Energy Reduction

As part of H2O’s comprehensive package of hygiene services, the company also offers specific packages designed to help improve the operating efficiency of plant and systems. By improving this aspect of the plant, potential energy consumption can be considerably reduced along with the carbon footprint of the services and running costs for customers.

Ductwork Cleaning = Lower Energy Consumption

Air conditioning systems are designed to draw fresh air into a building at a certain design rate, filter, heat and/or cool the air via the coil banks and then distribute the conditioned air throughout the building via a network of ducts.

However, poorly maintained air conditioning systems will quickly accumulate deposits on the heating and cooling coils which will have a two fold effect on efficiency. Firstly, due to the insulating properties of the deposits, greater energy consumption is spent in achieving the same levels of heating and cooling control. Secondly, as the air path through the coils becomes more restricted due to the build ups of the deposits, the unit has to work harder to provide the same volumes of air, again consuming more energy.

On top of this, dirty ductwork and distribution grilles will also have an effect on the air flow through a system, which again will not only cause the fan to have to work harder to produce the same air flow volumes, but also encourages the building users to run the plant at higher levels to achieve the same amount of heating or cooling.

By undertaking a programme of regular cleaning and inspection of the key components of a plant and system, H2O can help improve the energy efficiency of most air conditioning ductwork systems.

Kitchen Grease Extract Cleaning = Efficient Operation

By their very design, kitchen grease extract systems draw the stale, grease laden air from the kitchen areas they are serving into the ductwork and fan of the system.

Over a relatively short period of time these contaminates will begin to build up within a grease extract system on key components such as turning vanes, fan blades and discharge louvers. The result of these build ups tends to restrict air flow patterns throughout the system and when deposits are left unchecked it is not unusual for fan blades and mesh filters to actually become fully blocked, thus completely restricting airflow.

The result is not only a complete loss of design performance of the system, but also a greater strain is put on components such as the fan which once laden with grease will demand a greater amount of energy to operate. Leaving this situation to worsen will often cause the fan to completely burn out.

The solution is simple; by implementing a programme of regular cleaning and inspections, H2O can ensure any kitchen grease extract system remains clean and therefore continues operating as efficiently as possible.

Calorifier De-scaling = Lower Water Heating Costs

Hot water storage cylinders or calorifiers are designed to operate in a clean and efficient manner. Manufacturers recommend that these units are stripped down and internally de-scaled or ’de-limed’ and cleaned out at least once a year. Internal inspection to ensure systems are clean and scale free is also a requirement of ACOP L8.

If these essential cleaning and de-scaling works are not undertaken however, scale deposits will very quickly begin to build up on the internal heating elements and around the base of the unit. The result of these build ups is that the water heater will simply stop working efficiently and will consume more energy and power to achieve the same temperatures.

H2O undertake a comprehensive cleaning and de-scaling package which helps remove deposits that build up within hot water cylinders and ensure the hot water systems continue to operate at the specified efficiency levels.

In addition to the task specific energy reduction programmes H2O can implement for your site, the company has further demonstrated its commitment to helping reduce the industry's carbon emissions by operating as a carbon neutral company for the last two years at the same time as closely developing their environmental policy. This has involved offsetting the company’s inevitable carbon footprint by sponsoring various energy reduction projects around the world.