FUTURE Designs introduces carbon careful™ – a review of its commitment to the circular economy over the last 12 years

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FUTURE designs has pioneered the refurbishment and upgrading of existing luminaires and carcasses for over 12 years. Taking existing FUTURE Designs products and those of competitors, FUTURE Designs has renewed the luminaires with latest LED technology transforming them into highly efficient and carbon saving solutions, extending the lifespan and drastically reducing carbon usage and overall costs. 

David Clements, FUTURE Designs Chief Executive explains: “The carbon careful™ initiative could be described as our “best kept secret”, as a hugely efficient design and manufacturing business we have always endeavoured to keep waste to a minimum, and now as the world is faced with a growing necessity to Refurbish, Reuse and Restore wherever feasible,  we are sharing our story and expertise to encourage more organisations to follow suit.” 

The carbon careful™ book showcases a range of examples from leading blue-chip organisations, highlighting FUTURE Designs proficiency, capability and commitment to the refurbishment of existing luminaire carcasses to increase the sustainability of commercial premises.

LED has been the lighting medium of choice for over ten years now but there are still millions of old fluorescent fittings being used to illuminate space. By switching to LED, energy and carbon usage can be reduced by circa 50%, coupled with the reuse of mild steel and aluminium, the savings are significant.

LED has a far greater lifespan, and its ‘solid state’ makes it easier to dispose of, without the risk of harmful gases such as mercury found in fluorescent lamps making it better for the environment. 

FUTURE Designs is always at the forefront of any technological breakthrough, renowned for our expertise in this area of lighting science and have proven to be the experts in adapting old fluorescent lighting to state-of-the art lighting, ensuring that the benefits from the reduced impact on the environment are fully realised.

The full book can be viewed here: https://www.futuredesigns.co.uk/carbon-careful/

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World-famous art protected by Condair humidifiers

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Two Condair RS steam humidifiers have recently been installed, by Ceilite Air Conditioning, at the prestigious Henry Moore Foundation in Hertfordshire. Henry Moore was a renowned artist, best known for his figure sculptures. The Henry Moore Foundation is a charity founded by the artist later in his life, to educate and promote fine art. Its Hertfordshire headquarters houses many works of art that need consistent environmental control for their protection and preservation.

Accurate humidity control within the range of 40 to 60% maintains the integrity of the valuable exhibits. Previous experience of the reliability of Condair’s humidifiers at Henry Moore’s studios meant the leading specialist in humidification was again first choice when the time came to enhance its humidity control.

Tim Cheshire, Ceilite’s Applications Engineer Technical Manager, said: “We required an efficient and effective method of humidification that could safely raise relative humidity (RH) in a large archive store for priceless artwork – vital requirements that were successfully met by Condair. There were some challenges posed by the space to work in and the infrastructure of the building, but the excellent installation team overcame the issues without any complaint. Would I specify Condair’s humidifiers again? Yes, without hesitation.”

The previous humidity control strategy employed evaporative humidifiers at the world-famous site in Perry Green. However, the archive store required a closer level of humidity control than is possible with an evaporative system so the Condair RS was specified in consultation with the M&E consultant, Harley Haddow. The Condair RS is a resistive steam humidifier capable of providing ±5%RH control when operated on regular mains water and ±2% with RO water.

The two air-handling units serving the archive storage area are located externally to the main building, so Condair supplied its Condair RS OC models that have IP55-rated cabinets. Rather than install standard humidifiers in protective housing, the Condair RS OC has a purpose-built, weatherproof and temperature controlled case. This means it takes up much less room and is easier to install. The outdoor humidifiers are the most compact in the industry with the smallest footprint and incorporate lifting handles to make on-site transportation easier.

 

Henry Moore (1898-1986) was one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century and arguably, the most internationally celebrated sculptor of the period. His works typically depict reclining figures or a mother and child, and tended to contain pierced or hollow spaces. Alongside sculptures, Moore produced many drawings and other graphic work on paper. Each year the Henry Moore Foundation welcomes thousands of visitors to the studios and gardens in Perry Green to view the famous sculptor’s work.

