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Sustainable HVAC Solutions

Measure your UVC Equipment’s Performance without an expensive Radiometer

Introducing the American Ultraviolet Dosimeter.


Contact Us today for more information.

Enhance Traditional System Design with Acutherm ADVANTAGE VAV Diffusers

Acutherm ADVANTAGE VAV diffusers enhance traditional system design by adding personal control. Room temperature sensors provide constant feedback to the controller located in the diffuser, enabling precise monitoring of the space temperature.

Discover the ADVANTAGE:
• Superior air distribution
• No dumping
• More entrainment
• Even temperature distribution
• Better room air change effectiveness
• Power: Electric Motor
• Network: BACnet MS/TP

For more information, please Contact Us.

acutherm advantage vav diffuser

Why choose Baxi Condensing Boilers?

The Baxi Commercial range of floor and wall mounted boilers use cutting edge gas condensing technology. With stainless steel exchangers, high modulation ratios, flexible cascade install, indoor and outdoor use. Baxi condensing boilers are both compact and light weight and provide scalability.

Class leading ‘turndown’ modulation ratios enable smooth and efficient operation providing significant savings and return on investment. Available in outputs from 35Kw to 150Kw.

For more information, please Contact Us.

Airatherm Super Ray Heaters

Airatherm Super Ray Heaters are a super reliable infra-red heating for home or commercial outdoor entertainment areas.

Airatherm Super Ray heaters operate just like the sun, they are self-contained infra-red heaters that warm surfaces not the surrounding air, by emitting infra-red rays which gently warm everything they touch including you. Super Ray heaters operate on natural gas or LPG and are ideal for use in undercover or exposed outdoor areas as they are completely weather resistant.

For more information, please Contact Us or visit our Airatherm Super Ray Heater page.

airatherm super ray heaters

Induction in Chilled Beams and Diffusers

Induction in active beams and diffusers refers to the process of entraining air through a nozzle or along the discharge path of the diffuser.

Active Chilled Beams

In a chilled beam, the term “induction” is used to describe the process of injecting primary air under pressure through a nozzle, which in turn entrains return or plenum air at the discharge of the nozzle.

chilled beam induction

The amount of air that is entrained (Q induced) vs. the amount of air injected (Q injected) is referred to as the induction ratio.

induction ratio equation

The induced air is drawn through a water coil that may either heat or cool the air before it comes in contact with the injected air discharging from the nozzle. The amount of energy transferred by the water coil is influenced by several factors, including the induced air temperature, water supply temperature, volume of induced air moving through the water coil, and amount of coil surface area.

inject primary air under pressure

Figure 1: Process of injecting primary air under pressure through a nozzle

When designing a chilled beam system, one parameter that is often used is the transfer efficiency. This is the fraction of heating or cooling energy that is provided by the water coil heat transfer (q coil) vs. the volume of primary air (Q primary air).

transfer efficiency equation

The transfer efficiency is related to the overall HVAC system efficiency. It takes less brake horsepower to move thermal energy with water than it does with air, as the volume of air needed is significantly larger due to the lower amount of thermal energy it can store. Several recent building designs have indicated a potential brake horsepower reduction of 10 to 15%. The potential saving is higher, but limited by the system choices made by the designer, as well as the primary air volume requirements. To minimize the energy spent moving air, the primary air volume would be no more than the requirements for fresh air.

Knowing the induction ratio for chilled beams can be beneficial when designing the building’s HVAC system. For example, when selecting active chilled beams for use in a patient room, ASHRAE Standard 170 calls for a minimum of six air changes, with a minimum of two air changes being fresh air. All six air changes can be fresh air, but more energy efficient designs will typically have the fresh air being limited to the minimum two changes. This means the designer needs to select an induction ratio of 2 cfm induced to 1 cfm primary air to meet the required six room air changes.

Induction ratio for an active chilled beam is typically determined by calculating an energy balance on the beam. Basically, the total energy transferred by the water to the induced air is used to determine the volume of induced air. Determining the induction ratio is most often accomplished using air temperature measurements. Once we know the primary air temperature, induced air temperature, and discharge (mixed) air temperature, the induction ratio can be calculated. Discharge air temperature is influenced by the number and location of primary air nozzles along the length of the discharge slot, and should be determined in a laboratory setting, not the field. This will ensure that a true average discharge air temperature is recorded.


