The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) has introduced HVCA Business Plus, an initiative designed to promote to a broader audience of building services engineering contractors the wide range of products and services available from the HVCA group of companies.

Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems UK has announced that it will no longer be promoting cooling-only air conditioning products in the UK and is now phasing out all existing models from its stock.

The London Engineering Project (LEP) is seeking volunteers from black and ethnic minority communities, with a background in engineering and science to give a day of their time during the new academic year.

The 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations is due to come into force in 2008, meaning that the standards that electrical installations adhere to will change. The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) has announced a series of free seminars across the country to help electrical contractors understand and prepare for the changes.

The construction industry is renowned for its waste but can no longer ignore the need to sort and recycle waste. According to government statistics, over 70 million tonnes of waste is produced by the construction industry every year.

You can invest in the most energy efficient and sophisticated products on the market, and they are available in abundance, but this can all be wasted if someone just opens the window because they are too hot.

The total cost of Hager’s Klik Digital Connection System (DCS) qualifies for tax relief under the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme.

Vaillant has announced details of its new air conditioning training programme, for both the experienced and novice installer. Vaillant offers a four-day training course for inexperienced installers and new entrants to the air conditioning sector.

100 participants in the ‘100 Days of Carbon Clean Up’ Campaign will receive free Display Energy Certificates, ahead of the requirement for public sector occupiers of larger buildings to display the certificates by 6 April 2008. The campaign is run by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and sponsored by E.ON, the UK’s largest integrated energy company.

Daikin UK has taken the fuss out of warranty procedures by launching a brand new service for its customers. The new No Fuss Warranty has been specifically designed to take the hassle out of making claims for installers and save them time by processing claims directly over the phone.

For more than two years Grundfos has worked persistently to increase awareness of circulator pump efficiency and the part it plays in the bigger picture. Starting with the launch of the World Energy Project in 2005 and the introduction of the World’s first A rated domestic circulator the Alpha Pro.

Leading training provider BEST (Building Engineering Services Training) has announced a formal strategic alliance with Electrical Assessment Services UK Limited (EAS UK Ltd), an electro-technical training company which specialises in NVQ level three awards, craft apprenticeships and skills enhancement.

The companies in the FMA that supply fans that are suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (such as flour mills) have noticed a serious lack of awareness amongst end-users of their responsibilities under the ATEX Directive

The National Trust and npower have announced a groundbreaking multi-million pound partnership, developed to encourage significant investment in microgeneration of renewable energy, stimulate innovation in carbon saving measures and enable consumers to green their own homes.

This year’s call for nominations for the Pump Industry Awards received a record response, with over 50 nominations reflecting the breadth of pump and system engineering and innovation across the globe. The quality of nominations was also extremely high, making the choice of finalists in each category a tough one for the team of independent judges.

The Renewable Heating & Cooling Congress 2007, which takes place on 20 & 21 November 2007 at the Bedford Hotel, Brussels, has been specifically designed to kick start the market development for RESHC technologies and will address the required support mechanisms to overcome current barriers.

Airedale Service has taken on its first ever apprentices. Stuart Onyett, 19 of Gravesend, Kent and Shaun Woolacott, 17, of Rainham, Kent are overwhelmed by the welcome they have received at Airedale and cannot wait to be learning the tools of the trade.

Lochinvar has launched a new initiative to raise funds for The National Energy Foundation (NEF). The Banbury based manufacturer is to make a donation to the NEF for every product in its latest water heating range sold during 2007. The donation scheme follows the news that Lochinvar has moved into the renewable energy sector.

Seaward Electronics’ latest electrical installation tester, the Powertest 1557, has become the industry’s first carbon neutral test instrument. As part of company plans to reduce its carbon footprint, the company is implementing a series of environmental measures to ensure that the complete Seaward product range will be carbon neutral within the next 18 months.

Sanyo Air Conditioners has appointed Robert Morgan as its new UK General Manager. Katushiro Morisaki, President of Sanyo Air Conditioners Europe, was delighted to welcome Mr Morgan: “Robert has an extensive knowledge of the air conditioning world and his reputation goes before him.

