Approximately 3,800 square feet of 0.032-inch aluminum InSpire solar air heating wall panels in a Classic Bronze finish from ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa., were installed on Sherwood Middle School, Shrewsbury, Mass.
Z-shaped members were applied to the school’s exterior to create a plenum for vertical air movement to the top of the wall. Horizontal hat sections were fastened to the Z-sections as attachment members for the collector panels. An open canopy at the top of the wall gets the air to a centralized inlet to the building or roof-mounted air handler. There is a 4- to 8-inch air cavity behind the panels for air movement when they are mounted to the hat sections. Fans, dampers, ducts and other ventilation components with an electronic control system were also installed.
InSpire, which is usually installed on a south-facing wall to maximize sun exposure, uses heat from the sun’s rays, conducted within the wall panels, to preheat air before it enters buildings, says Jim Bush, vice president of sales for ATAS.
“It is only fitting that this technology be used in a school to enhance green lessons,” Bush says.
InSpire and other systems contributed to Sherwood School’s credits in the Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools. LYMO Construction Co. Inc., Merrimack, N.H., installed the panels, Beacon Sales, Manchester, N.H., was the distributor, and Lamoureux Pagano Associates Architects, Worcester, Mass. was the designer.
“Kids today grow up in a culture that embraces opportunities to use less energy and respect Mother Nature,” Bush says.
ATAS International Inc., www.inspirewall.com
