Entrance shelter

Abstract

An entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance. The entrance shelter houses or supports an inlet to or an outlet from a building venti

Description

ENTRANCE SHELTERTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an entrance shelter for a building. The entrance shelter may comprise an overhead portion to provide shelter or shade for someone outside of the building, or the entrance shelter may be partially or fully enclosed to form an entrance module. The entrance shelter may be proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance. For instance, the entrance shelter may be attached or attachable to a building. Where the entrance shelter is provided as a building entrance module, it may comprise a module having a roof and one or more walls such when the entrance module is coupled to a building an enclosed entrance space is defined. According to embodiments of the present invention, the building entrance module additionally houses or supports parts of a building ventilation, heating, or cooling system.BACKGROUND

[0002] Frequently, some form of shelter is provided for a person stood outside of an entrance to a building. An entrance to a building is typically an exterior door, but may instead be any other accessway such as an open passage. The term “entrance shelter” as used in this document should be interpreted broadly to encompass any form of structure so long as it includes at least an overhead portion to provide shelter to a person from rain or other inclement weather. The term “entrance shelter” is used in this document in a generic sense to include synonyms such as canopy, door canopy, porch, entrance roof, awning, portico, or vestibule. The entrance shelter may be attached to the building or slightly separated from the building (but provided proximal to the building entrance). In addition to an overhead portion, an entrance shelter may include one or more support legs, side panels or walls. An entrance shelter may be partially or fully enclosed (at least when coupled to a building) to provide further shelter to a person stood outside of the main building, and as such may be referred to as a building entrance module that can be coupled to a building.

[0003] Conventionally, an entrance shelter for a house is integrally formed or structurally incorporated into the main structure of the house, and is often referred to as a porch. However, more recently, some entrance shelters have been provided as a product or module that is separately constructed and provided substantially complete before being attached to a wall of a house to extend over a door. This may be a retrofit product, or it may be sourced and fitted at the time of first constructing a building (though after the wallitself is substantially complete). Such an entrance shelter product may be a relatively lightweight structure to be attached to the building wall, for instance with some form of metal bracket affixed to the wall structure. Such an entrance shelter may be substantially formed as an elongate box that in use protrudes generally horizontally from the wall above the door, though one or more legs or sidewalls may be provided that are also attached to the building wall and may extend to ground level. Where legs or sidewalls are provided, they may also provide support to the overhead portion. While such an entrance shelter product may in principle be subsequently removed from the building, more commonly the entrance shelter is installed and kept in place for its lifespan.

[0004] Often an entrance shelter, including one that is formed as a product or module that is attached or attachable to a building, may support an exterior light. However, an entrance shelter does not normally include any further functionality.

[0005] It is an aim of certain examples of the present invention to solve, mitigate or obviate, at least partly, at least one of the problems and / or disadvantages associated with the prior art. Certain examples aim to provide at least one of the advantages described below.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports: an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system; or at least one component of a building heating or cooling system.

[0007] Advantageously, because the entrance shelter is external to the structure of the building, it is readily accessible to tradespeople who need to service or repair components of ventilation, heating, or cooling systems supported by or housed within the entrance shelter. Accordingly, there is no need to enter the building or disturb the building occupants. Where the entrance shelter is attached to a house that is rented to tenants, this has the benefit that the landlord can arrange for tradespeople to perform maintenance on the house ventilation or heating system without having to arrange access to the house in advance.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a building comprising: an entrance; and an entrance shelter according to the first aspect of the invention arranged proximal to the building entrance.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a building construction method comprising: providing an entrance shelter according to the first aspectof the invention proximal to a building entrance; and coupling the inlet or the outlet to ducting within the building for the building ventilation system; or coupling the at least one component of a building heating or cooling system to portions of the building heating or cooling system within the building.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating an entrance shelter according to the first aspect of the present invention provided proximal to a building entrance, the method comprising: drawing fresh air into the building ventilation system through the inlet; discharging stale air from the building ventilation system through the outlet; or heating or cooling the building using a building heating or cooling system including the at least one component of the building heating or cooling system within the entrance shelter.

[0011] Further aspects of the present invention are defined by the appended claims.

[0012] There is further disclosed an entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system. The entrance shelter may be attached or attachable to the building.

[0013] The entrance shelter may further comprise a filter arranged such that in use air drawn into the building ventilation system through the inlet is filtered. The filter may be releasably attached to the inlet such that it is removable from the entrance shelter. The entrance shelter may house or support an inlet to and an outlet from the building ventilation system.

[0014] There is further disclosed an entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports at least one component of an air source heat pump. The entrance shelter may additionally house or support an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system. The at least one component of an air source heat pump may comprise an evaporator configured to absorb heat from the ambient environment.

[0015] There is further disclosed an entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports at least an evaporator of an air source heat pump, the evaporator being configured to absorb heat from the ambient environment, wherein the evaporator is configured to be coupled to an outlet from a building ventilation system arranged such that in use air discharged from the building is directed across or through the evaporator.

[0016] The evaporator may be housed partially or fully within the entrance shelter; or the evaporator may be partially or fully exposed to the exterior of the entrance shelter. Theevaporator may form part or the whole of an exterior weatherproof surface of the entrance shelter.

[0017] Advantageously, the entrance shelter may be lighter weight and constructed at a reduced cost entrance shelter by incorporating evaporator in this way as there is no requirement for a roofing layer in addition to the evaporator.

[0018] The entrance shelter may further comprise a fan configured to direct ambient air across or through the evaporator. Air discharged from the building through a ventilation system outlet may be directed across or through the evaporator.

[0019] Advantageously, residual building heat in the discharged air will be warmer than the ambient temperature outside of the building. During winter conditions this flow of warm air provides frost protection to the evaporator. This may remove or reduce the need for a frost protection heating element or the need to periodically run the heat pump in reverse to warm the evaporator.

[0020] The entrance shelter may further house or support an air source heat pump compressor, pump, or condensate drain.

[0021] There is further disclosed an entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance (for instance, attached or attachable to a building over a building entrance), wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports an outlet from a building ventilation system; and wherein the outlet is configured to direct air discharged from the building across the building entrance to form an air curtain.

[0022] Advantageously, when the building entrance, particularly a door, is opened the air curtain forms a barrier between the environments inside and outside of the building. This can prevent the movement of air, heat, and airborne contaminants (including allergens and pollution) through the doorway when the door is open, while allowing people to move freely through the doorway. The air curtain can also reduce building energy consumption by reducing the mixing of outdoor and indoor air, which requires additional building heating or cooling to address.

[0023] The entrance shelter may additionally house or support an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system. The entrance shelter may additionally house or support at least one component of an air source heat pump.

