2010 March

Syntegra Consulting is offering developers and architects one-hour free seminars on the Code for Sustainable Homes. They can be arranged at short notice and held on practice premises at any time of the working day.

The AC6 Commissioning Meter from Comdronic is compact, lightweight and user friendly. 0 to 250 kPa differential pressure range (600 kPa also available). Database of over 2600 valves and devices from 52 manufacturers.

Logic4training has opened a centre in Luton, putting its training and assessment services within easy reach of installers throughout the Midlands and south east of England. The new centre is housed in a 1000 m2 building within easy reach of the motorway network. It provides the full range of Logic4training courses, delivered by an experienced team of training professionals.

Danlers designs and manufactures a range of indoor and outdoor electronic time-lag switches for lighting or heating loads. They are ideal for simply saving energy in stairwells, store rooms, student accommodation, smoking shelters etc.

A new prison in Scotland has been fitted with 130 Honeywell Kombi-4 throttle valves to ensure immediate domestic hot water from all outlets. Two Honeywell SV300 fast-acting safety valves are also installed to prevent over-pressure in the booster cold-water system.

Daikin Europe has won an IF Product Design Award for its recently introduced Emura design-led heat-pump room air conditioning fan coil unit. This is the 56th year of this award, organised by International Forum Design GmbH and is one of the best known international design competitions.

Bitzer UK has moved to new headquarters in Milton Keynes. All manufacture from the former Grays site has been transferred, along with production, warehousing and management functions for the previous UK headquarters in Milton Keynes. The new premises also includes new training and conference facilities.

Vaillant is offering an additional year’s warranty on any new boiler with a SEDBUK A rating or renewable appliance purchased as part of the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme.

The Big Foot Systems website has a fresh new look to reflect its ongoing success and development.

Building and facilities managers across England are being offered a 50% discount against the cost of a building-specific energy audit designed to reduce energy consumption and slash bills. The offer is made by building and energy-management specialist Automated Building Controls Group (ABC Group). It includes an on-site survey of BMS and HVAC controls, a detailed energy report and a review meeting on site to discuss the findings in detail.

Parts Center has opened 20 new counters for HVAC spares within Plumb Center branches around the country. They stock a wide range of spares for such leading names as Worcester Bosch, Baxi, Honeywell and Siemens.

Daikin’s Altherma HT (high-temperature) heat pump has received two Rushlight 2009 awards in appreciation of ‘the most significant overall contribution to renewable-energy technology during 2009.’ The Altherma HT won the ground- and air-source power award and also the Rushlight natural energy award — beating the winners of the other categories (solar, wind power, marine energy and hydropower).

In response to the increase in gas-powered generators and CHP systems being sold in the UK, engineers with Merlin Power Management are undertaking Gas Safe training courses. About half of Merlin’s engineers have now achieved Gas Safe registration.

With the now almost universal use of variable-flow heating and cooling systems, Danfoss Randall has sought to bring together all aspects of system balance and control into one CPD seminar.

Flakt Woods has enlarged its range of chilled beams with the Stella exposed multi-service chilled beam (pictured) and the integrated Astra. They are part of the IQ-Star range. The provide demand-controlled ventilation based on room occupancy to reduce ventilation and heating and cooling loads by 10 to 30%.

Two Dimplex heat pumps have been recognised by the Government’s Microgeneration Certification scheme, making them eligible for LCBP2 and CERT funding. Through the course of the approvals process, Dimplex has agreed a methodology with certification body BRE for families of products to be tested and approved together.

The Zero range of low-cost lightweight aluminium radiators from MHS radiators has contemporary styling and offers heat outputs from 423 to 3068 W. They have a low water content, so they heat up rapidly. An operating pressure of up to 16 bar enables them to be used in high-rise buildings.

Fujitsu’s Airstage V-II DC inverter-controlled VRF air-conditioning system is 20% lighter than the previous equivalent and can handle total pipe lengths of up to 1000 m. Significant reductions to installation time have been achieved by adopting a removable L-shaped font panel. Compressor noise has been reduced by shielding the compressor compartment. Electronic expansion-valve control in each indoor unit controls temperature to ±0.5 K.

Monodraught’s Cool-phase passive cooling system uses a phase-change material (PCM) to control the temperature in a room. When the room temperature is high, the PCM changes phase so as to absorb heat. When the room temperature is cool, the PCM changes phase to release heat. A cool-phase module has a thermal mass equivalent to 9 t of concrete.

The Saracen waterless urinal system is distributed exclusively by Plumb Center and incorporates the company’s Water Warrior technology. As well as saving water, the dual patented system eradicates the build up of limescale. A patented cartridge neutralises odours above the bowl, and the waste housing acts as a hygienic seal against odours emitted from within the pipework below the bowl.

Rada’s Sense Dual Shower T3 has two shower heads (one fixed and one with a hose) that can be selected by the user. It is designed with children and the less able in mind and suitable for all commercial and public-sector requirements that need to meet the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations. Sense Dual Shower T3 combines a diverter show with two heads with the company’s intelligent digital thermo­static mixing valve technology.

