Heating and Insulation Advice for a Mosque
CLPM don’t just provide heating and insulation advice for homeowners. We also give heating and insulation advice to small businesses, charities and community groups.
Who we work with
We have recently worked with an architectural designer. They were preparing plans to refurbish and extend a building which had recently been converted into a mosque. The project is sited between Chertsey and Weybridge in Surrey. The plans involve remodelling the space so that it is more suitable for its new use. Our heating and insulation expert Rob Bohm has been helping the designer and the mosque leaders decide on the best ways to insulate and boost the energy performance of the building and update its heating and ventilation systems.
New Project
The building works consisted of extending the front of the building to create a new entrance hall. Adding storage areas, a new office and constructing a mezzanine floor with a new access staircase. The building is used frequently with large numbers of worshippers. Our brief was to provide heating and insulation advice so that the mosque will be a comfortable and well controlled environment.
At the start of the project we always try and get as much background information as we can from our clients. This includes how a building has been used, or is going to be used in the future. It also includes any issues that the clients may be facing or objectives that they may have. We also try to understand our clients views on green issues. What financial constraints there may be, both for capital outlay and ongoing running costs.
Assessment
We were informed that the building is generally not warm enough. The winter months were a challenge. Equally, overheating can be an issue during warm weather. Our clients were therefore interested in understanding what improvements could be made to the fabric of the building to boost year-round comfort and how they could best heat and ventilate their newly-configured building.
We suggested that cooling air could be drawn from the North side of the building up the eaves of the roof. As the roof area makes up a high proportion of the surface area of the building, we suggested that it would improve the efficiency and general comfort levels of the building to insulate between the rafters. We understood that this could have an impact on the budget for the works to the building. However, we felt that this was an important point that should be considered.
Survey
The heating is currently taken care of by a gas boiler feeding standard panel wall-mounted radiators. The system is in good condition, with the inclusion of a magnetite filter to protect the system. There was no service history to view, so we suggested that if was to be retained it should be checked and serviced. The current number of radiators are probably not suitable for the building. Additional radiators would be required to heat both the existing and the new parts of the building.
One point we raised for our clients to consider, is that all public buildings must ensure that people are not exposed to unnecessary risk. This includes the heating. So, if radiators are to be used, we generally suggest the use of low surface temperature radiators to counter the risk of accidental burning.
Suggestions
Another option that we suggested our clients to consider was the investment in underfloor heating. A wet underfloor heating system could be used throughout the building on both floors. This would give an even temperature across the building and would also leave the walls clear. An overlay board system would suit the building. Especially as there are no issues with headroom, although the thresholds to the doorways would need to be looked at in conjunction with the floor build up. This type of system can be fitted efficiently with little impact on the existing structure. It also has a benefit over traditional screed base systems as the response time of the system will be much quicker. The TOG rating of the existing carpet and the carpet to be used on the mezzanine would need to be checked in conjunction with the underfloor design to assess the suitability.
If underfloor heating was to be used, it can be combined with using an air-source heat pump. These units can expensive to fit, but are in a well insulated building are very efficient and have low energy usage and ongoing running costs.
Cost comparisons
We suggested that we get prices to compare cost. We also wanted to understand potential payback periods between the renewable route and, and leaving the existing boiler. If renewable energy is of interest, photovoltaic panels could also be fitted to generate electricity. The roof is large so there could be quite an efficient solar array. This would in turn help off-set the investment costs. There is also an option to future proof the installation, so that an upgrade to an air source heat pump could possibly be made in the future.
The ventilation needs of the building were discussed. However, the installation of a ducted ventilation and cooling system was felt to be cost prohibitive at this stage. We did however suggest cross-flow intake extract fans would be a benefit until more money could be found to invest in another system.
As the building is used frequently with accurate forecasting of when the building will be occupied, we suggested that an intelligent control system is used. These are great to ensure running costs are kept to a minimum.
We are currently in the process of drawing up the room by room heating system detailed proposals for the designer. It is hoped that the building project with its new heating and ventilation system installation will commence in early 2019.
Are you looking for heating and insulation advice for your building project? If so then do get in touch.
Call 01923 896550, email info@cl-pm.com or complete a contact form.
