Two-thirds of UK commercial real estate (CRE) owners admit they are “not fully compliant” with energy efficiency regulations, according to new research from smart buildings specialist LMG.
The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London came alive on 27th February 2025 for the prestigious CIBSE Building Performance Awards.
The Plumbing and Heating Federation has criticised the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest 2040 heat pump targets as “completely detached from reality,” warning that without a trained workforce to install them, these targets amount to little more than empty ambitions.
Rinnai’s Tony Gittings analyses the advent of a shortage of skilled labour in the HVAC industry and specifically in heat pump installation, as well as the wider energy industry. The effect of a rising skills shortage on large infrastructure projects and national NetZero objectives may take a heavy toll.
Controlling costs in construction projects is always a challenge, with volatility in the price of materials often a key factor. Fluctuations in metal prices, for example, can have far-reaching impacts on project budgets, timelines and profitability. In this article, Nathaniel Watts, Finance Director at Selkent, explores some effective ways to mitigate these risks and control project costs.
Dr Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director at CIBSE, celebrates the organisation’s achievements in 2024 and looks ahead to 2025 and beyond.
Andrew Gaskell, Chairman of the Chilled Beams and Ceilings Association, highlights the various environmental and wellbeing benefits of installing a chilled beam system.
Chris Goggin of Rinnai provides an overview of plans to devolve regional energy decision making to local authorities. What this action could mean for wider national NetZero objectives and what potential effects on local fuel options will be explored. This article will pose questions as to this - will the introduction of a new decentralised system will be successful or not?
The collapse of ISG just two weeks after the publication of the Grenfell public inquiry report was a tragic illustration of why industry reform remains a distant prospect, writes David Frise – CEO of BESA.
The recent cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel allowance and the 10% increase in the energy price cap highlight the urgent need to retrofit the UK’s existing housing stock. While the government is committed to improving energy efficiency in homes, the task is monumental, with over four million properties within the social housing sector alone. Lisa Cairns, Business Development & Improvement Manager at IRT Surveys, discusses how data and technology improve retrofit decision-making for housing providers and construction professionals.
The number of commercial and industrial buildings installing photovoltaic systems is growing exponentially. Chris Cowling, Commercial Director at Aztec Solar, explains how to get the specification and installation right for now and the long term.
When considering energy in education, most people immediately associate it with ‘cost’: the optimisation of energy efficiency to save money. Graeme Shaw, Technical Director at Zumtobel Group, UK and Ireland, discusses his campaign for an imperative shift in this focus – from a cost driven approach where educational facilities ‘light by numbers’ to meet a standard or conserve energy to places with student wellbeing at their core.
Rinnai’s Chris Goggin looks in-depth at public information regarding heat pumps and other low carbon products being potentially diluted by recent changes to social media’s stance on fact-checking. The alternative heating and hot water technologies are receiving some adverse media coverage due to misinformation and sometimes disinformation. Installations of any heating and hot water - or air-cooling system, due to their very nature, must be based on accurate site information to facilitate a precise system that delivers the required performance.
In response to evolving government legislation, developers are shifting towards more sustainable heating solutions to reduce carbon emissions
and meet UK government Net Zero targets. By making carbon-conscious decisions with their new and existing development projects, developers are adopting more energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective solutions such as air source heat pumps. John Kellett, UK and Ireland’s Country Manager for Panasonic Heating and Cooling Solutions, explains how manufacturers are supporting these efforts by working in collaboration.
As the UK accelerates its push to decarbonise, low carbon heating upgrades
are emerging as a way to boost economic growth, creating jobs and upskilling opportunities within the building sector. Heating contractors are on the front line of realising the country’s vision of a Net Zero future. But with 600,000 installs needed by 2028, the success of large-scale retrofits hinges on a strategic government vision and investment. Graham Rothwell, Founder of RPS Group, shares his insights on how enhanced backing could accelerate progress.
Unwanted noise in any building is frustrating, and it can cause high levels of stress, anger, discomfort and even illness. In 2011, the WHO reported that environmental noise exposure causes a loss of more than 1.6 million healthy life years in Western European countries every year, with annoyance and sleep disturbance being key drivers of the onset of noise-associated non-communicable disease (NCD). Indeed, noise exposure has been implicated in major NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease.1
With DEFRA setting strict targets to cut water waste, businesses must rethink how they manage consumption. Richard Braid, Managing Director of Cistermiser and Keraflo, explores some straightforward solutions available that improve efficiency, hygiene and long-term building safety.
Emma Foster, Head of Marketing and Product at Methven, argues that there is a great deal of ground to be gained in sustainable construction in both the short and long-term from prioritising practical, cost effective water-saving solutions.
David Millward, Group Product Manager at Elta Fans, explains that sensor technology is crucial to delivering Part F Building Regulations and raising the standards of indoor air quality.
With many hospitals now addressing longer waiting lists, pressure on laboratory facilities has never been so intense, says Ian Thomas of TROX UK
Spotlight on Smart Mechanical Ventilation (SMV) - insights shared by Jonathon Hunter Hill of AirMaster SMV
There are currently well over 1,000 Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England, all of which manage at least two schools – 29 of these overseeing 26 schools or more. With safe, efficient and healthy buildings key to supporting education, comfort and wellbeing for both pupils and teachers, MATs must meet the challenge of ensuring high standards across multiple sites. Steve McGregor, Managing Director of the DMA Group, explains the role overarching service management software has in supporting this popular education model.