Johnson Controls has received its biggest ever single order for York chiller units in the company’s history, for a project in Pearl Island, Qatar. More than 40,000 Pearl Island residents are set to benefit from the installation of 46 water-cooled chiller units designed to cool 15,000 residential and commercial units, improving comfort and promoting energy efficiency.

Fläkt Woods has been awarded a contract to supply new energy efficient fans, which are replacing Fläkt Woods Varofoil fans that have been used to circulate the air at the historic Cathays Park Building in Cardiff since 1980.

Hurleypalmerflatt has been appointed as the lead consultant and mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineer on the £1 million improvements to the Earth Gallery offices at the Natural History Museum.

Wessington Cabins, a leading commercial manufacturer of portable offices, showers, and toilets blocks have installed Rinnai Infinity continuous flow gas water heaters for their latest delivery of top end temporary facilities.

In a contract worth around £2 million, Trox UK has supplied fan coil units for Land Securities’ prestigious New Street Square mixed-use estate which occupies a prominent site in New Fetter Lane, London. The scheme, comprising four major new buildings set around a new public square, includes one high rise tower, two medium rise atrium buildings and one low rise block.

Lochinvar has supplied its high efficiency water heating equipment to Aston Villa FC’s new state of the art training complex. One of the company’s 382LBF balanced flued water heaters has been installed in tandem with two LST100 storage tanks to provide hot water supply to the £13 million Bodymoor Heath training facility in north Warwickshire.

Lighting at the new offices for Jobcentre Plus in Old Tree Court in Plymouth is being controlled by a Rapid lighting management system supplied by CP Electronics. A key factor in the specification of the lighting management system was the flexibility to accommodate future changes in office layout with minimum disruption and cost.

As part of the development and modernisation of Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, Raychem electric under-surface ramp heating systems have been installed to stop ice or snow causing operational disruption on aircraft aprons and vehicle ramps around Terminal 2.

Preserving the heritage of listed buildings along the North Shields Fish Quay is proving an important project for which innovative methods are needed to maintain character while introducing modern standards of comfort. A prime example is the installation of a Giacomini underfloor heating system in the Smokehouses, during its conversion into modern commercial premises.

Carrier Corp has won orders to supply 90% of the air-conditioning equipment at venues for the Pan-American Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro. Carrier, through its local joint venture company Springer Carrier, is supplying 19 chillers totalling 8,000 tons of refrigeration for four key venues: Rio Centro, Maracanãzinho, Sports Complex João Havelange and Parque Aquático.

A windowless staff room in a Victorian school building near Norwich has been transformed into a bright, attractive environment thanks to two Solatube Daylighting Systems from SolaLighting Limited. Brooke VC Primary School recently installed the Solatube systems that pipe natural light from roof-mounted domes into the room below. The staff are delighted - not only is the room now reclaimed as effective, usable space, but the Solatubes allow significant energy cost savings - ideal for schools on tight budgets.

BSEE and the BCIA have once again joined forces to bring you an awards programme designed to bring together the entire building controls industry in a celebration of the companies, innovations and people that are achieving the highest professional standards and helping to drive this dynamic industry forward.

While the industry is still coming to terms with the full impact of Part L of the Building Regulations, introduced in 2006, it is now facing new rules on long-term energy use in buildings.

The Netherlands is by far the largest voluntary green power market in the world, with Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems playing a large part in its production of renewable energy. The following installation, at Meerpaal Business Park, demonstrates the benefits of GSHP and how when combined with an energy efficient HVAC system, the ultimate in environmentally friendly climate control can be achieved.

Using biogas, which is generally a waste or by-product, to generate electricity can make sound economic sense for an organisation, even before considering the green arguments. There are however some buts. Most of the major issues are technical and it essential that you choose the right partner for such an enterprise with care.

In developing an appropriate fire safety solution for a public amenity, the use to which the building is put is typically much more important than the age of the building.

For the industrial sector, having to ‘down tools’ because a heating system needs to be installed, repaired or serviced isn’t just inconvenient, it also affects productivity – and hence targets, profits and bonuses.

