Boosting its green credentials, Fläkt Woods has introduced an industry first, a scrappage scheme for fans, offering a 10% discount to any customers replacing their old fan with the new environmentally friendly Twist Wing fan, and the company also guarantees to completely recycle the removed fan.

Richard Evans, Commercial Director at Buderus has expressed his concern following Education Secretary, Michael Gove’s decision to scrap Labour’s multi-billion pound Building Schools for the Future Scheme.

A new industry project codenamed iCAT has been launched with the aim of creating an everyday design tool to facilitate carbon assessment.

A new collaborative industry project team led by AEC3 UK is developing the Interoperable Carbon Assessment Toolkit or iCAT for embodied carbon calculations, which will enhance the design and life cycle management of zero carbon and low impact buildings.

The HVAC industry is all about sustainability. We live and breathe it. We even preach sustainability to the unconverted. But is sustainability confined to the systems we design, manufacture and install and how sustainable is our industry?

Due to constant cost pressures and close project scrutiny, many new building and building retrofit schemes are being forced to seek out innovative ways of meeting budget without detriment to completion schedules.

Energy firm npower has welcomed the BSI’s new kitemark for energy efficiency, but says businesses will need to act fast to realise the full benefit of the standard under the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC).

Baxi Commercial Division has appointed Gary Stoddart to the new role of LZC Application Sales Manager for the North, reporting directly to Technical Director, Yan Evans.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has published a new Approved Document for Part J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) of the Building Regulations which comes into effect on 1 October 2010.

NICEIC has welcomed the government’s decision to launch a consultation on a microgeneration strategy for the household and business use of green technologies.

The HVCA has a crucial role to play in ensuring that its members gear up for the most profitable commercial opportunity building services engineering has ever known, according to Martin Burton, the Association’s newly-elected president.

Training is an important issue in many industries but in one where life safety is a consideration, particularly so says the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

For anybody looking for training in fire safety, the focus should be on the respective standards that underpin and regulate the industry. Included in these are fire detection and alarm systems (BS 5839); portable fire extinguishers (BS 5306); fixed extinguishing systems (BS 6266) and emergency lighting (BS 5266).

SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the Building Services Engineering (BSE) sector, has appointed Nigel Hollett as the new Head of Environmental Technologies.

Nigel has moved into his new role from Utility Partnership Ltd (UPL), where he was involved in setting up and developing a new sustainability and renewable energy division.

To oversee the activity of F-gas certification and best practice in handling refrigerants, Refcom has established an advisory committee comprising of leading industry figures.

The Refcom Advisory Committee will operate at summary level to supervise both Refcom’s Defra approved mandatory certification scheme and Refcom Elite’s voluntary scheme.

The Government must act now to compel building managers to comply with regulations for air conditioning inspections, either by force or by incentive, if the UK is to meet carbon reduction targets, says Simon Keel of Daikin UK.

Mentioning a European standard in the first paragraph of this column is probably a good way to make a lot of people stop reading. But EN 15232 is such a useful guide for specifiers and end-users that it’s worth the risk because this standard offers practical insights into the link between building controls and energy efficiency.

The development of what will be one of the most technologically advanced broadcasting centres in the world includes a bespoke and highly innovative power distribution system from Marshall-Tufflex.

Liverpool’s tallest building, the 40 storey West Tower, is fitted with Honeywell pressure regulating and safety valves to ensure constant ideal water pressures to all domestic water outlets and fire extinguishing systems, as well as to protect water systems from excessive pressure. The systems include a mixture of Honeywell brass-bodied and cast iron valves.

BG Controls is helping the Barnsley Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project build green, environmentally friendly schools by installing energy efficient control technologies.

The Barnsley BSF project is a £1 billion plus scheme designed to build eleven new schools over three phases. The first phase includes five Advanced Learning Centres (ALCs), followed by an ALC and two special schools in phase two and three ALCs in the third phase, which will all follow a green footprint.

Taking place annually, The Energy Event is held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on the 8th and 9th of September. Here, BSEE summarises what the event has to offer.

A Delmatic lighting management system is providing networked control throughout the new Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Raychem has once again come to the rescue with the installation of their IceStop self regulating roof and gutter de-icing system to protect the new roof at Dunster Castle.

