Warrington Council has found a cost effective way of cooling Warrington Market, the largest indoor market in North West England. It has installed the environmentally friendly Breezair evaporative air-cooling system in the market’s three main halls, which has reduced summer temperatures from a sweltering high of 30°C to a more comfortable 20°C. The only financially viable solution available for the 60,000 sq. ft market, the Breezair system is not only proved far more economic to install than conventional air conditioning systems but also uses far less energy.
Built in 1974, Warrington Market accommodates 250 market stalls selling a variety of wares including food and speciality goods. Designed on three levels, the market utilises the natural fall of the ground from North to South so that each floor comes out at ground level. A system of pyramid units, glazed along one-face gives an even distribution of light, but resulted in high summer temperatures. Although stallholders enjoyed the benefits of working in an all-weather market, they felt that some form of cooling in summer would increase trade and help preserve food that could perished quickly in the heat.
Looking at ways of improving conditions, the Council initially installed industrial blowers, but these just circulated the hot air and proved ineffectual. Dismissing air conditioning as prohibitively expensive and requiring too large an area, the Breezair Evaporative Air Cooling System was chosen as it was economic to install and could be used in conjunction with the market’s existing extraction system.
“We had to find a solution to the problem as we were getting constant complaints from the stallholders”, said Steve Pickering, Market Manager. “We initially installed 15 units on the roof of the Market Hall to two of the halls and found they made a tremendous difference, especially as we are able to direct the flow of air to where it is particularly needed. The system proved so effective that we then installed a second phase of five units to cover the Fish and Meat Hall”.
Steve Pickering concluded: “The distribution ductwork is unobtrusive and provides a constant flow of fresh cool air across the stalls. It is simple to operate, quiet to run and easy to maintain. It has provided a dramatically improved environment for both stallholders and shoppers”.
Seely International is proud to announce that the Breezair Evaporative cooling system has been shortlisted for product of the year at The 2008 Building Services Awards.
