Robert Harness, special projects manager, ebm-papst UK, discusses the desire to cut emissions but warns that some energy efficient products are more efficient than others.
Global warming, climate change, carbon reduction, energy efficiency - there is probably no other subject which so many of the UK population know so much about.

Whether it's an altruistic desire to save the planet or a financially motivated drive to reduce gas and electricity bills, virtually everybody understands reducing energy consumption reduces carbon emissions and saves money.

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme which came into effect on April 1 means large energy users know they have to do something to improve energy efficiency or it will cost them money. At the moment they just don't know exactly what they should do or how much it will cost them if they don't do it!

The result is that there are now a lot of carbon-conscious people looking for more efficient products to help them achieve their desired reduction in energy consumption.

Google's keyword tool reveals that a staggering 16.6 million searches were made for the word green in February 2010 in the United Kingdom alone and another five million searches were linked directly to energy efficient products.

It's no coincidence that searches related to gas boilers peaked at more than 500,000 when the boiler scrappage scheme started in January this year. Narrowing the field, a search of the HVR website for the words 'energy efficient' turns up no less than 107 companies. A scan through the list leads me to believe that no matter whether I use wood, gas or electricity, fan assisted or passive, my heating and ventilation choices will be energy efficient. And I'm not disputing is the case. But some are going to be more efficient than others, particularly in the context of different types of installation.


Having accepted the financial or environmental arguments for installing energy efficient equipment, the problem is in determining how efficient is efficient?

If you're looking for a gas boiler you have the advantage of the SEDBUK energy rating scheme but for most products in the HVAC market there is no specific measure of efficiency and it's difficult to compare similar applications.

There is no benchmark as to what entitles manufacturers to use the green or high efficiency slogan. I'm sure we've all seen products being promoted as green which we know are, at best, stretching the truth.

So where can the conscientious (or miserly) purchaser turn for help?

SAP Appendix Q gives some guidance but has limited categories and applies only to dwellings, not commercial buildings.

Again for the non-domestic market, the proposed changes to Parts F and L of the Building Regulations set out some commendable targets for both the efficiency of ventilation systems and their proper installation but it remains to be seen how well this will work in practice.

In the commercial sector, the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme gives a financial incentive to use certain types of listed technologies. This has been a very welcome and influential initiative but the addition of new products takes some time with the result that it can act as a disincentive to using the best available technology.

All of these different initiatives have or will make a positive contribution to carbon reduction but are not enough on their own. More than ever before it is important to keep abreast of the latest product developments and many manufacturers now offer free CPD-based training to promote informed decision making. The message to specifiers and end users is clear. Make sure that you know the difference between the various technologies, understand what is being offered and hold suppliers to account if they don't deliver what is promised.

Most importantly, don't let a lower purchase price win at the expense of greater efficiency and reduced whole life costs.