A new college campus in Luton has used Dimplex ground source heat pumps to help meet its twin objectives of energy efficiency and sustainability in a large-scale 1.5MW installation.

BT, one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, has begun the rollout of Sabien’s M2G boiler load optimiser following extensive pilots. M2G will be installed, in a rolling programme, to all suitable buildings within BT’s estate of 7,500 buildings.

Riegens Lighting has provided a modern, versatile lighting system at The Weaving Shed, a former mill building situated on the banks of the Ettrick in Selkirk, Scottish Borders.

Well-designed and affordable products from Ridi Lighting are playing a key role in the upgraded lighting scheme at James Watt College in Greenock. Vision III, an award-winning, suspended direct/indirect panel luminaire, features alongside many other Ridi products in a new lighting scheme which achieves a perfect balance of natural and artificial light within the college’s beauty and treatment areas.

The construction of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, one of the UK’s new super hospitals, is the largest project of its kind in the country outside of the Olympics development. The fire detection and alarm (FD&A) systems are state-of-the art intelligent networks that pave the way for the next generation of designs, introducing technology that reduces cost by removing the need for duplication of wiring and power supply.

A medieval priory has been equipped with a state-of-the-art heating system based on high efficiency Sanyo ECO carbon dioxide-based heat pumps.

Woodspring Priory, a former Augustinian priory beside the sea near Weston-super-Mare, was founded in the thirteenth century and dedicated to Thomas Becket. The Grade I listed building is now owned and managed by the Landmark Trust and is let out as unique holiday accommodation.

Two educational establishments have reached the top of the class for energy performance by using renewable ground source energy.

St John’s College, Oxford, and the new Ynysowen Community Primary School in South Wales, will reap major financial and environmental benefits from ground source heat pump technology from ENER-G.

Given the increasing cost of energy and efforts to reduce carbon footprint, energy-efficient building modernisation is constantly gaining in significance. In office buildings in particular, it is heating, air conditioning and lighting that account for a lot of energy consumption. In a building that requires renovation for example, heating and water can even account for as much as one third of facility operating costs.

Yan Evans, Technical Director of Baxi Commercial Division, outlines the application of direct-fired water heaters to improve efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of hot water systems in existing buildings.

Effective waste management is now an integral part of refurbishment, refit and maintenance contracts; an area where building services engineers play a key role. Ernest Magog of Lumicom explains how to make light work of end-of-life lighting products

With the Coalition Government claiming that 2010 onwards will be ‘a new decade of transformation’ in terms of a low carbon future, how we heat our buildings remains an ongoing debate. Kevin Tolson, Marketing Director of Redring, puts forward the case for electric heating and outlines how it provides not just a sustainable but also an affordable solution for the future.

The introduction of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme earlier this year has made it even more important for organisations to look at their carbon emissions and find ways to reduce them. In addition to complying with the legislation, businesses will also find they save money by becoming more energy efficient.

A constant stream of evolving legislation is designed to reduce carbon emissions in commercial buildings. Yet further, pending EU legislation means that air conditioning equipment will have to meet even more stringent standards.

The growth of the chilled beam market accelerated from 2000 – 2008 but what will happen in the next few years to this system with the introduction of ECM smart motors and Variable Air Volume (VAV) to fan coil units?

The construction industry in the UK is huge, employing 2.1 million people. It is also a very complex industry with over 250,000 firms. Anyone in the industry will confirm that to succeed, you must build up a body of knowledge, and that most of this knowledge comes from experience. Of course, many of us enter the industry with vocational or academic qualifications but these don't always prepare you for the challenges of the construction site, the design office or the plant room.

With occupied space at a premium in commercial buildings, the flat roof is viewed as a viable space for all kinds of building services equipment, from condensers and chillers to pipework and ventilation. Rob Jackson, National Sales Manager for Big Foot Systems, examines the implications of using the roofspace, and highlights the importance of ensuring that rooftop equipment is correctly and safely positioned.

Grundfos has become a well-known name in the supply of high quality pumps for commercial building services applications heating, air conditioning and pressure boosting but have not necessarily been the first name to spring to mind when considering wastewater pump suppliers.

