Natural Ventilation and Window Automation
Robertson Ventilation Industries is proud to bring window automation and natural ventilation systems to Southern Africa through its technology partner; SE Controls®. With 30 years experience Robertson Ventilation are passionate about delivering energy efficient buildings with productive, healthy indoor environments; occupant productivity is significantly improved when thermal comfort and indoor air quality are optimised. Robertson Ventilation Industries' turnkey solution incorporates design, supply, installation and commissioning through to maintenance.
"To achieve green star ratings and energy efficiency, natural ventilation is a key component”
It may be advantageous to use the windows (which are already installed in the fabric of the building) to provide additional fresh air to supplement an existing heating and cooling strategy. Control of the windows can deliver a low cost solution.
It is very advantageous to design window automation in at concept stage either as a fully blown natural ventilation system or as a hybrid mixed mode solution. Either way, using automated windows brings huge cost savings for the running costs and therefore a lower carbon footprint. The effectiveness of any system will be about understanding its optimum usage. Typically a natural ventilation system may be effective for 95% of the year, only needing to be supplemented by additional cooling for 5% of the year. That means that the energy savings are wide. If air conditioning is used sparingly, natural daylight reduces the need for artificial lighting and the indoor air quality is maximised through true "air changing".
Adaptive natural ventilation systems can be standalone, or can be integrated with Building Management Systems (BMS). Both approaches ensure that natural ventilation strategies remain flexible and can be adjusted to the particular needs of the end user.
Automated windows can be programmed to open proportionally in separate zones, when CO2 or temperature levels reach agreed set points. Local override switches give manual operation, allowing the end user to make adjustments. With these and other inputs, a healthy environment is assured