Always feeling like you are teaching outdoors, doesn't that sound great? Goflow offers that possibility by using vertical ventilation, the technology found in operating theatres. "With our innovative ventilation system, we aim to provide all classrooms in the Netherlands with guaranteed, healthy and comfortable indoor air, at the lowest possible cost."

Venting vertically instead of horizontally. That simple is the disruptive idea of Goflow Technology founder Norbert Vroege. Together with a dedicated team, he developed a ventilation system that guarantees the healthiest indoor air. With this technology, Vroege wants to tackle the indoor climate of schools. "That's where it starts. A clean indoor climate should be as self-evident as clean drinking water. Especially in rooms where several children stay for a long time, such as a classroom," says Norbert Vroege: "Various studies show that a healthy and comfortable indoor climate increases concentration, improves learning and working performance and reduces absenteeism. Currently, ventilation is mostly done by opening a window, even in winter, with associated disadvantages such as cold and noise pollution. Moreover, ensuring fresh air is more topical than ever due to the corona virus."  

Motivation

The idea for the ventilation system came during the lockdown. "My four children couldn't go to school. I saw with my own eyes what impact that had on the youngsters, teachers and parents. It made me realise: the indoor climate of school buildings can and must be better. How wonderful would it be if I could make a substantial contribution to education with my years of experience in ventilation and energy technology? I then looked at how operating theatres are set up and simplified and improved this technology. We developed a modular system suitable for every room, so that as many people as possible can benefit from healthy indoor air."

How it works

It works as follows: classrooms are fitted with a system floor, a system ceiling and a ventilation unit, which blows in energy-efficient clean air under the floor and exhausts it above the ceiling. The system refreshes indoor air with clean filtered outdoor air 8 to 16 times per hour. TNO research shows that the Goflow ventilation system reduces children's pollution exposures by 97% or more.

Optionally, the system can be extended with a heating-cooling option. This brings a classroom up to temperature in 30 minutes. The system also consumes on average 70% less energy than existing systems, both for cooling and heating by using heat and cold exchangers. The system is made mainly of wood and sustainable materials according to the 'Design for re-use' principle.

Unburdening

Goflow handles the purchase, supply and installation of the innovative ventilation system. Goflow also bears responsibility for operation, warranty and maintenance for a period of at least 15 years. Educational institutions pay less than EUR 100 per child, per year. Installation takes place in order of application.

Experience Lab

How it feels, the healthiest indoor air? Experience it yourself in the Experience Lab at Wattstraat 56 in Sassenheim. Interested? Sign up.