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Daikin introduces world’s first high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split heat pump offering cooling, along with heating and domestic hot water

Kenneth Booth November 12, 2021

Daikin Altherma 3 R is the world’s first high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split heat pump that offers cooling, along with heating and domestic hot water. The third generation R-32 refrigerant heat pump is even more sustainable and replaces the previous generations that run on R410-A refrigerant. This change represents a reduction

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Edward Street Quarter development wins air-quality gold

Kenneth Booth November 11, 2021

Office workers at Edward Street Quarter in Brighton can look forward to being more alert, productive and healthier after the development received special accreditation for its design, that is set to deliver exceptional indoor air quality. Brighton’s newest neighbourhood achieved gold certification, based on aspects of design that ensure the

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Heras launches the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems | Kemper System helps Surrey based Self Builder go Green

Kenneth Booth November 8, 2021

Heras has launched the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDSs) to provide even greater levels of perimeter protection, for use at sites with specific security and perimeter protection requirements – such as warehouses and distribution centres with high value stockholding. The company – which is one of Europe’s

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House Alarm Can Add Over £10k to Property Value

House Alarm Can Add Over £10k to Property Value

Cristina Diaconu October 28, 2021

Right after our physiological needs, our second most fundamental requirements are to feel safe and secure. Feeling safe in our own homes is imperative, and whilst the way safety measures make us feel is of the upmost importance, can additional safety measures also add value to a property? Smart home

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Heat pump grants fail to address major issue warns green heating expert

Kenneth Booth October 27, 2021

The newly unveiled Heat and Buildings strategy doesn’t go far enough to address major problems in the race to reach Net Zero, warns Tim Rook, Chief Markets Officer at Clade Engineering, a leading designer and manufacturer of CO2 heat pumps.  The long-awaited strategy was unveiled yesterday and contains details of the

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Heat Networks recognised as the way forward

Kenneth Booth October 21, 2021

The Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association, MEHNA welcomes the Heat and Buildings Strategy that recognises the importance of heat networks as the way forward for sectors that will be difficult to decarbonise. Steve McConnell, Director, MEHNA said: “Heat networks are an essential part of the decarbonisation approach. The

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BDC 322 : Nov 2024

Trades : M&E News

New HVAC systems whitepaper tackles building sustainability and overheating issues

Kenneth Booth November 15, 2021

With the built environment contributing 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint and the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) warning of the dangers of overheating buildings, a new whitepaper is highlighting the importance of sustainable HVAC systems to construction professionals. The new whitepaper, from polymer specialists REHAU, identifies issues around building overheating, air quality and sustainability, and the need to decarbonise new and existing buildings to meet net zero targets. Citing UK Green Building Council findings that heating and cooling is responsible for large quantities of buildings’ ‘in use’ emissions, it explores the impact of sustainable HVAC systems on construction. Following CCC warnings that not adapting the built environment to changing climates could pose major risks to occupant health from overheating, the whitepaper looks into thermally activated building structures (TABS) technology’s role in resolving this. A means of space heating and cooling, TABS uses pipework embedded within a building’s concrete structure, running either an elevated chilled water temperature for cooling requirements, or low-temperature hot water for the premises’ heating needs. “TABS is growing in popularity because they are economical and efficient, yielding up to a 47% reduction in annual energy costs when compared to traditional HVAC systems,” says Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions. “This is because whether for heating or cooling requirements, water flows of different temperatures influence the temperature of the building’s concrete structure. “By opting for such a system, specifiers eliminate the need to regulate temperatures in individual rooms with their own specific load requirements. Instead, the pipework allows the building’s mass and thermal dynamic behaviour to be used to maintain comfortable conditions, almost like a living organism.” Commonly used for larger buildings, TABS processes activate the large thermal mass of concrete structures, acting as a buffer for varying cooling or heating loads throughout the day. REHAU’s whitepaper explores the benefits of the technology’s high thermal inertia, large surface areas and radiative heating and cooling properties, including reduced carbon emissions and increased occupier health and comfort. Franz challenges: “When it comes to selecting an appropriate HVAC system, everything always comes down to one fundamental question – does this technology offer a compelling business case? As our new whitepaper identifies, given the pressures to deliver buildings that meet future sustainability needs, TABS should definitely be considered under these parameters. “For example, because these systems can continuously expel heat throughout the day, they are well-placed to tackle the urgent threat of buildings overheating in the warmer months. This is of particular importance as weather patterns become more extreme and high-performance insulation becomes the standard in new-build properties.  “Contractors, specifiers and developers may therefore need to engage more specialist assistance to meet these challenges and other longstanding priorities such as lowering construction and maintenance costs,” concludes Franz. “TABS’ ability to realise these benefits while decarbonising the nation’s building stock explains why building professionals should read this new whitepaper and explore the technology’s viability going forward.” For more information and to download REHAU’s new whitepaper, click here.

