Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Apex Installed in Carbon Negative Workplace
Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has supplied its CIBSE award-winning Sentinel Apex to enhance the ventilation in ECO MEP’s highly efficient commercial office in Ashford, Kent.
ECO MEP, a commercial contractor specializing in sustainable solutions, selected this advanced heat recovery ventilation system for its own office space. Dedicated to creating a carbon-negative operational environment, ECO MEP modeled the new building’s usage needs to ensure the Sentinel Apex would provide energy-efficient ventilation with heat recovery. This system not only delivers excellent indoor air quality (IAQ) and ultra-low sound levels but also ensures optimal thermal comfort.
Paul Hooker, owner and managing director of ECO MEP, stated, “Energy efficiency is at the core of what we do for our clients. For our new office, we aimed to showcase how today’s products can achieve carbon-neutral operations and inspire others to follow suit.”
ECO MEP’s new headquarters, situated in a two-storey industrial unit, exemplify their commitment to efficiency and sustainability. The building’s Cat B fit-out called for the most effective products, leading them to choose Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Apex for its ventilation needs. The ground floor includes a variety of rooms such as a meeting room, breakout area, storage, kitchen, toilets, and a shower, each requiring a controlled mechanical ventilation solution. Given the diverse room types, including wet rooms, the Sentinel Apex was selected for its advanced features, including up to 93% heat recovery efficiency, integral air quality sensors, dynamically controlled CO2 levels, and an automatic summer bypass for free cooling.
Alexis Roberts, C&I Channel Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia, commented, “We’re excited to have our Sentinel Apex installed at ECO MEP’s carbon-negative offices. Every aspect of the Apex was designed to maximize energy efficiency and performance, offering excellent indoor air quality (IAQ), ultra-low sound levels, and thermal comfort. Our focus on a low embodied carbon footprint is supported by CIBSE TM65 data collection methodology, providing accurate and detailed carbon information.”
The Sentinel Apex represents the next generation in commercial heat recovery ventilation, tailored for achieving low-carbon buildings as we approach the UK’s 2050 Net-Zero target. It features industry-leading low specific fan powers (SFP), exceptional IAQ, and quiet operation. With up to 93% heat recovery efficiency (EN308 test method) and independently verified ultra-low sound levels by SRL Technical Services Limited, the Apex ensures significant performance improvements over previous models.
Designed for versatility, the Sentinel Apex is available in five sizes with airflows up to 4000 m³/hr. Its demand ventilation principles suit environments with variable occupancy. The system’s integrated control features include a basic onboard user interface, a remote HMI for detailed control, and app-based connectivity for comprehensive monitoring and commissioning. The advanced control system simplifies specification by incorporating many features as standard.
Vent-Axia’s focus on low embodied carbon is reflected in their use of CIBSE TM65 for accurate carbon data, aiding specifiers in designing sustainable buildings.