Air conditioning specialist Holborn Building Services Ltd is helping
the Nationwide Building Society to upgrade the air conditioning
systems in several retail branches, removing the old R22 systems,
and replacing them with modern R410a units that offer more energy
efficiency and central control.
R22 gas is being phased out because it has ozone-depleting potential
yet there are still many thousands of systems in operation across a
host of UK industries. Companies such as the Nationwide need to find
ways of replacing these systems whilst keeping branch disruption and
costs to a minimum.
Holborn has been working with Vinci Facilities, the Facilities
Management provider for Nationwide’s Retail Branch network, as part
of the Building Society’s ongoing program of energy saving
initiatives and equipment upgrade.
“In most cases, Holborn has only had to replace the outdoor and
indoor units and has been able to keep all of the existing piping
and wiring,” explains Project Manager, Tim Smith of Vinci
Facilities.
“This has meant business as usual inside the branch for Nationwide
as we have been able to minimise the disruption to branch staff and
also retain the integrity of existing decoration and wall finishes,”
adds Smith.
The use of new R22 gas is now banned and recycled R22 refrigerant is
being phased out, so businesses that still rely on these old systems
will have to consider ways of replacing these air conditioning
units.
Many building and facilities managers will have to factor this
replacement into their budgets over the next four years, but as
Holborn Building Services Director, Nick Scragg explains,
understanding the options available can mean that the impact and
costs can be minimsed if the appropriate equipment, installed by an
accredited installer is chosen.
“With systems like Mitsubishi Electric’s Replace range, many R22
units can simply be removed and the pipework cleaned and reused.
This means that the work can be carried out around retail hours
without incurring the additional costs of out of hours working,”
adds Scragg. “This reduces the work and helps control replacement
costs as well as minimising the impact on the branch, its staff and
its customers.”
All of the Mitsubishi Electric equipment that Holborn is installing
is listed on the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA)
Scheme, allowing Nationwide to offset the capital cost against its
annual tax bill. In addition, Holborn is able to offer extended
warranties as it is an Accredited Mitsubishi Electric Installer.
“We are also taking the opportunity to install Mitsubishi’s Procon
A2M interface controller, which allows the new air conditioning to
be connected to a web-based monitoring system,” Scragg says. “Using
GPRS communication, this means that Vinci Facilities can remotely
apply time schedules and limit set points for the Nationwide to
constantly maximise efficiency levels.”
The web-based controller offers full data logging which means that
the Nationwide can see how equipment is being used in each branch
and set limits on upper and lower temperatures. This helps to reduce
energy use further and minimises equipment wear.
In order to establish what is needed for each individual branch,
Holborn staff undertake a survey using a state-of-the-art audit tool
from Mitsubishi Electric. This produces an energy/carbon reduction
assessment, which highlights ways of reducing energy use further.
Holborn’s energy assessment can also be used as a basis for an
application for interest-free funding from the Carbon Trust for new
equipment. Holborn, as registered contractors with the Carbon Trust,
can even help with that process by submitting the funding
application.
“For Nationwide and Vinci Facilities, the upheaval of R22
replacement is being minimised allowing the branches to operate as
usual,” explains Scragg. “The added benefit is that with the modern
Mitsubishi Electric equipment they also get much greater control and
on-going monitoring to ensure the most cost efficient use of
energy.”
The Holborn Group website, www.holborngroup.co.uk has details of all
the company’s services as well as downloadable case studies, product
information and even a film of Holborn at work.
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