The Windcatcher Trade Name has now been confirmed by the Trade Mark Office as officially belonging to Monodraught!  The term of ‘Windcatcher’ has, of course, been in use for more than a thousand years but the Authorities now accept that the name ‘Windcatcher’ is now the property of Monodraught.  This recognition reflects the widespread popularity of the Windcatcher system, which is universally accepted as having “proved to be the most effective method of providing natural ventilation to any commercial building”(quote from the National Green Specification).

Monodraught are delighted to announce their launch in West Africa, where the growing economy is proving highly beneficial.

His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama is the Vice President of Ghana and is extremely keen on our renewable technologies.  Over 1,000 invites have been sent out to local Architects and Dignitaries in Ghana and the official launch is being held at the Trade Fair Conference Centre.

Despite the ever rising tide of increased prices, Monodraught have been able to maintain the prices of their SunPipe systems for 2008 by constantly reviewing and improving their production facilities and output, together with investigating and implementing new and better materials for various components. Despite the increase in the cost of fuel and overheads, Monodraught are determined to offer the best possible value for money and have maintained their prices accordingly.

Monodraught are to launch their new Microprocessor controlled Intelligent Natural Ventilation Control unit, which is being introduced for the complete range of Windcatcher and Sola-boost systems. The INVent system is remarkably compact and housed in a tough ABS white plastic enclosure approximately 300mm x 200mm x 50mm in depth. This can be secured with a special locking key in vulnerable areas. Normally, however, the complete control panel will be sited in a secure area, such as a Facilities Managers office etc.

The Monodraught INVent system represents a major breakthrough in close circuitry design, by being designed specifically for the control of natural ventilation systems, which brings with it economies in design, supply, and installation.

The launch is the result of more than three years’ development in Monodraught’s own R&D Department and benefits from all the knowledge and expertise built up over Monodraught’s 15 years’ experience in Natural Ventilation.

Further developments of the INVent Control System will be made available during the course of the year and these are likely to be remote access, Sola-signal radio data signal control and yearly data storage facility.

The key features are:-

• Manufactured using latest automated PCB construction
  and Microprocessor technology.
• Each unit can control up to four separate zones.
• No limit to the number of zones or units.
• Connections for two temperature sensors to each zone plus
  rain and CO₂ sensors.
• Supports remote Monodraught individual wall mounted controllers, which include a temperature sensor and manual override to each zone.
• Fully programmable ventilation strategy with four seasonal set points.
• Interconnection with fire alarm to automatically close dampers on fire
  alarm activation.
• Connections for windspeed/weather stations.
• Built in time clock with five year battery back-up.
• Short circuit protection with reset.
• Supports manual override facility.
• Built in BMS fault signal alarm.
• Heating interlock/occupancy facility.
• Fireman’s key switch override facility.
• Tamper proof control enclosure.