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Daikin introduces world’s first high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split heat pump offering cooling, along with heating and domestic hot water

Kenneth Booth November 12, 2021

Daikin Altherma 3 R is the world’s first high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split heat pump that offers cooling, along with heating and domestic hot water. The third generation R-32 refrigerant heat pump is even more sustainable and replaces the previous generations that run on R410-A refrigerant. This change represents a reduction of 75% in the environmental impact. Daikin Altherma 3 R stands out thanks to its improved compactness, design and performance. Innovation as a driving force to net zero heating and cooling As the market leader, Daikin Europe is constantly looking for innovation possibilities for heat pumps. Daikin Altherma 3 R is setting new standards: it’s the world’s first high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split air-to-water heat pump that also offers cooling. Similar heat pumps already exist in a heating and domestic hot water set-up, but Daikin went a step further and added the cooling feature. Importantly, Daikin Altherma 3 R runs on R-32 refrigerant. It replaces its predecessors that run on the R410-A refrigerant. R-32 has a global warming potential (GWP) that is one-third lower than R410-A. Deciding to use an R-32 product reduces the environmental impact by 75% compared to R-410A. It leads directly to lower energy consumption, thanks to its high energy efficiency. Patrick Crombez, General Manager Heating and Renewables SBU at Daikin Europe, specifies, “At Daikin, innovation, along with sustainability, is a driving force in everything we do. Daikin Altherma 3 R combines both factors in a rather unique way: It’s not only a world’s first, but also a sustainable promise.“ Improved compactness, design and performance Daikin Altherma 3 R is the perfect heat pump for new large houses thanks to its improved compactness, design and performance. Its outside unit is smaller and can fit under a window: it is equipped with 1 large fan instead of 2 smaller ones for a high-capacity unit, reducing its height by 25%. This unobtrusive heat pump seems to blend into any environment since it hides the fan from view via a black front grille made of horizontal lines. It offers all-year round comfort with heating, domestic hot water and cooling, a world premiere for a high-capacity R-32 refrigerant split heat pump. This heat pump has it all: it is a versatile air-to-water heat pump for new large buildings. Daikin Altherma 3 R ERLA-D series product specifications • Available in 3 classes: 11, 14, 16 kW, 1 and 3 phase • Dimensions (HxWxD): 870 x 1100 x 460 mm • Patented plate heat exchanger • Up to A+++ space heating performance • Up to A+ domestic hot water performance • Operation range down to -25°C • 60°C LWT at -7°C • Combinable with 3 different indoor units (wall mounted, floor standing with integrated tank, floor standing with ECH2O tank) • Cloud ready

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Edward Street Quarter development wins air-quality gold

Kenneth Booth November 11, 2021

Office workers at Edward Street Quarter in Brighton can look forward to being more alert, productive and healthier after the development received special accreditation for its design, that is set to deliver exceptional indoor air quality. Brighton’s newest neighbourhood achieved gold certification, based on aspects of design that ensure the development continuously delivers healthy indoor spaces, courtesy of global indoor air-quality body AirRated. Better ventilation reduces the risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses between people, helping to cut down infection rates of colds, flu and Covid-19. Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base, said: “This accreditation for the quality of the indoor air is fantastic news for our future occupiers who will benefit from increased energy levels and a healthier environment. “Wellbeing is a huge priority for employees and business leaders. We’re confident that our clean-air status will be a big draw for the forward-thinking companies that decide to make Edward Street Quarter their home.”  Francesca Brady, CEO, AirRated said: “For office workers, lots of factors can combine to have a significant effect on their health and productivity. Lower levels of CO2, achieved through better ventilation, improve performance. “In fact, 1,000ppm of CO2, which is common in buildings, can have the same impact on cognitive function as two pints of beer.” Some of the benefits of clean-air offices include fewer allergens, such as pollen. Particles which can cause asthma to flare up, such as dust and cleaning agents, are significantly reduced as well. The quality of the finishes – paints, flooring and soft furnishings – were taken into consideration, as was the quality of the build and the surrounding pedestrianised areas. Edward Street Quarter uses a triple stage particle filter system which reduces the amount of dust drawn into the building from sources such as traffic. A comfortable temperature will be maintained all year round, while dehumidification and humidification techniques will help people to maintain good health. Edward Street Quarter also uses paint to absorb CO2 – 45 litres of which, in the drying process, will absorb as much as one adult tree could in 12 months. The development will include 125,000 square feet of flexible office space, 168 apartments, cafés, retail spaces and leisure facilities. For more information visit: https://edwardstreetquarter.com/