Fluke is offering a free Thermal Imaging Pack which includes applications guidance through a series of articles, a DVD which demonstrates practical applications for thermal imaging cameras, a 4-page leaflet covering training courses at the Operator-level and for Level-1 Certification, and also details of Fluke’s wide range of thermal imaging cameras.

The Yorkshire integral solder ring fitting remains the leading fittings brand within the plumbing and heating industry after more than 70 years. Ever popular with installers and contractors alike, the benefits of a genuine Yorkshire fitting installation are substantial and extensive.

Taconova (UK) Ltd has launched the FV 70 TACOSOL EU 21 a solar-driven Solar Station for solar heating systems, comprising a solar-powered pump, regulator and air venting unit. Designed for domestic, commercial and public sector applications, the Solar Station allows hydraulic balancing, flow measurement and venting to be performed directly in the station, offering accessibility as well as installation time and cost savings for engineers.

Rehau has introduced a new, cordless electro-hydraulic jointing tool for its underfloor heating, flexible heating and plumbing pipework. The high quality and light weight Rautool A Light is an addition to Rehau’s existing tool range. Its key benefits for installers are the minimal weight and L-shape which improves access where space is limited.

Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd has upped its commitment to address the current and future environmental regulations affecting the air conditioning industry by launching its new VRVIII Heat Recovery system.

Titon has launched a CD-based Part F System 1 calculator that assists fabricators or builders in calculating the background ventilation requirement for domestic properties. The new Part F (Ventilation) Building Regulation requires the background ventilation to be calculated using a number of variables.

Following the success of its Avance Elite thermostatic shower valve, Douglas Controls has introduced a new dual control version, called the Avance Elan. The company’s range of shower heads has also been expanded with several new additions.

Now available from LG is the Multi V Sync VRF system which gives simultaneous heating & cooling from just one outdoor unit, to ensure the best possible interior comfort regardless of the space or seasonal conditions. The Multi V Sync heat recovery system allows indoor units to be designated or switched from heating to cooling and visa-versa giving complete flexibility to any site which has varying requirements – hotel rooms, gyms, restaurants etc.

Eaton has extended its Mempower MP medium power busbar range with a new 800A rating. This means that it is able to offer the 800A rating in either its air-insulated MP range (previously offered in 125A-630A ratings) or its 500-6300A Mempower XP low impedance range. The full Mempower range is described in a new 38-page Product Guide.

R-410A 2 port Multi heat pump and cooling only units are now available from Daikin Europe N.V. Designated 2MX/KS-F and available in 40 and 50 classes, the units feature improved energy efficiency levels and Class ‘A’ energy labels.

Seaward has developed a new integrated test solution to help contractors meet their 16th Edition and Part P electrical testing obligations. The combination of the new Powertest 1557 handheld installation tester with the new PowerGuard software provides an all in one PowerSolutions package that links effective electrical testing in the field, with a comprehensive test results recording system and convenient test certificate production system.

The versatile new Drop luminaire from Luxo Lighting has been specifically designed to provide low glare, uniform illumination in classrooms and offices. Available in pendant and wall mounted versions; Drop has an ingenious reflector system that provides optimum light distribution. Utilising an energy efficient T5 fluorescent lamp, the new luminaire has two diffuser options, cross blade louvre or soft acrylic diffuser for even greater flexibility.

Hoval’s range of heat pumps now includes Genius air-source and Thermalia ground-source models, available with a wide choice of capacities to offer specifiers the best solution for each project. The modular Genius range of air-source, air-to-water heat pumps are available in nine model variants with heating capacities ranging from 6.6kW to 34.4kW.

Honeywell has introduced the Excel 800 programmable controller, its most powerful heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control solution to date. Part of Honeywell’s Excel 5000 Open system, the Excel 800 is price competitive, combining significant savings in respect of installation, start up and life cycle costs with energy optimisation, free cooling, optimum start up/stop and peak load limitation functionality.

The most comprehensive practical guide to steam systems in recent times has arrived with the publication of The Steam and Condensate Loop from Spirax Sarco. A superb training or reference resource, the book helps engineers to optimise plant operations and save energy.

