Manchester conservatoire Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is striking a chord in more ways than one with its decarbonisation programme, thanks to innovative technology from Gilberts Blackpool.

As part of a larger refurbishment of the library building, the College has had its existing gas-powered boilers and mechanical air conditioning from the 1970s replaced with state-of-the-art air heat source pump and four-pipe fan coil units. The College expects the refurbishment to reduce current carbon emissions by 13% as part of an ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.

Gilberts Blackpool is providing distribution of heating and cooling throughout the library, practice rooms and five music studios via its innovative multi-nozzle (MN) diffusers.

Designed to deliver a high volume of air quietly and effectively, each nozzle within the diffuser can be adjusted to direct the airflow without occupant discomfort. The diffusers have been powder coated in black, white and a custom beige to complement the College’s interior colour scheme.

Stockport-based M&E specialist Dodd Group has been responsible for delivery of the new HVAC system, selecting Gilberts for its proximity, product quality, and alignment with RNCM’s sustainable procurement standards.

“We will save 215 tonnes of carbon pa and over £100,000 pa on running costs via the library decarbonisation. Users will also have a more controlled space, and our pianos will enjoy a more stable environment,” said the College. “We always challenge our contractors to adopt sustainable procurement: Dodd Group and Gilberts were in tune with all these objectives.”

The RNCM project demonstrates Gilberts’ continuing commitment to innovative and sustainable commercial HVAC strategies, driven from the company’s 140,000 sq ft research and manufacturing facility in Lancashire.