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Heras launches the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems | Kemper System helps Surrey based Self Builder go Green

Kenneth Booth November 8, 2021

Heras has launched the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDSs) to provide even greater levels of perimeter protection, for use at sites with specific security and perimeter protection requirements – such as warehouses and distribution centres with high value stockholding. The company – which is one of Europe’s leading end-to-end supplier of permanent and mobile perimeter protection solutions – is building on the first generation of PIDSs with significant innovations that have resulted in a new, simplified portfolio with next-generation capabilities. Its new GeoMic and GeoPoint systems – which both have pro versions – are designed to complement and greatly increase the overall effectiveness of both existing and specified perimeter protection fence and gate lines. PIDSs are usually perimeter fence mounted (but they can also be wall or ceiling mounted) and are installed on the fence fabric to detect any potential intruders attempting to enter the site by climbing over, cutting through or even going under the fence. When an intrusion at the perimeter meets the alarm criteria, PIDSs will transmit an alarm signal directly to an alarm panel and/or integrated software management system (SMS) so that the onsite security team (or designated staff) can verify, and act upon, the alarm in an appropriate and timely manner. Three critical attributes to increase performance Heras has identified three critical attributes that will increase the performance capability of its PIDSs. The first is the improved analyser algorithms to deliver added intelligence and categorisation of threats. The second is the multiple configuration options to match the site situation and reduce false alarms. The third is the improved communication and integration options. These improvements mean that the PIDS performs more accurately, delivers better information and can be used in combination with other security measures. Chief Marketing and Technology Officer Ian Crosby says that the launch of the PIDSs in the UK is part of a strategic, Europe-wide rollout by the company as it brings to market the most advance PIDSs with next-generation capabilities. He added that GeoMic and GeoPoint have been developed specifically for UK sites requiring higher levels of perimeter security, such as secure datacentres or where the nature of a site’s operations may draw protests from the public – such as animal processing for food products. “Listening to customer feedback and that of our own installers and security integrator partners, we have taken advantage of developments in multifunctional components, coding and IP technology to significantly update and simplify our product range,” he said. “For the GeoMic products, we maintain the fantastic performance of our alpha cable and now couple this with updated and upgraded analysers to deliver best-in-class performance for perimeter detection. The brand–new GeoPoint products deliver a step up in technology, offering more flexibility and opening up new opportunities for the detection of intrusion or tampering on the perimeter but also inside it.” GeoMic GeoMic uses a discreet microphonic sensor cable (alpha) that listens for sounds – such as those generated from an intrusion attempt – around the entire perimeter. These sounds are converted into electrical signals that are transmitted to the GeoMic, which analyses the signal and then generates an alarm output, if the signal meets the configured alarm criteria. The GeoMic Pro in addition, has double the sensor range to cover a greater zone area, therefore being more cost-effective and it has twice the amount of monitored inputs and relay outputs so it can integrate with more third-party security equipment. GeoPoint The new GeoPoint sensor system utilises multiple sensors that are distributed along the fence line to detect movement and vibration. These sensors can be set up individually with reference to sensitivity and functionality, dependent on the mounting location. The sensors can be grouped into multiple unique zones around the perimeter. This enables more-accurate visual verification of an intrusion when used in conjunction with video security management. GeoPoint is not limited to fence lines only: it can also be used to bring smart detection to critical assets inside the perimeter. The pro version communicates via an IP network and is completely scalable, which is ideal for large sites and those that may grow and expand in the future.

