Story

Against the backdrop of mounting legislation, Government stimulus, fuel price hikes and a more ‘eco aware’ consumer, recent years have seen an increasing gravitation towards sustainability with businesses and homeowners alike. This means there are endless opportunities for the contractor in the know. Here, Peter Elliot, commercial director at Newey & Eyre, advises why contractors should embrace the lucrative green scene.

Energy efficiency is one of the biggest challenges to the modern world. According to the latest report by World Energy Outlook, global energy demand will increase by 37 per cent by 2040 as developing countries like China and India seek to fuel their rapid economic growth. However, climate specialists suggest that carbon emissions must be halved in order to avoid serious climate change effects. Clearly then, the current situation is not sustainable and economies around the world are under increasing pressure to take action.

The UK’s response has been a firm one. As the first country to set legally binding carbon budgets, the Government has committed to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent or more by 2050. This is seen in a raft of legislation; the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), the Green Investment bank, SAP, the Code for Sustainable Homes and more.

In addition, there are also plenty of Government initiatives making a compelling case for going green; The Green Deal, the RHI, Enhanced Capital Allowance, the roll out of smart meters, subsidies for electric vehicles, to name but a few.

However, it isn’t just about the legislative aspect; there is also the financial benefit. As we all know, energy prices are continuing to escalate. According to a recent report by Which, consumers are now paying an average of £410 more a year for energy compared with a decade ago, despite using significantly less. The result is that the case for going green is becoming an ever more attractive proposition for both consumers and businesses looking to safeguard against inevitable further price hikes.

Adding to the appeal, the dramatic reduction in the payback period of green technologies is making it more affordable for all.  With LED, for example, long payback periods previously created a barrier to adoption, whereas the latest generation of LEDs are more comparative in cost to traditional options. Payback periods of less than 2 years are now achievable in certain applications and the cost of energy efficient technology is also reducing in heating and ventilation products, with other sectors beginning to follow suit.

Unsurprisingly then, recent years have seen a gradual yet marked shift in gravitation towards sustainable products and practices. Through an increased awareness of the inherent long term benefits of energy-efficient technologies, commercial and domestic users alike are becoming more willing to invest in such products in order to reap the financial savings and future proof their property.

And so the role of the modern electrician is transforming; it is no longer a case of simply doing the job in hand, consumers are seeking energy advisors who can provide informed advice on how to make the most of their energy.

If, however, electrical contractors are looking to differentiate themselves and tap into this burgeoning green opportunity, being proactive is key. They need to go outside the traditional remit and position themselves as energy experts in order to secure a competitive advantage and this alternative revenue stream.

Here, it’s important that contractors remain fully informed on the latest legislation and most advanced solutions, so that they can not only advise and supply their customers with the right products, but also be skilled on the installation of these new technologies. Although this isn’t something that will result in instant results, adapting business approach and embracing a willingness to learn will ultimately ensure contractors are leaders within the field.

Plus, the good news is help is at hand. Newey & Eyre, for example, recently partnered with JTL to provide sessions at nineteen branches on apprenticeship developments across the country.

There are also many further options available to businesses such as internal schemes with mentors, industry associations and government backed initiatives like the National Skills Academies.  Manufacturers have also developed training programmes to help support both their own employees and the wider industry.

In addition, installers can always ask for advice at their local trade counter, with branches of Newey & Eyre being able to provide all the latest updates on the world’s leading suppliers – as well as free technical literature to take on the go. Better still, as Newey & Eyre is a wholesaler, installers can rest assured of an unbiased recommendation (drawn from a comprehensive overview of the market) every time.

There’s no question about it – the world is becoming greener. Indeed, this may mean more legislation and technological advancements for the installer to get to grips with, but the good news is that there are many financial benefits to be had. For the shrewd installer then, the recommendation is to adopt a new way of thinking on sustainability and adapt their business model accordingly. In that way, they can ensure they remain one step ahead of competition.

