There are two standard models of Smartbreeze units, solar and 240 volts (v), each designed to specifically maximise the air movement and temperature change depending on whether the installation is on a metal or tile roof.
“The net result is that by simply using either the warm or cool air that already exists and is naturally available, heating and cooling energy costs can be reduced. At the same time a healthy solution to assist heating and cooling of a building,” says Robert Semmel, President of the Solar Thermal Air Heating and Cooling Association and General Manager, Smart Roof Australia.
The solar Smartbreeze unit, predominately for metal roofs, is located at the ridge of the roof and uses a 30 watt photovoltaic cell to operate 12 v fans during the day. The energy is then stored in a battery and is used for night cooling. The fan system in the Smartbreeze unit will either blow the filtered air into the home via ducting or purge the air back into the atmosphere, depending on the room temperature setting.
On a metal roof, the roof ribs act as a duct, with hot air rising to the highest point. With a sarked metal roof – that is reflected foil under the roof sheets – the unit uses the air between the roof sheets and sarking to ensure the hottest air is moved to be purged or filtered and re-directed into the home. The roof ribs act as a duct and the hot air rises and is drawn to the Smartbreeze unit.
On a tile roof, the Smartbreeze 240 v unit performs a similar function however the hot air purged is from the ceiling space. This air is filtered to 0.03 microns through an electrostatic filter before entering the home.
This unit has the ability to extract air from within the building whilst purging hot air from the ceiling space which is an ideal application for reducing the heat build up in the top level of a two-storey home.
Smartbreeze is an ideal supplementary heating and cooling system for homes, schools, relocatable buildings, retirement villages and aged care facilities.
One happy customer, Rina Neutroski, Project Manager at the Kithbrooke Park Country Club said she was very pleased with the Smartbreeze units that had been installed at the Park’s display village.
“[Smartbreeze] has demonstrated that even in changeable conditions, we can provide our residents with a very comfortable home, and we believe that we can exceed a 40percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption [with Smartbreeze],” said Ms Neutroski.
Smartbreeze also has industrial and commercial application as various larger model units can be connected to a single thermostat, thereby providing a source of heating and cooling for factories and warehouses.
Larger roof spans, such as on shopping centres, are also suitable for the system. While purging heat from the roof to reduce cooling requirements, the system can link into the already available return ducting, and provide a natural heating option.
Manufactured in Australia, patented and released by Smart Roof Australia Pty Ltd – http://www.smartroof.com.au – Smartbreeze has already been recognised within the industry winning the Best New Product Award at Designbuild 2008. It has also been a finalist in the Green Plumbers Awards in the categories of Innovative Product of the Year 2008, Energy Efficient Product of the Year 2009, and Product of the Year 2009.
