When it comes to ventilation, choosing the right controls can be an important and relatively low cost way to lower the carbon footprint of a building. David Cook, Product Marketing Manager – Non-Residential at Vent-Axia reveals how upgrading controls will improve the performance of existing A/C controllable fans.

Steven Daniels, Director of Matrix explains how organisations can manage energy in the most efficient and cost-effective way.  The use of energy is something that concerns every organisation across the country and efficient businesses are always looking for ways to manage energy as effectively as possible. Using energy efficiently is a challenge for all companies – from single site operations, to organisations that have a portfolio of properties across the UK.

At a time when both the private and public sectors are looking for efficient ventilation solutions for the new generation of air-tight buildings, Aereco is introducing the BXC extract unit for Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV). The Aereco BXC extract unit is the latest innovation from Aereco, the inventor of humidity sensitive demand controlled ventilation systems.

In the domestic environment, Siemens Building Technologies offers a wide range of intuitive energy saving products. The company endeavours to couple simplicity of use with the latest technology to make its products as easy to use as possible to encourage energy efficient control and resultant fuel cost saving.

Fluke has introduced four new high-performance thermal imagers, the Fluke Ti27 and Ti29 for industrial, electrical and process control applications, and the Fluke TiR27 and TiR29 for building inspection, energy audit and building maintenance applications. In addition to the Fluke Ti32 and TiR32 they make up the affordable Fluke P3 Series, all models being specifically designed to work in the harshest environments and provide superior image quality with one-handed, easy-to-use operation.

Advanced Air has launched an ‘on-site’ design service for fire damper control systems which saves money, increases quality of installation and gives absolute programme certainty. This approach was developed for a specific project in London and has proved to be so successful that Advanced Air is now offering this as a standard module to their already extensive manufacturing and design service.

Hamworthy has completed the launch of the most versatile and innovative range of condensing boilers on the market with the unveiling of the ultra-compact Fleet floor standing horizontal model. Exploiting Hamworthy’s expertise in floor standing modular boiler design the new horizontal, floor standing boiler has 13 models, with single boiler outputs from 40kW to 350kW.

Panasonic has launched its new Aquarea Designer software for contractors taking advantage of today’s strong interest in heat pump installation. The package will allow HVAC designers, installers and distributors to identify the correct heat pump for a particular application from Panasonic’s Aquarea range, calculate the savings compared to other heat sources and very quickly calculate CO2 emissions.

Fläkt Woods has redesigned the controller unit for its revolutionary intelligent control system, offering customers automated ventilation on demand, with an easy to use control interface. It also features improved connection and expansion options. The i3Fan intelligent controller optimises fan energy usage by adjusting power consumption to match system demands.

Successfully launched at this year’s NEMEX exhibition, the new Goodlight brand from LED Eco Lights incorporates the UK’s most comprehensive range of retrofit LED lamp and luminaire replacements for commercial, industrial and retail environments.

Now you can air condition more rooms with just one outdoor multi-split unit with the launch of 10.0kW and 12.5kW models for the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Inverter Multi-Split System. The new SCM100ZK-S and SCM125ZK-S outdoor units feature MHI’s latest technologies to provide high efficiency heating and cooling for five rooms. This extends MHI’s range beyond the previous maximum of up to four rooms of indoor units connected to an 8kW SCM outdoor unit.

BITZER now offers seven types of condensing units in the ECOSTAR series. The new versions, with OCTAGON VARISPEED compressor, allow capacity to be increased to around 27kW at medium temperature conditions, representing a rise of 45%.

Flexicon has launched the first UK manufactured range of polyurethane coated (PU), galvanised steel flexible conduit. It is particularly suitable for applications that require high abrasion resistance and a high fatigue life. The new FPU system also offers a high mechanical strength, excellent flexibility and good low temperature performance down to -40°C, and is halogen, sulphur and phosphorous free.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched two new air conditioning controllers to strengthen their market leading controls product range and provide advanced control options via newly designed and simplified high resolution user interfaces. The new controllers allow more users to benefit from the latest developments in easy-to-use controls for energy saving features as well as for the more standard controller operations.

