Building Services

The building industries sector is one of the fastest expanding markets for clamp-on flowmeters as contractors and companies seek to reduce their energy bills.

The days when hot water was a simple consumable product for organisations such as hospitals, airports, universities and leisure centres have gone. Increases in the cost of energy, towns water and the introduction of the Climate Change Levy mean that hot water is one of the most expensive commodities a company uses.

To this end many large estates and facilities are taking every possible step to reduce water usage, increase energy efficiency and make large energy users accountable. It is here the KATflow 230 flowmeter can be of use. Capable of measuring pipes of all sizes greater than 10 mm, the KATflow 230 can be equipped with PT100 temperature sensors to become a portable energy survey tool.

It is not just on hot water where this system can be put to good use either. Many buildings in operation today have air conditioning systems that require maintenance and regular evaluation in order to ensure efficient operation.

One of the common flaws with many older HVAC systems is that whilst when they were installed they may have been fitted with pressure gauges and temperature sensors, the third element for proper evaluation - flow - is missing.

The Katronic flowmeters can actually measure and log two separate systems simultaneously and provide measurements in kW or kJ with automatic totals and flow velocity information also provided.

There are even cases where permanent versions of the technology such as the KATflow 150 are installed where alternative metering systems have been overlooked at the design stage of a new system, or it has been decided to fit flowmeters to an existing system.

Typical applications:

• Air-conditioning performance checking
• Hot water metering
• Town’s water survey work
• Boiler testing

Reference Customers:

• BSRIA
• University of Cambridge Estates Dept.
• Potterton
• Adcock Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Trilon Ltd.