Visit neweysnews.co.uk to get the latest news and product information from Newey & Eyre. Alternatively, please call 0800 783 6909 or call into any local branch.

View Newey & Eyre's profile:

Story

The KNX UK Association members voted Theben’s AMUN 716 air quality sensor, which measures CO2, temperature and humidity as Product of the Year for 2008. The announcement was made at the Associations AGM and the award was presented to Stephen Payne, Theben’s KNX UK Sales Manager (pictured right) by Association president Iain Gordon.

Theben KNX products are marketed in the UK by its subsidiary company Timeguard Limited and details of the company’s KNX range are available at www.timeguard.com.

KNX is the world’s only approved open-source building control standard and puts the intelligence into intelligent buildings. It enables the integration of KNX-compatible products, which are available from a wide range of manufacturers. Programming and control is achieved using a single software tool. KNX products are all thoroughly tested for compliance, ensuring they operate seamlessly together on a single network.

The KNX (UK) Association has been formed by a partnership of UK manufacturers, integrators and training establishments along with other interested parties to promote the KNX standard within the UK.

KNX-compliant products available for control of:

• Lighting
• HVAC
• Blinds
• Audio visual systems
• Household appliances
• Energy Management and much more
• The Theben air quality sensor

Theben, one of Europe’s leading proponents of the KNX standard, has introduced a unique wall mounted sensor that monitors carbon CO2, temperature and humidity, to enable building managers to manage air quality. The AMUN716 KNX will be especially useful in conference and meeting rooms, classrooms, low-energy homes and conservatories.

Thresholds for each of the three parameters – CO2 levels, humidity and temperature – can be managed separately using KNX building control software.

Other equipment on the KNX bus can be switched if thresholds are either exceeded or not reached, as appropriate. The Theben sensor therefore gives building managers full flexibility in optimising room environments by controlling ventilators, heaters, automatic window openers etc. Theben also offers KNX fan coil actuators for HVAC control.

Theben believes this to be the only sensor measuring CO2 with a KNX bus terminal. It is widely recognised that concentration can waver when CO2 levels reach of just 0.1% (1000ppm). With fresh air containing 0.35% CO2 and exhaled air carrying 4%, ambient levels in busy or closed room can quickly reach levels where concentration fades.

For more information visit www.timeguard.com or email Stephen Payne at

View Timeguard's profile:

Story

Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading international materials company, Saint-Gobain, has further demonstrated its environmental commitment through several major investments at Holwell, near Melton Mowbray, including one which has seen CO2 emissions from its cupola furnace – the biggest of its kind in the UK – fall dramatically.

The previous installation of a dry bag filter system has meant particulate emissions have been reduced by 99 per cent from the cupola furnace. As a result, emissions are now less than 0.3kg per tonne of castings, while the company has reduced site water use by 63 per cent and electricity by 9 per cent, and completely eliminated the use of caustic soda previously employed for cleaning the wet filtration system. The move also brings a reduced risk to permitted drainage discharge points.

A second substantial investment has been the installation of a heat exchanger to recover waste heat from combustion gases. The energy regained by the heat exchanger will be used to re-heat input air to the furnace, resulting in an annual saving of 2,200 tonnes of CO2. A new control system has also been established at Holwell, which will facilitate both the cupola furnace’s filter system and the new heat exchanger.

Paul Minchin, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain PAM UK, added: “It is important to us that we continue to invest in measures that will put environmental savings at the forefront of business. The investment in the cupola furnace’s new filtration and heat recovery system has reduced CO2 emissions enormously, and is just one example of our business ethos, which has minimising our environmental impact at its heart. These measures will pave the way for further developments in optimising energy use, reducing gas consumption, use of low level waste heat and the recycling of collected particulates.

“The investment also shows our commitment to maintaining a UK manufacturing base, with our site near Melton Mowbray providing a truly local service to UK customers, removing the supply chain delays which can occur with imported products.”

For further information visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk/access-press.