The new EC-Eau range of hot water cylinders from Dimplex has the answer for every home as, in addition to models for use with renewable energy systems, it also includes an extensive range of standard direct and indirect unvented cylinders, which incorporate a number of energy-saving design features.

Now available from Aereco is the Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) system which is proven to have much lower energy usage than conventional systems whilst providing greater levels of comfort in living areas and eliminating mould and condensation in wet rooms. DCV is proven to offer big energy savings and a lower capital cost, quicker installation times and, therefore, cheaper on-site costs as well as low maintenance and low operating costs.

Further expanding the creative potential of LED strips, Collingwood Lighting has introduced two new product offerings to its extensive portfolio of LED lighting solutions. Quickly installed with minimum fuss, Easy Strip and Superior Strip are perfect for a wide range of applications.

With fuel efficiency and carbon reduction top of the agenda, Kinetico is urging building services consultants and contractors to consider the positive contribution effective water treatment technology can make, especially in hard water areas.

Energy efficiency and cost savings are a major factor when it comes to building management systems and, to help meet these objectives, Sontay has teamed up with drive specialist Invertek to offer two new inverter ranges. Designed to provide effective electrical energy savings in HVAC fan and pump applications, the two, new, easy-to-use ID inverter drives can also be used to enhance efficiency in a variety of process operations.

The all-new Cable Management Catalogue from Marshall-Tufflex represents the industry’s definitive and most user-friendly guide to trunking systems and prefabricated/modular wiring solutions. The 308-page catalogue, which is available as a hard copy or as an online e-catalogue, covers all Marshall-Tufflex cable management solutions, from the established such as Sterling Profile to new systems (including Twin165) and its bespoke specialised applications service.

To tackle restrictive long absorption distances in the air handling unit, HygroMatik has introduced VortexSteam. Insufficient absorption can result in contamination risks while long ducts can take up too much space.

As we move into early summer, and ambient temperatures rise, air conditioning systems start to come under greater load and inefficiencies in the system soon show up. Fan coil units are prone to a build-up of scale and other debris and it is often necessary to flush them through to restore them to full efficiency. The work has to be carried out quickly, often overnight whilst offices are unoccupied, and speed and cleanliness are paramount.

Trend Control Systems Ltd has introduced an intelligent window control package that can be fully integrated within its building energy management systems in order to maximise the benefits of natural ventilation. The use of MotorLink technology allows window position to be controlled and monitored with unrivalled accuracy, as well as providing near silent operation and enhanced levels of safety and security.

Hager has redesigned its Logisty entry doorphone to feature a large modern looking LCD screen that allows clear and simple navigation for the homeowner. As part of a home security system the new entry doorphone can be used from anywhere in the house to control access into the property as well as external lighting and garage doors.

Over the last 21 years the Banshee range from Vimpex has been one of the best known electronic sounders, synonymous with quality, reliability and innovation. Vimpex has continued this heritage with the launch of a new range, the Banshee Excel.

Taking the opportunity to review the situation when there is a requirement to replace a pump is rarely taken, instead the pump is replaced with a ‘like for like’ pump which means the opportunity to gain efficiency, save energy and improve comfort levels is lost.

Zip has increased its Hydroboil Plus range of on-wall boiling water solutions to include larger capacities of up to 40 litres. The new 10, 15, 25 and 40 litre units have been designed to offer users of larger capacity instant boiling water systems the energy saving advantages associated with the existing Hydroboil Plus range.

Hamworthy Heating has launched a condensing boiler with a higher output and smaller footprint than any other boiler available on the market, setting a new benchmark in both versatility and efficiency. Creating a first in the market, the floor standing vertical boiler takes less than one square metre of floor space to generate 1050kW of power.

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.

When it comes to electrical installations, smart technology is currently the phrase on everyone’s lips, but despite the technologically advanced nature of its operation it still relies heavily on wiring devices for control.

