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Project Category: Schools & Labs

Schools & Labs Dehumidification + HRV

Heat Recovery Ventilation

Penrith, NSW · 2025

Heat Recovery Ventilation

The Brief

Pine Group was engaged to install a DANTHERM XKS 12/24 Indoor Climate Control System for an indoor swimming pool in Penrith. Given the region’s extreme summer temperatures and cooler winters, the goal was to ensure consistent humidity and temperature regulation for year-round comfort.

A heat pump chiller providing both heating and cooling was implemented so the system could adapt to seasonal variations, maintaining a stable, comfortable indoor environment while optimising energy use and preserving indoor air quality.

The Challenge

Penrith’s climate swings between intense summer heat and cool winters, placing conflicting demands on a single system. Every project of this kind also has to balance fresh air supply against energy efficiency without compromising comfort.

  • Maintaining stable temperature and humidity across extreme seasonal variation.
  • Preventing condensation-driven structural damage and preserving indoor air quality.
  • Distributing air evenly using a combination of external and internal ducting types.
  • Integrating hydraulic and electrical control systems for fully automated operation.

 

  • Up to 80% Energy savings from the crossflow heat exchanger
  • 100% Outdoor air free-cooling available via integrated bypass
  • Year-round Consistent temperature & humidity control

Our Approach & Solution

The installation centred on the DANTHERM XKS 12/24 — a highly efficient outdoor air dehumidification system with integrated climate control, paired with a heat pump chiller providing both hot and cold water depending on seasonal demand.

Air distribution used a custom ducting design: galvanised steel ductwork externally for durability, and fabric duct internally to promote even airflow across the pool area. Electrical supply and control wiring enabled precise automation, while hydraulic connections — including solenoid valves and actuators — linked the chiller to the air coils for enhanced efficiency.

The DanX XKS system’s advanced crossflow heat exchanger captures and recycles energy, its integrated outdoor air mixing function supplies only the fresh air required, and a free-cooling bypass introduces 100% outdoor air in summer. An additional cooling coil further enhances dehumidification and cooling during hot periods.

Outcomes

The result is a highly efficient, reliable and energy-conscious indoor climate control system that ensures optimal conditions for the swimming pool area all year round. The client now benefits from:

  • Consistent temperature & humidity control.
  • Significant energy savings.
  • A healthier, more comfortable environment.
  • Lower operational costs through optimised air handling.
  • 38% Reduction in HVAC energy consumption
  • 54% Average RH maintained at deck level
  • <0.2 ppm Chloramine — below AIRAH threshold
  • 100% Pool hall access maintained during installation
Schools & Labs Ventilation Systems

Science Laboratory Ventilation Upgrade

Harris Park, NSW · 2026

Science Laboratory Ventilation Upgrade

The Brief

Pine Group was engaged to design and install a high-performance ventilation solution for the science laboratories at Maronite College of the Holy Family, replacing an outdated extraction-only system with a modern, energy-efficient heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system.

The project involved the supply and installation of three VEHUM ComX EC Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems, providing balanced mechanical ventilation to improve indoor air quality while significantly reducing the energy required to condition incoming fresh air.

The Challenge

Science laboratories present a distinct ventilation challenge: fresh air must be delivered reliably to classrooms while contaminants generated in adjacent chemical preparation areas are contained and extracted, all without the energy penalty of continuously conditioning outdoor air from scratch.

  • Replacing an ageing extraction-only system that offered no heat recovery or tempering of incoming air.
  • Containing airborne chemical contaminants within the preparation rooms and storerooms.
  • Delivering consistent, filtered fresh air across multiple science classrooms simultaneously.
  • Installing new plant within an existing concrete-ceilinged building with minimal disruption to teaching.

 

  • 3 VEHUM ComX EC ERV units supplied & installed
  • 100% Design-to-commissioning package delivered by Pine Group
  • 2 Air streams managed — classroom supply & prep room extract

Our Approach & Solution

Pine Group designed a fully integrated heat recovery ventilation system built around three VEHUM ComX EC Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) units — engineered specifically for the science block’s classroom layout, adjacent chemical preparation rooms, and existing structural constraints.

The systems were suspended from the existing concrete ceilings and connected via custom-fabricated galvanised steel ductwork. Fresh, filtered outdoor air is tempered through the high-efficiency heat recovery cores before being supplied to the classrooms, while stale air is extracted from the adjacent chemical preparation rooms and storerooms — maintaining excellent indoor air quality for students and teaching staff while containing airborne contaminants within the preparation areas.

From concept through to commissioning, Pine Group delivered the complete mechanical ventilation package, including system design, equipment selection, ductwork design, installation, balancing and commissioning.

Outcomes

By replacing the previous extract-only arrangement with balanced heat recovery ventilation, the college now benefits from:

  • Improved indoor air quality for students and teachers.
  • Continuous supply of filtered, tempered fresh air.
  • Reduced heating and cooling energy consumption through heat recovery.
  • Improved ventilation effectiveness throughout the science classrooms.
  • A quieter, more efficient and sustainable mechanical ventilation solution.