Fast changing technology offers contractors considerable opportunities to improve performance but ‘keeping up’ can also be a drain on resources. David Bell, right, of Estimation Group argues it is the job of the software developer to make access to these technologies as easy as possible 

Unvented hot water storage is becoming increasingly popular for domestic, commercial and public sector properties in the UK. This means a large number of unvented products have entered the market and there’s more choice than ever before. However, according to Heatrae Sadia the manufacturer of Megaflo HE, installers and specifiers should exercise caution when selecting cylinder brands. Here marketing manager David Webster explains why decisions should be based on factors other than cost – for example the material the cylinder is made from, the hot water performance, the length, terms and conditions of the guarantee and the quality of the support package offered by the manufacturer 

Graham Williamson, business director of commercial heating at Ideal Boilers, talks to HVR to discuss the implications of system design and the issues surrounding the installation of condensing boilers in existing systems 

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of taking advantage of heat pump technology in homes and offices is to install an integrated air-to-water hot water service heat pump. Manufacturers can supply packaged units where the heat pump components are mounted above a highly insulated large capacity storage calorifier, all housed in a smart jacket. Stephen Laws, technical director at Clyde Combustions, explains how such units can be applied. 

WHEN I said in my comment in the December 2005 issue that "BAA has not done itself any favours with the rest of the industry and even government procurers should now look to their laurels", I seem to have upset Ross Maynard, operations manager for Lorne Stewart on Project SLAM, the Defence Estate's development to build single unit accommodation for the armed forces (see Contractor Profile this issue). 

Close Invoice Finance’s David Butler looks at the lessons owner managers should have learned 

A month or so ago, Ross Maynard, operations manager for Lorne Stewart plc on Project SLAM, unhappy with the comment in HVR about BAA leading the charge to partnering, invited Paul Braithwaite to meet him at his Southampton office to talk about Project SLAM , how partnering had been working there for about four years and how he hopes it will change construction. 

John Davison, managing director of Airtech Environmental Systems, cannot understand why single room heat recovery systems continue to be recommended as energy efficient products when the prevailing wind speed in the British Isles renders them totally ineffective 

Suzanne Millward, Vent-Axia’s residential marketing manager, gives an update on the progress of the government’s Decent Homes Standard 

Free running wheels continue their advance in climate boxes. With the high-performance C-series impellers, Ziehl-Abegg is providing a powerful, extremely economical and quiet backward-curved impeller. Les Fish, managing director of Ziehl-Abegg UK, discusses the advance 

Trox believes its new blade server cooling system will take the mission critical market by storm. Indeed, so sure is Trox of its system and its ability to deliver the business that it has launched a new company to market the product. Paul Braithwaite talks to Guy Hutchins, sales and marketing director of Trox Advanced IT Cooling Systems. 

THE original Nobu restaurant in London has proved so popular with the rich and famous that the city has now become the first in the world to become home to three of these high-class, innovative restaurants. 

Axair Climate has recently added Fujitsu to its distributor portfolio in the UK. Here Paul Kingswell, sales director (below), sets out the reasons 

Mitsubishi is putting its money where its mouth is. Last year, it linked with ventilation specialist Passivent in a move which could save energy costs of up to 40%. It has recently refurbished its Hatfield offices and installed the system there. Philip Ord, VRF product manager, explains the workings of the mixed mode system 

Construction is changing and so is Vent-Axia. The industry is adopting a project-led stance and Vent-Axia, realising this, is using its expertise in heating and air conditioning as well as ventilation to look at air management solutions. David Neale, channel marketing manager for the commercial sector, talks to HVR about the changes 

I had a press release in the other day about how Green Party is launching a major energy campaign and calling on people to subscribe in their millions to green energy tariffs. 

Workplace safety is improving but there are still too many injuries and this is costing British business dear - on all counts, says Bob Towse, head of technical & safety at the HVCA. 

There are some New Year resolutions which do not exist to be broken! So says Close Invoice Finance sales director Andrew Radley,, right, as he looks at what businesses should be focusing on in 2006. 

Dave Cox, left, general manager of Mikrofill, explains to Paul Braithwaite why the company’s high performance Ethos boiler is just right for the domestic market – and is backing it with a new company and a marketing spend 

Alan Ward, director of Bienne Heating, has been interested in solar heating all his working life, not surprising then that he is an expert in the field – or rather on the roof! Here, he discusses the issues with Paul Braithwaite