Heating system design has undergone major change in recent years with achieving the highest efficiencies possible being the order of the day. It isn’t going to be possible to achieve these efficiencies by simply tweaking the performance of individual products, so a more holistic approach, including the configuration of the complete system, will in turn maximise the efficiency of each component part.

Modular wiring systems are growing in popularity among UK electrical contractors, specifiers and end-users, providing significant improvements over hard wired alternatives and reducing onsite installation times by up to 70%. Here, Dave Lewis, Managing Director of Apex Wiring Solutions, explains more about the technology and the benefits provided.

The Department of Children, Schools and Families recently launched a whitepaper which outlined a set of key performance requirements for lighting systems in schools including the minimum standards that must be reached in key areas such as good lighting to support teaching and learning, emergency lighting and energy efficiency.

Over the last few years building operators have been assailed by a raft of challenges relating to energy and carbon. These include Part L for new build and major refurbishments, and the importance of BREEAM points for new build as well. In addition, building energy performance is being measured, and publicised, through initiatives such as Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates.

The construction industry, including the building services sector, is complex and offers a multitude of opportunities for entry at many levels. There are apprentices and work placements for those wanting to enter through the skills route, and openings for those looking for professional careers, whether with a consultant, contractor or client organisation.

In one of the UK’s largest solar domestic hot water systems to date, 60 auroTHERM VTK1140 evacuated tube collectors, giving 120sq m of absorber area, have been installed at a new leisure and sports facility at Uppingham School in Rutland. This vast solar field is now providing hot water for the students at Uppingham when they shower after rugby and a range of other sports at the new sports complex.

Church Lighting, a division of HSE Lighting is responsible for the re-design and installation of a new energy efficient lighting scheme at All Saints Church, Hanworth, Middlesex. The company were instructed by the PCC (Parochial Church Council) to undertake a complete re-wire of the Nave, Chancel, Narthex and Parish Rooms to update the initial installation which dated back to the 1950’s.

Megaman has supplied its 7W LED GU10 lamps for use throughout the main public areas of the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, Devon. Following installation, the estimated savings are already being calculated as 35,724kWh annually, which amounts to 15.4 tonnes of CO2.

A leading UK high street retailer is on track to make energy savings of £30,000 a year at its half a million sq ft distribution warehouse in the Midlands. This is thanks to the installation of lighting control systems from Ex-Or, the Honeywell- owned lighting management specialist.

High efficiency climate control from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has scored a strike at The Original Bowling Company, the UK’s number one ten pin bowling operator. Out-dated heating and cooling plant has been replaced with MHI heat pump systems at four Hollywood Bowl and AMF Bowling Centres so far, with further sites to follow in an on-going refurbishment programme.

Riegens has supplied a bespoke version of its Mineo Uno luminaire to the landmark new student centre, part of the first phase of a £70m regeneration of the University of Bedfordshire’s campus in the centre of Luton.

BSS Industrial has demonstrated its drainage expertise by working with contractor Arthur McKay Building Services on the £65 million extension and refurbishment of The State Hospital in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire.

History has once again been made in Rome with the public opening of the historic Ponte della Musica crossing the river Tiber which connects the Olympic stadium on the west bank of the Monte Mario with the Quartiere Flaminio for the first time in a 1,000 years. The bridge has been designed to serve as an open public space to be used for festivals, exhibitions and fairs and has the facility to operate as a tram and bus route.

The tallest building in Reading is enjoying substantial energy savings thanks to the installation of Tyco Thermal Controls HWAT single pipe hot water temperature maintenance system. Rising 128m above the Reading skyline, The Blade has a distinctive spire that dominates the upper part of the building, and stands on a site on the eastern edge of Reading’s commercial centre.

When it came to specifying a heating system for a new multi-million Typhoon maintenance hangar at the RAF Coningsby site, the choice was the Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube heating from AmbiRad. Used extensively across many new and existing RAF sites, it is a proven, highly efficient system that promises considerable cost savings over its lifecycle.