[0024] The entrance shelter may further house or support an evaporator of an air source heat pump, the evaporator being configured to absorb heat from the ambient environment; and wherein in use air from the building is selectively discharged across the building entrance to form an air curtain or across or through the evaporator. Air may be selectivelydischarged across the building entrance to form an air curtain in response to a sensor signal indicating that the door is open.

[0025] The entrance shelter may comprise an overhead portion configured or arranged in use to provide shelter or shade to a person located outside the building entrance. The overhead portion may be supported at least in part by being attached in use to the building; or the overhead portion may be supported at least in part by one or more legs, walls, or side structures.

[0026] The entrance shelter may further comprise a photovoltaic panel disposed on or forming part of an exterior surface. The entrance shelter may house or support at least one environment sensor, camera, or light.

[0027] The entrance shelter may define a housing, the housing including at least one openable section for maintenance access to components and systems housed therein.

[0028] There is further disclosed provided a building comprising: an entrance; and an entrance shelter according to any one of the preceding claims and attached to the building over the entrance.

[0029] The building may include a building ventilation system having an inlet duct coupled to an inlet housed or supported by the entrance shelter. The building ventilation system may comprise a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, MVHR, system.

[0030] There is further disclosed a building construction method comprising: attaching an entrance shelter to a wall of a building over a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system; and coupling the inlet or the outlet to ducting within the building for the building ventilation system.

[0031] There is further disclosed a method of operating an entrance shelter attached to a building over a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system, the method comprising: drawing fresh air into the building ventilation system through the inlet; or discharging stale air from the building ventilation system through the outlet.

[0032] There is further disclosed a building entrance module comprising: at least one wall incorporating an exterior door; wherein the building entrance module is configured to be coupled to a portion of a building including an entrance (also referred to herein as a walkway opening) such that when the building entrance module and the building portion are coupled together they define an enclosed entrance space and the exterior door and the building entrance define a walkway into the building through the entrance space; wherein the building entrance module further comprises: a first services cabinet thermallyisolated from a thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space; and a second services cabinet within the thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space.

[0033] The first and second services cabinets may comprise thermally isolated sections of a single services cabinet.

[0034] The building entrance module may further comprise: an exterior services cabinet door enabling access to the first or second services cabinet from outside of the building entrance module; or an interior services cabinet door enabling access to the first or second services cabinet from the enclosed entrance space.

[0035] The first services cabinet may house one or more of: at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit; a gas supply meter; or an electricity supply meter. The second services cabinet may house one or more of: at least part of a building ventilation system; at least part of a building heating system; at least part of an air source heat pump inside unit; a gas boiler; a hot water cylinder; a gas supply meter; or an electricity supply meter.

[0036] There is further disclosed a building entrance module comprising: at least one wall incorporating an exterior door; wherein the building entrance module is configured to be coupled to a portion of a building including a building entrance such that when the building entrance module and the building portion are coupled together they define an enclosed entrance space and the exterior door and the building entrance define a walkway into the building through the entrance space; wherein the building entrance module houses or supports at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit.

[0037] The at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit may be housed within a services cabinet defined by part of the building entrance module; or the at least one component of an air source heat pump may be supported upon the outside of the building entrance module.

[0038] The services cabinet may comprise: a first services cabinet thermally isolated from a thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space and housing the at least one component of an air source heat pump; a second services cabinet within the thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space.

[0039] The first and second services cabinets may comprise thermally isolated sections of a single services cabinet.

[0040] The second services cabinet may further house one or more of: at least part of a building ventilation system; at least part of a building heating system; at least part of an air source heat pump inside unit; a gas boiler; a hot water cylinder; a gas supply meter; or an electricity supply meter.

[0041] The building entrance module may further comprise: an exterior services cabinet door enabling access to the services cabinet or one of the services cabinets from outside of the building entrance module; or an interior services cabinet door enabling access to the services cabinet or one of the services cabinets from the enclosed entrance space.

[0042] The building entrance module may further comprise: a roof portion configured with the at least one wall to define a structure open on one side such that when the open side is coupled to the building portion around or abutting the walkway opening, the entrance space is defined; or a roof portion and an interior door such that the roof portion, interior door and at least one wall define the entrance space.

[0043] Wall or roof portions of the building entrance module may incorporate insulation such that the entrance space is thermally isolated from the environment outside of the building entrance module.

[0044] There is further disclosed a building comprising: a first building portion defining a building entrance; and a building entrance module as described above coupled to the first building portion.

[0045] The building entrance may comprise: a door arranged such that the building entrance module couples to a wall of the first building portion around the door; or an aperture in a wall of the first building portion into which or about which the building entrance module is coupled.

[0046] A thermal envelope defined by the first building portion may extend to the enclosed entrance space; or the enclosed entrance space may be thermally isolated from the thermal envelope defined by the first building portion.

[0047] There is further disclosed a building construction method comprising: providing a first building portion defining a building entrance; and coupling a building entrance module as described above to the first building portion.

[0048] The building entrance may comprise a door and the step of coupling comprises coupling the building entrance module to a wall of the first building portion around the door; or the building entrance may comprise an aperture in a wall of the first building portion and the step of coupling comprises coupling the building entrance module into or about the aperture.

[0049] The method may further comprise coupling at least one component of a building ventilation, heating, or cooling system housed by the building entrance module to a further system component within the first building portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Examples of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 illustrates in a perspective view an entrance shelter according to an embodiment of the invention attached to a building over a building entrance and incorporating an inlet to a ventilation system;Figure 2 illustrates in a cross-section plan view an entrance shelter according to another embodiment of the invention attached to a building and incorporating an inlet and an outlet to a building ventilation system;Figure 3 illustrates in a partially cut away perspective view an entrance shelter according to a further embodiment of the invention attached to a building and incorporating an inlet and an outlet to a building ventilation system and an evaporator of an air source heat pump;Figure 4 illustrates in a partially cut away perspective view an entrance shelter according to a further embodiment of the invention attached to a building in which an evaporator of an air source heat pump forms part of the exterior of the entrance shelter;Figure 5 illustrates in a partially cut away perspective view an entrance shelter according to a further embodiment of the invention attached to a building and incorporating an inlet and an outlet to a building ventilation system, an evaporator of an air source heat pump and an air curtain outlet;Figure 6 illustrates an air source heat pump exterior unit connected to an outlet of a building ventilation system;Figure 7 illustrates in a perspective view of a building entrance module according to a further embodiment of the invention coupled to a first building portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 8 is a cross section through the building entrance module and first building portion of figure 7;Figure 9 illustrates in a perspective view of a building entrance module according to a further embodiment of the invention coupled to a first building portion according to a further embodiment of the present invention;Figure 10 is a cross section through the building entrance module and first building portion of figure 9;Figure 11 illustrates in a perspective view of a building entrance module according to a further embodiment of the invention coupled to a first building portion according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention;Figure 12 is a first alternative cross section through the building entrance module and first building portion of figure 11; andFigure 13 is a second alternative cross section through the building entrance module and first building portion of figure 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Referring first to figure 1 , this illustrates an entrance shelter 101 according to an embodiment of the invention. The entrance shelter 101 is shown attached to the wall 102 of a building 103 over a building entrance 104, in this case an exterior door 104. More generally, according to the present invention the entrance shelter 101 is provided proximal to a building entrance 104 or configured to be so provided. While the entrance shelter 101 may be attached or attachable to the building 103, it could in some examples be self- supporting and spaced apart from the building itself, but still be provided close enough to provide shelter or shade to someone waiting outside of the door 104. The building 103 may suitably be a house but the present invention is not restricted to any particular building type. The wall 102 may be formed in any conventional manner. The entrance shelter 101 may be formed as a separate product or module prior to delivery to site and attached to the wall 102 for instance through the use of brackets that are first attached to the wall 102 and then concealed within the body of the entrance shelter 101, however the present disclosure is not restricted to any particular attachment mechanism.

