Energy cost down comfort levels up
August 1st 2006 The owners and tenants of Les Miroirs one of the most striking constructions on the Paris skyline are set to benefit from substantially reduced energy bills over the coming years, thanks to an innovative approach by Johnson Controls.The occupants of this high tech workplace will enjoy improved working conditions, with much closer control of temperature, humidity and air quality.
New heating, ventilation, airconditioning systems (HVAC) and controls are being installed by the Energy, Environment and Solutions (EES) division of leading building services organisation Johnson Controls in a 15 million contract. The project involves one of the largest ever installation of variable refrigerant volume (VRV) technology.
Les Miroirs is a high-tech complex of four mirror-faade towers connected by high-level walkways and situated in the prestigious Paris business district of La Dfense.Three of these mirror-wall towers are coowned by international glass company St Gobain and IXIS AEW, France's leading pension plan fund.
Among the key conditions was that the installation of any equipment had to be carried out while the building remained occupied.With an occupancy rate of 97%, the owners were aware of the enormous savings that could be made by not having to relocate staff during the refurbishment process St Gobain and IXIS AEW estimate that this will avoid 6 million of related costs. In addition to this huge saving, and the increased comfort for their tenants, they will also have guaranteed savings of over 1.4 million over the seven-year contract. In addition, the state of the art technology, with a lifespan of at least 15 years, adds to the capital value of the asset.
Recycling of waste materials and the use of other environmentally friendly technologies such as the R410a freon coolant will help reduce the environmental 'footprint' of the building.
The entire retrofit is due to be completed within 15 months and will involve the installation of a large number of VRV systems on the roofs of the 98m high towers.The new BMS will manage the complex, floor by floor and tower by tower. A total of 20 different zones will be managed by the system in each tower, giving closer control over environmental conditions, optimal use of energy and a greater ability to minimise the effects of solar gain on the glass, steel and concrete structure and all this while the building remains fully operational and occupied.
The BMS gives "closer control over environmental conditions, optimal use of energy and a greater ability to minimise the effects of solar gain on the glass, steel and concrete structure" More articles from York International Ltd: | 