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Glasgow street shows the only way to install 600,000 heat pumps each year and hit net zero is to replace the UK’s gas grid

Kenneth Booth November 2, 2021

Green Street in Glasgow, just a stone’s throw from COP26 will show that the only way to install 600,000 heat pumps a year and hit net zero is by replacing the UK’s current gas grid. The inner city street will be brought to life using pioneering augmented reality to show how networked ground source heat pumps that mimic the current gas network are the cheapest way to decarbonise heat and could save the UK an estimated £1bn a year to 2050. The solution shifts responsibility from consumers getting rid of their gas boilers and installing individual infrastructure for ground source heat pumps on an ad-hoc house-by-house basis, to the pre-installation of utility-scale underground infrastructure that allows consumers to easily and cheaply change to ground source heat pumps when they’re ready. The infrastructure is funded, owned and maintained by an energy or water company, local authority or private investor removing the cost from consumers who pay a standing charge similar to gas. Simon Lomax, CEO of Kensa, the UK’s only manufacturer of ground source heat pumps, said: “It isn’t possible to reach critical mass or secure the cost reductions expected by government by adopting a house-by-house approach, placing responsibility to deliver our climate targets on individuals. “To really kick-start the transition to heat pumps, the government needs to work with the energy industry and suppliers to popularise a networked ground source heat pump where the cost of infrastructure is divorced from the heat pump in a split-ownership approach. “Running costs and carbon emissions will be far lower than any other heating choice. Pre-installation of the infrastructure means whole communities such as tower blocks can switch to individual networked heat pumps simultaneously, as well as enabling households to easily and affordably make the transition from their gas boiler to a heat pump when they’re ready to change, with minimal disruption.” Kensa’s ‘Welcome to Green Street’ launching on 1 November at COP26, created by Emmy award winners Alchemy Immersive, will prove how a whole systems approach to decarbonising how we heat our homes can unlock benefits across communities and compliment and balance the electric network as we come to reply more heavily on it with heating and electric vehicles. Simon added: “Green Street is our way of setting out a virtual street map that proves any street can be a Green Street, by showing how the ground beneath our feet can transform how we heat and power our homes and accelerate progress on climate change through the lowest carbon, cost and electrical grid compact solution. “By utilising waste heat and low-temperature ambient loop systems our solution connects homes and businesses to deliver sustainable heating and cooling that’s highly efficient, low carbon and low cost for all stakeholders and enables the balance of energy supply and demand.” Kensa has been engaging with energy suppliers, the UK and Scottish governments and other leading organisations and continues to make progress to making the ‘Green Street’ solution a national reality. Thousands of properties across the UK are already enjoying the benefits of networked heat pumps. Thenue Housing which has homes in Green Street, said it welcomed innovative and trailblazing solutions to the global climate emergency including those which relate to domestic energy consumption. Eleanor Derbyshire, Head of Property Services at Thenue Housing, said: “Thenue Housing is delighted that one of the streets where we have our housing stock should be showcased in this way as the way forward in terms of energy consumption and conservation. We recently invested in our on-site heating so while we are currently not planning to make energy-related changes to our homes in Green Street, we think there is no better-named street anywhere in the city to highlight this work. “As a housing provider which has strong historical links with Glasgow and its heritage, we readily acknowledge the need for action at this game-changing summit where so much can be gained by global co-operation on climate change.” Since 1999 Cornwall’s Kensa has saved over 1 million tonnes of carbon through ground source heat pump installations across social housing, new build and retrofit homes and businesses. It was the first company to prove a solution for flats and apartments through its small ‘Shoebox’ heat pump, used by many city councils and recognised by the Greater London Authority as the most efficient, lowest carbon, lowest cost solution for heating and cooling high-rise buildings. To experience Green Street please visit www.welcometogreenstreet.com

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House Alarm Can Add Over £10k to Property Value

House Alarm Can Add Over £10k to Property Value

Cristina Diaconu October 28, 2021

Right after our physiological needs, our second most fundamental requirements are to feel safe and secure. Feeling safe in our own homes is imperative, and whilst the way safety measures make us feel is of the upmost importance, can additional safety measures also add value to a property? Smart home retailer, Somfy has undertaken substantial research through its True Price of Safety report reveal how much value having a house alarm system can add to your home. As over 63% of burglaries happen in homes without a basic security system, Somfy has deep-dived into data across Zoopla and Rightmove to reveal how much value a house alarm system could add to a property in different regions across the UK. The data revealed that, overall, across England having an alarm system can increase the value of a property on average by a huge £10,900 The biggest price difference was seen in Durham, with houses with alarms in this area valued at a whopping £18,900 more than their no-alarm counterpart. In comparison, the city of York registered the lowest price difference, with properties with house alarm systems averaging out at just £100 more in value than those without. The difference in additional value actually makes sense. CrimeRate statistics show that Durham is in the top 10 cities with the highest burglary rates across England, whereas York is often outlined as one of the safest places to live, with this reflecting in the difference in value that an alarm system can have in both areas. Interestingly, local criminality rates appear to be at least somewhat proportional to an alarm system adding more value to a property, with higher crime rates often correlating with alarm systems adding more value to a property in such regions. This proportion is of course not always perfect as there are many other factors that can influence the perceived price of safety for each household, for example income, lifestyle priorities and risk adversity, but what is clear is that there is certainly a link. The value that everyone may put on their sense of safety may vary, but what’s clear is that the addition of an alarm system to a home is almost certain to increase the feelings of safety, and the value of the property. That said, from a monetary perspective the cost of a burglary must outweigh the cost of an alarm system in order to understand the true price of safety. An average alarm system can cost anywhere between £90 and £400 depending on their advancement. This is compared to the average cost of a burglary in England being around £3,030, not factoring in the physical and emotional trauma because of a break in. Given that regardless of a break in, the average value that an alarm can add to a home across England is just under £11,000, what’s clear is that the addition of a smart home far outweighs the costs associated, increasing property value, home security and ultimately, peace of mind.