[0052] The entrance shelter 101 is illustrated as an elongate “box” structure that extends from the building 103 along a first axis indicated by arrow 105 and is positioned above the entrance 104. The entrance shelter 101 extends to either side of the entrance 104 along a second axis indicated by arrow 106. It will be understood that the particular size and shape of the entrance shelter along the first and second axes 105, 106 may vary so long as at least part of the entrance shelter 101 is positioned over the entrance 104 along a third, depth axis indicated by arrow 107.

[0053] An upper surface 108 of the entrance shelter 101 is configured to provide rain or sun protection. The upper surface 108 may be horizontal or it may have a slope to shed rainwater (and a rainwater drain may be provided, not illustrated). It will be appreciated that an entrance shelter according to the present invention may need to comply with local regulations to be sold. For instance, in the UK, an entrance shelter or porch needs to provide at least 1.2 m2of coverage to adequately protect a disabled person (whetherprovided as an open shelter as shown in figure 1 or as enclosed module as shown in figure 7).

[0054] The entrance shelter of figure 1 and all subsequent entrance shelter figures may include one or more side walls, such as is shown in figure 4. In some embodiments the entrance shelter may be configured as a porch (such as is illustrated in figure 7) comprising a roof, two side walls and a front wall including a door. That is, the entrance shelter may be open on a backside but when attached to the wall of building about a door the wall of the building and the entrance shelter define a fully enclosed space having a first door formed in the wall of the building and opening into the building and a second door that leads out of the porch to the outside of the building. Such an enclosed entrance shelter or porch may still be provided as a product or module that is sourced in a substantially complete form and attached to a wall of a building either during construction of the building or during retrofit conversion.

[0055] As described below, according to the present invention the entrance shelter incorporates elements of a building ventilation, heating, or cooling system, however the entrance shelter is not limited to any particular form of building ventilation system. It will be understood that in the context of the present document the term ventilation system may also encompass building systems including one or more element of heating and air conditioning as well as ventilation. A Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC, system remains a ventilation system.

[0056] One particular type of HVAC system (or a component or sub-system within a HVAC system) is a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. MVHR is a type of mechanical ventilation system used in residential and commercial buildings to provide fresh air while recovering the heat from the outgoing air. Extracted stale air from the building passes through a first duct network to a heat exchanger which transfers the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming fresh air drawn into the building through an inlet which is then distributed back into the building through a separate duct network. This process helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The MVHR system also helps to improve indoor air quality by continuously exchanging stale air with fresh air, reducing the build-up of pollutants and excess moisture.

[0057] The entrance shelter may incorporate elements of an Air Source Heat Pump, ASHP. In other embodiments the entrance shelter may house or support part of an air conditioning system (as well as or instead of part of an ASHP). The elements of these systems incorporated into, housed, or supported by the entrance shelter may come preinstalled such that all remains for the entrance shelter installer is to attach the entranceshelter to the building and make the appropriate connections to ducting inside the building, and where required an electrical power supply. The entrance shelter may incorporate appropriate seals so that when attached to the building a weathertight seal is formed between the entrance shelter and the wall and particularly about any ducting from the building ventilation or heating system or from the entrance shelter that extends through the wall. Where an entrance shelter according to the present invention is provided as a fully enclosed entrance module (also referred to as a porch or porch module) that may be attached to a building this can provide significant practical benefits to the occupants of the building: it provides a break between the outdoors and the indoors for storage of shoes, coats, and parcels. It provides a thermal break, and an airlock, which reduces loss of heat from a building through an exterior door.

[0058] The entrance shelter may be alternatively referred to as a module, a shelter module, or a canopy module that is attached to a building or a building module. It may be supplied from a factory substantially complete and ready for attachment to the building and coupling to a building ventilation or heating system as required. Thus, may be referred to as a module incorporating one or more elements of a ventilation system such as an MVHR system or one or more elements of a heating or cooling system such as an ASHP. For an enclosed entrance shelter as discussed above, this may be considered to be a module including a first door that when coupled to a building about a second door forms an enclosed module with two doors.

[0059] Figure 1 further shows that the entrance shelter 101 includes an inlet 109 to a building ventilation system. The building ventilation system may suitably be an MVHR system, and in particularly may be a decentralised MVHR system configured to provide air exchange only within the portion of the building proximal to the inlet and outlet locations. Furthermore, the inlet 109 includes a filter 110 to filter air drawn into the building ventilation system. The filter 110 services to reduce the ingress of contaminants into the building ventilation system. It some examples the filter 110 may be a relatively coarse filter designed to remove the largest contaminants and the building ventilation system may include a second, finer inlet filter, functioning as the main system filter, and located within the building, for instance in a building plant room. For instance, for an MVHR system, the main system filter may be designed to filter out particulate matter larger than 2.5 pm. Filter 110 installed in the entrance shelter 101 may be selected to filter out larger contaminants, for instance larger than 5 pm or larger than 10 pm (or larger still). Filter 110 may serve to prolong the lifespan of the main system filter and reduce the pressure drop across the main system filter during its lifespan by reducing the passage of coarse contaminants to the main system filter that might otherwise cause a blockage.

[0060] Advantageously, the filter 110 may be removable from the inlet 109 for servicing or replacement. Any suitable attachment mechanism for providing a removable filter 110 may be used. For instance, the inlet 109 may include a filter cover that is hinged and openable to access the filter 110. By providing the filter at a location outside of the building, it may be easily accessed by a maintenance technician.

