09 March, 2008
A cleaning agent for coils in air-conditioning units and air handling units comes in granular form for ease of handling. Pro-Universal granular coil cleaner is being brought to the UK market by Diversitech and being made available through over 200 specialist distributor outlets.
Glow-worm partners Welsh council in training
09 March, 2008
As part of the process of upgrading over 2000 homes to high-efficiency boilers, Ceredigion County Council and its training section, Ceredigion Training, are partnering boiler manufacturer Glow-Worm in a new training centre. Glow-worm is supplying high-efficiency boilers and cylinders for the authority’s domestic heating engineers and the county’s NVQ apprentices to receive practical hands-on tuition and assessments.
09 March, 2008
BSRIA has published a new guide on CHP for existing buildings. It runs to 79 pages and provides guidance on the retrofitting of small-scale CHP systems, but many of the technical and operational issues are similar for a first time installation.
Inviron completes historic-warehouse refurbishment
09 March, 2008
Inviron has successfully completed the extensive and comprehensive M&E installation for an historic building in Manchester’s up-and-coming Piccadilly Basin. Carvers Warehouse is being redevelopment by Town Centre Securities into a stunning, contemporary construction.
Refurbishment that can reduce energy consumption by 75%
09 March, 2008
The last 10 years have seen the efficiency of heat pumps for air conditioning improve so much that refurbishment becomes extremely cost effective. Philip Ord describes how.
The perils of cutting maintenance costs
09 March, 2008
Planned maintenance increases energy efficiency and provides a cleaner environment, says John Wright.
Low maintenance costs start with the design
09 March, 2008
The key to minimising life-cycle costs is to think about maintenance at the design stage. Wayne Rose shares some ideas.
Air curtains come with added style
09 March, 2008
Two vertical stainless-air curtains from JS Air Curtains have been installed as part of the refurbishment of the entrances of Aldwych House in London. JS worked with property specialist King Sturge to incorporate motion detectors and lighting into these units, whilst at the same time complimenting the stainless-steel architecture of this development.
The refurbishment of three floors of the office building at 225 Bath Street in Glasgow includes the installation of Daikin VRV heat-recovery air conditioning on three floors. The systems were specified by consultants K. J. Tait and installed by Brevel Environmental of Glasgow.
The maintenance of building services can be realistically prioritised, accurately budgeted for, and reliably delivered, as Peter Excell explains.
Hycrome takes a shine to radiant heating
09 March, 2008
Decentralising the heating in a 6000 m2 factory in Burnley has transformed comfort compared with what was previously provided by central boiler plant supplying steam to radiators around the building.
Lochinvar gets pampered at Devonshire Spa
09 March, 2008
The refurbished Devonshire Spa training facility on the Buxton campus of the University of Derby includes the installation of a Lochinvar LBF balanced-flue water heater to provide hot water for hand washing and showers.
Keraflo float valves attract military attention
09 March, 2008
Keraflo Aylesbury K type float valves are being installed to control water levels in tanks throughout the PFI Allenby/Connaught project. Over the course of this 10-year build and refurbishment programme, some 600 valves are to be supplied.
Retrofitting a modern approach to controlling airflow in VAV systems has enormous energy-saving potential, according to Michael Wild.
Boots finds the remedy for failing steam traps
09 March, 2008
The Boots Group is systematically replacing steam traps in its energy centre at Beeston near Nottingham with Gardner Energy Managements’ GEM traps. This programme of work follows the successful installation of these traps on hot-water calorifiers. Since then, some 30 GEM traps have been installed on boilers, super-heaters and in the steam-distribution system.
Tesco adopts a non-invasive approach to optimising the performance of refrigeration plant
09 March, 2008
Tesco is investing in none-invasive technology to check the performance and efficiency of refrigeration systems in its stores as part of its environmental programme to ensure that stores operate as efficiently as possible and the company’s carbon footprint is minimised.
The refurbishment of a building provides the opportunity to improve its energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Kevin Pennycook explains how new guidance can help.
Natural History Museum wins best-campaign award
09 March, 2008
Every one of the 850 staff of the Natural History Museum was involved in its ‘100 Days’ campaign.
The advice provided for the 100 Days campaign helped Bolton Wanders reduce the energy consumption for lighting.
Showing the way to effective refurbishment
09 March, 2008
Schools in Sheffield have been encouraged by the city council to adopted cost-effective energy-saving refurbishment measures, winning for the Sheffield schools project the award for low-carbon refurbishment of the year.
Maritme & Coastguard Agency wins best multi-site campaign
09 March, 2008
Involving staff at over a hundred site was the key challenge to be addressed by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
Champion of carbon-saving champions
09 March, 2008
In an organisation with over 3000 properties, one man cannot make much of an impact, so Bob Jauncey built up an effective team at Marstons.
A host of measures for reducing energy consumption have been implemented by Medway Maritime Hospital
FaberMaunsell’s innovative approach to sustainable design won the new-build project of the year award.
Continuous commissioning is innovation of the year
09 March, 2008
Continuous commissioning by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust won the innovation of the year award.
Designed to use a third less energy than the target for a conventional new-build hospital is the new specialist Cancer Care Centre for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
Celebrating the achievements of 100 Days of Carbon Reduction
09 March, 2008
The achievements of low-carbon projects, professionals and pioneers were brought into prominence at the first annual Low Carbon Performance Awards launched by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers in association with E.ON, one of the UK’s leading electricity and gas companies. The awards aim to reward actual low-carbon performance — not promise — and were presented by world-famous yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur (the only person not brandishing an award in our picture).
More refrigerant bans possible, says government
The government could tighten up the rules that restrict the use of global warming refrigerant gases including speeding up phase-out programmes and introducing new bans, according to a spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Baxi research suggests schools strongly support heat decarbonisation
A survey conducted by Baxi of 200 state school estates managers, consultant engineers and M&E contractors has found that while enthusiasm for Net Zero and support for low carbon heating systems in schools is thriving, persistent barriers remain.
