Indoor climate for 750 healthy housing units
The demanding requirements on space and humidity optimisation enabled us to deliver hundreds of VITA HCV 400 PRO P1 units.
Background
Galgebakken is a residential neighbourhood of about 750 housing units, located near Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2022, the area was close to 50 years old and had almost reached a point of no return. When the remodelling began that year, it aimed to create a centre fostering community and well-being, which should be reflected in both the individual housing units and the overall architectural design of the estate.
At the time, this was Denmark’s largest residential renovation project, with a project value of EUR 175 million.
Architectural demands on the HVAC solution
Prior to the renovation, Galgebakken faced severe moisture and mould issues that had forced residents to vacate their homes. It was vital to maintain the buildings’ unique architecture, which is why the air handling units had to remain discreet for residents while also being easily accessible for technical personnel.
The above requirements ultimately meant that technical rooms could not compete with valuable kitchen or hallway space, and the units had to be designed for both left- and right-side configurations.
Learn more about humidity
Clear sustainability targets
It was also clearly expressed that the project should have a sustainability focus. The fact that renovation was chosen over demolition is the first evidence of this. As with most other projects, operational economy and ease of maintenance was important factors, both supporting the sustainability ambition.
Environmental product declarations (EPDs) do not in themselves guarantee a sustainable choice, as they rather document the environmental characteristics of products. However, as environmental product statements, often based on life-cycle assessments, they provide in-depth knowledge about a products’ potential climate impact.
Learn more about EPDs
How to solve this challenge?
The project placed great emphasis on implementing correctly dimensioned and effective indoor climate solutions. Together with DP Ventilation, who was responsible for all ventilation installations, we identified an innovative and energy-efficient solution that also met firm environmental standards.
The selected air handling units were compactly integrated into combination cabinets, maximising space for residents. Thanks to their compact design, technicians can access the units externally, allowing component and filter changes without disturbing residents. An additional benefit of these units is that filters only require annual replacement instead of quarterly, because of their larger surface area.
A smart solution
Three different models of air handling units were installed at Galgebakken, all tailored to the size of each apartment and its ventilation needs. For spaces with limited room, the very compact RCV model fit seamlessly.
For DP Ventilation, the ability to use the same unit for both left- and right-side configurations made the installation process very efficient. The electronic adjustment of airflows also provided appreciated flexibility during installation.
Energy efficiency tailored for the Nordic climate
The air handling units are equipped with advanced energy-savings features, tailored to the Nordic climate:
- In winter, heat recovery warms incoming fresh air, preventing cold drafts.
- Automatic free cooling ensures comfortable temperatures by bringing in cool night air on warm days.
- Demand controlled ventilation with integrated humidity sensors reduces power consumption during periods of low ventilation needs.
Using the PC Tool, DP Ventilation could easily calibrate the units for optimal operation as residents moved into their newly renovated homes. Each air handling unit can also be remotely controlled via an app.
