How does a heat pump work?

Heat pumps use the same technology as is used in a refrigerator, exploiting the temperature difference between the refrigerant gas and its surroundings. 

Both rely on three key facts:

1. Heat will move down a ‘temperature gradient’ from a higher temperature to a lower temperature.

2. When a liquid changes to a gas, heat is extracted from the surrounding to provide the energy for this change (e.g. boiling water to steam).

3.Refrigerant gases have a boiling point well below 0°C. For example the R410A refrigerant used in Toshiba heat pumps has a boiling point of -48.5°C.

In a refrigerator the refrigerant gas extracts heat from the air inside the refrigerator, thus cooling the air. The extract heat is released into the room through the heat exchanger on the back of the unit.

A heat pump works in the same way, except that heat is removed from the air, the ground or a body of water, so that heat pumps are known as air-source, ground-source or water-source.

In all of these cases, the temperature of the heat source (air, ground, water) is higher than the -48.5°C boiling point of the refrigerant, even in a very cold winter.

So the refrigerant is circulated round the system under pressure to keep it in liquid form until it enters the evaporator. At this point, the pressure is released and the refrigerant turns to gas, extracting heat from its surroundings.

The refrigerant is then re-pressurised and converted back to a liquid in a condenser. At this point the heat that was captured from the air, ground or water is released into the system and can be used to heat water. This is effectively ‘free heating’ because the only energy that has been consumed is that needed to run the heat pump compressor to circulate the refrigerant.

The amount of heat energy that can be extracted is proportional to the temperature difference between the heat source and the refrigerant. This means air source heat pumps are more efficient in the summer but can still yield reasonable amounts of heat in winter.

The temperature of soil and water tend to fluctuate less than air temperature through the year, so ground-source and water-source heat pumps have higher seasonal efficiencies than air-source heat pumps.

Heat pumps can be used as an energy efficient source of heat in many heating products. Envirotec use very efficiently heat pumps to provide the heat source for a range of Heat pump Door Curtains combining two energy efficient technologies into one. For more information please contact Envirotec 

Telephone lines back to normal

We have had a number customers recently notifying us that they are having trouble getting through to Envirotec via the switchboard.

We are not aware of any system issues so please notify us of any difficulties as soon as possible so that we can look into it.

sales@envirotec.co.uk 

Envirotec Telephone Lines Down

Note to Envirotec Customers

Apologies:

Envirotec's new phone system is installed but is not accepting incoming calls due to an issue between Vodafone releasing the phone lines and BT picking the lines up.

It is anticipated that a temporary solution will be in place by the end of Thursday 3 Jan and permanently fixed by Wednesday 9 Jan.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused in the mean time please email inquiries to:

sales@envirotec.co.uk

    

PRESS RELEASE

13 December 2012

CO charity will close unless a good fairy appears with funding support

A possible final message is: be a good neighbour and protect others from this silent but deadly “killer” gas

A charity dedicated to supporting victims of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning faces closure within weeks as the country’s desperate economic plight continues to force public and private sector organisations to curb charitable donations, funding and support.

Unless a fairy godmother appears, Carbon Monoxide Awareness will close its doors for the last time on 31 December after seven years dedicated to raising awareness of carbon monoxide and providing a counselling and support service for victims of CO poisoning.

The irony is that Carbon Monoxide Awareness will cease its operations on the very day that Coronation Street is launching a story line concerning CO poisoning that is likely to massively increase public knowledge of this deadly gas which can have fatal consequences for the unprotected.

Lynn Griffiths, the charity’s founder and President who was herself a victim of CO poisoning, said: “We have had many successes. We established Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week which is now a national institution and a fixture in the calendar and our news media campaigns have generated massive publicity.

“We have also worked closely with councils, the emergency services and many others on a range of campaigns and we have been a source of support to victims of this terrible gas. I spend hours talking to people who have been poisoned by carbon monoxide because often they have no one else to turn to who truly understands what they have been through. Both NHS Direct and the College of Emergency Medicine pass my contact details on to victims of CO poisoning.”

