Schwank heating controls save energy costs

15 February 2013

Schwank, a player in the supply of gas fired infrared heaters for industrial and commercial buildings, is advising businesses of the benefits of installing the correct control systems when investing in heating technology

The company manufactures the ThermoControl Plus M range of controllers, which can be integrated into an existing Building Management System (BMS) or used as a stand-alone solution.

Rising energy prices, coupled with the need to reduce the carbon footprint of industrial and commercial operations, are making the installation of high performance control systems a particularly attractive option for building operators and heating system specifiers. Used in conjunction with energy efficient radiant heaters, significant savings can be made.

Schwank ThermoControl Plus M incorporates a range of benefits that allow for 24/7 precision heating control to be achieved. These include:

* Compatible with single-stage, 2-stage and fully modulating heating systems
* Integrated switch-on optimisation to reduce operating times to the minimum
* Intelligent “learning” logic module that assesses both the indoor environment and outside temperatures when determining the optimum pre-heating time
* Switch-on optimisation activated for separate heating zones, fulfilling heating requirements accurately and saving energy
* Saves up to 8% of energy costs in 2-stage operation and up to 15% in modulating mode
* Operating cycles (On/Off) reduced by 35%, increasing life expectancy of appliances
* Easy to use menu navigation
* Allows for adding external alarm contact to a BMS or external fire alarm system

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) claims that government policies are not primarily responsible for continued increases in energy prices: “Global fossil fuel prices (particularly gas prices) are the main drivers of retail energy prices in the UK (and elsewhere) and if, as expected, they continue to rise over the coming years, energy bills will likely continue on an upward trend with or without policies.” (DECC “Policy Impacts on Prices and Bills”)

Schwank agrees with this assessment. Steve Sherman, Managing Director of Schwank UK, commented: “A recent survey for Energy Forecaster* showed an increase in the number of businesses introducing or strengthening their energy policies in 2012 from 57% in Q3 to 65% in Q4. Those seeking efficiencies in their heating or air conditioning rose from 46% to 51% over the same period.

“The trend is in the right direction but many businesses are still not gaining the potential benefits from energy saving technologies available. Schwank’s heating solutions offer exceptional opportunities to help businesses to reduce their energy bills while also making a positive contribution to the environment and sustainability.”