2018 March
In the March issue we are looking at a number of solutions to familiar problems – how to ensure that homes and businesses have affordable, reliable heat with minimal impact on the environment. Or how to keep temperatures in data centres within tight margins in the face of rising energy costs and planning requirements.
Top Tips: Make MEES work for you
In our continuing Top Tips series, we offer an infographic of insights from experts who have written for MBS or taken part in our round table. This is a quick summary of some of the advice that leading engineers and consultants have offered in the run up to the introduction of MEES.
£130.68 billions in commercial property at risk from MEES
Leading energy consultant Arbnco has revealed that 20% of the 3,620 commercial properties it has surveyed have fallen into a lower EPC category when tested against the latest EPC standards. Extrapolated to the whole UK commercial market, that puts over £130 billions of commercial property at risk of being unlettable due to low EPC ratings.
The UK’s largest trade union, Unite, has said that a decision by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to end all direct training services by 2020 will “create a skills black hole”.
Smart homes to save elderly care costs
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) says that smart technology will play a crucial role in helping the elderly remain in their own homes – reducing pressure on NHS resources.
The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) has responded to the London Plan consultation, stating that it believes the current energy policy relating to carbon emissions in London buildings will not deliver net zero carbon by 2050.
BPMA joins EURIS and announces its 2018 Awards finalists
Following the British Pump Manufacturers Association’s (BPMA) statement on Brexit (see MBS February 2018, News) the Association has joined EURIS – the European Union Relationship and Industrial Strategy advisory body.
Michael Phelan, CEO of Endeco Technologies, has commented on the latest T-4 capacity auction results in February, saying: “It’s no longer about capacity, it’s now about flexibility. Following the results of both T-1 and T-4 auctions, as well as grid trends, we may see grid stability turned on its head in a few years’ time with less stability in summer than in the winter.”
Since January 2018, firms which have to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) have been able to measure their energy use for ESOS Phase 2. Compliance has to be complete by 5th December 2019.
BRE report on blockchain benefits for the built environment
A new report from BRE explores how blockchain technology can help to address the particular challenges of the built environment sector.
BCIA Awards 2018 – finalists announced
The Building Controls Industry Association has announced the finalists for its 2018 Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony and gala dinner on Thursday 10th May at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Wieland’s structured approach for Facebook HQ
Wieland’s Metalynx2 structured wiring system has been used for the connection of power supply throughout the new London HQ for social media company Facebook at the One Rathbone Square development near Tottenham Court Road in Fitzrovia.
Viessmann gets top grade for student flats in London
Walpole, which houses 87 students in cluster flats and self-contained studios, uses award-winning Viessmann gas-fired condensing boilers and a Viessmann combined heat and power (CHP) unit to generate warmth and electricity for its flats, common room, study area and outdoor spaces. The technology was selected for its high performance and compact design and the building achieved BREEAM Excellent.
Oventrop renewables win game, set and match for new tennis and leisure centre in Sheffield
Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre is a modern facility in Sheffield, offering a range of activities including tennis. The centre uses a huge amount of hot water and clients requested a mixture of renewable energy systems to help meet the demand and cut carbon emissions.
It is crucial to calculate how much hot water is being used in a public building like a hospital to assist with calculation of heating demand. University Hospital in Ayr wanted to do just that.
MHG supplies heat and water in packaged solution
MHG Gassero has supplied three Superbox gas-fired condensing boilers to Exeter College to provide space heating and hot water at the college’s Laurence Building. The 2 x 1MW and 1 x 500kW Superbox boilers, were installed in a packaged plant room that was delivered to site in two halves.
Big cats perfect for tranquil space at new Louvre Abu Dhabi
Dunham-Bush has supplied United Arab Emirates-based Intercool Central Air Conditioning with 247 of its Panther and 207 Puma fan coil units to provide heating and cooling at the magnificent new Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum. Designed by Paris-based architect Jean Nouvel, the museum is organised like a traditional Arab city with separate galleries connected by walkways.
CIAT UK supplied four large capacity air handling units (AHUs) for Bristol Airport’s upgraded West Terminal. The air processing system within the CIAT Airtech air handling units has active carbon filters to maintain the highest air quality.
Shaun Mansbridge explains how a West Midlands council used a district heating system to greatly improve comfort levels for its residents, while also bringing a number of other benefits.
A modern solution for the energy trilemma
Mark Ferris, discusses the benefits of district heating systems and how to effectively incorporate CHP and HIUs to provide an affordable, environmental and diverse heat source.
4G heat networks tackle fuel poverty
Fourth generation heat networks have a key role to play in reducing fuel poverty in the UK,as well as cutting overall carbon emissions, says Katerina Nika
Mike Hefford examines the benefits of using combined heat and power as the source for heat networks, and how they can be optimised for efficiency and sustainability.
Chris Davis highlights the importance of HIU performance and sizing for heat networks, and looks at standards for ensuring that specifiers and end users know what they’re getting.
Good design is at the heart of good performance when it comes to district heating schemes. Alexandra Ivanchuk highlights the key points to bear in mind to get the most out of this form of heating.
BSRIA North training courses now on
BSRIA North is running a wide range of training courses from its Preston, Lancashire office. Supported by BSRIA’s industry renowned technical guides, the courses range from introductions for non-engineers or those new to the industry through to specialist training for practitioners.