Lynn hasn’t entirely given up hope of a last minute reprieve, but recognises that the charity’s chances of survival are slim. In what may be her final message, she is appealing for a restoration of old fashioned community spirit to help raise awareness of carbon monoxide over the festive season.

“I want people to think of others in their community. They may have family or friends who are at risk and there are certainly many young people, older people and immigrants to the UK who live in poverty and don’t have CO alarms. Be neighbourly, keep an eye on them and take action if any appear to be experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, “ Lynn said.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common poison in the UK. Early symptoms are similar to common ailments such as food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. These may include headache, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, aching muscles, difficulty breathing, vision changes, high blood pressure, tinnitus, rapid pulse, dizziness, vertigo and pins and needles.

Judgement is impaired and the victim may go through emotional changes and become confused and clumsy. If unchecked and the victim doesn’t leave the toxic environment, loss of consciousness, coma and death may follow.

Note to editors

For further information please contact Lynn Griffiths a victim of Carbon Monoxide herself on 07715899296

The charity urgently needs your support to help them survive and enable them to continue to offer support to those who need it most. The victims poisoned by Carbon Monoxide. Donations can be made to the charity via:

http://www.everyclick.com/carbon-monoxide-awareness-limited/1125755/0/info

For over seven years the charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness has been run entirely by volunteers who want to make a difference by offering support to those who have been affected by this silent but deadly potential killer, whilst at the same time trying to prevent others from becoming victims.

The charity is requesting the support of every MP to make sure their constituents have a Carbon Monoxide free Christmas and New Year.

The charity wants to see more home owners becoming aware. They can claim a “FREE” Gas Safety check from their gas provider if they are in receipt of some benefits. Please see attached poster.

The charity has produced a carbon monoxide DVD to help raise awareness and has developed a useful CO mobile phone App. Please visit www.co-awareness.org to download this “FREE” App.

Valuable Info:

• Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas known as the silent killer.
• All gas, oil, coal and wood burning appliances should be serviced every year.
• A chimney if you have one should be swept once or twice a year.
• Carbon Monoxide alarms when fitted need to be sited correctly and in-date.
• Please remember the sensor in a carbon monoxide alarm doesn’t last forever. Check the date on yours today.
• A Carbon Monoxide alarm can make an ideal Christmas gift.

Valuable work carried out by the charity:

• Established their National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
• Offered support to those poisoned by Carbon Monoxide.
• Won the "Plain English Speaking Award" for their Carbon Monoxide leaflet
• Lobbied for resources to be provided for the education of doctors and nurses in the detection of carbon monoxide related illnesses.
• Has their contact details listed with NHS Direct and The College of Emergency Medicine.
• Held stands at both the Emergency Services and Ambition shows.
• Launched its Carbon Monoxide Awareness Healthcare Group in the House of Lords.
• Developed a triage poster for hospital A & E departments with the HPA and other partners. This has gone out to every A&E, Minor Injury Units and Walk in Centres.
• Given talks to coroners, landlords, and support groups on the dangers of CO.
• Helped NPIS update the TOXBASE entry for Carbon Monoxide.
• Launch a "FREE" Carbon Monoxide Phone App. See www.covictim.org
• Worked with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) on awareness-raising initiatives. See: www.cfoa.org.uk/12803
• Launched its “Cozy but Deadly Barbecue Campaign” a joint project with Cornwall Fire and Rescue from the House of Commons. This national campaign is believed to of reached millions of people this year.-
• Run press campaigns in partnership with the Health Protection Agency and may others

ENDS:

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week - 19th November

Funding crisis may force charity’s closure

A charity dedicated to raising awareness of the killer gas carbon monoxide (CO) is at risk of closing down due to lack of funding. Carbon Monoxide Awareness will cease all activities at the end of December this year unless new funds are forthcoming.

The charity was established in April 2005 by Lynn Griffiths, a single mother from Runcorn, Cheshire, who, along with her late husband and four children, had suffered the devastating effects of undiagnosed CO poisoning in her home over many years. A partially-blocked flu had remained undetected despite the fact that Lynn had her gas appliances serviced regularly.

