Despite government spending cuts and low private sector investment in new build projects, the building services industry is continuing to see increases in demand fuelled by the focus on end-user environmental standards and tougher legislation. Alongside refurbishment, maintenance and repairs, the retro-fitting of energy efficient building services is top of the carbon reduction agenda.
Commenting on the upturn, Paul Hardy, Managing Director of Baxi Commercial Division, said: “The drive towards lower carbon emissions and the renewed emphasis on greater energy efficiency in buildings through changing legislation, such as Building Regulations, the Energy-related Products Directive, the Carbon Reduction Commitment and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which now applies to both new and existing buildings, has led to an upturn in business for the commercial heating sector.
“The refurbishment sector has been more buoyant than new build in recent times and this is likely to continue as legislation now requires low/zero carbon technologies to be utilised to improve the energy performance of both new and existing buildings in the short to medium term.”
Time for change
“This is a time of change for the heating sector,” adds Mark Northcott of Remeha Commercial. “The drive for carbon reduction is presenting an exciting challenge and opportunity for our industry.”
Adrian Newton, Portfolio Director at UBM Live, organisers of M&E- The Building Services Event, said: “In line with the government’s vast energy efficient guidelines where existing buildings are concerned, efforts are being made to ensure that buildings remain safe and comfortable, whilst responding to the carbon reduction challenge. Practical solutions such as smart meters, renewable technologies, condensing boilers and cavity wall insulation are increasingly being sought out and implemented to improve buildings.
“As demonstrated by the UK Green Building Council, the potential market for the low carbon refurbishment of existing homes could be worth £3.5-6.6 billion alone, and the possibilities for non-domestic premises are vast.”
Consultants, contractors and end users in search of sustainable initiatives, education, products and services, will be visiting M&E- The Building Services Event which will be taking place at London Olympia from 11-12 October 2011. As the UK’s only dedicated event for all building services, M&E- The Building Services Event provides manufacturers and suppliers with unequivocal access to key building services professionals.