Hitachi Europe has expended its Utopia Centrifugal range of air conditioners with three models with DC inverter-driven scroll compressors. The new units have cooling capacities from 7.2 to 25.5 kW and EERs of up to 3.4. They are up to 25% more efficient in typical UK operating conditions compared to the previous fixed-speed models.

Daikin Europe’s Emura air-conditioning unit is described as stylish and strikingly attractive. It has an ultra-thin profile and can be finished in matt crystal white or sandblasted aluminium. These units have been designed in Europe for the European climate and have an EER of up to 4.46 (Energy Label A). There are three classes of unit with cooling capacities from 2.5 to 5.0 kW. They can also provide heating. Sound-pressure level can be as low as 22 dB(A).

Powrmatic has introduced a range of condensing suspended gas-fire unit heaters. The NVS range provides outputs from 30 to 140 kW and has a secondary non-ferrous heat exchanger to recover latent heat from the flue gases. These heaters can be operated on natural gas or propane. The fuel savings achieved enable the extra capital cost to be recovered within a year.

Potterton Commercial’s GeoFlo range of ground-source heat pumps has controls that are based on the same platform as its Paramount Two and Eurocondense Two condensing boilers, enabling them to be combined in an integrated system. Geoflo heat pumps have an output of 21 kW and can achieve COPs of up to 4.7. They can be installed in multiple-unit cascade configuration.

The Krom range of aluminium towel rails from MHS Radiators is said to have up to 40% higher output than chrome towel rails of a similar size. Being of aluminium and having low water content, these towel rails are light in weight and can easily be installed onto stud walls. Heating options include electric only, central heating only and dual fuel.

The latest additions to Rinnai’s range of continuous-flow water heaters are the HDC1500 and HDC1200 condensing models. These compact wall-mounted units can be fuelled by natural gas or LPG. Condensing models have a gross operating efficiency of up to 95%, making them 12% more efficient than their conventional counterparts. Output is up to 56 kW for natural gas and 67 kW for LPG. Modulation enables them to be turned down to 2.6 kW.

Solid Air has overcome many problems associated with traditional designs of chilled beams by adding both variable-air-volume and air-direction control to its OKNI range of active chilled beams. Called eXtravent, this feature enables the volume of primary air to be changed if, for example, the space served changes from standard office space to a meeting room.

The latest additions to Lochinvar’s EcoKnight range of gas-fired boilers and water heaters add higher outputs. The boiler range now comprises eight models with outputs from 41 to 228 kW, based on flow/return of 50/30°C. The eight models of water heaters are designed for use with direct storage vessels and cover recovery rates from 700 to 3800 l/h through a 50 K temperature rise.

To overcome the problem of low water pressure in small commercial and domestic premises, Grundfos offers an engineered solution in the form of a pressurised hot-and-cold-water system connected to a Grundfos pressure-boosting pump. The boosting products range includes simple on/off controlled single pumps, with or without integral water-storage tank, up to variable-speed constant-pressure packaged sets.

Lindab’s range of Smart Tools for handling spiral ductwork has been confirmed as delivering benefits to the health and safety of people working with ductwork. These products are proven to ease strain and pain, as well as reducing installation time.

Sanyo’s ECOi Series 6 VRF air-conditioning system can deliver up to 56 kW of cooling from a single outdoor unit. Up to three outdoor units can be linked to deliver up to 168 kW of cooling. The maximum length for refrigerant pipework has been increased from 300 to 1000 m. Units have been significantly redesigned, so that some outdoor units can be transport in a lift to the top of a building rather than requiring cranes or external lifting platforms.

Instrument Solutions, a wholly own subsidiary of BSRIA, now supplies infra-red cameras for thermal imaging. The service is particularly useful for building inspectors as well as for heating engineers, builders and plumbers. Equipment such as the Flir B-series of compact hand-held imaging cameras can be used to detect energy loss and poor insulation, overheating electrics, moisture and air leakage in a building — as well as hot spots, non-functioning and leaking areas in central heating and underfloor heating systems.

Carrier has introduced a range of Aquasnap high-temperature heat pumps with heating capacities from 14 to 105 kW. The range is said to be the first offering high-temperature packaged heat pumps with a heating capacity above 50 kW. The high capacity of these units lends them to non-residential applications, and their compact size enables them to be easily integrated into most commercial buildings.

Daikin’s solar thermal collectors have been awarded the Solar Keymark, enabling them to qualify for grants through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Now that Daikin Altherma has qualified for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and Daikin solar collectors have Solar Keymark certification, LCBP grants of up to £1300 are available.

Quietrevolution’s QR5 vertical-axis wind turbine is designed to operate in urban areas, where wind speeds are lower and wind directions change frequently. Its helical design can cope with turbulent winds and eliminates virtually all noise and vibration. These wind turbines turn an ABB permanent-magnet motor linked to an ABB industrial drive acting in regenerative mode to provide the energy conversion and regenerate power back into the grid.