Building controls have the potential to reduce energy use, support carbon reductions and reduce running costs, says Mark McLoughlin
Connectivity in smart buildings has huge business value. Mike Hook explains.
Iain Gordon, KNX UK Chair, discusses the issue of sustainability and adaptability facing building services engineers in modern construction.
Charles Pelletier, Vice President, Product Management at Distech Controls, explains how product innovation that utilises AI technology to collect and respond to data is delivering highly efficient and human centric buildings.
Only one-in-five buildings have an BMS system to regulate and oversee their inner workings, and so most commercial buildings operate at a Class C energy efficiency level. Stuart Smith of Zehnder looks at how to improve performance.
Mike Gosling TIFireE, Technical Director at TROX UK, looks at the new guidance for meeting Building Safety Act 2022 requirements.
Katherine Morton, Regional Design Lead at Stepnell, explains how to optimise project outcomes when considering taking a new or refurb route for public sector buildings.
Rob Erwood, Commercial Sales and Specification Director at Baxi, looks at some of the ways manufacturers can help support the drive for net zero buildings.
Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical Building Solutions at REHAU UK, discusses the possibilities with offsite construction.
Using modern methods of construction and prefabrication enabled a housing association to refurbish one of its high-rise residential tower blocks
Demand for packaged plant and modular construction is continuing to grow. Here, Roger Hoskins of Conex Bänninger discusses the opportunities for the HVAC industry and offers some tips for achieving a successful offsite project specification.
Derek Parker, Business Development Director at Artic Building Services, discusses how data-led maintenance transforms hard FM.
Mark Dowson, Buro Happold shares why Newcastle University is known for its pioneering spirit
Toby Hunt from Guardian Water Treatment explains the potential problems posed by dormant water systems and how to safely bring a site out of mothballing.
Workplace interiors started changing BC (before Covid). Fast-forward to 2024, and they have prompted a paradigm shift. Sophie Parry CEng MIET FSLL, Head of the UK Academy at TRILUX, discusses this shift and what constitutes good lighting for today’s working environments.
A primary school in Leipzig, Germany trial TRILUX Opendo LED with CO2 sensor
TRILUX Lighting is proud to announce its recent success in the Build Back Better Awards Autumn edition.
Mark Grayston, Product Strategy and Delivery Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, explains why efficient cooling for buildings must be a core focus.
Ruth MacEachern, Product Manager at EnviroVent, addresses the challenges faced in integrating mechanical ventilation systems in ever more airtight homes, including Passivhaus.
Alex Hill, Managing Director at international building services design consultancy, Whitecode Consulting, looks at new government regulation to reduce overheating and the best solutions to prevent overheating in our homes, hospitals offices and schools.
Keith Barker, Director of CSA Member Tectonic Techniques and Chair of the CSA Marketing Committee, offers his considered appraisal.
In previous articles, the CSA has discussed commissioning in some depth, covering aspects such as what commissioning is, why it is carried out, when is it done and who does it.
Agnieszka Bachleda-Baca considers how IoT can support sustainable building management.
This month’s round table discussion, sponsored by Trend Control Systems, examines the net zero carbon challenge. Karen Fletcher reports
This month’s MBS round table, sponsored by Swegon, considered the rise of the smart building and smart kit.
Our expert panel considers the ‘Branson’ challenge and highlights the developments, opportunities and challenges facing the air conditioning and refrigeration sector. Sponsored by Daikin Applied (UK)
With new ways of working continuing to shape office design, Toby Buckley, Managing Director of REL Building Services, explains the impact on M&E solutions.
Changing realities for students and learning
Karl Walker of Beckhoff explains how changing attitudes towards climate change can help encourage young people to take more responsibility for managing the energy efficiency of their own schools and colleges
Matt Whiting, discusses why a holistic approach to specifying water controls in healthcare environments can help improve performance and compliance
Valeria Ferrando explains the difference between digital twins and BIM – and how twinning helps designers and operators understand their buildings better.
As the new TR19 Grease specification is issued by BESA, Gary Nicholls explains why some building managers may still find that there are challenges to achieving full compliance.
Sandy Damm takes a closer look at smoke detection and the best way to select and maintain your equipment.
Dario Giordani explains how the Construction Products Regulation keeps cables safe from fire, and why it concerns everyone in the industry.
The crucial role of specification writing has been so severely downgraded that it is undermining building designs, according to David Fitzpatrick*.
A new Heat Commission convened by the CBI and University of Birmingham - with leading industry figures - has called on the Government to develop a National Delivery Body (NDB) to lead the development and implementation of a national heat decarbonisation strategy.
New guidelines on pressure relief valves and safety valves have been published by SAFed. Les Littlewood outlines the key points and the correct usage.
Angela Reid outlines the numerous labelling schemes available for buildings, and notes the importance of understanding what each offers owners and managers.
Josh Emerson from Swegon looks at the up to date guidance and perceived risk from Rotary Heat Exchangers
Karen Fletcher speaks to a company at the front line of changes in the air conditioning sector and learns how it is staying ahead of the game with an eye firmly on the future.
The UK’s primary F Gas register Refcom played a key role in the first World Refrigeration Day (WRD) as co-host with the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