[0061] Inlet 109 and filter 110 may be provided on the underside of the entrance shelter 101 , as illustrated. Advantageously, this prevents rain ingress. However, the inlet 109 and filter 110 may be located in any suitable or desired location upon the entrance shelter 101, so long as it opens to the outside of the building and is accessible for maintenance. In particular, where the entrance shelter 101 includes one or more sidewall or other element (not illustrated), the inlet 109 and filter 110 may be provided at that location. The particular illustrated dimensions and shape of the inlet 109 should not be considered to be limiting. Rather, the minimum size of the inlet 109 will be dictated by the specifications of the building ventilation system, particularly throughput of fresh air, the required level of filtering and the maximum pressure drop permitted across filter 110 (which determines its dimensions).

[0062] Inside the entrance shelter 101 (not shown in figure 1) air drawn through the filter 110 passes into an inlet duet that in turn passes through a hole formed in the wall 102 and connects to the building ventilation system (with either the inlet duct within the entrance shelter 101 extending through the wall to couple to a building duct or a building duct extending through the wall 102 to couple to the entrance shelter inlet duct).

[0063] Turning now to figure 2, this illustrates in a cross-section plan view an alternative entrance shelter 201 according to a further embodiment of the invention attached to a wall 102 of a building 103 and incorporating an inlet 204 and an outlet 205 both coupled to a building ventilation system 206, which is provided at least partially within building 103. The view of figure 2 is a cross-section in a horizontal plane when the entrance shelter 201 is attached to a building in a similar fashion to figure 1. The ventilation system 206 is illustrated as an MVHR system in which fresh air drawn into the building 103 passes through an inlet duct 207 to a heat exchanger 208 where it is warmed by stale air drawn out of the building 103 through an outlet duct 209. The MVHR system 206 may be a centralised system in which inlet 204 and outlet 205 are coupled via ducting to a central MVHR unit that distributes warmed fresh air through the building and receives stale air from one or more stale air inlet locations. Alternatively, the MVHR system 206 may be a decentralised MVHR system in which the system is provided as a unit generally on the opposite side of wall 102 to the entrance shelter 201. However, the present disclosure is not limited to an entrance shelter 201 connected to an MVHR system: inlet 204 and outlet205 may connect to any form of ventilation system. The inlet 204 is shown provided with a filter 210, which may be as described above for the entrance shelter of figure 1. Outlet 205 has no filter illustrated, but may be provided with a filter or grill to prevent animals entering the outlet duct 209.

[0064] As for figure 1 , the inlet 204 and outlet 205 may suitably be provided on the underside of the entrance shelter 201 (not evident from the cross-section) to avoid rain ingress. However, the location, shape and dimensions illustrated for the inlet 204 and the outlet 205 should not be considered to be limiting. In some situations, it is desirable for the inlet 204 and the outlet 205 to be spaced apart so as to avoid recirculation of stale air into the building.

[0065] Turning now to figure 3, this illustrates in a cross-section plan view a further alternative entrance shelter 301 according to a further embodiment of the invention attachable to a building and incorporating an inlet 302 (which may or may not include a filter) and an outlet 303 to a building ventilation system and an evaporator 304 of an air source heat pump (as one particular example of a building heating or cooling system). More generally, the entrance shelter 301 houses or supports at least one component of an Air Source Heat Pump, ASHP, however the particular example of housing an evaporator 304 is illustrated. Figure 3 further illustrates the shelter 301 having a side structure 310 that provides capacity to house further components of the ASHP such as compressor 311.

[0066] An ASHP is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat energy between the air outside a building and the air inside a building. In a heating mode it works by using a refrigerant to absorb heat from the outdoor air, and then transferring that heat inside to heat the building. In a cooling mode the process is reversed, with the refrigerant absorbing heat from the indoor air and releasing it into the outdoor. Normally key components of an ASHP are contained in an outdoor unit attached to a wall of the building or supported on the ground proximal to the building and a corresponding indoor unit (plus appropriate ducting to connect the two). In particular, the outside unit normally contains a compressor and an evaporator. The compressor compresses a refrigerant and pumps the compressed refrigerant through the system. In a heating mode the refrigerant expands and evaporates as it passes through the evaporator in the outside unit, and the refrigerant absorbs latent heat from the air surrounding the outdoor unit. The evaporator thus comprises a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the ambient environment to the refrigerant (or the reverse if the system is run in reverse in a cooling mode). A fan may blow air over the evaporator to accelerate this process. The hot refrigerant then passes through a heat exchanger (normally located in the inside unit), where it transfers heat from the refrigerant to a separate air circuit, which circulated heated air within the building. The cooledrefrigerant is returned to the compressor in a closed loop. The refrigerant circuit and the air circuit are thus separate from one another, but exchange heat through the heat exchanger.

[0067] The heated air is distributed throughout the building via a duct system or through individual room units (or optionally only to a single room, proximal to the entrance shelter 301). Air from cooler portions of the building is drawn in using a pump and fed to the heat exchanger to be heated. Alternatively, the refrigerant may transfer heat to a water circuit within the heat exchanger, with that water being fed to a hot water cylinder for supply hot water to a tap or to a heating appliance such as a radiator or underfloor heating pipe. When used for heating, other liquids may be used in place of water. A further option is that heat captured through the ASHP may be used to heat the steel structure in part of the building so that the steel structure radiates heat through the structure of the building.

[0068] The present inventors have recognised that an entrance shelter that is attached or attachable to a wall of a building proximal to a building entrance comprises a convenient location for mounting part or the whole of the components of the ASHP (optionally alongside another outdoor unit for housing the remaining components). Figure 3 illustrates an ASHP evaporator 304 being housed within or support upon the entrance shelter 301 to absorb heat from the ambient environment outside the building. However, in other embodiments, alternative components of the ASHP such as a compressor, a refrigerant pump, a heat exchanger, a condensate drain, or any other component normally found in an ASHP outside unit may be incorporated into the entrance shelter as well as or in place of the evaporator 304. Figure 3 is a partially cut away perspective view of an entrance shelter comprising an overhead “box” of the form illustrated in figure 1 further provided with one side wall 310. A second side wall may be provided, or the entrance shelter may be provided in an enclosed form as discussed above. It will be apparent to the skilled person that substantially more storage volume may be provided within side walls or an enclosed shelter to house further ASHP components. For instance, where a side wall is provided, it may be relatively deep in order to accommodate a compressor of an ASHP. Furthermore, an entrance shelter incorporating at least one wall that rests on the ground may be better able to support the weight of all of the components of an ASHP compared to an overhead entrance shelter that is attached to (for instance, bolted to) a wall of a house.

