Kingspan’s KoolDuct enhances energy efficiency

Kingspan Insulation

The pre-insulated KoolDuct system from Kingspan Insulation provided an energy efficient alternative to conventional metal sheet ductwork at the recently opened Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre in Armadale.

Designed by Donovan Payne Architects, the Armadale aquatic centre is a new health and wellbeing facility designed to cater for a wide range of activities throughout the year. The fully integrated $26 million government funded project boasts an array of recreational activities including a state-of-the-art gym, two group fitness studios, five pools, a crèche and a café.

The energy efficient design employs a geothermal bore located 1km underground to heat the pools using heat extracted from warm bore water instead of the more traditional gas boiler. This practice is expected to save an estimated $500,000 per year on gas costs and is 27 times more efficient than a gas boiler.

Additionally, Kingspan’s KoolDuct system was used to enhance the energy efficiency of the building through more effective heating and cooling. Installed by ductwork contractor Master Duct, the KoolDuct system has the ability to reduce air leakage by up to 80%, thereby providing an energy efficient alternative to metal sheet ductwork.

“Aquatic facilities often provide a challenging environment when it comes to specifying ductwork due to the relatively high humidity. Mineral fibre insulants are rarely suitable due to their short term resistance to moisture,” says Killian Smith, Kingspan Insulation’s technical services manager.

“That’s where Kingspan’s KoolDuct is superior. It provides the best solution for the humid condition. KoolDuct’s closed cell structure allows it to have a high thermal performance whilst still having a high resistance to moisture.”

Featuring 90% closed cell structure phenolic insulation panels and offering resistance to moisture, Kingspan’s KoolDuct provides high thermal performance over an extended period of time. The lightweight panels in the KoolDuct system are odourless, resistant to mould and fungus, and fibre-free, contributing to a healthy air quality.

“Our pre-insulated ductwork is available up to R2.0 and provides a lightweight alternative to more traditional metal sheeting, resulting in faster installation and higher performance. It is a popular choice across the globe when it comes to ducting,” concluded Smith.