Fluke has introduced a new entry-level Fluke TiS Thermal Imaging Scanner for Building Diagnostics.

Now Fluke quality, durability and performance are available in a thermal imager engineered for the value-conscious building professional. Specifically designed for building and home inspectors, electricians, energy auditors, HVACR professionals, insulators, roofers and window installers, the Fluke TiS is the perfect tool to identify hidden issues, find moisture intrusion, detect energy losses or missing insulation, spot overheating in electrical components, identify leaking ductwork, inspect steam traps and check compressors, motors and pumps.

Along with Tridonic’s new branding and image comes a raft of revolutionary new products, including the new ballasts for exterior HID (High Intensity Discharge) applications.

Within months of launching a series of energy saving products including the ModSync boiler sequencing system and TDS energy recovery system, Fulton Limited has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to research and development and the environment with the introduction of a new modulating burner.

The Dimplex range of SCx unvented water cylinders has been expanded with a range of commercial size cylinders. With sizes available from 450 litres up to 4000 litres the stainless steel cylinders are an ideal solution for both multi-occupancy dwellings and commercial properties such as sports clubs.

Glow-worm’s Flexicom is a compact and flexible range of high efficiency condensing combis; all SEDBUK A rated boasting a direct rear flue, along with the lowest emissions on the market. Flexicom is ideal for fitting in those hard-to-get-to spaces and will fit into a kitchen cupboard.

The latest addition to the Danlers UK manufactured energy saving, lighting controls range is the PIR Occupancy Switch Module.

This module measures 50mm by 25mm and performs similar functions to Danlers’ popular range of PIR occupancy switches but can be mounted on Eurodata plates or built into luminaires.

Dimplex is launching a new range of solar kits which include a number of features to make installation easier and quicker.

Clivet UK Limited has announced the development of a new generation of Versatemp wall-mounted water source heat pumps designed for all types of commercial premises and public buildings.

Clivet UK Limited has announced the development of a new generation of Versatemp wall-mounted water source heat pumps designed for all types of commercial premises and public buildings.

Paviom has launched a new catalogue that offers a complete overview of the company's contemporary bollards and wall lights. Taking centre stage in the inspirational brochure are the Aptus and Multus bollards, designed by Terence Woodgate as well as the complementary range of Durus bollards and Murus wall lights.

Hager claims that its new range of sollysta wiring accessories is the easiest in the market to install with the shallowest back projection for more cabling space and the UK’s first neutral loop terminal contained within its wall switch.

Osram is proud to introduce LEDVANCE - a revolutionary LED luminaire range for interior lighting design. Easy-to-install, energy-saving luminaires in this award winning range provide high-quality lighting for sophisticated designs. With LEDVANCE, Osram proves that LED solutions are a real alternative to conventional technology for general illumination.

BSS Industrial has teamed up with Durapipe UK to offer PLX, an innovative range of safe and reliable pipework for the transfer of fuel in locations such as hospitals and prisons, where the uninterrupted delivery of power is essential.

Helping to combat issues with restricted installation space whilst delivering the best in energy efficient technology, Xpelair has launched a new high performance and easy to install MEV central extract unit.

WINDCATCHER X-Air from Monodraught embodies more than thirty five years experience and the results of four years intensive research and development. Bristling with innovation and a number of patented technologies, WINDCATCHER X-Air has been designed, value-engineered and manufactured to meet the needs of the building services industry today, and far into the future.

Enter the Grundfos new web portal and see the all new web window that will help to simplify pump selection by making available to you for the first time a one stop shop for commercial building services professionals.

The Inverlux Plus three hour Emergency pack from Relco Group UK has been designed to provide an effective solution for adapting 4 pin fluorescent lamps for use in emergency lighting applications.

J-Bond, a versatile new two part epoxy adhesive for a wide range of uses, has been introduced by JCP Construction Products, a specialist supplier of construction fixings to distributors.

The revolutionary new Quinta PRO range of high efficiency wall-hung commercial condensing boilers from leading heat generator manufacturer Remeha offers a host of benefits to both installers and users.

Cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis Patents has launched the 17 Series Industrial cable clamp – a tough wearing clamp that further strengthens its market leading product offering.