[0069] The evaporator 304 may be wholly contained within the entrance shelter 301. Alternatively, the evaporator 304 may be partially or fully exposed to the exterior of the entrance shelter 301. A fan (not illustrated) may be configured to direct ambient air across or through the evaporator in a conventional fashion to increase the transfer of latent heat from the air to the refrigerant. Furthermore, figure 3 illustrates that a ventilation system (forinstance, an MVHR system) stale outlet 303 is configured to direct air discharged from the building across or through the evaporator 304. Advantageously, this means that any residual heat from the inside of the building (not transferred to incoming fresh air in a heat exchanger) may be transferred to the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 304. Additionally, this warm, stale heat may act to prevent frost build up on the evaporator 304 during cold weather. This may mean that there is no need to provide an electrical frost protection circuit or periodically run the ASHP in reverse to warm the evaporator 304.

[0070] The functions of an MVHR and an ASHP may be combined such that the ASHP heat exchanger transfers heat from the refrigerant circuit to the fresh air inlet of the MVHR (as well as, for instance downstream of) the heat exchange from stale air to fresh air within the MVHR heat exchanger. This may be in place of the ASHP heat exchanger heating air that is recirculated within the building.

[0071] Figure 3 further shows a refrigerant inlet 305 and a refrigeration outlet 306 for the evaporator 304 coupled to the compressor 311.

[0072] Turning now to figure 4, this illustrates an alternative entrance shelter 401 according to a further embodiment of the invention in which an ASHP evaporator 402 forms part or the whole of an exterior weatherproof surface of the entrance shelter 401. In particular, the evaporator 402 of figure 4 is formed as a substantially or fully sealed unit and forms part or the whole of an upper, roof part 403 of the entrance shelter 401. As illustrated, the evaporator 402 may form the entire roof of the entrance shelter 401 and be configured to seal to the wall of the building when the entrance shelter 401 is attached. However, the evaporator may form less than the whole of the roof of the entrance shelter 401. As described for figure 3, an outlet from a building ventilation system (not illustrated) may discharge air across or through the evaporator 402 to provide frost protection and to make use of residual building air. Similarly, a fan (not illustrated) may be provided to increase the volume of ambient air about the building 103 flowing across or through the evaporator 402.

[0073] Figure 4 further illustrates the entrance shelter 401 having at least one side wall 404 in addition to the roof part 401. The side wall 404 is shown in partial cross-section and houses further components of the ASHP. In particular, the side wall 404 houses the compressor 405 which is coupled to the evaporator 402 by refrigerant ducts 406, 407. The side wall 404 further includes refrigerant ducts 408, 409 configured to couple to an inside ASHP unit when the entrance shelter 401 is attached to a building. An advantage of housing a compressor 405 and other portions of the refrigeration circuit in the entrance shelter, external to the building is that in the event of a refrigerant leak less risk is posed to building occupants. An advantage of housing or supporting the evaporator 402 in or onthe entrance shelter is that commonly condensate forms on an evaporator and a condensate drain is required. The condensate drain may be incorporated into a rainwater drain for rainwater that lands on the overhead portion of the entrance shelter.

[0074] Referring now to figure 5, this illustrates an alternative entrance shelter 501 according to a further embodiment of the invention attached to a wall 102 of a building 103. The entrance shelter 501 includes an inlet 502 configured to connect to a building ventilation system (not illustrated), the inlet 502 including a filter 503 as previously described. Furthermore, the shelter 501 includes an ASHP evaporator 504 (which may be internally housed as described for figure 3 or which may form a roof of the shelter 501 as described for figure 4).

[0075] The evaporator 504 is coupled to a stale air outlet of a building ventilation system via a valve 505 to function as described above for figures 3 and 4. However, the valve 505 is configured to direct the flow of stale air either across or through the evaporator 504 or through an air curtain 506. An air curtain is a device that creates a barrier of air to separate two different environments, typically on either side of an open doorway. It works by blowing a high-velocity stream of air downwards across the width of the doorway, which creates a "curtain" of moving air that acts as a barrier between the inside and outside of the building or room.

[0076] Air curtain 506 comprises an elongate nozzle mounted horizontally above a building exterior door. The air curtain 506 directs a stream of air across the door to prevent the movement of air, temperature, and airborne contaminants through the doorway when the door is open, while allowing people to move freely between the two spaces. Air curtains are commonly used in commercial and industrial settings, such as retail stores, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities, to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and keep out insects, dust, fumes, allergens, and other outdoor contaminants. They can also help to reduce energy consumption by preventing the loss of heated or cooled air when doors are frequently opened and closed. However, they have not previously been commonly used for homes.

[0077] The valve 505 may be controlled by a sensor (not illustrated) that detects whether the door is open. The sensor may be of any generally known type, for instance a Hall effect sensor. The valve 505 may be controlled to direct stale air to the evaporator 504 when the door is closed and to direct stale air to the air curtain 506 when the door is open.

[0078] Entrance shelters according to embodiments of the present invention may further include one or more photovoltaic panels disposed on or forming part of an exterior surface. That is, a photovoltaic panel may be configured to form a weatherproof surface of the entrance shelter to remove the need for an additional weatherproof layer. The photovoltaicpanel may effectively form a cladding for the shelter. An array of PV panels provided as separated pieces or tiles may be used to clad the shelter. The photovoltaic panel may be formed over an ASHP evaporator, or they may be provided on separate portions of the entrance shelter.

[0079] Entrance shelters according to embodiments of the present invention may further house or support additional equipment normally provided on the exterior of a building, for instance an environment sensor, security camera or exterior light. In some examples a charging unit for an electric vehicle may suitably be mounted on the entrance shelter, for instance upon a wall portion so that it is readily accessible. In some examples, emergency shut-offs for one or more building service, such as gas, electricity, or water may be provided upon or within the entrance shelter so that they are readily accessible in the event of an emergency.

[0080] As described above, entrance shelters according to embodiment of the present invention may contain equipment that may require periodic access for maintenance. Accordingly, the entrance shelter may be formed as a housing including at least one openable section for maintenance access to components and systems housed therein.

[0081] Turning now to figure 6, there is further disclosed an outside unit 601 of an ASHP is illustrated, positioned against a wall 102 of a building. The housing of the outside unit 601 is shown partially cutaway. The ASHP outside unit 601 includes an evaporator 603 that is arranged to be coupled to an outlet 604 from a building ventilation system (not illustrated) in order to provide frost protection to the evaporator and to extract residual heat from stale air exhausted from the building (as described above in connection with figure 3). The outside unit 601 further includes additional ASHP components, for instance a compressor 605. Advantageously, the benefits of combining an ASHP evaporator with the outlet from a building ventilation system is not restricted to the evaporator being incorporated into an entrance shelter.

