CIBSE AWARDS | HVR ZERO Targeting net zero ventilation for schools The Monodraught HVR Zero ventilation unit won a product of the year award at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards because it targets both embodied and operational energy use. Schools are one sector benefiting from the costs savings that the heat recovery unit brings M onodraughts HVR Zero ventilation unit was the outright winner of the Product or Innovation of the Year Air Quality at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards (BPA). Judges praised the level of in-depth research and development that minimised in-use operational energy while optimising comfort. The attention paid to embodied carbon in the products development was also commended by the judges, who thought all manufacturers should be assessing the challenge of net zero over a products lifetime. The HVR Zero hybrid ventilation with heat recovery range sets a new benchmark for the future generation of low energy hybrid ventilation systems that integrate heat exchange ventilation strategies. Monodraught claims that the systems consume 90% less energy compared with a typical mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system. The BPA judges said the product challenged traditional centralised air systems in terms of control and efficiency, and that this was, in part, achieved through a well-developed and intuitive user interface. The system is designed to allow natural ventilation, hybrid mixing ventilation, and low-energy mechanical ventilation with heat recovery through multiple, selectable, segregated internal airways. Each system operates autonomously to ensure that every area has the optimum air quality and correct thermal comfort conditions. During the summer, hybrid ventilation switches on the mechanical fan to boost the natural ventilation and optimise indoor comfort. During winter periods, the system mixes warm internal air with fresh external air to deliver mixed tempered air, while using heat recovery to save energy. Monodraughts product has been targeted at schools in particular, where indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect the health, comfort and productivity of students and Elmgrove Primary School 38 April 2023 www.cibsejournal.com staff. Poor IAQ can lead to a variety of health problems, such as headaches, fatigue, and aggravation of respiratory conditions. Most people spend about 90% of their time indoors, and studies indicate that indoor levels of air pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Young people are more vulnerable to the effects of this exposure than adults, with reduced classroom air quality causing a reduction in cognitive performance and presenting a safety issue for the health of the pupils. In summer, hybrid ventilation switches on the mechanical fan to boost natural ventilation and optimise comfort