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Heat pump grants fail to address major issue warns green heating expert

Kenneth Booth October 27, 2021

The newly unveiled Heat and Buildings strategy doesn’t go far enough to address major problems in the race to reach Net Zero, warns Tim Rook, Chief Markets Officer at Clade Engineering, a leading designer and manufacturer of CO2 heat pumps.  The long-awaited strategy was unveiled yesterday and contains details of the Government’s £3,9bn plan to improve access to energy efficient heating technologies. Part of this is a £450m boiler upgrade scheme, which will allow homeowners to apply for grants of £5,000 towards installation of low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps. However, when delving into the details, Tim is concerned that the plan doesn’t go far enough. “It’s great to see the Government finally moving on the climate critical issue of heat and promoting heat pumps as the best form of sustainable heating technology on the market. However, the strategy is far too small and fails to adequately address the major issue of the difference between the price of gas and that of power. If the Government were to rebalance this it would transform the market and really drive mass adoption of low carbon heat pumps,” Tim explains. “The strategy is further confused by the inclusion of hydrogen and weakened by many follow-on consultations and studies. There is some content that is likely political bluster, such as the mention of 25% price reductions for green technologies and its disappointing to see house buildings being given at least three more years of building inefficient housing when we could be building better right now.” He adds Decarbonising heat is one of the most effective ways of lowering emissions in the UK, but with 85% of UK homes reliant on gas for heating, more needs to be done to improve access to green heating technologies. £5,000 grants will help just 90,000 households, a drop in the ocean against the 600,000 annual installations needed by 2028 to reach Net Zero.  Time is of the essence, as Tim explains,“There is a fixed budget of carbon we can release into the atmosphere before we exceed our target of 1.5C of global warming. If we fritter that budget away in a short period of time, we don’t get it back. Leaders have to stop being wilfully blind, recognise the critical risks we face and act fast to mitigate them, for all our sakes.

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Security composite panel specialist set for further growth after successful test of new range

Kenneth Booth October 22, 2021

High security composite panels specialist Modular Security Solutions is providing the building sector with additional protection for people and assets, following the successful fire testing of its brand-new ULTRA composite panel system. The Newcastle upon Tyne-based firm’s high security ULTRA composite panel system has now been tested to BS476- Resistance to fire at a UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved fire testing facility and achieves 120 minutes on both integrity and insulation. Testing on the new product line will give Modular Security Solutions’ customers additional peace of mind. It will also broaden the company’s ability to support building contractors, security contractors, facilities managers, and end users with fire-tested panel systems in areas of high vulnerability, where defence against enhanced professional criminal attempts to access high value assets is required. To gain the BSEN 476 certification, the panels were tested for 120 minutes for integrity and insulation. Integrity measures the system’s ability to stop flames or hot gases from passing from the ‘fire side’ to the non-fire side through openings such as panel joints and interfaces within the testing culvert, while insulation relates to the system’s ability to limit the surface temperature rise on the non-fire side. During the UKAS-accredited testing procedure, the company’s ULTRA security composite panels were installed into a concrete testing rig and subjected to resistance testing from a furnace, which reaches temperatures of up to 1200°C. Modular Security Solutions’ ULTRA composite panel system has been designed and tested to resist enhanced professional criminal attacks from a wide range of tooling, including not only mechanical and electrical power tools but also petrol driven disc grinders and chainsaw tooling elements. Modular Security Solutions designs and supplies high security walling systems and enclosures which can be used to create new buildings and superstructures. They can also be retro-fit into existing buildings to security harden and fire-proof specifically identified areas. Modular Security Solutions’ high security composite panels are manufactured with a fire retardant rockwool insulative core, to support fire resistance, and steel anti-cutting layers which ensure they have high levels of resistance to mechanical, electrical and petrol-driven tooling. The high security composite panelling systems are fully modular and versatile. They can be rapidly installed and offer a significant reduction in labour costs, site down time and on-site trades, due to their convenient male/female slip joint and pre-finished appearance, which comes in a wide range of standard colours and finishes. Mark Sutherland, Projects Director of Modular Security Solutions, said: “We’re very proud to have achieved this two-hour fire testing pass for the ULTRA composite panel system, as the testing process is extremely rigorous. “The excellent performance of our panels during testing demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that fire safety and physical security are built into the sensitive environments and projects our systems are part of. “Our panels’ combination of high security capabilities, fire resistance and build flexibility gives contractors a cost-effective solution for protecting high-risk areas, such as data centres, server rooms, laboratories and vaults.” Modular Security Solutions offers a complimentary Security Design Package with every project, which details secure installation methods and ensures the interfaces between its systems and doors, windows, ventilation louvres and service penetrations are inbuilt and secure. For more information on Modular Security Solutions, visit https://www.modularsecurity.co.uk