[0082] The entrance shelters described previously in connection with figures 1 to 5 are primarily open in the sense that they do not form an enclosed entrance space when coupled to a building. They may comprise only an overhead portion to be coupled to a building over an entranceway such as an exterior door. Or they may further include one or more sidewalls yet still remain at least partially open. By “open” it is meant that the building entrance may be accessed externally without first requiring access through a closed portion of the entrance shelter. However, as noted previously, in some cases an entrance shelter may comprise an enclosed building entrance module that when coupled to a building defines an enclosed entrance space. Examples of such entrance modules according to embodiments of the present invention (also referred to as porches or porchmodules) are presented beginning with figure 7. It will be appreciated that they may include any or all of the features or functionality of the entrance shelters of figures 1 to 5 even where not specifically illustrated or described. As an example, the entrance module of figure 7 may include one or more component of a building ventilation, heating, or cooling system.

[0083] Turning now to figures 7 and 8, figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a building entrance module 700 coupled to a first building portion 701 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a cross section through the building entrance module 700 and first building portion 701 of figure 7. The cross section of figure 8 is in a horizontal plane generally along the line 8:8 in the direction of the arrows.

[0084] As best seen in figure 8, the first building portion 701 comprises a wall 702 and a building entrance 703 (also referred to in connection with figure 7 onwards as a walkway opening). In the embodiment of figures 7 and 8 the walkway opening is a door 703. The first building portion 701 may be a complete building, complete in the sense that it may substantially fulfil its function, for instance as a house, with or without the presence of the building entrance module 700. Alternatively, the first building portion 701 may be a building module (that may, for instance, be constructed offsite) that forms a complete building when coupled on a building site to further building modules or a site-built second building portion. The present invention does not place any restrictions on the nature of the first building portion 701 and particularly the construction methods through which it is built or the materials from which it is constructed.

[0085] In some embodiments the building entrance module 700 may be positioned on an insulated slab, for instance an insulated concrete slab, adjacent to the first building portion 701. This may be separate to or an extension of an insulated slab upon which the first building portion is positioned or constructed. Where the building entrance module 700 houses or supports an air source heat pump outside unit (discussed below), it may be desirable for this to be located directly upon an insulated slab to minimise the transmission of vibration to the building entrance module 700 and the first building portion 701.

[0086] Where the building entrance module 700 is coupled to a first building portion 701 comprising an existing building, for instance a house that is already in use, the door 703 may comprise an exterior door to the first building portion 701. The effect of coupling the building entrance module to the first building portion 701 is that the exterior door 703 becomes in effect an interior door 703. This is best seen in figure 8 where an enclosed entrance space 704 defined by the coupled building entrance module 700 and first building portion 701 is identified. Figure 8 further identifies the interior of the first building portion 705 and the building exterior 706 (outside also of the building entrance module 700).

[0087] Where the building entrance module 700 is coupled to a first building portion 701 during initial construction of a building, it may be that door 703 is configured from the outset as an interior door. Typically, an interior door has a less sturdy construction than an exterior door which is required to resist ingress to the building for unauthorised persons.

[0088] Similarly to the entrance shelters described earlier in the present patent specification, the building entrance module 700 of figures 7 and 8 may be provided to a building site or to couple to an existing building as a substantially complete product. The building entrance module 700 comprises at least one wall 707 which incorporates an exterior door 708. In the embodiment of figures 7 and 8 the building entrance module 700 further comprises a roof 709 however no particular shape or configuration of the building entrance module 700 is required so long as at least one wall 707 (incorporating exterior door 708) can be coupled to a portion of the first building portion 701 that incorporates walkway (for instance, door) 703 such that an enclosed entrance space 704 is defined. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any particular material or technique used to construct the building entrance module 700, nor any particular coupling technique to couple the building entrance module 700 to the first building portion 701. However, it will be appreciated that a secure and weathertight coupling is desirable. The building entrance module 700 prior to coupling to the first building portion 701 may be at least partially open on the side facing the first building portion such that when the open side is coupled to the first building portion 701 the entrance space 704 is defined.

[0089] As seen in figure 8, when the building entrance module 700 and the first building portion 701 are coupled together, the exterior door 708 and the walkway opening (that is, the door) 703 define a walkway into or out of the building through the enclosed entrance space 704 along arrow 710.

[0090] The building entrance module 700 of figures 7 and 8 further defines at least one services cabinet 711, shown housing an air source heat pump outside unit 712. However, in other embodiments there may be no services cabinet 711 and the air source heat pump outside unit 712 may be supported by the building entrance module 700, for instance by being mounted on the roof 709 or on a wall 707. In order for an air source heat pump to operate, the outside unit 712 is exposed to the ambient environment outside of the building. Accordingly, in the embodiment of figures 7 and 8 the services cabinet 711 falls outside of the thermal envelope 713 of the building entrance module 700, the thermal envelope 713 being indicated by the thickened lines in figure 7. In figure 7 the portion of the building entrance module 700 comprising the services cabinet 711 is shown partially cutaway, indicated by dashed lines, such that the air source heat pump outside unit 712 is visible. However, it will be appreciated that this distinction may not be visible externally:the building entrance module 700 may appear as a uniform volume. The services cabinet falling outside of the thermal envelope 713 may be achieved by constructing the exterior walls of the services cabinet 711 from a thinner material than the remainder of the building entrance module 700, which may also include insulation. Indeed, the exterior walls of the services cabinet 711 may incorporate air vents, or for instance comprise a louvred panel such that air may readily be exchanged with the exterior 706 of the building entrance module 700.

[0091] For servicing the air source heat pump outside unit 712, the building entrance module may further comprise a service cabinet door or a pair of service cabinet doors 714 opening into the services cabinet 711 from inside the enclosed entrance space 704. It will be appreciated that the service cabinet doors 714 are defined within the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 700 and therefore require to be insulated to thermally isolate the enclosed entrance space 704 and the services cabinet 711.

[0092] Although not specifically illustrated in figures 7 and 8, the services cabinet 711 may comprise a first services cabinet thermally isolated from the thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space 704, and the building entrance module 700 may further comprise a second services cabinet within the thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space 704 (within the bold lines of figure 7). For instance, the first and second services cabinets comprise thermally isolated sections of a single services cabinet, with the second services cabinet located above services cabinet 711 and accessible also through service cabinet doors 714 from the enclosed entrance space 704.

[0093] For simplicity, figures 7 and 8 do not show further detail of the air source heat pump outside unit 712, including plumbed connections through wall 702 to the interior 705 of the first building portion 701. The construction, connections, and operation of the air source heat pump outside unit 712 may be completely conventional (other than where it is housed) and will be well understood by the skilled person.