Pictured in front of the cupola: project team members (left to right) Richard Brown, John Mcleod, Tim Benton

View PAM Building's profile:

Story

Evinox has recently announced the launch of their next generation range of ModuSat Heat Interface Units for communal / district heating systems, designed and developed internally and manufactured in our new production facility.

Building on the success of the existing ModuSat, the new range includes floor standing units with 80, 150, 200, 300 & 400 litre integrated hot water tanks, single & twin plate instantaneous units and units that provide combined heating and cooling. The comprehensive range of Modusat HIU's provide a solution for all sizes and types of property €“ from social housing apartments to luxury homes.

Drawing on more than 12 years of experience in the communal heating market, Evinox have implemented a number of enhancements to create a product that is simple to install and use, and includes smart technology to provide additional functionality.

ModuSat product enhancements include €“

• Circulation pump up-graded to Wilo PWM – Provides compliance with 2015 pump efficiency regulations.
• Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV) now used €“ this eliminates the requirement for 3 separate valves for the regulation of differential pressure, flow and heat energy.
• New, improved and intuitive ViewSmart Room Controller with an optional ENE3 compliant model €“ provides 2 credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes.
• Ready to control 2 heating zones for 2010 Building Regulations.
• New control board that will work with TCP/IP and provides operation of up to three heating circuits.
• Inbuilt PaySmart pre-payment technology can be activated remotely – no requirement for any additional externally mounted equipment.
• Hot water blending valve for additional DHW temperature safety.
• Wireless RS485 module provides connection remotely without the requirement of a Bus network.
• Storage unit now built with unvented kit built inside the unit case, which simplifies installation and reduces the space requirement.
• In-built Non Return Valve on the return Prevents incorrect pipework connection.

Evinox combines the expertise and independence to deliver lifetime communal heating packages for any project brief. We provide a complete Communal Heating solution including Central Plant Room Equipment, Modusat Heat Interface Units Service and Maintenance Packages and Energy Metering, Billing and Remote Surveillance.

For further information please visit www.evinox.co.uk, contact us on 01372 722277 or email info@evinox.co.uk

View Evinox's profile:

Story

British Gas (the UK’s leading supplier of services to energy customers) has recently started using Hep2O plastic systems alongside, or instead of Copper for installations. This now means that British Gas’s network of around 10,000+ engineers and the many thousands of heating projects they install and maintain each year, will be able to benefit from Hep2O’s multiple advantages in both installation and use.

For installers, the product is quick, simple and safe to use and is backed by an industry-leading 50-year guarantee, a UK-wide distribution network and comprehensive technical support. The customer benefits from a product that will never be compromised by either scale or corrosion and is quieter in use than more traditional equivalents.

Gareth Samuel, Wavin Product Manager Comments “British Gas went through a rigorous process in selecting a plastic system, and by adding Hep2O to their approved products they are giving installers the choice to select the most appropriate product for the installation.”

Gareth adds “We are delighted to be involved with British Gas and will be working with their training academies to show installers how to maximise the benefits of the system, and save valuable time on their installations”

Another major innovation incorporated into this product is In4Sure™ joint recognition and HepKey™ secure demounting.

Developed to give installers a fool-proof means to test that a joint is secure, the In4Sure™ ‘joint recognition’ technology allows the user to simply push in the pipe and twist so they can ‘feel the rumble’. The profiled end of the re-designed SmartSleeve™ interacts with castellations inside the Hep2O fitting to know that they have made a fully secure connection.

The HepKey™ demounting system allows the system to be adjustable but secure, so that pipes can be released easily and quickly as the HepKey Plus™ releases the grab-ring within the fitting allowing removal of the pipe from the otherwise tamperproof joint; while the smaller pocket size HepKey™ provides a handy pocket-size alternative. Hep2O pipes and fittings are available in four diameters: 10, 15, 22 and 28mm.

View Hep20's profile:

Story

Following the runaway success of the Timeguard Vision range of outdoor switches and sockets, with their crystal-clear see-through covers, Timeguard has introduced a sister range with opaque covers, known as “Weathersafe Extreme”.

