Opened in September 2015, Five Spires Academy in Lichfield was built due to a shortage of primary schools in the area. The school wanted a heating solution that fitted in with the modern style of the new building but that would also deliver excellent energy efficiency.
In response 17 of our Spectrum Plus Radiant Panels were installed in the nursery. The children at the nursery are often outside in the garden, which is accessed by French patio doors. These are often left open during playtime and for this reason, radiant panels were the perfect choice – providing instant heat at the flick of a switch whilst cutting energy costs significantly. Helen Bye, Headteacher at Five Spires, said: “I am very happy with the radiators that have been installed in my school. They are modern and fit well with the look and ethos of the school. Their performance is excellent. We can keep a consistent temperature throughout the building whilst keeping the radiators on an economical setting.
Spectrum Radiant Panels save energy and money by achieving a higher perceived temperature than the actual room temperature and offer an unobtrusive design. Modern heating and cooling is all about people and providing a comfortable environment for occupants. However, with issues such energy efficiency becoming increasingly important in delivering a heating and cooling system which offers an effective building performance for occupants and also saves energy and money, is paramount in the choice of an optimum heating/cooling solution.
Radiant heat is a form of electromagnetic radiation, between ultra violet and infra-red on the electromagnetic spectrum. These electromagnetic waves penetrate the air with no loss of energy and this energy is only converted to instant heat when it comes into contact with any object of a lower temperature, warming anyone or anything in close proximity. If the radiant panels are heated by hot water this subsequently gives off energy to the room. This energy is converted into heat only when it comes into contact with the human body or other objects. This is identical to the way in which the direct sunlight on a cold winter’s day produces warmth and makes us feel comfortable. As a result radiant ceiling panels provide a pleasant and comfortable warmth at ground level, even when installed at a height of 30 metres. There are many radiant panels available on the market but the concept is the same. Water is distributed through an aluminum panel via waterways attached to the rear.