Welcome to 2012, a year of positive energy and optimism. There is no doubt this year will see ongoing changes in our environment and hopefully in people’s interaction with the environment.

When people are asked how they practice sustainability, their main response is typically recycling. But, is there more that we should be doing? Is there more that we should be aware of?

The term "heat island" describes built up areas, such as cities, that release more heat into the atmosphere and can be up to 12°C hotter than the rural vegetated areas around them.

1. The heat island effect is the most documented phenomenon of climate change (Santamouris, 2007)
2. It is estimated that 3-8% of the current urban electricity demand is used to compensate for the heat island effect alone (Santamouris, 2007)
3. An increase by 1°C of the ambient temperature in Tokyo increases peak electricity demand by 1.8 gigawatts (GW), which is equivalent to two medium-sized nuclear plants, presenting a cost close to US$2.5 billion (Murakami, 2006)
4. Air conditioning is already responsible for over half of the peak power demand in many regions of Japan, the United States and Australia (Waide, 2006)
5. The heat island effect creates a vicious cycle as shown below, with the typical assumption that comfort is best maintained via air conditioning.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA) has produced a simulation table (pictured below) which is based on an inefficient building creating 80 watts per sq meter internal loads in the Sydney region with heating and cooling setpoints of 18-28°C, and a limiting outdoor dew point of 17°C.

This table illustrates that:

• Direct Cooling (natural ventilation) is effective 80% of the time
• Night cooling is needed for 116 days of the year and is effective 67% of the time

Vento’s WINDCATCHER®, SOLA-BOOST®, AIR PEAR® and WindowMaster® systems are all examples of natural ventilation and energy efficient product solutions for your building.

To find out more about these products, please click here

Do you think that Natural Ventilation is an effective means of reducing carbon emissions?

Click here for Yes             Click here for No

Results will be released in next month’s e-newsletter.

This month Vento will welcome WindowMaster’s UK former Controls and Commissioning Engineer, Jakub Obr. Jakub will be applying his specific skill set and experience acquired through five years on the job training and through various workshop sessions within the WindowMaster organisation to the Australasian market.

Vento are excited about the appointment of Jakub as his in-depth knowledge of the NV Comfort and all other related Windowmaster products will help us provide more intricate total building control systems.

Jakub's appointment is another sign of Vento's commitment towards growth, sales and sustainability this year.

Click here to view our website or call us on 02 8338 9755 to see what we offer and how we can help you.

Vento has been selected to supply natural ventilation to a new commercial office building in Canberra. We have been awarded the project to control 482 windows ventilating and cooling 9 floors of the building and the system will be tied in with the Building Management System (BMS) to also provide fire and smoke control.

The requirements for this building are that the awning windows will push out to a minimum of 45 degrees to provide maximum cross-flow ventilation to the building and we have provided a specialised pivoted actuator that will deal with loads and spatial requirements specific to this performance criterion. Our unique Motor Link™ control strategy ensures the BMS has full awareness of each individual window sash hence providing complete control for the internal climate and smoke requirements.

In addition, the design allows for user override which ensures internal comfort is maximised. Thermal comfort research in naturally ventilated buildings shows that if people have perceived control over their environment they will accept a greater range of comfort criteria.

Click here for more information on how the MotorLink technology operates.

Canberra: 6-7th February

  Brisbane: 15-16th February

Melbourne: TBC in February 

  If you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss a project or would like a presentation on our products please contact James Idle on 0401722558  

Email: info@vento.com.au

PH:  +61 2 8338 9755

Website: http://www.vento.com.au