[0094] Referring now to figures 9 and 10, figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a building entrance module 900 coupled to a first building portion 901 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a cross section through the building entrance module 700 and first building portion 901 of figure 9. The cross section of figure 10 is in a horizontal plane generally along the line 10:10 in the direction of the arrows. Building entrance module 900 and first building portion 901 are generally the same as building entrance module 700 and first building portion 701 of figures 7 and 8. Except as otherwise noted here, the description of figures 7 and 8 applies equally to figures 9 and 10. Corresponding features are identified by corresponding reference numbers incremented by

[0095] In addition to exterior door 908, building entrance module 900 incorporates a services cabinet door 920 enabling access to a services cabinet 911 , for instance to access air source heat pump exterior unit 912. The cross section of figure 10 shows an interior wall 921 within the building entrance module 900 separating the services cabinet 911 from the enclosed entrance space 904 such that services cabinet 911 is outside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 900 including the enclosed entrance space 904. Figure 10 also shows a back wall 922 to the services cabinet 911 that abuts the wall 902 of the first building portion 901. However, this may not be required and the back of the services cabinet 911 may be defined by the wall 902. Similarly, although no back wall corresponding to wall 922 is shown in figure 8, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments services cabinet 711 may have a back wall.

[0096] Although not specifically illustrated in figures 9 and 10, services cabinet 911 may comprise a first services cabinet outside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 900 and the building entrance module 900 may further comprise a second services cabinet inside of the thermal envelope, as described above for figures 7 and 8. The services cabinet door 920 may enable access to the first services cabinet or the second services cabinet (or both) and may be termed an exterior services cabinet door. There may also or alternatively be an interior services cabinet door accessed from the enclosed entrance space 904, corresponding to services cabinet door or doors 714 shown in figure 8 enabling access to the first services cabinet or the second services cabinet (or both). It will be appreciated that where the exterior services cabinet door 920 accesses a second services cabinet that is inside the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 900 then at least that portion of door 920 will be insulated. The first services cabinet outside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 900 is exposed to the ambient environment, for instance though a thin wall construction or air vents as described above in connection with figures 7 and 8. Preferably, the construction of the exterior walls of the services cabinet provides weather and vandalism protection which maximising the exchange of air with the exterior environment.

[0097] For the building entrance modules 700 and 900 of figures 7 to 10, where there is at least one services cabinet that falls outside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module, and so is generally exposed to the ambient environment, the example given is of it containing at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit, optionally the complete outside unit. However, in addition or alternatively, such a services cabinet may house a gas supply meter, an electricity supply meter, or any other part of the services of a building that conventionally is installed outside of the building thermal envelope, or may be adapted to be installed outside of the building thermal envelope.

[0098] For the building entrance modules 700 and 900 of figures 7 to 10, where there is at least one services cabinet that is inside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module, such a services cabinet may house one or more of: at least part of a building ventilation system, at least part of a building heating system, at least part of an air source heat pump inside unit, a gas boiler, a hot water cylinder, a gas supply meter, or an electricity supply meter.

[0099] Figure 7 to 10 illustrate various configurations of building entrance modules 700, 900 that are configured to couple to a first building portion 701 , 901 such that they are sealed to a wall 702, 902 about a walkway opening 703, 903, for instance a door. Turning now to figures 11 to 13, figure 11 is a perspective view of a building entrance module 1100 coupled to a first building portion 1101 according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a first alternative cross section through the building entrance module 1100 and first building portion 1101 of figure 11. Figure 13 is a second alternative cross section through the building entrance module 1100 and first building portion 1101 of figure 11. The cross sections of figures 12 and 13 are in a horizontal plane generally along the line 12:12 in the direction of the arrows. Building entrance module 1100 and first building portion 1101 are generally the same as building entrance module 700 and first building portion 701 of figures 7 and 8 (and indeed generally the same as building entrance module 900 and first building portion 901 of figures 9 and 10). Except as otherwise noted here, the description of figures 7 and 8 applies equally to figures 11 to 13. Corresponding features are identified by corresponding reference numbers incremented by 400.

[0100] Building entrance module 1100 is defined by wall 1107, exterior door 1108 and roof 1109. The building entrance module 1100 is configured to couple to the first building portion 1101 about walkway opening 1103. However, differing from the embodiments of figures 7 to 10, in place of a door 703, 903, in figures 11 to 13 the walkway opening 1103 comprises a large aperture in building wall 1102 substantially the same dimensions as the building entrance module 1103. The cross section of figure 12 shows the building entrance module 1100 wall 1107 coupling to an exterior face of building wall 1102 about the walkway opening 1103. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the building entrance module 1100 may seat inside the walkway opening 1103.

[0101] As shown in the cross section of figure 12, the building entrance module 1100 is open across at least part of its reverse side facing the first building portion 1101 , as indicated by dashed line 1130. Accordingly, the enclosed entrance space 1104 forms a continuous space with the interior of the first building portion 1105. Alternatively, the reverse side facing the first building portion 1101 may be walled off and the buildingentrance module 1100 may include an interior door (not illustrated) such that the enclosed entrance space 1104 is thermally isolated from the interior 1105. Accordingly, the enclosed entrance module 1104 may either comprise an extension to the thermal envelope of the first building portion 1101 or may be thermally isolated (and effectively comprise a halfway house to the ambient environment 1106 by virtue of the building entrance module 1100 being insulated but not necessarily heated). It will be appreciated that the building entrance modules 700, 900 of figures 7 to 10 are also thermally isolated from the interior 705, 905 of the first building portion 701, 901.

[0102] Figure 12 shows the building entrance module 1100 including a services cabinet 1111. Optionally, there may be more than one services cabinet. At least one services cabinet may be within the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 1100. At least one services cabinet may be outside of the thermal envelope of the building entrance module 1100. The cross section of figure 12 shows the services cabinet 1111 defined at a rear portion by wall 1122. Services cabinet door or doors 1114 are provided allowing access from enclosed entrance space 1104, as for figures 7 and 8. In addition, or alternatively, there may be one or more exterior services cabinet door as shown in figures 9 and 10.

[0103] Turning to figure 13, this illustrates an alternative to figure 12 in which the services cabinet 1111 is defined by a side wall 1131 and access is enabled through one or more services cabinet door 1132 that opens into the interior 1105 of the first building portion 1101.

