2008 September

CIBSE and the Institute of Refrigeration are organising a conference that will offer expert advice, using case studies and real examples, on how to achieve engineering excellence in cooling systems.

Clyde Energy Solutions has introduced three new ranges of floor-standing cast-iron boilers to replace the higher-output models in the CK range. They all have a 3-pass design.

Heat pumps will be the most sensible way of introducing renewable energy into existing buildings, according to the Government’s Renewable Advisory Board, set up to advise the Government on renewable energy and made up of representatives from the energy and renewables industries, consulting engineers and academics.

Building-services contractor Briggs & Forrester has been awarded a £1 million fit-out contract by Marriott Construction on behalf of client Delloite & Touch in Milton Keynes. The fit-out is part of the Pinnacle Project, a 23 000 m2 development due to be completed in June 2009. The building is serviced from the Milton Keynes CHP infrastructure and will achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) and Bureau Veritas claim the lodgement of the first dynamic-simulation non-dwelling Energy Performance Certificate in the UK.

Nu-Heat has added solar thermal technology to its one-stop shop of renewables solutions for house builders. The others are heat pumps and underfloor heating. There are air- and ground-source heat pumps and versions that can extract energy from exhaust air.

Heat-pump manufacturer Dimplex has welcomed an amendment to the technical guidance for the ‘Code for Sustainable homes’ by DCLG (Department of Communities & Local Government) that recognises the energy-efficiency and carbon-saving benefits of heat pumps.

Dimplex has launched a 3-day training course on ground-source products following the success of its accredited installer training scheme for air-source heat pumps.

The new Furnival building at Sheffield Hallam University has its heating provided by ground-source heat pumps supplied and installed by Danfoss Heat Pumps UK, formerly ECO Heat Pumps in Sheffield.

Low-impact environmental control of the new pavilion in Reigate’s Priory Park is achieved by a ground-source heating pump, natural ventilation, solar reflecting glazing and a highly insulated roof to reduce solar gain.

The City of York is trialling Vaillant’s solar DHW system in a property in the village of Wheldrake to the south east of York, which is expected to halve the cost of DHW. British Gas Housing Services Group is installing the auroTHERM solar panels, an ecoTEC plus condensing system boiler and a 200 litre auroSTOR cylinder.

Carrier RentalXpress, the portable air-conditioning hire company in the London region, is to continue to plant a tree on behalf of customers which hire a unit for 12 weeks to offset their carbon costs, using the services of the Woodland Trust.

Scorpion Power Systems has launched a range of CHP systems. PowerTherm is unique to the European market. Its engine technology gives 85.5% package efficiency with thermal recovery.

The best way for the building-services sector to tackle climate change is to focus on the obvious, says HVCA president Gareth Vaughan.

A ‘solar chimney’ system designed by Levolux drives ventilation in a new building at Lancaster University to prevent the build up of heat.

Mitsubishi Electric is highlighting the future of residential heating to installers and consumers with a new web site dedicated to its Ecodan award-winning low-carbon heating system designed specifically for the UK residential sector.

The installation of a solar thermal array at a school in Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, is expected to deliver CO2 savings of over 41 t a year. Dalkia designed and installed the system at St Martin’s Junior School as part of its ongoing work to reduce energy costs for schools in North Somerset.

Hoval’s CombiSol versatile thermal storage vessel enables various renewable and conventional heat sources to be easily combined and controlled effectively in a single system for space heating and domestic hot water. For example, solar heating can be combined with a condensing boiler to make maximum use of available solar energy, supplemented by the condensing boiler.

Homes in a world of climate change will have to use little or no energy while still maintaining a stable internal environment, as Jeff Culp explains.

Mitsubishi Electric’s headquarters at Hatfield is well visited by those looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The company’s own facilities manager, James Hobson, gives an insight into what can be seen — and takes readers behind the scenes to show how green ambition is matched with operating reality.

A 200 kW packaged air-source heat pump is providing the heating for a new serviced office building of Arena Business Centre at Poole. It offers 16 mezzanine studios ranging from 60 to 130 m2, and Arena was looking for a heating solution that would be cost effective and efficient, with low carbon emissions.

A Danfoss heat pump has been installed to replace oil-fired boiler plant at Woolfardisworthy (pronounced Woolsery) sports and community hall in Devon; the oil-fired plant has been retained to provide back-up in extreme conditions.

Calor gas is being use to power the National Trust’s first LPG CHP unit. It is in Cornwall at Trelissick Garden near Feock. The decision to introduce a low-carbon heating solution was made when a project was commissioned to extend and refit catering facilities at the site.

The CHP installation serving a housing development in Newcastle is reckoned to be the most efficient in the UK and the second best in Europe, according to Baxi-SenerTec, which presented the DACHS Award to housing company Places for People for its outstanding contribution to the development of sustainable housing.

Stephen Matthews, Chief Executive of CIBSE, argues that building-services engineers are part of a very small number of people that can really do anything about climate change.

