Climate solutions that matter

Now and in the future

For more than half a century, Hellebrekers has been designing, constructing and managing technical installations. "We are a technical service provider in the field of climate systems, water treatment, electrical engineering and measurement and control technology," says consultant and project leader John van Krevel. "Therefore, when clients involve Hellebrekers in addition to the building contractor, they have their complete project demand covered at once. Because we operate nationwide, we are always close by. Here, clients benefit from the knowledge and power of a national organization, but also from extremely short lines of communication, a customer-oriented attitude and the agility of six local branches."

Van Krevel works in Hellebrekers's mechanical engineering department as a consultant and project leader of Customer Specific Work Climate Engineering. "Our department focuses on the renovation and replacement of climate systems in commercial construction. From heating to cooling and ventilation. But if necessary, we can also use techniques for water and sewage," he says. "We find it important that the installations we make are as sustainable and energy efficient as possible. In the route to a natural gas-free built environment in 2050, we are also betting heavily on hybrid and all-electric techniques. We are converting more and more installations from high temperatures to low temperatures so that they become suitable for heat pump technology. We also regularly renovate air handling units, improving their efficiency and extending their lifespan. Customer-specific (custom) work is indispensable here. After all, no building, situation or customer demand is the same."

Focus on non-residential construction

Hellebrekers's Clientspecific Work Climate Engineering department focuses entirely on non-residential construction; a growth market in which, according to Van Krevel, there is hardly any repetitive work. "That's what makes this target market so interesting. Especially in combination with European regulations, which encourage a sustainable built environment in numerous ways." Although Hellebrekers is the market leader in technical installations for (public) swimming pools. "But we are also a familiar face in zoos, business premises and fire stations," said Van Krevel. "Moreover, we perform customer-specific assignments in numerous municipal buildings. From sports halls to municipal yards, town halls and schools, where ventilation based on CO2 measurements as well as the Frisse Scholen requirements are hot topics. We have developed special units for this, which we can install in classrooms during the vacations, for example. This allows education to continue unhindered, while students and teaching staff benefit from a perfect learning climate and ample fresh air."

Customer-specific work

Most customers who approach Hellebrekers are looking for a solution to make their buildings more sustainable and/or get rid of gas within their budget and building capabilities, says Van Krevel, who is mainly involved in the preliminary process. "We first take stock of their issue, needs and architectural and economic preconditions. On this basis, we then determine the work required and the associated installation techniques. Of course, we also identify any subsidy possibilities. Using energy-saving and payback time calculations, we show exactly what investment the customer needs to make and how quickly it can be earned back. This includes an obligation to save for all measures that pay for themselves within five years and reduce CO2 emissions."

Long-term relationships

When an air handling unit needs to be renovated or replaced, Van Krevel always checks whether the unit still complies with current regulations. For example, in relation to the customer's (future) operations, required air volumes and energy efficiency of the various components. "The plan resulting from this inventory is forwarded to our calculation department. Plan and price are then discussed in detail with the customer, after which all information - upon approval - goes to execution," he says. "I myself am mainly involved in this preliminary process up to the assignment. But also in a bit of aftercare, after commissioning and delivery of the installations. Hellebrekers offers customized maintenance contracts and warranty agreements. In addition, customers can call on our service staff 24/7. This is how we build long-term customer relationships and how we continue to support customers in their sustainable ambitions."

Trends for the future

If clients in non-residential construction want to make their buildings more sustainable, Hellebrekers can work out proposals for improvements and savings based on their requirements, gas and electricity bills, Van Krevel explains. "One challenge here is grid congestion, which means that not all buildings can yet be completely off gas. But major sustainability steps can already be taken here by switching to hybrid intermediate solutions. Here the heat pump meets the demand for heat for most of the year and the boiler is only used as a backup at peak times. On request, our own energy management software continuously monitors the energy demand so that customers do not exceed their contract capacity. For example, by temporarily switching certain installations back or off at peak times. This trend will continue in the coming years. Another challenge is the rainy year 2026, when municipalities will receive less money from the government to continue their sustainable policy. For us, this means that we have to be even more creative in coming up with solutions in order to realize the sustainable ambitions of our utility customers."