A smart building's primary task is to maintain the indoor environment to be comfortable for the people in it. Atamate's smart building technology is flexible enough to operate any type of building service and to choose the combination of services that make the building comfortable as energy efficiently as possible. The components communicate using wireless technology, which makes it straightforward to retrofit to an existing building.
Infrared panels heat surfaces directly, making them more efficient at preventing condensation than convection systems that transfer heat energy through the air. However, electricity remains far more expensive than gas and there are no real-world performance and efficiency studies.
Sensor data inform cost-effective approaches to damp and mould problems. They may be as simply as changing occupants’ behaviour, or they may require renovations to fabric and services. A sensor network enables renovations to be planned for maximum cost efficiency and forms the basis for ongoing monitoring and service automation.
Indoor mould occurs when relative humidity is consistently over 80% and an indoor wall is cold enough to cause condensation. Damp is prevented by a combination of heating, insulation or ventilation, all of which incur costs. Damp and mould are most often found in older buildings with poor insulation.
The Atamate Schools project is intended to meet the following objectives for schools:
The problems of overheating and air pollution are inherent to any solid fuel burner, but they can be mitigated. A well-designed installation can achieve the pleasant ambience that makes a solid fuel burner desirable while minimising the drawbacks and meeting the regulatory requirements.
Are solid fuel burners appropriate in a modern new build home? Can they be incorporated into an eco home without ruining it's green credentials?
Burning solid fuels like wood or briquettes is an attractive option for a living room but tends to generate particulate air pollution and over-produce heat. Here we discuss those drawbacks, solutions like automation and back boilers, and the regulatory requirements that inform the design of a given installation.
