Exhaust Air Heat Pumps – Considerations Before Specifying
Posted on May 31st 2024
Projects planning on using Exhaust Air Heat Pumps (EAHPs) should carefully review a number of technical and commercial factors prior to specification. Rushing to specify these systems without due consideration can result in unforeseen consequences for end-users, such as poor user experience, high costs, and uncomfortable summer temperatures. EAHPs present an attractive solution for projects where a heat network is …
New Technical Standards for Heat Networks
Posted on May 31st 2024
The new technical standards code for heat networks is scheduled to be launched in 2025 and will impose new obligations on heat networks, but the standards have not been consulted upon yet. The Heat Networks Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) consultation is expected be published in summer 2024 and will give heat network owners, developers, operators and customers the opportunity to …
Five Steps to Selecting The Best Technology For Your Projects
Posted on May 31st 2024
Developers are being faced with a range of emerging technologies and little guidance on which are best for their projects. Comparison is made difficult by a range of competing project variables and specifying the wrong technology could be detrimental to project performance. Here are five steps to ensuring that technology testing leads to the right results: Set the goal of …
Deconstruction over Demolition? – Questions You Should Consider
Posted on May 2nd 2024
Projects which pursue deconstruction activities over demolition need to carefully consider the practicalities of how materials and products can be reused. Not doing so can result in a failure to achieve targets, deliver on commitments made, or in extreme cases not obtain planning consent. If the built environment is to fully embrace the circular economy, deconstruction must become as prevalent …
Kidbrooke Village Phase 5 Building C – Planning Success
Posted on May 2nd 2024
Kidbrooke Village Phase 5 Building C has successfully secured planning approval for a material amendment under section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. The development forms part of a wider Kidbrooke Village regeneration project carried out by Berkeley Homes East Thames (BHET) adding 341 dwellings (mixed-tenure) to the area. We have assisted BHET with attaining consent for …
Condensation Analysis: Don’t Leave It Too Late!
Posted on May 2nd 2024
Condensation warranty conditions can pose a costly challenge if addressed too late in the design process. As condensation is a complex topic, the requirements range from providing detailed thermal models of window interfaces to check cold spots, to a simpler analysis of wall build-ups to check internal moisture build-up. In this context, it is essential that developers consider any warranty …
Energy Ombudsman set to resolve Heat Network customer complaints
Posted on May 2nd 2024
Heat Networks must register with the Energy Ombudsman (EO) who is mandated to run the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme dealing with customer complaints. This registration is expected to be automatic from 2025 when Heat Network regulations come into effect. Until then, there are two ways to get onto the scheme. Firstly, following a customer complaint relating to pass-through of …
BRE Increase Fees
Posted on March 27th 2024
The BRE have announced an increase in BREEAM/HQM fees for all projects registered on or after 1st April 2024. The increase in fees will affect all aspects of the BREEAM/HQM process including registration, certification and fast track certification. Whilst understanding the necessity for adjustments in fees to sustain operational costs, it’s disheartening to learn about the upcoming increase in BREEAM/HQM …
December’s Ministerial Statement Ineffectual Against Tightening Planning Energy Targets
Posted on March 27th 2024
Developers should assume that local authorities will be able to by-pass the 13/12/2023 Ministerial Statement and apply energy standards that go beyond Building Regulations compliance. Confusion has arisen from the Statement, given by Minister of State for Housing Lee Rowley, in which it was declared that ‘Government does not expect plan-makers to set local energy efficiency standards for buildings that …
Heat Pump Refrigerants vs Application
Posted on March 27th 2024
As heat pumps become the generally preferred source of low carbon heat on developments with heat networks, the type of heat pump selected will be crucial for the success of the project. One of the key differences between them is the refrigerant used. There are various types of refrigerants, from natural to synthetic. Typically used in the context of heat …