Features
15/08/2012
Sustainable further education college for the future
Ian Ellis, marketing manager for Control, Products and Solutions within the Siemens Building Technologies division, looks at how the building energy management system at Exeter Technical College has been upgraded, as part of wider work across the college’s systems to help ensure an increase in energy efficiency.
09/08/2012
Building adaptation achieves 80 per cent reduction in running costs
Dr Jerry Harrall, of SEArch architects, describes how simple, low invasive design techniques, such as using extruded polystyrene as external insulation, transformed the cost of living and quality of life for residents of a 200-year-old house in High Wycombe.
18/07/2012
Feel the warmth with solar thermal innovation
Glan Blake-Thomas, managing director at AET, the supplier of the Camel Solar range of panels and collectors into the UK market, explains how new, aesthetically attractive and energy efficient designs open up fresh installation opportunities for building services contractors, consultants and architects.
20/06/2012
Kick-starting the micro CHP market
Simon Osborne, head of product and channel management at Baxi, discusses the importance of a visionary policy plan.
31/05/2012
A fabric first approach can deliver real sustainable homes
The holy grail of sustainable construction, namely reduced thermal conductivity with relatively small and simple changes to construction methods at little or no extra cost, is in sight, says Paul Joyner, director of Sustainable Building Solutions at Travis Perkins.
31/05/2012
Self-generating sustainability
Dave Lewis, head of sales at energy company npower, looks at the role self-generation energy technology plays in the journey towards sustainability.
31/05/2012
Marrying old and new for an eco-considerate design
Changing our approach to heating our homes is necessary to create the step change and deliver truly environmentally conscious buildings, however, is abandoning existing, more traditional technologies in favour of a purely renewables focused design always the best approach? Here, Jerry Studden, managing director of Alpha Heating Innovation explores the potential for marrying old and new for an eco-considerate design.
22/05/2012
Drought and floods – a case for SUDS
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and techniques such as concrete block permeable paving are an essential part of the solution to prevent flooding but they must be applied extensively to have real impact, says Interpave.
02/05/2012
Eco kitchen reduces and reuses
Kitchens can play an important role in helping specifiers for private and social housing developments earn points towards the Code for Sustainable Homes. Andrea Denison, product manager, Moores Furniture Group advises.
28/03/2012
VIPS: the next generation insulation
New solutions must be found for those problem areas where, increasingly, the space available for insulation is at a premium, says Tony Millichap, technical manager, Kingspan Insulation.
08/02/2012
A trip down memory lane
In 1971 the Green Man Lane estate was one of the newest and largest housing estates in Ealing, but by 2010 it had become a harsh concrete jungle, attracting gangs and anti-social behaviour and leaving many of its residents unsettled. Now this grey jungle is growing some new green roots, explains Mash Halai, head of regeneration and development, John Rowan & Partners.
11/01/2012
Refurb challenge
Denise Freeman, head of marketing at Sto, discusses how using External Wall Insulation Systems can address the big issue of inefficient housing stock.
07/12/2011
Hot topic
Installations of ground and air source heat pumps have risen dramatically over the last few years and this is set to continue, says Chris Dale, director, Danfoss Heat Pumps.
05/10/2011
Future vision
Wool, if it were to be invented tomorrow, would be hailed as an environmental super material, says Mark Lynn, commercial and technical director, Second Nature.
28/09/2011
Training is the future
The National Skills Academy For Environmental Technologies, the official event partner for this year’s InstallerLive (NEC, Birmingham, 16-19 October), will provide a platform for the renewables supply chain to meet and find out about renewable technologies, develop new skills, appreciate the training requirements and understand the new regulatory landscape we will be operating within.
07/09/2011
Simple measures
A review of insulation materials reveals that PIR provides a simple solution to constructing greener buildings, says Dale Kaszycki, marketing manager, EcoTherm Insulation (UK).
11/05/2011
Happy campus
Cathy Stewart, director for higher education, PRP Architects, examines whether the sustainability agenda is achievable within higher education in these times of austerity.
04/05/2011
Lino’s share
Julie Dempster, marketing manager, Forbo Flooring Systems, looks at the environmental benefits of linoleum.
23/03/2011
A twist of lime
Lime building products are experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to the durable and sustainable properties of hydraulic lime which make it viable for constructing new-build masonry homes. Richard Givens, lime technical sales manager, Tarmac Buxtom Lime looks at the key considerations when using lime mortars.
23/03/2011
Combined knowledge
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly, as well as being able to displace a proportion of Grid-supplied electricity with locally generated, lower carbon electricity. Paul Riding, head of innovation, Calor, discusses.
09/03/2011
Light fantastic
Paul Trace from Lumen Rooflight casts a light on the physical and psychological benefits of natural daylight.
09/03/2011
CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme - how do we achieve these targets?
Grant Bailey, sales & marketing director, UK & Europe, Thermal Energy International Inc, discusses the issues.
18/02/2011
Flexible friends
The development of environmentally proactive waterproof membrane systems represents the versatility required to help meet the various challenges presented to those planning and implementing urban regeneration schemes. Phil Singleton, product manager, Icopal, reports.
09/02/2011
Fantastic 4
Liverpool gets its first speculative office space with BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.
01/02/2011
Let the sunshine in
Redland’s Richard Hartley gives guidance on how to optimise photovoltaic power from your roof.
26/01/2011
Why the future is greener
Individual grasses in mixtures have a vital role to play in developing and maintaining a healthy landscape, whilst floral displays are vital for allowing the creation of mini-eco systems to encourage natural biodiversity within busy city and town environments
26/01/2011
Paving the way for sustainability
Consideration should be given to the sustainability credentials of the materials used between and around buildings, as well as to those used in the construction of those buildings. For precast concrete paving, the benefits are wide-ranging, says Colin Nessfield, secretary, Interpave.
17/01/2011
Feeling the heat
John Durbin, engineering department manager, Daikin UK, argues that ‘whole building thinking’, incorporating the use of heat recovery systems, can pave the way to meeting legislative demands on energy-efficiency and carbon reduction.
17/01/2011
Weather or not
Graham Fisher, business development director, CME Sanitary Systems, looks at how greywater management can help with meeting the requirements for a sustainable build, whatever the weather.
