lost heat going out the door… I went ahead with the project and the Enershield unit completely lived up to expectations.”          Energy Manager

 

“Installed during a cold snap in December, the benefits were seen immediately.  Desk staff were able to turn off their stand-alone heaters and again work in comfortable attire, energy savings were made and internal temperatures can now be more accurately controlled.”                 Engineering Contracts Manager

 

For more information on the Enershield Air Barrier, or for a site survey including a predicted return on investment for the installation of Enershield into your premises, please contact us.