- February 2012
EC does it – technology that ticks all the boxes
01 February 2012
There are pressures to lower carbon emissions, but with the potential of a double-dip recession, particularly in the construction industry, lowering costs is also a priority, says Andrew Sargent
SummitSkills set to look at alternative funding sources
01 February 2012
Missing out on money from the Employer Investment Fund will inevitably change the way that the sector skills council SummitSkills conducts its business. Ian Vallely reports
Atomising nozzles help ensure comfort
01 February 2012
The practical problems associated with installing humidification equipment have limited the options available... until now, says John Barker
Data centres benefit from free cooling economisers
01 February 2012
Airside economisers offer real advantages since adiabatic cooling can be used to boost the free cooling hours and reduce mechanical cooling loads and the CO2 footprint, says Iain McNeil
Measure of success: Tools to assess the eco impact
01 February 2012
Contractors need ways to prove their environmental credentials in the built industry. Irena Saniuk draws a global map of the main environmental assessment methods
Ultimate CHP power source
01 February 2012
Fuel cells could revolutionise the way we power our world, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to the combustion of gasoline and other fossil fuels, says John Lidderdale
It’s not easy being green
01 February 2012
We need to provide economically sustainable, energy efficient heating systems to meet the needs of today’s frugal, low carbon economy. Mark Northcott looks at the social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainable heating technologies
Shopping around...
01 February 2012
The best sustainability teams in retail comprise a multi-disciplinary mix of skills and experience including renewables
Hot tips as fire protection moves up the agenda
01 February 2012
With the regulations behind fire protection systems becoming ever more stringent, there really is very little margin for error when it comes to pipe specification, says Simon Spridgeon
It pays to get into the right groove
01 February 2012
Efficiency, speed, maintainability and safety are key considerations in hvac installations. Grooved-end pipe joining technology meets all those requirements, says Andy Carter
Time-saving gas pipe solution
01 February 2012
TracPipe is expanding its network of UK stockists in response to installer demand for same-day delivery.
The pipes, the pipes are calling...
01 February 2012
Uponor has unveiled a new professional fitting system which, it is claimed, will take plumbing to new levels thanks to its ‘Tool Inside’ technology and high pressure joint system. The RTM, or Ring Tension Memory, system is designed to eliminate the need for tools to make quick, safe and professional joints.
Plan now for auto-enrolment
01 February 2012
At the end of 2011 the Government announced a delay in auto enrolment pensions for businesses with 50 employees or less. However, this delay could do more harm than good if employers don’t take action now, says Mike Jenkins, business development manager at Welplan
Fan-assisted heat blows the competition away
01 February 2012
Fan-assisted, low water content heat emitters are the most energy efficient heating solutions around, according to Paul Kingswell
It's time to unleash the power of the virtual world
01 February 2012
Information technology is having a profound impact on the way the built environment is planned, designed, procured, constructed and operated and this has huge implications for building services
New brand reflects scope of work done by members
01 February 2012
The decision was not taken lightly to re-brand the HVCA as B&ES - the Building & Engineering Services Association - at a time when the country, and the world, are grappling with the deepest recession they've experienced in decades, according to president Bob Shelley.
Election time for members of the board
01 February 2012
Nine teams from varied parts of the construction industry, ranging from town planners to building services engineers, competed for prizes totalling £4,600 at Teambuild 2011 in November at Eynsham Hall, Oxford.
Carbon this, carbon that, carbon the other
01 February 2012
Terms such as sustainability, low carbon and zero carbon have become commonplace. But are these descriptions justified and how do we measure their worth? Mike Malina has the answers
The biomass balancing act
01 February 2012
Specifying a heating system that includes both conventional condensing and biomass boilers involves a difficult balance in terms of controlling temperatures. Steve Cooper explains
Getting smarter with combined heat & power
01 February 2012
When specifying CHP it's essential to ensure that the system is aligned with, and responsive to, the needs of the building. Beata Blachut explains how optimum flexibility and efficiency can be achieved
Lower carbon emissions using dynamic simulation
01 February 2012
Park View Community School in Manchester is one of the most energy efficient designs in the UK with no cost penalty compared to conventional schools. Brian Morris reveals the secret
A controlled response to demand fluctuations
01 February 2012
The controllability of fan coil units has evolved, to ensure they only use energy when required and can better respond to fluctuations in demand. Andrew Saxon discusses the most recent advances
Out of sight, out of mind will leave you out of pocket
01 February 2012
The case for using EC fans in fan coil units instead of AC has long been accepted when it comes to new-build projects. But what about retrofit? Robert Harness has the answer
ECM - the power behind the fan coil's glory
01 February 2012
The EC VAV fan coil unit provides benefits over the conventional constant speed AC unit and this new approach is now being used on many projects, says Gerry Butler
There's no business like show business...
01 February 2012
Ecobuild - claimed to be the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment - is back at London's ExCeL between 20 and 22 March
Revealing the cold facts about a hot topic
01 February 2012
The risk posed by fires in ventilation systems means contractors and manufacturers must collaborate more effectively, says Kevin Munson
Why a clean start makes perfect sense
01 February 2012
A new standard for cleanliness in newly installed ventilation ductwork will end potentially damaging confusion in the industry, as Darren Ling explains
It pays to come clean
01 February 2012
It is disappointing that PAS5748 does not make a stronger case for improved air quality within the healthcare environment, according to Ian Wall