PIPES, VALVES AND FITTINGS
MANUFACTURER - ALBION VALVES
DAVID RHODES, TECHNICAL MANAGER OF ALBION VALVES, EXPLAINS THE URGENT NEED TO DESIGN FOR WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HIGHLIGHTS PRVS AS PART OF A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION… Take the pressure off water and energy
O ver the past 20 years, building consumption in the design and operation of HVAC systems. Now, there is a second factor in the spotlight for savings and efficiency: water. Engineers and installers must be ready with measures to help achieve both water consumption and energy targets. Transporting water around a building can be an energy-hungry process, so technologies that can make that process more efficient while reducing water waste should be high on the agenda. services engineers and contractors have focused on reducing energy EFFICIENT HYDRONIC SYSTEMS Albion provides a range of pressure- reducing valve (PRVs) sizes and materials suitable for small domestic projects up to large commercial systems to ensure that contractors have everything they need for a successful installation. Albion has developed products that are cost effective and straightforward to specify and install. They have recently expanded their range of PRVs to include ½” to 12” (DN15 to DN300), and pressure ranges PN16, PN25, and PN40. PRVs are an integral part of a balanced system to achieve energy efficiencies within buildings and ensure the effective distribution of pressurised water. When used with hydronic valves, it is possible to attain the maximum cost- effective usage in distributing water within a system. PRVs can be applied to reduce water pressure, helping regulate water volumes and reducing water waste when outlets are in full flow in a domestic environment. PRVs also play an important role within tall buildings to equalise the pressures throughout zones while water is distributed to different floors. Although they are simple in principle, PRVs must be specified correctly, based on flow and pressure, to make the most of their benefits. Specifiers should always check the
David Rhodes, Technical Manager of Albion Valves.
manufacturer’s technical documentation, such as cavitation charts, to determine the pressure-reducing capabilities of the valve, and/or flow volume charts (provided with Albion’s PRV range), to help select the right valve size. THINK VALVE TECHNOLOGY The increasing focus on managing water use in buildings points to the use of PRVs in combination with other control valves to aid both pressure and flow control to manage hydronic systems as key to delivering ‘water efficient’ homes and commercial buildings. Over the next five years, legislation and government policy will drive the adoption of alternatives to gas boilers, such as heat pumps or district heating. So, this is an excellent time to consider valve technology within those systems as highly effective solutions for achieving energy and water efficiency.
WRAS-approved PN16 PRV with gauge.
Contact George McGuire: T: +44 (0) 7939 973 273 E: gmcguire@albionvalvesuk.com www.albionvalvesuk.com
WRAS-approved PN16 pilot operated PRV with built-in pressure gauges.
20 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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