Solar Thermal systems are now regarded as an accepted part of the microgeneration market. No longer is it a niche offering – it is now established and accepted. The market developments mean a clear growth in sales and installations but contractors must look to whole integrated systems and one-stop shopping to gain the greatest rewards from solar heating.

I think it’s fair to say that if the building services industry let out a collective sigh of relief now we have seen the back of 2009 it would be fully deserved.

It was only two years ago when the house building boom of the early 90’s was showing its first signs of slowing down, giving us an indication that something was on the horizon. However, at this point the new build market remained stable, with 100%, even 120% mortgages still easily obtainable, meaning consumer confidence remained high.

The British Council for Offices updated Guide to Specification has introduced a design target for mixed mode and naturally ventilated offices of not more than 25˚C for more than 5% of the occupied hours, and 28˚C for not more than 1%.

Three years on from the last set of revisions to the Building Regulations in 2006, the HVAC industry is once again in a position where further changes to the Building Regulations are going to be made as 2010 fast appraoches.  This is not the end though, as more will follow in 2013 as the Government steps up its energy efficiency drive to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016 and all new non domestic buildings zero carbon by 2019.

Electric heating has for many years been favoured by landlords and developers of multiple-occupancy and rental properties to ensure safe, comfortable heating without the installation difficulties, expense, maintenance costs and risks/regulations associated with gas-fired central heating systems.

While all organisations have an imperative to reduce their carbon emissions, the education sector is under particular pressure because of the government's commitment to make all schools carbon-neutral by 2016. As a result, there is considerable emphasis in both the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) to include renewable energy sources in building designs.

The Directive requires these systems to be inspected by a competent and accredited person who belongs to a scheme approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). There are several such schemes, one of which is operated by CIBSE Certification. This is a scheme for air conditioning assessors for both complex and simple systems, and is one of a range of accreditations offered by CIBSE Certification in support of the Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations. CIBSE also accredits inspectors to undertake these inspections in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Whilst there is an increasing need to understand which of the available Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) Technologies can work together to optimise system energy  efficiency, it is also important to go back to basics with regard to the design of the conventional part of the hot water system and consider what is the most effective combined solution. 

The demand for energy saving fan coils has increased significantly due to Part L 2006 of the Building Regulations setting a target of 28% reduction in carbon emissions from the base in Part L 2002.  We all know that it doesn't stop there; industry representatives are confirming the new 2010 Part L will target a further 25% reduction in carbon emissions with a view to getting commercial buildings carbon neutral by 2019.

As teenagers across the country begin the countdown to the exams that could determine the course of the rest of their lives, memories of those evenings spent revising and days waiting nervously outside the exam room in the sunshine come flooding back. The summer I spent sitting in a humid exam hall poring over A level exam papers is, mercifully, a distant memory these days.  The hall is probably still there, however, and chances are it will be just as hot, stuffy and inhospitable for this year's crop of school leavers as it was in my day.

The demand for chilled beams has more than doubled over the past three years and its market value now exceeds that of fan coil units. 

Looking at the significant number of mixed use and commercial buildings planned for London that have succumbed to the deepening recession, it would be reasonable to conclude that commercial developers would be in the depths of despair.  Indeed, some are.  However, many projects are still being designed in the capital and there's a definite air of optimism amongst some of the more lateral-thinking developers. 

Challenging times lie ahead for consultants. With the current financial climate driving some finance directors to batten down the hatches where budgets are concerned, consultants face the significant hurdle of persuading clients to opt for the best value rather than the cheapest option when it comes to chiller specification. Consultants must therefore make clients aware of other essential factors that are currently driving product choice while conveying that chiller replacement is not only desirable but necessary.

If we are to make a real and lasting impact on global warming, we need to think far more radically about how we design and specify our heating equipment. However, that does not necessarily mean focusing on the most sophisticated technology available.

Energy costs have risen more than a 100% in the past 12-months and businesses are now bracing themselves for further electricity hikes with the introduction of new legislation to cut the amount of CO2 we omit.   CHP is almost twice as efficient as conventional power generation and can save companies up to 50% in electricity costs.

Using either carbon neutral bio-fuels or natural gas, a CHP plant captures and reuses the heat that other energy generators waste, employing it either directly as heating or, through absorption chilling, cold air that can also be applied to the delivery of building services, making this technology an extremely practical option for engineers.

So just what are they doing that is so right? Ken Lawlor's Dublin-based Sensible Acon is LG's distributor in Ireland and has a different approach to working with contractors and consultants that has seen a 300% sales growth with much more forecast. It has also led to Ken Lawlor opening up a London office.