Lynn enlisted support from Tony Brunton, a gas registered engineer and expert witness and recruited volunteers to spread the awareness message. The charity has been run entirely by volunteers and all funding received has been used to “spread the message.”

In the past year, the charity has:

• Established Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which this year beings on Monday 19 November - Sunday 25th November.

• Lobbied for resources to be provided for the education of doctors and nurses in the detection of carbon monoxide related illnesses

• Taken an annual roadshow to the Houses of Parliament and other strategic parts of the UK

• Launched its Carbon Monoxide Awareness Healthcare and Carbon Monoxide Community Groups (on different occasions) in the House of Lords.

• Developed a triage poster for hospital A & E departments with the HPA and other partners

• Worked with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) on awareness-raising initiatives. See http://www.cfoa.org.uk/12803

• Launched its “Cozy but Deadly Barbeque Campaign” a joint project with Cornwall Fire and Rescue from the House of Commons.

• Launched a Carbon Monoxide Phone App. www.covictim.org

• Run press campaigns in partnership with the Health Protection Agency and others.

Lynn Griffiths said: “This is important work and I believe we have succeeded in getting our message across and in saving many people from suffering and the possibility of premature death. I’m devastated by the thought of giving it up, but unless we secure funding from somewhere, we will cease all activities after Christmas this year.”

The future of Carbon Monoxide Awareness is at risk at a time when an estimated five million homes throughout the UK have gas appliances that are incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or damaged, putting home owners seriously at risk.

Official figures from the Department of show that every year in the UK 4,000 people are diagnosed with low-level poisoning, 200 are admitted to hospital and approximately 50 people die.

Lynn Griffiths said: “These figures are almost certainly an under estimation and the tragedy is that almost all CO deaths, illness and injuries could have been avoided. They are inevitably caused by faulty or badly installed appliances that burn gas, coal, wood or oil, or by blocked or partially-blocked flues and poor ventilation.

“I’ve dedicated the last seven years of my life to helping people avoid this unnecessary suffering. It’s a cause I’m passionate about, but unless a fairy godmother should emerge out of the blue, I cannot see us continuing.”

Any MP, organisation, national/local press or individual willing to help save the charity should contact Lynn Griffith direct by email Lynn@covictim.org

Note to editors

For further information contact Lynn Griffith, President, Carbon Monoxide Awareness, on 07715-899296 or visit www.covictim.org

Our 7^th National Carbon monoxide awareness week aims to raise awareness of:

• The dangers of carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless gas known as the silent killer
• The importance of making sure that all gas, oil, coal and wood burning appliances are serviced annually
• Ensuring that the chimney is swept
• Ensuring that Carbon Monoxide alarms are fitted and sited correctly and in-date and remembering that the sensor in a carbon monoxide alarm doesn’t last forever.

Scheduled events for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week this year are:

Monday, November 19, House of Lords, London, “victims event” by invitation only

Tuesday, November 20, Newtownabbey Borough Council, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland

Wednesday, November 21, Reid Kerr College, Paisley, Scotland

Thursday, November 22, Neath Port Talbot College, South Wales

Friday, November 23, Stobart Stadium, Widnes, Cheshire

Ends:

Issued for: Lynn Griffiths.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness President/Victim of Carbon Monoxide
Founder of National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Office.
Aintree Community Fire Station,
Longmoor Lane,
Aintree,
Liverpool.
L9 0EN

Carbon Monoxide Awareness. Independent registered charity run "entirely" by volunteers.

Charity No. 1125755

Website: www.co-awareness.org and www.covictim.org

Twitter: COaware

Mob: 07715899296

**Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2012 commences 19th November please add to your diary**

Winter is on its way so don't get caught out!

We are now well and truly into Autumn, which has so far been another mild temperatured one like last year. If you have seen recent weather forecast the inevitably cold  weather is on its way. They are even predicting wintry showers... could that mean snow before the end of October!! 

It's fairly easy to predict that during winter the likelihood of freezing temperatures, cold winds and a few inches of snow are what you would expect.

