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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.
The Future Homes Standard 2025: Changes to Part F 2021
The Future Homes Standard has brought about the review of all aspects of residential building design. Here we outline the changes to Part F of the Building Regulations which address ventilation and maintenance of indoor air quality in residential dwellings.
Fan coil refurbishment for improved operational efficiency
What are the key components to consider for fan coil refurbishment that could lead to improved operational efficiencies?
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the NZEB 2020 target for new buildings
What is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive?
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has been in place for all European member states, including the UK, since 2010, with the latest update coming into effect in July 2018.
Election 2019: Energy Inefficiency, Fuelling the discussion
The election that will take place on Thursday has been framed as the most important general election in modern history. The preceding campaign has been characterised by countless divisive issues from Brexit to public spending. In an election where unity seems sparse, matters that cause the major political parties to coalesce around some semblance of the same objective are almost cause for celebration.
What is the difference between monobloc and split system air source heat pumps?
The main difference between a monobloc air source heat pump and a split system air source heat pump is that the monobloc heat pump has all the necessary components for an air source heat pump contained within one single unit. The split system, as the name suggests, splits the components between two units. This leads to differences in size, flexibility, noise emitted and installation requirements.
Whole Home Solution: Bathrooms
Our bathrooms are getting smaller. At just 4.4 square metres, the average bathroom is not much bigger than a king-sized mattress. One of the biggest challenges as a result of smaller bathroom dimensions is heating the space whilst maintaining safety for our families, particularly with the trend for installing wet rooms in an effort to maximise space.
Defining the Future of Compliance
The compliance system for new developments is set to drastically change over the next 16 months. The consultations for Approved Documents L and F, which are expected to take place towards the end of 2019, will be the only opportunity for industry to support or appeal these changes, which have a high potential to heavily impact building design, HVAC specification and the carbon-focused mindset of the industry.
Decarbonising heat and what lessons have been learnt?
Decarbonising heat is seen as a key area to address if the UK is to achieve its net-zero 2050 target. The scale, complexity, and cost of the transition to low carbon heating technology means the industry needs time and support to adjust to the changes it faces. The much-anticipated regulatory framework and clear strategy for the energy transition process should provide a reliable platform to take on the challenges on our journey to a low carbon future.
Debunking the misconceptions of electric panel heating
Modern, energy efficient electric panel heaters that offer a high level of control to users, whilst using low carbon energy, are unrecognisable from the inefficient, clunky panel heaters of the past. Despite technological advances, the perception of electric heating mostly relates to the old technology that grew in popularity with the advent of cheaper nuclear energy in the late 1950s. Traditionally, panel heaters in homes were accompanied by storage heating to make use of the energy generated ‘off-peak’ and assist with under-utilised night-time energy available on the grid. In addition, electric heating has long been a convenient form of secondary heating, for example with the use of portable fan heaters.
What is the requirement for HVAC system compliance for a collective housing application?
One regulatory requirement for collective housing applications, or large residential developments, is to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations. The updated Part L has been published and is concerned with the conservation of power and fuel in buildings. Fixed heating, ventilation and air conditioning services in new residential dwellings play a large part in achieving the required energy performance of a building and their targets and requirements are outlined in this Approved Document.
Seven key considerations that influence the specification of effective communal heat networks in high-rise apartments
Although certain requirements will vary from project to project, such as available space or the decision to include comfort cooling, there are seven key factors that ultimately impact the specification of a communal heat network within high-rise residential apartment:
Comfort cooling in city-based apartments
What are the considerations for comfort cooling in city-based apartments?