ABB standard drives for HVAC are providing greater fan control for the system providing ventilation and fire safety for a new car park in Sheffield. The Q-Park car park on Rockingham Street has space for 531 cars over six floors. To ventilate the car park of carbon monoxide and ensure that smoke can be vented in the event of fire, four fans are installed on the main car park ground floor.

At a recent conference a number of findings from the Carbon Trust's Low Carbon Buildings Programme were highlighted. This extensive research looked into reducing carbon emissions from non-domestic buildings, based on a number of real-life case studies. One of the main findings was that good building control systems are a key driver to achieving low carbon buildings in operation.

Passivent is meeting the drive to promote eco-friendly solutions by becoming a major force in the Greenpower movement- a programme supported by Siemens and the IET (Institution of Engineering & Technology), that aims at encouraging students aged between 9 and 21 to apply eco-friendly solutions to engineering and technology, primarily through the design, development and physical endurance racing of electrically-powered cars.

Europe must rethink its approach to tackling climate change, according to a new report from leading think tank Policy Exchange. The report says European climate policy does little to persuade other countries, especially China and the United States, of the need to sign up to ambitious carbon reduction targets.

With the Energy Bill 2011 currently progressing through the House of Commons, Cathedral Works Organisation (CWO) cautions historic building owners over taking radical energy efficiency measures. The contractor warns that property owners seeking to go green are in danger of harming their buildings since certain steps to avoid energy wastage, such as insulation, are not always compatible with heritage structures.

Small scale domestic installations will be the unexpected beneficiaries of the Government’s long-awaited review of Feed-in Tariffs for renewable energy and the electrotechnical industry is set to benefit, according to SummitSkills.

David Dossett has been awarded an MBE for services to the electrical manufacturing industry. A key industry figure for 25 years, David led the successful campaign against the harmonisation of plugs and socket outlets in Europe and coordinated the BEAMA worldwide campaign against the counterfeiting of electrical equipment.

Experts at Exova Warringtonfire have welcomed the endorsement of a government body in support of its call for the creation of a register of fire risk assessors. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) says it expects one or more registers to be created whose certification process has been ‘independently quality assured.’

BSRIA has welcomed the Government Construction Strategy, published by the Cabinet Office and has applauded the move to integrated working and away from lump sum tenders based on inadequate documentation.

Award winning architectural practice Ryder Architecture, has joined forces with Northumbria University to launch BIM Academy to support the construction industry in the uptake of BIM (Building Information Modelling). HM Government Innovation and Growth Team have predicted that: “BIM is seen as having the greatest potential to transform the habits, and eventually the structure, of the industry”, a view that has been reinforced by the Government’s Construction Strategy 2011, published in June.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has given its support to a bid to establish a University Technical College in Harlow specialising in environmental engineering. JCT is the UKs leading contract drafting body, with membership which spans both sides of the construction industry.

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.

Unlike its European counterparts, UK buildings rarely feature anything other than PVC guttering systems. With changing weather patterns, shrinking budgets and a stronger push towards sustainability, steel rainwater systems are moving into the limelight.

When a new job lands on your desk and you need to specify a complete lighting installation for a commercial building, the last thing on your mind will be what to do with the products at the end of their natural life. But that is exactly what you should be doing, because by building this thought process into the specification you can save yourself a lot of time.

The last few years have been tough for everyone with cuts in budgets causing many companies to streamline their processes. But one good thing that has come out of it is the ability of this industry to look for new ways to cut costs which has led to a much leaner industry.

The success of the Green Deal Code outlined by the Government will hinge on the availability of a workforce of highly trained and approved installers of environmental technology, say SummitSkills, CITB-ConstructionSkills and Asset Skills.

Achieving the tough carbon reduction targets outlined in the government’s latest carbon budget is likely to be hampered by the current lack of clarity on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), warns Dimplex Renewables.