ISH 2011 in Frankfurt will see indoor climate specialist Zehnder presenting the extraordinarily space-saving Zehnder ComfoBox Apart, an innovative variant of its ComfoBox compact device. The new Zehnder ComfoBox Apart combines a heat pump and ventilation device within an even smaller space, covering all the requirements for supplying heating and cooling as needed, as well as a sufficient supply of fresh air.
The device has been specially developed for use as a modern energy centre in detached low-energy and passive houses, or alternatively for use in high-quality freehold flats. It constitutes the highest upgrade of the Zehnder system for comfortable indoor climate solutions in this field.
The perfectly harmonised components of the Zehnder ComfoBox Apart ensure efficient, smooth and low-maintenance operation of all the building services. Thanks to its compact dimensions of 625 x 580 x 1620 mm as well as its integrated hydraulics, the device can be easily mounted in even the tightest of spaces; all it needs is around 0.4 square meters for installation. All of the components required for operation – such as balancing vessels – are already built in at the factory. This does away with the need for assembly work as well as the additional wall space normally required for the hydraulics.
Since the Zehnder ComfoBox Apart is based on a brine/water heat pump, it can perform the dual functions of heating and cooling as required. In heating mode, the integrated heat pump uses the natural heat of the ground to heat the building, which takes place via a closed brine loop (a mixture of water and glycol). In the summer, the ground's cooler temperature is used to cool the building via the brine loop and the heating system connected to the ComfoBox Apart.
The Zehnder ComfoBox Apart is available with a heating output of 2.5 or 3.5 kW. The Zehnder ComfoBox Apart also makes use of renewable energy sources to provide hot water. A 400 litre hot water storage tank can be supplied on request. A 2 kW electronic heating bar prevents the formation of legionella bacteria by regularly heating the water up to 60°C. The integrated Zehnder ComfoAir 350 central ventilation device, featuring a counter-flow heat exchanger and energy-efficient EC direct current motors, enables up to 95% of heat energy to be recovered from exhaust air. In doing this, it delivers up to 350 m3 air per hour at an external pressure of 200 Pa. Additionally, the Zehnder ComfoBox Apart can be retrofitted at any time with a humidity-transferring enthalpy exchanger. This prevents the indoor air from becoming excessively dry in the winter and enables the ventilation device to be operated at as much as -8°C without the need for additional frost protection. The Zehnder ComfoBox Apart features extremely user-friendly operation via a panel located in the living area.
Maintenance merely involves changing the filter in the ventilation device every six months or so and performing an annual check of the heat pump settings. Depending on how dirty the outdoor air is, the heat exchanger should also be cleaned on a regular basis. This can be done by simply removing it from the device and rinsing it with water. With the new ComfoBox Apart, Zehnder is offering a convenient one-stop solution for all the building services required for a low-energy or passive house. The space-saving energy centre can also be used efficiently in high-quality freehold flats. As well as enabling considerable energy cost savings, the device offers the highest possible degree of user comfort and is also subsidised by various national programmes for new-build and refurbishment projects. The Zehnder ComfoBox Apart – an energy-efficient space-saving phenomenon
