Latest News
New Heating and Ventilation System Delivers Energy Efficiency and Comfort for Major UK Food Manufacturer
We were delighted to complete a major heating and industrial ventilation project for one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, providing a bespoke solution for a large production and packing facility. The installation was designed, supplied, and commissioned by Penmann to manage high internal heat loads while maintaining the strict hygiene and air quality standards required in food manufacturing environments.
Delivering a Tailored Solution
Our client required a system capable of controlling temperature and air quality across two distinct zones: a high-load production area and a packing hall where stable, comfortable conditions are vital for both product integrity and workforce wellbeing. After a detailed site assessment, we proposed a displacement ventilation system as the most effective and energy-efficient solution for the application.
Unlike traditional mixing systems that circulate air at higher velocities, displacement ventilation introduces cooled air at low velocity near floor level. This allows conditioned air to remain within the occupied zone, pushing warmer air, odours, and airborne contaminants upwards for extraction. The result is precise temperature control, improved hygiene, and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering and Integration
To achieve the required performance, we installed two independent air handling units (AHUs): one serving the production zone and another dedicated to the packing area. Each AHU was fitted with integral supply and extract systems and high-efficiency heat recovery modules that capture energy from exhaust air to pre-heat incoming air.
Cooling and heating are provided via a heat pump chiller system, linked to a fully insulated glycol-based chilled water circuit. This configuration allows the system to deliver efficient cooling in summer and heating in winter without the need for separate plant. All internal ductwork and displacement diffusers were constructed in 304-grade stainless steel, ensuring hygienic, durable performance suited to food processing environments.
The system is controlled through a Building Management System (BMS), integrating inverter-driven fans, temperature sensors, filter pressure monitoring, and automated valves and dampers for precise, responsive operation.
Measurable Benefits
The new system has delivered significant improvements in both comfort and efficiency. The displacement design achieves equivalent cooling performance with around 35% less fan power than a conventional system, providing substantial energy savings and lower running costs. The heat recovery modules further reduce energy demand by reusing waste heat from the extracted air stream.
Air quality has also improved, with the system’s upward airflow pattern effectively removing heat and airborne contaminants from the working zone. This supports hygiene compliance and reduces surface dust build-up, lowering cleaning requirements.
For site personnel, the result is a more comfortable, stable environment across both production and packing areas, improving working conditions and maintaining consistent product quality.
Year-Round Efficiency and Reliability
The combined cooling and heating capability of the system ensures reliable performance throughout the year, maintaining temperature control regardless of external weather conditions. With its stainless-steel construction, advanced controls, and energy-efficient design, this installation will continue to provide long-term operational value.
We are proud to have delivered this project for a major UK food manufacturer. It demonstrates our ability to engineer bespoke, hygienic, and energy-efficient HVAC solutions that meet the demanding standards of modern food production facilities.