Cong Bang Corporation (CBC) is pleased to be the authorized distributor of Sekisui Foam International
Growing industry awareness of the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability has highlighted the need to optimise the efficiency of HVAC plant and air distribution systems and minimise unnecessary thermal loads and prevent the damaging effects of unwanted moisture. According to the Department of Environment and Energy, non-residential HVAC systems in Australia consume an estimated 9 per cent of electricity produced in Australia, so the importance of these tasks cannot be underestimated.
Air handling units (AHUs) and air distribution systems “condition and distribute air throughout a building in order to maintain satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) and comfort conditions (including temperature and humidity)”. The HVAC Air Handling Units Factsheet emphasises that the appropriate installation of AHUs and Air Distribution Systems is essential to minimise air leakage and pressure drops. Common causes of such leaks and pressure drops are poor ductwork layout, inappropriate use of flexible ducts, and inadequate sealing at joints and access points.
Appropriate and effective insulation methods are also very critical elements of air distribution systems. Insulation is typically applied to the external surface of ductwork to minimise the risk of condensation and to reduce thermal energy gains or losses, assuring system efficiency. Typically, internal ductwork linings are used to reduce noise within a duct due to fan noise or air-flow friction. However, innovation in duct manufacturing is increasing opportunities to internally insulate the entire duct.
Increasing health and sustainability awareness and energy efficiency demands are revealing a variety of potential problems associated with the insulation of air distribution ducting. One such problem is where thermal specifications require insulation that is physically too large for the space available on site.
The intrinsic shortcomings of traditional insulation products risk thwarting desired outcomes. Fibrous insulation issues include: risk of moisture ingress, inconsistent thermal insulation performance (R-value) due to compaction, risk of exposed fibres, and potential poor appearance of lagging due to ease of damage. Flexible ducting issues include: airflow pressure drops and inconsistent R-values due to compaction. Pre-insulated duct solutions have problems with poor noise attenuation characteristics and ease of damage.
Sekisui Foam Australia now offers an extended range of innovative Thermobreak®products that provide new solutions to building owners, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers and address health and safety concerns as well as maintaining long-term thermal performance. Thermobreak® Insulation has been extensively used by the HVAC industry for many years in sheet and roll form and its unique properties permit smart new innovations that include:
Thermobreak® Ductwrap: Thermobreak® Ductwrap is supplied pre-fabricated to enable very quick, easy, and reliable application of external ductwrap insulation by the steel duct manufacturer, mechanical contractor or duct lagger.
Thermobreak® Acoustiplus: Thermobreak® Acoustiplus is an innovative new generation, physically cross-linked polyolefin foam duct liner that provides an acoustic solution for steel duct and pre-insulated rigid duct. Thermobreak Acoustiplus is supplied with reinforced aluminium foil facing and is available with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing.
