For commercial buildings, such as offices, hotels and leisure centres, a consistent hot water supply is a business-critical service. If a system fails, it can quickly force a business to shut its doors until a solution is found. Even more critically, you only have to look at the recent spate of legionella outbreaks in hotels around the UK to see the devastating impact a failure in water maintenance can have on a business. However, despite this there are still a large number of business owners who do not have a programme in place that meets the demands of their site.

One of the key recommendations to come out of the Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety was for a clearer, more transparent and more effective specification process to put an end to cost-cutting compromises.

In the last few years, the energy management landscape has changed considerably and will undoubtedly change again in the future.

September traditionally hails the start of heating season, where thermostats click in, BMS systems relay information and commercial boilers fire into action to warm occupants feeling the first chilly morning of the autumn.

The UK has so far been successful in achieving interim targets for carbon reduction. But now the low hanging fruit is scarce, it’s time to tackle the big challenge head on - decarbonising our heat. Karen Fletcher looks at the options and the hurdles ahead.

As the HS2 project takes shape, heating the rail sheds along the route is a significant challenge. Here Nick Winton explains why engineers need to get to grips with the knowledge of how to apply radiant heating for efficiency.

As our other experts focus on heating, Dr Chris Ward considers the wider aspects of today’s building services that affect our health  and wellbeing

One of the options for achieving low NOx emissions is to use premix burner technology. Bernard Dawson explains how this differs from traditional pressure jet burner technology.

Stuart Doggrell highlights the growing popularity of unvented internal expansion heaters and their impact on the UK’s changing property landscape.

As the steel vs aluminium heat exchanger debate continues, Steven Evans argues that perhaps it’s time to look beyond the materials to focus on design and maintenance

Paul Martin highlights the important role of flue design in ensuring condensing boilers operate at maximum efficiency

Steve Lalyk explains why the growing use of mixed heat sources means the control strategy is increasingly important.

Space heating systems for workshops need to address a number of criteria that may not apply to other applications. Brett Smith reviews the most important considerations.

Dan Martindale discusses how engineers can keep up with ever-changing requirements around commercial heating, and why lives may depend upon it.

Replacing inefficient boilers, adding effective control and ensuring regular maintenance can transform the energy performance and comfort of a building, while protecting national energy security. Chris Meir examines at the role of condensing boilers in helping improve energy efficiency.

Chris Caton offers advice on getting the most out of your boiler, highlighting some common commissioning and operation issues that building services professionals should bear in mind for better long-term performance.

Mark Ferris considers the changing demands of floor standing boilers in modern commercial buildings, and outlines the key design considerations for specifiers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Danny Packham says installers and end-users need to be aware of ErP.

Installing efficient heating equipment isn’t enough to achieve better energy use, says Ian McGregor. Designers and installers must consider the system as a whole including fluctuations in demand and then apply controls technology to minimise waste and ensure occupant comfort.

Paul Sands explains why district heating is becoming popular once more with the social housing sector, and what benefits it brings to the landlord and tenant.

Sentinel Commercial’s water treatment chemicals now have more than triple the power in protection of commercial heating systems, with each drum able to dose systems over three times larger. The new ‘Triple Power’ formulations of Sentinel X100 Inhibitor, X300 Cleaner (for new systems), and X400 Cleaner (for older systems) mean smaller or fewer drums are required for bigger jobs, a development which saves significant costs, waste and storage space, and makes for easier transportation, handling and dosing.

Rinnai UK is offering a new concept for economic and efficient hot water delivery that brings together all the components of a system in one handy, bespoke designed pack for any kind of business, large or small.

John Forster, product manager at Heatrae Sadia, explains why, with so many water heating solutions out there, it’s important that businesses find the right fit for their needs.

Toshiba has introduced the Estia 5 series air-to-water heat pump solutions. With best-in-class COP ratings throughout a broad range that covers split solutions from 4 to 16kW and Monobloc from 16 to 21kW, the new Estia air-to-water heat pump will bring highly efficient and low-cost space heating, hot water and summertime cooling to new homes or renovations as well as small-commercial properties.

Ideal Commercial Boilers has announced the launch of its free commissioning offer. All Evomax, Imax Xtra, Imax Xtra EL and Evomod boilers installed after 1 January 2018 will be eligible for the offer, that could be worth up to £233 per boiler.