The new clamp, which is designed specifically to secure cables to walls in commercial and industrial developments, is available in eight sizes ranging from 10 to 51mm and is offered in black LLDPE and a polymeric LUL (London Underground) approved material.

Vitesse Modular VITM4-2CH and the VITM4-2CH-2S are the latest additions to the CP Electronics’ range of marshalling boxes. The Vitesse Modular System is an extremely cost effective method of providing power and control for lighting in industrial, commercial and retail installations.

Hamworthy Heating has introduced a brand new condensing water heater into its nationally renowned Dorchester range. The new DR-FC Evo, which replaces the existing DR-FC range, brings with it even higher outputs, exceptionally low noise and high seasonal efficiency performance.

Utilising their experience in developing highly effective multi-foil insulation materials for use in the building and construction industries, YBS Insulation has introduced an easy-to-fit method of reducing heat migration in ductwork systems.

Meeting the increasing demand for systems with energy efficient credentials that utilise renewable technologies, Renolit’s ALKORBRIGHT and ALKORSOLAR roofing materials are ideal for use in flat or sloping roofing situations.

Aereco’s Demand Controlled Passive Stack System (PSV) is the perfect choice for ventilating both new build and refurbishment projects to meet all the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes, and gives you energy efficiently at low cost without compromising IAQ.

The new Videx Kristallo Apartment Station builds on the success of the company's Eclipse model and offers features such as touch sensitive operation and programming with OSD (on screen display).

With an improved aesthetic design, both flush and surface mount versions are available. Low profile surface versions measure just 110mm x 180mm x 20mm and flush mounting options are 120mm x 170mm x 4mm.

Hager claims that its new sollysta grid wiring accessories are the easiest on the market to install. The modules have the shallowest projection currently available, at just 10mm from the faceplate, to maximise cabling space in the back box.

Safetherm, the new thermostatic mixer tap for healthcare from Rada, sets new standards in safety, ease of use and serviceability. It is the first mixer tap to feature Insutech+ Technology, which reduces surface temperatures on the hot inlet to a safe level. This answers growing health sector concerns about accidental contact burns, particularly children and the elderly grabbing the body of a hot tap.

Simplicity in design and operation defines the Remeha iSense high quality room thermostat / controller.

A large bright blue back lit LCD screen, two buttons and one turn and press dial make the iSense exceptionally user friendly.

Star Refrigeration has launched a heat pump solution for the building services market that delivers free hot water.

Star’s new Envitherm is an environmentally conscious dual-purpose heat pump that generates hot and chilled water simultaneously. It provides air conditioning in large-scale buildings that also have a high demand for heating and hot water, such as hotels, apartments and office developments.

MK Electric has compiled a comprehensive suite of products that suit the particular demands of the social housing market with a range of products including sockets, switches, wiring accessories, circuit protection, cable management, chimes and security. Each product combines safety and security with ease and speed of installation, and can be simply tailored to meet the requirements of Parts L and M of the Building Regulations concerning energy conservation and the less able.

Purmo’s sleek Faro H is a decorative, horizontal radiator with a sectioned, stylised front, which emphasises clean, ascendant lines, while unique curved sides give it a pure, exquisite appearance from every angle. Characterised by its high heat outputs, the Faro H also comes with an adapted top cover that emphasises its unique design.

Energy-efficient, long-lasting, and low maintenance, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are now incorporated into a range of luminaires from Honeywell, and available exclusively through MK Electric, and sister Honeywell company Ex-Or. The range consists of batten, diffused and IP65 rated weather-proof luminaires and is ideal for utility areas such as corridors, walkways, plant rooms, car parks, and warehouses, plus other back of house locations.

Ackermann is reinforcing its online presence with an enhanced, user-friendly website. The re-designed site features a host of new products, together with highly useful content that can be accessed more simply and quickly, and enables specifiers to order product literature online.

Potterton Commercial, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has introduced the new LogoCondense with CarboCondense, a high output steel pressure jet boiler with a patented carbon heat exchanger that can safely and efficiently condense and even clean the boiler’s flue gases. There is currently no other oil-fired boiler on the market with the carbon heat exchanger vital for this type of boiler to operate in condensing mode, making this an exciting and important development in the oil heating sector.