New technology can reduce energy costs by 30 percent. (Technology).

Invensys Energy Management is introducing to the United States and Canada radiant-ceiling technologies that cool offices at energy savings of up to 30% while managing the risks of airborne hazards.

The Invensys product cools by running chilled water through ceiling-mounted panels that exchange heat from the warm air in the room. it does not require large air ducts normally used for air-conditioning. Instead, it uses small ducts that directly feed in fresh air, eliminating the need to recirculate air.

"Radiant ceilings from Invensys have been proven effective in installations around the world, particularly in Europe," says Dan Wesner, Invensys Director of Operations, Radiant Ceiling Technologies.

"We are introducing them now to North America to help property owners and their tenants in the U.S. and Canada."

Radiant-ceiling technologies could help reduce the risks of airborne hazards in two ways:

* First, because they eliminate the recirculation of air, any airborne threats introduced in one area of the building will not pass through the HVAC system to contaminate other areas.

* In addition, because only fresh air is being introduced into the system, other filtration technologies can be implemented at a more affordable cost and can be more easily monitored and reinforced.

Bioterrorism fears have heightened, particularly in the United States, since Sept 11. Authorities are keeping an eye on gathering places such as office buildings that might be targets for airborne hazards, according to the Associated Press.

The technology is based on a thermal energy exchange between the heat load in a room and the ceiling panels above. The ceiling panels have chilled water running through narrow pipes that are attached to the backside of the panels. As the ceiling is warmed from the heat in the room, the panels conduct the heat through the ceiling to the chilled water. As the water leaves the room, it carries the heat with it to a chiller, where it is cooled and returned to the ceiling. Water has 300% more capacity to absorb heat than air does.

Since radiant ceilings absorb heat directly, the amount of air that must be conditioned, treated and filtered is dramatically reduced. This means the size of the air-handling equipment is smaller, which in turn reduces energy costs by up to 30%, according to Stanley J. Mumma Ph.D., Professor of Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University and a Fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

The radiant-ceiling system from Invensys -- which can be used both to heat and cool -- also requires less duct space between floors than traditional air-conditioning systems, letting architects add another floor every eight to 10 floors and still stay within the original height design.

"It's highly desirable, and the installation cost is competitive with that of traditional air-conditioning systems, on a first-cost basis," says Wesner. "It's an investment with a life-cycle payback period of only a few years. That's because building owners also save, energy and maintenance costs along with gaining more usable rentable floor space."

"They can save about two feet per floor," Wesner says. "So with every eight to 10 floors, you can put in an additional floor. With a typical floor size of 5,000 SF and a rental of $10 a SF, it adds up to another $50,000 a year per extra floor-and the building height stays the same, within the same building envelope."

Radiant ceilings are designed to be flexible. They come with a wide variety of panel selections and installation options, and can be installed in any room size or shape, in any color and with built-in fixtures.

They can also be retrofitted into existing structures, adding value to existing commercial properties. "Building owners who remove the old ductwork can immediately raise the ceilings and increase their facilities' rental attractiveness," Wesner says.

But a building owner doesn't have to convert an entire building to radiant-ceiling technology. The owner can simply earmark specific "hotspot" areas, such as computer rooms.

"Just as heat lamps are used to warm specific areas, radiant-ceiling technology can supplement existing cooling systems to target an area exactly where colder air is needed," Wesner says. For more information, please visit www.ies.invensys.com.