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidification, dehumidification and evaporative cooling, with technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. The company offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

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New Saniflo campaign wins praise

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It can be quite hard to get excited about a macerator. To most people, it’s just a white box that pumps away black water waste from a WC. Saniflo – the original inventor and leading manufacturer of the humble macerator – is dispelling this belief with its new, striking advertising campaign designed to stimulate ideas and boost sales for trade customers.

Saniflo emphasizes that when you consider the possibilities that a small white box affords, it can open up a whole new mindset to converting unused spaces:

  • Bathroom in an unused attic? It’s possible with a Saniflo.
  • Laundry in a cellar? Also, possible.
  • En-suite in the loft? A breeze.

The point is that when gravity drainage isn’t an option, a Saniflo usually is. So, for domestic and commercial customers this new, striking advertising campaign might just be the nudge they need to grasp what’s possible.

Ann Boardman is Head of Marketing and Product Management at Saniflo and was responsible for overseeing the concept. To test the idea, the graphics were used at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC In Birmingham.

Ann says: “The new advertising campaign is a step in a different direction for us, as we really wanted to challenge perceptions and stimulate customers’ ideas of how to transform their spare spaces. We know what a Saniflo can help achieve, but we wanted to convey this to customers in a visually appealing manner. Feedback at the show absolutely vindicated the change and we are now rolling out the ads in the press, on social media and on future show stands and we encourage our customers to watch out for the ads and share them with their customers.”

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New service engineer at Condair

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Humidity and evaporative cooling specialist Condair, has employed Paul Threlfell, as a service engineer covering Scotland and the North of England. Paul is F-Gas and IOSSH accredited and has over 25 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, having worked for companies such as Hussmann Refrigeration, City Refrigeration, Russell Air Conditioning, Scotia Energy Saving Systems/ID Scotia and Linaker.

Tony Tullett, Service Director at Condair, commented, “I’m very happy to have Paul join the Condair Service Team. Being based in Edinburgh, he is perfectly positioned to support our customers across Scotland. Paul is a very experienced engineer in our sector and has dealt with many different types of HVAC system. His F-Gas accreditation is a great benefit, as we service not only humidifiers but also refrigerant-based dehumidifiers, so he can really hit the ground running. In fact, we’ve already had some lovely positive feedback from customers he’s visited, so we are sure Paul will be an invaluable asset to our team.”

Condair’s service department provides the manufacturer’s engineering expertise on-site, supporting the complete range of Condair humidifiers and dehumidifiers, as well as many other humidification systems. Condair has the largest specialist humidity control engineering team in the UK, with 21 engineers strategically located across the UK and Ireland to provide nationwide coverage.

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidity control and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair Limited, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

 

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Crittall’s T60 windows meet Oxford challenge

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A new building in the grounds of historic Trinity College, Oxford, illustrates how 21st Century environmental performance can be married seamlessly with traditional aesthetic requirements.

Crittall’ s T60 thermally broken steel windows make a major contribution to the Levine Building’s sustainability credentials.

The new buildings have been designed by ADAM Architecture in what is described as a restrained classical manner to augment the distinctive character of the surrounding conservation area that includes listed structures. It is the first major building project to have taken place at Trinity College for more than 50 years.

A theatre seating 200 people, study bedrooms for students, teaching rooms,  kitchens and ancillary space have been created in the new three-storey building whose stone-faced elevations have been finished in honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement its heritage setting. The building also features a pitched, slate covered roof.

The T60 windows are set within stone surrounds and finished in an attractive bronze coloured Duralife polyester powder coating. Many are fitted with trickle ventilation. Triple glass is installed in the windows of the theatre auditorium for improved sound attenuation. T60 features an advanced high-density polyurethane isolator as a thermal barrier that together with double or triple glazing surpasses the requirements of current regulations.

The cold formed steel profiles nevertheless retain Crittall’ s hallmark slender sightlines that ensure maximum light ingress. The Levine Building project also features cold form doors and internal fire screens on ground and first floors.

 

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