With IP66 ratings, the Weathersafe Extreme products are as stylish as their Vision counterparts, and they share the same patented neoprene seals and covers that are easy to click open and shut, which all adds up to long life and reliability. Trade prices are competitive with the older original Weathersafe.

View Timeguard's profile:

Story

Following hard on the heels of the recent launch of its new QI electric shower range and its new Expressions shower tray range with the hidden wastes, leading bathroom and shower manufacturer MX Group has unveiled its latest offering to the bathroom sector, an impressive new range of thermostatic mixer shower valves offering its usual combination of incredible quality, great looking product, excellent warranties and keen pricing.
So confident are MX of the quality of their new Thermostatic Mixer Showers, that they offer a three or five year guarantee on their Atmos range of valves. All materials used in these products are WRAS approved and Phthalate free where applicable.

There are 22 showering choices in the Atmos and Options ranges with most Atmos options complying with TMV2 regulations.

The Atmos range includes ‘The MX Atmos Edge’ with the very latest in contemporary design & performance. A perfect choice for those wishing to install a concealed valve which fits flush to the wall. The valve incorporates separate temperature controls. With its minimalistic look it has the ability to transform the style of a bathroom.

The introduction of MX’s Cool Touch technology is an advanced Anti-Scald Design, another added safety benefit. This is achieved by routing the cold water along the whole length of the Mixer Valve before mixing with the hot water for the desired temperature. It’s a simple idea that works and provides added safety to the product.

Many of the new range feature fully adjustable riser rails which make them ideal for new build or replacement shower projects for residential opportunities or social housing shower replacement programmes.

The stylish design of the MX Atmos Azure compliments the overall valve performance of this modern looking shower. Together with the large overhead and multi-mode handset, it captures the essence of an invigorating shower. Suitable for high and low pressure systems, the new range offers simple shower options with fixed head showers and handheld shower heads, with an efficient diverter valve to allow the user to select the shower they want.

Group Marketing Manager Sasha Davies says: “The new Atmos and Options thermostatic shower and shower valve ranges offer something for everyone with concealed and exposed valve options, brass valves throughout, and a range of looks that will match or complement the décor of every bathroom and wet room – whether looking for a modern or contemporary feel.”

Full details of the new ranges can be found at the excellent MX web site at www.mx-group.com, by calling 01684 293311 or by emailing sales@mx-group.com and asking for a brochure.

View MX Group's profile:

Story

Established across mainland Europe as a source of innovative controllers enabling KNX engineers to make best use of the open protocol to design more intelligent buildings, Theben is making its products and technical support services more easily available in the UK through it’s London-based daughter company Timeguard Ltd.

The flagship square detection fields of the Compact Office ceiling-mounted presence detectors have been chosen for major UK infrastructure projects, where there is a need to achieve energy efficiency while catering for flexible and often unpredictable working patterns.

The square pattern of the detectors gives full coverage without overlap, so reducing the total number of detectors needed and making planning a lot more straightforward. With two outputs, these controllers can be used to control two lighting groups, either switching lights on and of or maintaining constant lighting levels. Master-slave configurations give designers maximum flexibility in planning detection areas and lighting zones.

The features packed into the stylishly-designed Compact Office detectors belie its small size: maximum dimensions of the installed product are 102.5 mm^2^, mounted on a 70mm^2^ assembly plate.

An additional benefit of these detectors is their ability to make allowance for users’ behaviour, within pre-set KNX-programmed parameters, to avoid unnecessary on/off switching which, when energy saving lighting is fitted can be counter-productive.

For more information visit www.timeguard.com, email stephen.payne@timeguard.com or call 020 8452 1112.