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The heat is on education: M&E specialist explores sustainable design solutions

Kenneth Booth October 21, 2021

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR EDUCATION Construction within the education sector is set to face a number of challenges in the next decade as schools look to reach net zero and utilise renewable technology and techniques. Matt Wrate, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, looks at how to keep schools cool yet sustainable when developing heating solutions. One of the biggest issues we face when designing schools is overheating, due to increased occupancy density and equipment gains. Keeping schools cool, especially with the ever-looming threat of climate change, has been an issue since Tony Blair’s ‘education education education’ promise that pledged to put schools at the top of the agenda. It’s easy to draw parallels to Boris Johnson’s ‘build build build’ but this time the focus is on the property and construction industry with an emphasis on helping both new and existing buildings become carbon neutral. I recently took part in a Stride Treglown Climate Action Relay panel, which looked at the challenges of delivering a carbon net zero school and considered the implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) in schools, the impact of changing regulations and behavioural changes in reaching net zero. The consensus was that there is no one answer for reaching net zero but rather that we need a wider solution that incorporates a transparent supply chain, renewable technology, MMC and a simple way to measure operational and embodied carbon on projects. In short, we need to work together to reach the government’s 2050 target. This is where clever solutions come in. In 2000, when renewable technology first gained popularity, the cost was astronomical. However, in the decades since then the price of materials has significantly reduced and so has the overall cost. Photovoltaic panels already cover the roofs of schools across the country and a number of passive solutions have been installed to keep spaces cool before resorting to energy-hungry air conditioning. But we need to take the next step. New technology is in the research and development pipeline, so we need to begin weighing up the benefits of implementing sustainable techniques while keeping inside the budget. Even with the best intentions, if the proposed solutions aren’t economically viable, the most financially suitable option will win out every time.   I believe closing the ‘performance gap’ is essential if schools are to operate as zero carbon.  Engaging the client’s facilities management team, who will actually operate the building, is ideal but not always feasible at design stage. We therefore need to design systems that are simple to use without training to ensure energy is not wasted. However, the biggest difference we can make when designing schools is allowing flexibility. School buildings are used in different ways, at different times, by different groups of people and the design must facilitate this as much as possible without adding significant cost. Technology is also constantly evolving so we must consider the entire lifespan of a school – typically 25 years – and allow space to incorporate different solutions as they become available. Yes, we need to consciously design with sustainability in mind, utilising the most up to date methods and technology, but flexibility is key when reaching for carbon net zero. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on Twitter.

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Heat Networks recognised as the way forward

Kenneth Booth October 21, 2021

The Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association, MEHNA welcomes the Heat and Buildings Strategy that recognises the importance of heat networks as the way forward for sectors that will be difficult to decarbonise. Steve McConnell, Director, MEHNA said: “Heat networks are an essential part of the decarbonisation approach. The technology is already available, and the carbon savings are being made. The £338 million funding for the Heat Network Transformation Programme is money well spent.” “Currently there are over 14,000 heat networks in the UK, providing heating and hot water to around 480,000 consumers. This is proven technology that will assist the UK to make carbon reductions, and enable consumers to protect their heating and hot water comfort levels, safe in the knowledge that it is being done in the most efficient way possible.” “MEHNA and its members will continue to support government as the UK transitions to net Zero.”

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