Heatline has launched its new eco-friendly Heat Pump range, designed to offer customers a simple, cost-effective and efficient solution to domestic water heating. The Heat Pump storage tank operates by extracting heat from the surrounding air and using it to heat up the water supply.

Watersavers has recently launched a range of Shut off Valves designed to isolate the water supply to certain areas of buildings eg toilets, shower blocks, and commercial kitchens when unoccupied (at night, weekends and holiday periods) thereby preventing water wastage and potential damage due to running taps, burst or leaking pipes etc.

If you are looking for exterior wall lights that deliver security, surround and accent illumination with a touch of style, then look no further than Thorn Lighting’s redesigned Piazza.

Cooper Lighting and Security has produced a new guide to central battery systems, which is aimed at anyone involved in specifying emergency lighting for medium or large installations. The 12-page A4 colour publication starts by outlining the key benefits of using central battery systems, then goes on to describe key system features and how automatic testing simplifies compliance with legal obligations.

Honeywell has launched a Technical Solutions Guide for security professionals and specifiers. Published by Honeywell’s Building Solutions business, the guide is the second in a series of publications offering design tips to steer new and experienced industry professionals towards best working practices.

According to Alfa Laval, the future of refrigeration will probably revolve around natural refrigerants such as ammonia which do not constitute a threat to the ozone layer or add to the risk of global warming. To this end, they have developed a range of industrial refrigeration products designed to exploit the natural benefits of ammonia.

BSS Industrial has announced the launch of its first own brand radiator, the BOSS RIOpanel. The BOSS RIOpanel is the result of a new partnership with the highly respected manufacturer Hudevad and is BSS’ main heating product launch for 2007.

New from LG is an elegant and stylish cassette collar for use with the company’s four-way blow cassettes. The cassette collar enhances the unit’s visual appearance and is quick and easy to install as it simply clips onto the designated fixing points.

Vent-Axia Ltd has launched Vent-Axia LoCarbon, an innovative new range of energy efficient ventilation products, to help significantly reduce carbon emissions thus minimising an individual’s carbon footprint.

Royal Philips Electronics has launched its new Master TL-D Eco range of energy saving linear fluorescent lamps which provide a simple energy saving solution in the struggle against climate change. The Master TL-D Eco can directly replace existing T8 fluorescent lamps whilst providing energy savings of more than 10% and a high quality of lighting (Ra>80).

Chloride Power Protection has introduced Power Lan Green - a new range of energy efficient UPS which provide advanced power protection for applications in VoIP, laboratories, automation and transport.

A design breakthrough has enabled Fläkt Woods to launch an upgraded version of its MaXfan range, contained within a single case specifically designed for high pressure commercial kitchen canopy extraction systems. The new fans have volume flows of up to 4m³/s and generate pressure of up to 600Pa.

Energy monitoring linked to a Building Management System (BMS) is an integrated route to maximising energy savings and meeting reporting requirements, says Stuart Parry of Cambridge-based automation specialists PA Collacott & Co.

A breakthrough, caused in no small part by energy saving legislation, has hit the normally sedate world of fan technology. Now the talk is less about the fans, and more about the way the fan systems are controlled.

The Desigo building management system has been further enhanced with the new Desigo TX-I/O modules. These provide high flexibility, greater user friendliness and lower energy and capital costs.

Computer downtime means loss of time and profitability. Yet, according to a recent research survey carried out amongst IT managers, it was reported that only 8.1% use an integrated security and environmental monitoring system to safeguard their data centres.

Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL) is home to (UK) Football Association operations for sports and other events of international significance.

Automated buildings bring great benefits to occupants and owners alike, such as improved energy efficiency and comfort. However, the control systems must maintain high levels of reliability to maximise the quality and effectiveness of those benefits, such as saving energy and other running costs.

As part of a wide range of innovative products, this year has seen the launch of the TVC Ethos Eco-Mode control system from the UK based manufacturer of lift components and control systems, LiftStore.

What’s a building cost? You’ll probably find someone who can tell you how much it cost to build, which is not only just part of the answer, but it’s not even the biggest part. In fact, studies have shown that the operating costs of a typical commercial building will, over its life, be many times more than the cost of construction.