Combined heat and power and a wood-pellet boiler and are supported by a standby gas-fired boiler to generate electricity and heat for a new £15 million retirement home complex in Swansea. The energy centre for Hazel Court, a 120-apartment village for over-55s includes four Dachs CHP units from Baxi-SenerTec UK, each of which can generate 12.5 kW of heat and 5.5 kW of electricity with an overall fuel efficiency of 79 to 92%.

Airedale is working with UK Grid to reduce the PUE (power usage effectiveness) of its Synergy House data centre in Manchester. Rob Garbutt, managing director of UK Grid, explains that initially the data centre had cooling units with fixed-air-volume fans giving a PUE* of 1.7. The first stage of reducing the PUE was the introduction of cold aisles and fan inverter drives to achieve 1.4. The next stage is to introduce Airedale free-cooling equipment to reduce the PUE to 1.2.

A WindowMaster automated window-control system will provide natural ventilation for the new £57 million South Cheshire College, due for completion in September 2010. The 26 500 m2 building is based on a village street, with departments functioning almost as shop fronts, which are covered with a glass and copper ‘skin’ to create light and space.

Boilers burning rapeseed oil have been installed in a college in east London to provide space heating. Supplied by Atlantic Boilers, they can both deliver 22.4 kW and operate all year in condensing mode to achieve seasonal efficiencies greater than 94% gross.

Following a spate of thefts of copper tube from the site of a development of retirement apartments in Eaglescliffe, County Durham, Acorn Plumbing & Heating switched to Durapipe’s SuperFLO plastic pipework for the project. It was used in sizes up to 75 mm to distribute cold mains water to each of the 48 apartments in the block.

The reliability and efficiency of providing heating and hot water for the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, London, have both been improved following the installation of five Buderus 1200 kW cast-iron sectional boilers. The building has a long history. When built in 1899, it was the last of London’s great railway hotels. It was the headquarters of British Rail from 1962 to 1991, after which it became a hotel again.

DPS Software, a leading provider of case-management and accounting software for solicitors, has chosen Powercall UK’s 24/7 service to ensure that its data centre in Enfield has a standby generator delivered and connected within a target time of an hour and a guaranteed maximum of three hours.

Titon heat-recovery ventilation units have been installed in a stylish new apartment development in Bristol to help achieve level 2 of the Code for sustainable homes. HRV1 Q Plus units were specified for the Linden Homes Zenith development of 67 apartments at Crews Hole Road in the St George district of the city. The units are installed in the hallways of the apartments.

The hundredth prefabricated plant room for the Ministry of Defence’s largest-ever PFI project to create modern living and working accommodation for the British Army has been installed by Ormandy. Specified by Aspire Capital Works, the plant rooms contain LTHW and DHW equipment and, in some cases, services such as rainwater harvesting, CHP and solar technology.

To help reduce the time needed to install the cooling system for the data centre of a financial institution in Essex, Victaulic’s Advanced Grooved System (AGS) is used for distributing chilled water. It replaced the originally specified welded and threaded system and involved pipes up to 350 mm in diameter in runs of up to 60 m. The Victaulic approach also eliminated the need for hot working.

With no gas being available for two new office developments in the Ribble Valley designed by architect Sunderland Peacock of Clitheroe, mechanical-engineering company Eco Intellect recommended Fujitsu air-source heat pumps to provide both heating and cooling. One of the buildings, Manor House in Ribchester, has been sympathetically converted into 13 self-contained office suites. The other project is the conversion of old farm buildings on the Duchy of Lancaster’s Root Hill Estate Yard at Dunsop Bridge into six self-contained office units.’

Hydronic balancing for the huge cooling and heating loads of the two towers in the Jordan Gate Towers project in Amman is provided by valves supplied by Tour & Andersson. When both buildings are up and running, their combined cooling load will be in excess of 18 MW and the heating load about 10 MW. The project consists of two towers with a mall between them. They are due for completion in June 2010.

Contributing to the achievement of a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the Paragon office building in Bristol is air conditioning based on Matrix fan-coil units from Ability Projects. These units incorporate energy-efficient EC/DC motors to provide infinitely variable speed control of the entire unit, as well as each fan. Each air duct can thus be balanced for air volume through duct speed alone, eliminating the need for noisy volume-control dampers and their time-consuming installation.

Titan Products and Hafele Dialock are pleased to announce that their products are installed in the recently voted ‘Best airport hotel in the world’. The 5-star Sofitel London Heathrow is linked to Terminal 5 and is the world’s largest luxury airport hotel. It has 605 bedrooms and 45 meeting rooms. The award was given as part of the USA Business Traveller magazine awards.

Energy-efficient cooling for a prefabricated data centre for London City Airport designed and built by Red Vista is provided by equipment from Eaton-Williams. The centre weighs over 8 t and is on a site close to the Docklands Light Railway. With the co-operation of the DLR, it was craned into position over the tracks and into position as a complete package.