Peter Orr explains how integrating building systems from the outset of a project incurs little or no extra cost — and then delivers savings throughout the life of the building.

Understanding the life cycle costs of a chiller installation requires a clear view of the full picture. Wayne Perrins explores the features of chillers that can make all the difference.

Mark Andrews explains why the whole-life approach forms the cornerstone of NG Bailey’s business strategy.

To benefit from the potential for centralised plant to achieve higher efficiency than decentralised plant, Evinox has supplied a Geminox condensing boiler module and Modusat interface units to provide heating and hot water for a development of 10 luxury apartments in Swanage.

Both energy and maintenance costs in the mains sports hall of the Sands Centre in Carlisle have been reduced following the installation of long-life, high-output Brilliance light fittings from Chalmor. The savings are expected to achieve a payback of three years on initial capital cost.

Stuart Aynsley explores how the cost of converged communications in buildings provides the basis for a whole range of new opportunities — without incurring significant cost.

Whether an installer is specifying a new or replacement air-conditioning system, it is important to embrace the concept of whole-life costs by educating the end-user on the key benefits. Simon Keel outlines what end-users need to know from installers so they can release the real value of their equipment.

John Garbutt describes the results of an independent analysis of the long-term-costs of ductwork.

‘We asked ABS Consulting to recommend what practical and most efficient measures we could take to cut our excessive energy use which would give use the greatest return on investment. Eliminating wasteful use of lighting by automatic lighting management was the clear winner,’ says Fiona Crann, head of facility at the South East England Development Agency’s (SEEDA) 5-storey headquarters building in Guildford.

Comfort cooling with low capital costs and long-term low running costs have been achieved in the main bakery area of Buxton Spa Bakery using a Breezair evaporative cooling system from Seeley International.

Helping to minimise energy costs for the environmental control system serving the Community Village Hall at Pendeen in Cornwall is a ground-source heat pump to provide heating and hot water for this award-winning project, which serves wide-ranging local needs from crèche to snooker club. The project has won the community category in the South West Green Energy Awards.

Cost savings of at least 20% are expected following the replacement of outdated boiler plant at the Arndale Estate in Wandsworth to provide heating and hot water for 388 homes in five blocks — and public areas. Other cost-saving measures include improved insulation, new pumps to improve circulation efficiency and an upgraded energy-management system for operating efficiency.

To minimise the energy used for air conditioning the various buildings at the £8 million Wildwood Triangle development in Worcester, each building has Daikin VRV heat-recovery air conditioning and energy-reclaim ventilation provided by 17 Daikin VAM units. Billed by developer Maximus as ‘the best office address in Worcester, the complex comprises five self-contains 2-storey blocks offering 170 to 725 m2 of lettable space, with a total of 3700 m2.

Replacing calorifiers with plate heat exchangers to supply heating and domestic hot water at Bradford Royal Infirmary will reduce energy bills by 15%, it is estimated.

Many electrical engineers and electricians have only ever known the sixteenth edition of the Wiring Regulations, but the forthcoming seventeenth edition will be less of a culture shock than the change from the fifteenth to sixteenth edition in 1991.

CP Electronics’ compact EBDSPIR detector can be mounted flush into a ceiling or on the surface of a ceiling using a fast-fix detector box.

Power-distribution specialist Electrak has played a key role in making the new Liverpool office of the UK Passport Service an energy-efficient operation with its Lightrak KNX light power distribution and controls system.

Details of the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations are due to be published in a couple of months. So now is the time to start thinking about how your software will cope with the new requirements, says Philip Grace.

Even worse than disruption caused by a mains power failure is a standby generator that refuses to start. Lorraine John offers advice on how to minimise such problems.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are well suited to emergency lighting. Barrie Walsh explains how their efficient use of electricity and long life can reduced the cost burden of emergency lighting.

The ability to supply a vital switchboard in record time helped Eaton Electric secure the order for a new PLC-controlled main switchboard for the Cheshire and Merseyside area of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust as part of a major refurbishment of its electrical power supply.

Among the features of the 1500 kVA standby diesel generator supplied by Power Electrics to back up the critical installation at Bronglais General Hospital, which is in Aberystwyth, is an emissions reduction system.

Whitecroft Lighting’s Duo luminaire gradually varies its intensity and colour temperature throughout the working day to counteract the peaks and troughs in alertness that most people experience through the day.

The Marshall-Tufflex MT32 power connection system uses pre-wired and pre-tested components to significantly reduce wiring time for socket outlets in commercial buildings.

Mercury Recycling has introduced a complete package to encompass all the products affected by the WEEE regulations (EC Directive on Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment).

Contractor Shepherd Engineering Services has used Hager’s sub-distribution boards for the tallest building in Yorkshire, Bridgewater Place in Leeds. This 32-storey building has 21 800 m2 of office space.

Wiring-accessory manufacturer Focus SB has added a new service to its web site. It enables customers to view the stock levels of its top 16 product lines so that they can see what is readily available for next-day delivery.

A radio-based system for addressing emergency-lighting fittings has won two awards in the Technology & Innovation Awards for 2007. The addressing system used in emergency luminaires from P4 is powered by batteries and does not require data cabling. It is efficient and clean to install anywhere, which is a special advantage for hospitals, clinics and medical centres.

Merlin Power Management has been awarded a contract to service and maintain standby generators at a number of Land Securities sites in London. The contract is for Inviron, which itself is now responsible for managing the mechanical and electrical services at these sites, which include Land Securities’ own office in the Strand and commercial, retail and office premises owned by the company.

Hager is to run a series of seminars on the 17th edition of the Wiring Regulation. They will run from January 2008 onwards, after the new regulation are published.