Monodraught has been awarded an annual contract to supply and install its SunPipe natural-lighting systems and controls in buildings throughout the Environment Agency’s southern region, which includes Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Adapting to climate change and mitigating its effects are at the heart of the Government’s sustainability strategy. Ant Wilson of Faber Maunsell considers the opportunities for building services engineers.

Ideal Boilers has added a 100 kW-output model to its Imax W range of wall-hung condensing boilers. To achieve the higher output, Ideal has refined the operation of the 80 kW version and created, in the same casing, the W100.

Following a successful trial of Vaillant’s VRC 630 boiler management system in the Knights Court sheltered-Housing scheme in Ventnor, South Wight Housing Association is considering installing further systems and communal heating in other sheltered-housing schemes.

Buderus has added a new wall-mounted boiler to its GB162 range. The new model has an output of 65 kW and joins the existing 80 and 100 kW models.

A 450 kW biomass boiler from Broag has replaced three elderly oil-fired boilers at Stradbroke Business & Enterprise College in Suffolk and is reducing carbon emissions by around 120 t a year. The school has some 370 pupils. The boiler was specified by Suffolk County Council and installed by the Ipswich branch of Elyo Services.

The Italian-made Murelle HE range of high-efficiency gas boilers is available in the UK from Sime, a subsidiary of Sime Spa, and comprises 10 models with five outputs from 12 to 35 kW. There are versions for heating only, heating and DHW and fully integrated DHW storage.

With BREEAM already taking account of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from boilers and Building Regulations expected to impose limits, Richard Evans explains how oxides of nitrogen are formed and how to reduce them.

We are often told that we can’t save the planet and save money. Mark Northcott, national sales manager (commercial) of Broag-Remeha, disagrees.

A Hoval biomass boiler is among a range of sustainable features incorporated into a new primary school in Newark. Bowbridge Primary School also boasts solar water heating, toilet flushing using rainwater and a sedum roof. It is also designed to make full use of natural daylight and natural ventilation.

With fuel prices at record highs and dark thoughts of recession, Peter Gammon considers what specifiers of heating systems can do to make the best of the current tough times.

GAH Heating has added an external range to its Thermeco brand of high-efficiency oil-fired condensing boilers. They have outputs of 12 to 16 kW and 16 to 25 kW.

Annual heating bills of just £280 are being achieved by an energy-efficient country mansion of some 600 m2 using two Keston condensing boilers. These boilers were specified by the owner, designer and building of Poachers Retreat, Malcom Cox.

The compact dimensions and low weight of MHS Boilers’ Ultramax R3400 and 3600SB gas-fired condensing boilers suit them to being installed in roof-top plant rooms and in plant rooms where space is restricted.

With legislation, Building Regulations and local-authority planning consent applying increasing pressure on the heating and ventilation sector to deliver commercial plant rooms with the lowest possible carbon footprint, Paul Hardy explains how the integration and harmonising of low- and zero-carbon (LZC) technologies with conventional products has the potential to achieve the ultimate solutions for space heating and hot-water generation.

Phil Adams explains why biofuel would be more effectively applied to heating rather than transport, as preferred by the Government, and that there is plenty of land available to meet demands for both food and fuel.

The DobyGrip wire suspension system from Doby Verrolec is designed for the fast, safe and cost-effective installation of ductwork and other systems. A choice of lengths of wire ropes means that no cutting or joining is required as with traditional threaded rods. The external cable release provides easy height adjustment at any time.

Aquatherm’s Climasystem lightweight polypropylene radiator grid system is designed to be built into ceilings or walls to heat or cool the surface of the wall or ceiling to a few degrees above or below ambient.

To meet the growing trend for the ‘wet room’ look in bathrooms, Mira’s Flight Low shower trays have a 40 mm profile instead of the usual 90 to 150 mm.

Ruskin Air Management has launched a new range of Air Diffusion closed active chilled beams. They are virtually silent in operation.

Sanyo Airconditioners Big PACi commercial split air-conditioning systems offer powerful heating and cooling from a reduced footprint. There are two models C706VH8 and C906VH8 8 to 10 hp (20 to 25 kW).

Havells Sylvania has introduced a compact fluorescent lamp that can be dimmed right down to 3% of full brightness using two types of dimming.

LG’s Multi V Mini single-phase outdoor unit for smaller VRF air-conditioning applications is said to have a 46% smaller footprint and 52% smaller volume than conventional units of equivalent capacity. Noise levels are also said to be up to 5 dB(A) less.

Creda’s TPRIII range of electric panel heaters with mechanical thermostats are intended to complement Creda’s range of storage heaters. These panel heaters are intended to warm areas such as bedrooms and other areas that require heating for only short periods. There are ranges for domestic and commercial applications.

Professor Terry Payne argues that the potential of natural ventilation as a sustainable alternative to energy-hungry air conditioning is in danger of being stifled by Part L2A of the Building Regulations.

Walter Meier (Climate UK) can now deliver Blue Box Tetris modular chillers within two working weeks of order, providing a rapid response for fast-track projects and emergency chiller-replacement projects.