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Superior Radiant Products helps to lower utility costs at Voyageur Elementary School with 'Even Heat' infrared that increases comfort.
Rod Grimm, Manager of Operations for Quesnel BC school district knew he was onto something when a one-room infrared heating retrofit at a high school turned the school's least favourite basement classroom into its most sought after space. It wasn't the teacher that was so suddenly popular - it was the heat! What was once a dank, cold classroom, had become toasty warm and welcoming. Following this and a couple of other small retrofits in other Quesnel schools, Mr. Grimm was eager to apply infrared heaters to an entire facility.
When funds became available to upgrade the aging heating system at Voyageur Elementary, Mr. Grimm again turned to Superior Radiant Products (SRP) for the solution.
Low clearances and two stage burners were the key factors that led Rod Grimm to choose SRP for the Voyageur retrofit. With a classroom ceiling height of 9 ft. Voyageur Elementary school needed an infrared heater with a clearance of 32 inches. Also, the availability of two stage tube heaters made SRP an appealing choice. SRP's 2-stage, or Hi-Low output capability allows a quicker recovery at high fire and an economical, steady operation at low fire. This was especially important since Voyageur would also be adding a new ventilation system that would increase the school's heating load.
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Time for change
The 35-year old Voyageur Elementary school was due for some comfort and IAQ upgrades. The existing heating system relied on a variety of equipment including a 12-zone system utilizing an old gas-fired furnace - long overdue for replacement. With the exception of just a few high efficiency furnaces which had been added over the years, most of the school relied on old, inefficient equipment. Teacher complaints about the heating were commonplace. Fresh, make-up air was imparted the old fashioned way - through the opening and closing of exterior doors.
Needless to say, Voyageur had some catching up to do to bring it up to 21st century standards. The question was could it be done without major increases to utility cost.
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