{"id":392360,"date":"2024-09-06T04:07:48","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T08:07:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canada.constructconnect.com\/?p=392360"},"modified":"2024-09-06T09:31:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T13:31:40","slug":"inside-innovation-low-energy-cooling-solutions-for-hot-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canada.constructconnect.com\/dcn\/news\/infrastructure\/2024\/09\/inside-innovation-low-energy-cooling-solutions-for-hot-buildings","title":{"rendered":"Inside Innovation: Low energy cooling solutions for hot buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Middle East has always been a high temperature zone.<\/p>\n
However, Europe and North America, long considered moderate, have experienced higher temperatures over past summers, a trend projected to continue. The increased demand for air-conditioning is adding more energy loads onto power grids and with that added costs for building operators.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why TermoDeck\u00ae,<\/a> a Swedish building technology that has been used effectively in the Middle East for decades, is finding interest in North America.<\/p>\n As temperatures increase during the day, TermoDeck<\/a> stores surplus heat in its hollow core slabs. That heat is dissipated at night as the slabs cool, either due to reductions in the ambient temperature or using conventional chillers, with supply fans running 24\/7. The net result is energy loads can be reduced significantly compared with conventional technologies, the company says. In winter, the process is reversed to add heat to the interior as required.<\/p>\n Comparing TermoDeck to conventional HVAC systems, a report<\/a> carried out in the Middle East by ASA Consulting showed TermoDeck could save around 40 per cent in running costs, while another independent report suggested the TermoDeck system also carries a lower capital cost. It\u2019s achievement of high performance alongside low energy usage has resulted in its use in \u201cgreen\u201d buildings built to BREEAM, LEED and PassivHaus standards.<\/p>\n TermoDeck says the highest energy savings are achieved in cooling mode in commercial and institutional buildings. Immediate cooling savings of 35 to 50 per cent over 24 hours and up to 90 per cent during peaks have been measured.<\/a><\/p>\n Structures designed to use pre-stressed hollow core floor slabs are perfect candidates for TermoDeck, the company says. Beyond the energy savings, the system allows for a more flexible interior layout since there is neither any duct work nor any false ceilings. That also allows interior layouts to be shifted easily as needs change. Electrical services and sprinklers can be carried within one of TermoDeck\u2019s three core layers.<\/p>\n