Here in the UK we still don’t seem to have learnt enough from past experiences and always appear to be caught out by the first snowfall. The predictability that the weather is likely to get cold over winter and how our transport systems fail to deal with winter weather effectively always amaze me. Other countries manage to keep running in winter without it being a major crisis so why can’t we?

In these times of austerity I don’t suppose I can influence the government much to take the threat of bad weather more seriously but perhaps I can influence readers of my blog to look seriously at the heating systems you have in place at both home and at work.

The autumn is a good time to get boilers serviced and check that all pipe and cylinder lagging is in good order and adequate for the conditions. 



Check that radiators are bled and are warm from the top to the bottom. If the top of a radiator is cold when your system is running this is usually a sign that you have some air trapped. This can be vented by using a radiator key by opening the bleed valve and holding a cloth to catch the water (carefully as this may be hot) when all the air has been released. If when you have bled the radiator the bottom doesn’t warm up you may have a build up of sediment which would require your heating engineer to conduct a power flush to clean the sediment from your system.

Check that any Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV’s) are working correctly by fully opening and shutting. This helps release the mechanisms which sometimes get stuck during the summer off periods.

 If this doesn’t free it you can unscrew the top part of the TRV to expose the pin valve which you can ease up gently with a pair of pliers adding a bit of lubricant like WD40 and ease the pin up and down a few times (if in doubt call a professional). 

Make sure to check all TRV’s are set correctly and try turning each valve down a notch to save some energy. In rooms which have less frequent use or require lower heating loads try turning down even further. This will help to allow more heat to be available for other more demanding areas.

Air handling equipment should always be professionally serviced. It makes good sense to have a regular Air conditioning inspection and is a legal requirement to do so if your system has a cooling load over 12kW. The inspection may recommend some remedial work to bring it up to the regulatory standards but it can also be a good idea to have your Air Handling Units (AHU’s) refurbished and updated to make use of the latest energy efficient technologies available.

The other often forgotten part of a commercial heating system to keep maintained and working at peak performance and is often left until the first blast of arctic weather are the door curtains or air barriers protecting the buildings entrances. These are a special interest to me as I have spent nearly 30 years in this industry. 

Door curtains often get mistaken for over door heaters. They are not used to heat your building but are there to help protect your conditioned environment from the outside elements. A correctly sized, correctly installed, well maintained and effectively controlled air curtain will be an energy saving device. (Please see previous blog posts) So please make sure that this underrated energy saving product gets some TLC.

If you require any more information or would like some help with your air conditioning systems please contact me stevebrown@envirotec.co.uk .

  

Envirotec are recruiting enthusiastic Electrical Engineers  for  internal external engineering roles. 

Would you like a career with one of the HVAC industries leading companies?

A market leader for over 30 years with a blue chip client base, Envirotec is a manufacturer of high quality air movement equipment including air curtains, air handling units and extract fans.

Envirotec’s innovation programme has generated a significant increase in demand for its bespoke products and services. To help deliver the high quality service Envirotec’s customers demand, Envirotec are looking to recruit a number of high calibre individuals.

Factory based and Site Electrical Engineers with HVAC Controls experience

Envirotec is known within the building industry for the quality of its products and services. 

Opportunities exist for factory based production electricians working in High Wycombe, Bucks and site based HVAC controls electricians also based from High Wycombe but working nationally through out the UK.

You will help continue to develop and maintain great working relationships by delivering exceptional service to a demanding client base and join Envirotec's Operations team. 

These challenging and rewarding roles will only be offered to exceptional people.

Is that you?

The Successful Candidates:

- Time served Electrician or equivalent

- Compliance with 17th Edition IEE regulations

- An excellent understanding of HVAC and 3 Phase Industrial controls

- Being able to work alone and with a team

- Having normal colour vision.

- Excellent attention to detail.

- Being able to use a wide range of tools.

- Physically fit.

- Having good communication skills.

- Being able to follow technical instructions.

- Holding a full, clean driving licence

If you are qualified time served Electrician or achieved equivalent standard in electrical engineering and would like an opportunity to be join our team then please contact Clive Evans and enclose your current CV and contact details.

Envirotec

Envirotec Ltd, Desborough Park Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 3BX. Tel: 01494 525342