Optimal Flow

Bauer is control technology for heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). It optimises air flow and reduces energy consumption by more than 30%.

Since the late 1990s Bauer Optimising Technology has been successfully applied in Germany and Austria, and is installed in man high-end facilities such as Universities, State Libraries, major banks, auditoriums and schools. In 2004 Bauer introduced their system to Australia.

The directional airflow produced by conventional HVAC systems can cause fluctuations of up to 5°C above or below the desired temperature. Penetrating hot air and updrafts, cold air and downdrafts, temperature pockets and layering are expected irregularities that cause discomfort and can leave some spaces unused. Moreover, these effects short circuit the system’s own operative capacity (see image 4). To combat these problems a huge amount of air is circulated to ensure that the desired room temperature is maintained– far more than the required fresh air component, and hence often resulting in drafts.

In contrast, Bauer Optimising Technology stops the formation of warm and cold air pockets by slowing and evenly circulating air masses in a room (see image 5). In new installations the HVAC plants and ducting required are altogether smaller. When applied to existing plants, fans working with Bauer Technology can run at less than 50% the required capacity of conventional systems, and often at a capacity as low as 30-35%. This is a significant enhancement with virtually no new hardward or retrofitting, and one which allows the Golden Hall of the Vienna Philharmonic (one example of many) to run its air conditioning during concerts – without disturbing the music. This is no small feat in the 200 year old building, where the existing HVAC plant had been noisy and problematic when run conventionally.

Bauer Optimising Technology is essentially a software based solution. It uses a number of highly accurate sensors to feed temperature, humidity and air flow data through a patented algorithm which then regulates discharge and return air. Specially adapted to each room or zone situation, Bauer control technology is extremely effective in tracking temperature and humidity setpoints and required air quality.

For most Bauer System installations the maximum temperature deviation, vertically and horizontally across the space, is less than 0.3°C. Superior regulation ensures that drops or increases beyond the targeted temperature simply do not occur. Moreover, the system reaches target temperature faster than any conventional system in Start Up, and does not overshoot by more than 0.4°C.

With reduced directional air-flow and fan activity, and more accurate and even temperature control, Bauer Optimising Technology reduces energy consumption by over 30%. This means that in most cases the system pays for itself within 18 months.