View Timeguard's profile:

Story

The newly launched Haus Profi® range of lead-free flashings has been designed to seal gas, oil and wood burner flues of all diameters on any type of roof. Products can also be used for any traditional abutment and pitch transition work, for conservatory roofs and to seal penetrations made for cables. Wakaflex® and EasyFlash® can be stretched and shaped without using lead forming tools, enabling them to be used at tight angles and with deeply profiled tiles such as Double Roman and Bold Roll. Cut by knife or scissors and installed without the need for skilled labour, self-adhesive butyl backings retain their high bond strength and can be used at low working temperatures on most dry surfaces without priming.

Sabetoflex® and Wakaflex® provide a long awaited and simple means of sealing flues on plain tile and other double-lapped roofs. This otherwise difficult task can be undertaken without employing a specialist roofer so the job can be done more quickly and at far lower cost.

Police crime statistics reveal that over 67,000 incidences of metal theft were recorded in 2012 and 61,000 in 2013. However, both years’ statistics understate the true extent of the problem as many police forces in England and Wales were still not recording incidences specifically as metal theft. Estimates of the likely total vary from 110,000 to 125,000 but Ecclesiastical Insurance, the UK’s leading church insurer, had at the time received more than 9,000 claims worth over £25m.

For those faced with the crippling financial consequences of lead theft, this is unlikely to be a short-term problem. English Heritage has described the situation as one in which there is ‘an epidemic of lead theft from church buildings’ so much so that it says ‘In some circumstances like-for-like replacement following a lead theft is not prudent’. It commissioned research by Newcastle University, Loughborough University and the Council of British Archaeology into the scale of the threat of heritage crime in England. Conclusions were that:

• An estimated 18.7% of all listed buildings were affected by crime in 2013
• The biggest single threat of theft and damage to a building is metal theft and the most threatened type of building is a church
• Over 70,000 buildings were affected by crime in 2013, almost 30,000 of which suffered ‘substantial impact’
• Around three in eight churches or other religious buildings were damaged by crime in 2013
• Thieves often target lead flashings around chimneys and abutment details ripping off roof tiles and causing damage to the roof which has severe implications in terms of the structure as a whole
• A number of councils are taking steps to tackle the problem by using non-metallic alternatives

Unlike lead, Haus Profi products do not suffer from cold working fatigue so weather is unlikely to prevent a repair taking place.

While it is acknowledged that regulations will require that some buildings have like-for-like replacement following lead theft, Wakaflex and EasyFlash, however, offer a solution for a large proportion of buildings. Wakaflex is BBA certified (14/5103) and offers excellent colour fastness and retained flexibility. As with EasyFlash, colours are available to match the chosen tile or slate, enabling an unobtrusive finish to be provided. Materials pose no risk to potable water and, in the event of run-off, will not cause staining.

View Haus Profi's profile:

Story

Hidden waste system adds to stylish looks

The UK's leading shower tray manufacturer MX Group has launched its latest shower tray range into the marketplace. The 'Expressions' range has been designed to provide the maximum showering area, incorporating a discreet, hidden waste system, yet the trays drain via a standard shower waste.

The level waste design incorporates a standard waste outlet and allows easy access to clean, maintain and service without the need for an expensive gully waste system. The new range features an acrylic ABS finish, and weighs in at 40% lighter than a high wall stone resin shower tray. As with all the MX product ranges, it's quick and easy to install and it's made with WRAS approved Phthalate free materials. It features a contoured underside for ease of leg location on raised shower tray installations.

The Expressions shower tray range is available in a range of popular shapes and sizes, making it an extremely attractive, yet highly practical shower tray design for the bathroom.

MX Group Marketing Manager Sasha Davies says it's an exceptional addition to the already impressive range of shower trays from the leading manufacturer: “The design of this new range along with the hidden Hi-Flow waste, allows more than 28 litres per minute drainage. That's impressive by any standards, especially as it drains to a standard waste. It's been cleverly designed to offer all the demands put upon a shower tray these days.”

Requests for the new shower tray brochure which includes all the information you could want for the Expressions range as well as the other ranges available from MX, can be obtained by visiting the impressive MX web site at www.mx-group.com, by emailing sales@mx-group.com or by calling them on 01684 293311.

View MX Group's profile: