News
Read the latest stories on the latest renewable HVAC developments.
Featured article
British Gas launches Dimplex Quantum Tariff
British Gas and Dimplex have partnered to launch the British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff, the UK’s most advanced electric storage heating tariff for use with the Dimplex Quantum Storage Heater.
Which heating and cooling emitters can I use with a heat pump?
Any hydronic heating and cooling emitter such as fan coils, radiators or trench heating, could be used with a heat pump.
There are a number of factors, however, which will ultimately impact the final specification. These include thermal requirements, such as whether the building needs heating only or heating and cooling, control requirements and design preferences, such as whether to have the emitter recessed or on view.
Which is better - a ground source or an air source heat pump?
When it comes to specifying heat pumps, we are often asked which is better: a ground source or an air source heat pump. In actual fact neither are ‘better’. The decision comes down to design factors on a specific project, which will drive the specification to ensure the demands required by the building and occupants are met.
What is the BREL report and how does it impact your residential new build project?
What is the BREL report and how does it impact your residential new build project?
What is EN 15316?
EN 15316 offers guidelines that set out a common calculation method to estimate the energy use and energy performance of heating systems in buildings. The values are calculated for the whole installation and help to analyse the impact on energy performance. The values also help to establish energy performance indicators such as the Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF).
What is EN 14825?
EN 14825 sets out the temperatures, part-load conditions, and calculation methods for determining the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). It applies to the operation of air-conditioning units, process chillers, and particular types of hybrid heat pumps. The values used to define the SCOP can be calculated or measured. If measured values are applied, the standard covers the applicable test methods.
What is EN 14511?
EN 14511 sets out standardised performance and rating terms for air-conditioning units, heat pumps and liquid chilling packages that supply space heating or cooling. EN 14511 is used for a determination of the Coefficient of Performance (COP) that gauges the performance of a heat pump.
What is diversity in HVAC systems?
What is diversity in HVAC systems, and how does it affect HVAC system design and specification for residential developments?
Diversity in HVAC systems within medium to large scale developments acknowledges that it is unlikely the maximum demand of all individual users of the system will arise concurrently. The total heat demand in a building is likely to be lower than the maximum or peak demand at various points in the heat network.
What is COP and EER?
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) are measures of a heat pump or heating and cooling solution’s efficiency. They indicate a ratio of useful heating or cooling produced by the unit against the energy it consumes. For example, the COP of a heat pump that can provide 3kW of heat against the input of 1kW of electricity is 3. The EER that generates a cooling effect of 12BTU against the input of 1kW of electricity is 12.
What Building Regulations are changing during 2020?
2020 has been dubbed the year of change for the built environment, with Government keen on updating compliance targets for new and existing dwellings to enforce change in industries HVAC strategies.
What are the different types of heat pumps and where would you use them?
There are three types of heat pumps available for the built environment, classified by where they source their primary energy: air, ground or water. Each has its benefits depending on the application and specific design conditions.
Virtual reality and robotics: the future of building and design?
40% of architects and designers say technology will have biggest impact on industry in next 18 months
UK housing: Fit for the future?
On the 21st February 2019, the Committee on Climate Change(CCC) released their report on whether UK homes are fit for the future in regards to the challenges of climate change.