[0104] As noted above, the building entrance modules according to various embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to an existing house or they may form part of a new building. For the latter option, it may be that the building utilities (particularly, water, gas, electricity, or data connections) may be provided through a foundation slab upon which the building entrance module is sited, such that these terminate in a services cabinet within the building entrance module allowing onwards connections to be made into the first building portion. In some embodiments, a soil pipe (or other drainage) or a soil vent pipe may pass from the interior of the main building through a building entrance module.

[0105] A building entrance module may further include storage space, for instance for coats, shoes and post or parcels.

[0106] Although not specifically described in connection with figures 7 to 13, the skilled person will appreciate that a building entrance module in accordance with the present invention may include any of the functional features of an entrance shelter described above in connection with figures 1 to 5. This includes, but is not limited to, the provision ofbuilding ventilation system inlets or outlets within the building entrance module, including the provision of a filter upon an exterior of the building entrance module that is accessible for maintenance without the need to gain access to the enclosed entrance space. It may include the combination of the outlet from a building ventilation system into the outside unit of an air source heat pump such that stale building air passes over the heat pump evaporator to provide frost protection and to extract waste heat. It may include the provision of an air curtain across the exterior door of the building entrance module by connection to the outlet of a building ventilation system.

[0107] Throughout this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers, or steps. Throughout this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Throughout this specification, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. The degree of flexibility of this term can be dictated by the particular variable and can be determined based on experience and the associated description herein.

[0108] Features, integers, or characteristics described in conjunction with a particular aspect or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification, and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing examples. The invention extends to any novel feature or combination of features disclosed in this specification. It will also be appreciated that, throughout this specification, language in the general form of “X for Y” (where Y is some action, activity or step and X is some means for carrying out that action, activity, or step) encompasses means X adapted or arranged specifically, but not exclusively, to do Y.

[0109] Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0110] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application andwhich are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An entrance shelter proximal to a building entrance or configured to be provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports: an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system; or at least one component of a building heating or cooling system.

2. An entrance shelter according to claim 1 , wherein the entrance shelter is attached or attachable to a building over a building entrance3. An entrance shelter according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a filter arranged such that in use air drawn into the building ventilation system through the inlet is filtered, and optionally wherein the filter is releasably attached to the inlet such that it is removable from the entrance shelter.

4. An entrance shelter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one component of a building heating system comprises an air source heat pump evaporator configured to absorb heat from the ambient environment.

5. An entrance shelter according to claim 4, wherein the evaporator is housed partially or fully within the entrance shelter; wherein the evaporator is partially or fully exposed to the exterior of the entrance shelter; or wherein the evaporator forms part or the whole of an exterior weatherproof surface of the entrance shelter.

6. An entrance shelter according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein in use air discharged through the outlet from the building ventilation system is directed: across or through the evaporator; or across the building entrance to form an air curtain.

7. An entrance shelter according to claim 6, wherein air is selectively directed across the building entrance to form an air curtain in response to a sensor signal indicating that the building entrance is open.

8. An entrance shelter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entrance shelter comprises an overhead portion configured or arranged in use to provide shelter or shade to a person located outside the building entrance.

9. An entrance shelter according to claim 8, wherein the overhead portion: is supported at least in part by being attached in use to the building; or is supported at least in part by one or more legs, walls, or side structures.

10. An entrance shelter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports at least one of: a photovoltaic panel disposed on or forming part of an exterior surface; an electric vehicle charger; an emergency shut off for at least one service provided to the building; an environment sensor; a camera; or a light.

11. An entrance shelter according to anyone of the preceding claims configured as a building entrance module comprising at least one wall incorporating an exterior door; wherein the building entrance module is configured to be coupled to a portion of a building including the building entrance such that when the building entrance module and the building portion are coupled together they define an enclosed entrance space; and wherein the exterior door and the building entrance define a walkway into the building through the entrance space.

12. An entrance shelter according to claim 11 , wherein the building entrance module further comprises: a first services cabinet thermally isolated from a thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space; and a second services cabinet within the thermal envelope defined by the enclosed entrance space.

13. An entrance shelter according to claim 12, wherein the first and second services cabinets comprise thermally isolated sections of a single services cabinet.

14. An entrance shelter according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the building entrance module further comprises:an exterior services cabinet door enabling access to the first or second services cabinet from outside of the building entrance module; or an interior services cabinet door enabling access to the first or second services cabinet from the enclosed entrance space or from within the building portion.

15. An entrance shelter according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first services cabinet houses one or more of: at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit; a gas supply meter; or an electricity supply meter.

16. An entrance shelter according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second services cabinet houses one or more of: at least part of a building ventilation system; at least part of a building heating or cooling system; at least part of an air source heat pump inside unit; a gas boiler; a hot water cylinder; a gas supply meter; or an electricity supply meter.

17. An entrance shelter according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the at least one component of an air source heat pump outside unit is housed within a services cabinet defined by part of the building entrance module; or wherein the at least one component of an air source heat pump is supported upon the outside of the building entrance module.

18. An entrance shelter according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the building entrance module further comprises: a roof portion configured with the at least one wall to define a structure open on one side such that when the open side is coupled to the building portion around or abutting the walkway opening, the entrance space is defined; or a roof portion and an interior door such that the roof portion, interior door and at least one wall define the entrance space.

19. An entrance shelter according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein wall or roof portions of the building entrance module incorporate insulation such that the entrance space is thermally isolated from the environment outside of the building entrance module.

20. A building comprising: an entrance; and an entrance shelter according to any one of the preceding claims arranged proximal to the building entrance.

21. A building according to claim 20, the building including a building ventilation system having an inlet duct coupled to an inlet housed or supported by the entrance shelter, and optionally wherein the building ventilation system comprises a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, MVHR, system.

22. A building according to claim 20 or claim 21 when dependent upon claim 11 , wherein the building entrance comprises: a door arranged such that the building entrance module couples to a wall of the first building portion around the door; or an aperture in a wall of the first building portion into which or about which the building entrance module is coupled.

23. A building according to claim 22, wherein a thermal envelope defined by the first building portion extends to the enclosed entrance space; or wherein the enclosed entrance space is thermally isolated from the thermal envelope defined by the first building portion.

24. A building construction method comprising: providing an entrance shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 19 proximal to a building entrance; and coupling the inlet or the outlet to ducting within the building for the building ventilation system; or coupling the at least one component of a building heating or cooling system to portions of the building heating or cooling system within the building.

25. A method of operating an entrance shelter according to any one of claims 1 to 19 provided proximal to a building entrance, wherein the entrance shelter houses or supports an inlet to or an outlet from a building ventilation system, the method comprising:drawing fresh air into the building ventilation system through the inlet; discharging stale air from the building ventilation system through the outlet; or heating or cooling the building using a building heating or cooling system including the at least one component of the building heating or cooling system within the entrance shelter.

Images