Mitsubishi Electric has focused attention on the need to upgrade existing buildings using the energy-saving potential of advanced heating, cooling, ventilation and power generating equipment.
'We have come a long way with new-build properties as can be seen with some of the innovations at [the recently held] Ecobuild,' explained Donald Daw, Mitsubishi Electric's Commercial Director. 'However, there remain millions of homes and commercial buildings which will still be in use for decades to come so we need to find more ways of reducing energy consumption here.'
Mr Daw added: 'As our buildings become more energy efficient and airtight, proper ventilation becomes more important and technology is available to recover heat from stale air to minimise the energy needed to heat or cool fresh air. We need to make sure that we get as much of this innovative technology working together to maximise the energy performance of every building, old and new.'
He concluded: 'Legislation is increasingly driving the way we use energy in our buildings and rising fuel prices mean that there has never been a better time to find ways of improving things,' explains Daw. 'By using the technology now available together, there is a real potential to tackle the problem of existing buildings using advanced energy saving equipment.'