Advanced IT cooling on show at ExCel
Mitsubishi Electric is once again exhibiting at the Data Centre World exhibition on the 21st and 22nd March at London ExCel, promoting its advanced range of IT Cooling products and solutions.
Our ErP compliant range includes, rooftop units (RTUs) which are available in cooling and heat pump modes. Both are available with active or passive energy recovery functions as an option. They are fitted with EC plug fan technology and free cooling fitted as standard. Thanks to the width of the RTU line, the flexible configurability and its record nominal COP and EER, spaces with a variable occupancy rate and changing conditions during the day, such as shopping centres, retail parks, can benefit from energy savings up to 30%
Take control of draughts with a smart ventilation approach
When designing ventilation systems for schools and commercial spaces, specifiers need to place more emphasis on preventing the common problem of draughts associated with old ventilation designs, warns SAV Systems’ David Bradbury..
New membership level for KNX UK
The UK KNX Association is offering a new entry level of membership: KNX UK professionals. Forwardthinking electrical installers are invited to apply to join the association, which is the national voice and ‘support network’ for anyone involved in installing, stocking or producing devices for smart networks based on the KNX global open system.
Rinnai range offers real choice for installers
The Rinnai range of energy efficient A rated, electronically controlled continuous flow gas fired units and systems. The products deliver energy saving performance and low greenhouse emissions through new low NOx burner technology.
SWEP, the world’s leading supplier of compact brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) for HVAC and industrial applications, has launched its new B320 model.
The latest addition to the renowned Swegon GOLD air handling unit is the RX/HC – a fully integrated reverse cycle heat pump, developed to complement energy recovery from the unique thermal wheel and provide tempered fresh air to the ventilation system.
Have you got the energy to make savings?
Grundfos Pumps offers a range of diagnostic tools to help reduce CO2 and energy use, including Energy Check that helps to establish current pump system performance. We recently worked with a range of clients to see how we could help them. This included a brewery where we delivered an energy saving of 75% simply by identifying and changing key pumps; a chassis manufacturer that benefitted from a pump upgrade and saved 51%; while a power plant saw a saving of 50% from taking Grundfos’ advice.
The Grundfos Product Center (GPC) is an online selection support hub that will give anyone who has a requirement to design or replace a pump or pump system, straightforward access to a wide range of information.
Get the low-down on submersible pumps
The SB and SBA are submersible booster pumps from Grundfos that have been designed specifically for the pumping of clean water. They are especially suitable for pumping from private wells and for supporting a wide range of rainwater applications such as watering plants and gardens, toilet flushing and car washing. This pump family is available in two versions:
Evinox shares knowledge on BESA test
Evinox Energy has launched a new CIBSE-accredited CPD seminar following the introduction of the first UK test standard for Heat Interface Units (HIUs) from BESA (Building Engineering Services Association).
Is there a shift in cooling preferences for data centres? Tim Bound looks at the ambient cooling option and its growingpopularity in the face of rising energy costs.
Trevor Dann considers the retrofit option for older cooling systems in ageing data centres that can keep them performing in a robust, reliable and energy efficient way.
Stephen Hart explains that while small flow paths in two port control valves can be unavoidable, the risks can be mitigated by smart system design and product selection.
Flue and chimney systems need inspecting and cleaning at regular intervals. John Hamnett looks at some of the key issues around maintenance programmes.
It’s time to think about changing up your chiller
With MEES, ErP, EPC, Lot21 and F-Gas now a stark reality for building operators, 2018 may be the best time to look at upgrading your old chiller system. Jason Tinsley explains more.
Ambirad, Airbloc, Benson and Reznor are now operating under a single brand name: Reznor. Each of these brands belongs to Nortek Global HVAC UK, and this move coincides with a number of new product developments that ensure the entire portfolio is ErP-compliant.
With heating on the agenda, Chris Harvey considers the most popular form of heat delivery in homes – radiators. They have come a long way from simple designs, and now offer a wide range of choice for installers working with clients in the private and public sectors.
MEES - a timebomb under the property industry
MBS looks at the latest research that shows EPC ratings look set to fall at an alarming rate, even in properties that are relatively well-managed. Computer modelling results make for difficult reading as the likely impact of MEES on property values becomes clear.
Centre points - Insights into the data centre market
Karen Fletcher considers the UK data centre market and highlights some key areas for consideration in terms of technology, design and building services in these challenging environments.
The future’s bright for UK district energy and heating
Simon Woodward of the UK District Energy Association argues that, with support from government, district energy can play an important part in achieving the UK’s long-term energy, affordability and sustainability goals for heating homes and buildings.
Chris Caton shows that with careful planning, a replacement install can ensure longevity and reliability in heating and hot water systems that have reached the end of their life.
Entry to the Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA) Awards is open until the 27th March. Any company or individual involved in the commissioning sector is eligible - and entry is free. Full details can be found at the link below.
Smart and sustainable
Schneider Electric has announced its smart energy management solutions feature in the London headquarters of design, engineering and consulting group Sidara.
Fields of green
Lochinvar has provided a complete heating and hot water system powered by four air source heat pumps for a new luxury 72-bedroom care home set in rolling Yorkshire countryside.