Worcester Racecourse opened its new state of the art Weighing Room facility last summer, having installed UNICO’s Small Duct High Velocity 3-in-1 heating, ventilation and cooling System (HVAC). UNICO System’s unique HVAC technology has created draft-free, even temperatures throughout the complex even in hot weather, providing excellent energy efficiency and is a very environmentally friendly option, with the added bonus of being a cost-effective solution.
Property type
The Weighing Room complex is a large entertainment facility with multiple rooms. This features a brand-new changing room for jockeys to get changed, make their preparations for racing and spend some time relaxing. A new neutral working zone for the valets ensures all jockeys have the correct colours and riding equipment to hand from one race to the next. On the upper floor there is a canteen and social area, a physiotherapy studio and warm-up room. A Stewards’ Room for weighing-in and use by race officials, together with a TV Broadcast office are both situated on the ground floor. The Unico’s 3-in-1 System was specified to provide the ideal indoor environment all year round, for everyone using the facilities in each area.
System specification
The system specification chosen for the Weighing Room complex was the result of close collaboration between Worcester Racecourse & Arena Racing Company (ARC), Unico’s principal UK distributor Bell Plumbing, and Unico Specialist Installation Partner, Butco.
Considered were the major principles of cost, energy efficiency and sustainability. The resulting system specification was chosen as it maximises the potential of heat pumps to offer air conditioning, heating, hot water and integration with mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems (MVHR). The technology was specified for the Weighing Room as a versatile, practical and financially attractive alternative to a traditional fossil fuel-based HVAC system.
Another key factor to consider was the cooling capability of the Unico System, since the summer racing season indoor temperatures within the weighing room complex can be uncomfortably high.
Project delivery
Despite challenges of a tight area behind the canteen servery and significant height restrictions under the mono pitched room, the small footprint, compactness and horizontal configuration of the Unico AHUs meant that Bell Solutions were able to configure a layout that maximised use of the available space within a tight project deadline.
Results
The energy efficiency within the building has been completely optimised: approximately 97% of system energy is retained and delivered into the conditioned spaces through room outlets. Furthermore, Unico’s HVAC system operates with extremely low noise levels (<30 decibels) and is visually unobtrusive, the outlets blending into the interior decor of each room.
Indoor air quality levels throughout the building are also consistently high thanks to lower humidity levels and the ability of Unico technology to remove up to 30% more humidity than would be achievable with traditional air conditioning technology.
With the aspiration principle of operation, small jets of cooled or warmed air are driven at high velocity into the different areas of the Weighing Room facility with minimal temperature differentials of no more than +/- 1º C floor to ceiling and no drafts. Standard white finish linear outlets are used extensively in front of floor to ceiling windows and the canteen servery, to form a conditioned air curtain that helps to keep room temperatures to desired preset levels. Round outlets have been carefully positioned around ceilings to ensure uniform delivery of conditioned air within each space, preventing hot or cold spots and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout.
The ability to set draft-free even temperatures, as well as providing precise instant cooling is a great benefit of the Unico HVAC system. All these factors create a consistent environment temperature and optimum comfort levels for all users in every room within the building.
The installation at Worcester Racecourse has demonstrated that in the light commercial sector, Unico’s technology is a viable environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based heating/air conditioning with a BMS system.
Richard Soper, Director of Unico Systems explained: “I’m delighted that our HVAC System has been such a success for the Weighing Room facility at Worcester Racecourse by keeping temperature levels consistently comfortable in all the rooms, year-round. Unico’s HVAC System technology has so many benefits for our customers, especially now we seem to be experiencing more heatwaves in the UK due to rising global temperatures. The convenient all-in-one system regulates the temperature in a building throughout the year, come snow or shine. We’re proud of the fact that it’s so energy efficient as well as being a very sustainable option, and cost-effective.”
Michael Thomas, General Manager of Worcester Racecourse, commented: “The new Weighing Room is a significant step forward in the future viability of the racecourse. For my team, the ability to set temperatures for each area and control the complete Unico installation remotely from an office located in the Grandstand is incredibly convenient. The installation work was carried out by Butco in an extremely professional way, working to tight deadlines. Feedback from jockeys, race officials, broadcasters and others who use the facility has been very positive in terms of indoor temperature levels and personal comfort within a year-round, busy working environment. The Unico system has been a game changer for us.”