Unlike an active chilled beam, the induction ratio of a ceiling diffuser is not determined by the volume of air entering an opening, but rather the volume of air entrained along the discharge path of the diffuser (Figure 2). As supply air is moving from the outlet, the air velocity slows down due to the entrained air mass being added to the moving air. In order to determine the volume of induced air, the distance from the diffuser must be fixed, as the further away from the diffuser the larger the volume of entrained air and the larger the induction ratio. Once a distance is fixed, the entrained air volume can be estimated using the supply air temperature, entrained (room) air temperature, and mixed air temperature (at fixed point).

induction in chilled beams and diffusers

Figure 2: Volume air entrained along the discharge path of diffuser

The mixed air temperature is not an easily determined value, as there can be significant variations in the moving air layer. This layer is often less than 12mm thick near the discharge, but depending on the type of diffuser, may be much thicker further away. In some cases, the layer may even have detached from the ceiling. The better induction ratios are for diffusers with thin, well-defined discharge patterns with moderate to high discharge velocities.

A better metric to judge the effectiveness of a ceiling diffuser would be the Air Diffusion Performance Index (ADPI). The ADPI is a single number rating index for a diffuser with specified supply air volume, supply air temperature, and space cooling load. It is based on the air speed and effective draft temperature of the occupied zone.

For more information on this and other products, please Contact Us or call 1300 770 908.

Thermal Buffer Storage Tanks

Thermal Buffer Storage Tanks are used to store large volumes of chilled or hot water. They reduce chiller or boiler short cycling by increasing system capacity and stabilising the return water temperature.

ecoHVAC have a wide range of Thermal Buffer Storage Tanks sizes from 500 – 15,000 litre and are available in both Mild Steel and Stainless Steel. Other options include Soft Vinyl or Metal Cladding with insulation and internal baffle sparge pipes. AS1210 compliant tanks are also available.

For more information, please Contact Us or visit our Thermal Buffer Storage Tank page.

thermal buffer storage tanks

A Closer Look at the SteriTouch® Antimicrobial Coating on Apreco VARI-centric® Air Pressure Stabilisers

The main function of the SteriTouch Antimicrobial Coating on Apreco VARI-centric® Air Pressure Stabilisers is to offer protection against a range of bacteria including e.coli, MRSA, Salmonella and Legionella, as well as black mould growth biofilm and fungi. SteriTouch eradicates the bacteria which causes contamination and infection. Its purpose is not to create a sterile environment but to act as a complementary measure to routine cleaning.

Independent performance tests carried out for Apreco have proven that SteriTouch® powder coated VARI-centric® Air Pressure Stabilisers reduce E.coli and MRSA organisms by 99.999% within a 24 hour duration.

Historically brushed Hair Line Stainless Steel has been the material of choice in the healthcare sector, however antimicrobial claims cannot be made for this material.
The brushed surface finish on Stainless Steel also acts as a safe haven for bacteria allowing it to survive and thrive even after routine cleaning.

In Independent tests carried out for Apreco have proven E.coli organisms increased by 39% over a 24 hour period on Stainless Steel sample while the same size sample from a SteriTouch® powder coated VARI-centric® Air Pressure Stabiliser saw a reduce in E.coli organisms by 99.999%

For more information visit our Apreco Product Range page or Contact Us.

steritouch antimicrobial coating apreco-vari-centric air pressure stabilisers

The Secret Behind Entrematic HVLS Fans Industry-Leading Quality and Operation

Quality, Performance and Safety All Rely On Solid Engineering

For the past eight years, Entrematic has committed itself to providing the highest quality, best performing — and best looking HVLS fans.

While simple, eye-catching design and colour options are important considerations, beneath the surface of every Entrematic fan is a wealth of solid engineering that goes well beyond what meets the eye.

Their team of HVLS fan engineers are involved in every step of our fan production process — from initial concept and design to stringent safety measures — as well as our product lifetime performance guarantee.  And above all, the sheer amount of engineering that goes into each fan’s safe operation for the life of the product is second to none.

As you spec HVLS fans for your various mechanical HVAC and other projects, we invite you to learn more about the solid engineering that resides at the core of each and every Entrematic HVLS fan.

For for information, please visit our HVLS Fan page or Contact Us.

entrematic hvls fan quality

Apreco Exclusive Distributor – Australia and New Zealand

ecoHVAC is proud to announce it is now the exclusive distributor for the Apreco product range in Australia and New Zealand.

Apreco, who are Air Movement Specialists, have been manufacturing a wide-range of quality products in the UK for Healthcare, Cleanrooms and Fire Suppression since 1997.

Their product range includes Air Pressure Stabilisers and Pressure Relief Vents to protect & safeguard individuals and companies.

For more information, please visit our Apreco Product Range page or Contact Us.

apreco distributor australia new zealand