Monodraught was announced yesterday as the winner of an Ashden Award, the UK’s leading green energy prize. The Buckinghamshire-based company was acknowledged for its revolutionary low-energy cooling and ventilation system.
The Impax Ashden Award for Energy Innovation was presented to Monodraught by Jonathon Porritt at a ceremony hosted by cultural commentator Emma Freud at the Royal Geographical Society in London.

Cooling and ventilating commercial buildings drains money and energy. Buckinghamshire-based Monodraught's Cool-Phase low-energy cooling and ventilation system reduces the running costs of buildings and creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment.

Through its novel application of phase-change material (PCM) technology in a thermal energy store, temperatures are maintained within a comfort zone, while energy consumption is reduced by up to 90% compared to conventional cooling systems. Indoor air quality is also improved as the system monitors and responds to CO2 and humidity levels.

To add to those benefits, Cool-Phase also removes the need for energy-intensive compressors or outdoor machinery used in traditional air conditioning units.

Nick Hopper, Monodraught technical director said:
'Winning the prestigious Ashden Awards with our Cool-Phase system is a real boost for everyone at Monodraught, because the whole company has been involved in its development. Designing and manufacturing sustainable products that reduce energy consumption is a worthwhile objective for all companies. At Monodraught we relish it as our long-term mission.'

The Ashden judging panel said: 'This is a ground-breaking innovation from an established business that has built up a reputation for its long term commitment to sustainable buildings in the UK. It is no exaggeration to say this could potentially change the whole ventilation and cooling market.'

Now in its 13th year, the Ashden Awards champion practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, reduce poverty and improve people's lives in the UK and developing world.