Now is the time for building services engineering employers to prepare for the business opportunities Green Deal will create, says SummitSkills after the Energy Act laying the foundation for the Government’s environmental initiative became law.

The passing of the Act marks a major step towards the Government’s aim of increasing the energy efficiency of homes and businesses and changing the way the UK uses and generates energy.

BEAMA has announced the launch of the Consumer Energy Display Industry Group (CEDIG), which took place at a reception at the House of Commons attended by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry.

Energy displays have proven highly successful in helping consumers to reduce electricity consumption and will play a significant role in the context of the UK’s national Smart Meter programme.

By Ian Ellis, President of the Building Controls Industry Association

As we continue to face a challenging economy, the performance of buildings as a financial asset is rising up the business agenda. Property fund managers are leading the way in maximising the returns on their investment in buildings by being more energy efficient and sustainable, and there are lessons to be learned from their practices.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK has been chosen to supply a major listed building with its

range of Classical rainwater and gutter systems.

Ubbeston Hall is a grade 2 listed early 18th century building, located in Suffolk. It recently underwent a major renovation which involved replacing the existing cast iron rainwater systems after a lifetime of service with new 150mmx100mm moulded cast iron gutters with 125mmx100mm rectangular cast iron downpipes supplied in the Classical Plus high quality pre-painted finish.

Controversy and threats of strike action over a new working agreement only emphasise that the way building services projects are delivered is changing forever, says HVCA President Bob Shelley.

The recent protests against a new, single working agreement for mechanical, electrical and plumbing operatives were politically orchestrated by the radical arm of trade unions and it is still a minority of workers who are unhappy about the proposed changes.

Trevor S. Palmer, Managing Director at Sontay, examines the important role that metering has to play in reducing carbon emissions in commercial buildings.

Building owners are under intense pressure to save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Government legislation and incentives are driving through changes in building practices and technologies to ensure that the UK meets its 34% emissions cut on 1990 levels by 2020 which is required under the Kyoto Agreement.

As the demand for sustainable building continues to grow at a considerable rate, Vicky Kenrick from Allen & York explores career opportunities within building services, specifically looking at new roles that are developing within the energy and environmental arena.

Knowing where we can go to access particular information is something that can save us incalculable amounts of valuable time. The new Thinking Buildings Universe from Grundfos now offers building services professionals a centralised information point that is a one stop shop for commercial buildings services pump applications.

Clients of Meister Electrical Services are on target to make substantial savings on energy bills and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

Meister Electrical Services, has installed over 1500 DANLERS ceiling flush mounted PIR Occupancy switches as well as DANLERS Surface mounted PIRs in 100’s of McDonald’s Restaurants as part of a rolling plan to populate restaurants with stand-alone energy saving controls, in conjunction with energy efficient LED lighting.

We are pleased to announce that BSEE and Baxi Commercial Division are once again collaborating to offer one lucky reader the chance to help out their local community by entering the 2012 Baxi Community Challenge.

The winner will receive a new ‘commercial- sized’ gas-fired water heater or boiler from Baxi Commercial Division, and could be any one of a diverse number of organisations from a scout/guide hut, a recreation field pavilion, a band hut, a youngsters’ football changing facility, a children’s arts and crafts recycling centre, a village museum, club halls and many more.  But if you don’t put them forward we won’t know about them and they will miss out on this tremendous opportunity.