Story

The Ecodan® range of air source heat pump products from Mitsubishi Electric has received further recognition for its energy saving potential by securing the ‘Technology Award’ at the prestigious EI Awards 2008.

The Awards, organised by the Energy Institute, acknowledge the contribution that energy professionals make on a daily basis and whose achievements stretch the boundaries of excellence and commitment to their work.

“We are especially delighted to have received this recognition for Ecodan because we were shortlisted against household names in the energy industry with their own worthy projects,” explained John Kellett, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Department who collected the award from British Olympic athlete Roger Black MBE.

The EI Awards, which were presented at the Sheraton Hotel in London’s prestigious Park Lane, are organised to promote the safe, environmentally responsible and efficient supply and use of energy in all its forms and applications. The Energy Institute is the leading chartered professional membership body for those studying and working in energy.

View Mitsubishi Electric's profile:

Story

View Twinfix's profile:

Story

Space Airconditioning plc, the UK’s only independent distributor of Daikin Products, has been awarded the environmental accreditation ISO 14001:2004.

Mike Nankivell – Marketing and Business Development Manager for the Guildford based company, said,

“I am delighted to announce that Space Airconditioning plc has been successful in securing its ISO 14001:2004 registration certification (No. EN 1310) – applicable to: “The Distribution of Air Conditioning Equipment and Manufacture of Ancillary Components”.

“We believe this important achievement, relatively rare in our industry sector, is an effective measure of Space Air’s ongoing commitment to the protection of our environment – not only by providing the best possible services in terms of applying, supplying and supporting the most energy efficient Daikin based air conditioning, heat pump and heat recovery technology solutions for our customers, but also in the administration of our in-house environmental management systems, standards and procedures”.

Space Air is aready an ISO 9001:2000 registered firm and is currently undergoing assessment for the Investor in People standard.

View Space Air's profile:

Story

The demand for a slim, stylish fluorescent pendant for offices and schools is fully met by Thorn’s new Sienna luminaire. For all its compact size, the Sienna packs a punch. Two miniaturised reflectors deliver an LOR of 80 per cent. Moreover, the balanced indirect/direct lighting meets EN12464-1, eliminates sharp shadows from the working surface, enhances the volume of the space and models human features.

The result is a more uplifting atmosphere, which increases visual comfort. And it has efficiency as well – twin T5 lamps (28W – 54W) and intelligent lighting control – Sensa versions are available with an integral detector which responds to presence and daylight

View Thorn Lighting's profile:

Story

At ‘Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle’, 12th, 13th, 14th May 2009, the UK, European and world leader in mini excavators will again provide a unique ‘hands on’ opportunity for customers to put the complete market leading range of Kubota machines through their paces.

Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment Division will be showcasing their extensive range of best selling mini excavators – the widest selection of machines from a single manufacturer, comprising 19 base models from 0.85kg to 8 tonnes and including the largest choice of highly versatile zero tail swing models – together with the class-leading RTV900 all-terrain utility vehicle, alongside a comprehensive selection of market leading compact/agricultural tractors and ride-on mowers from Kubota’s Tractor & Groundcare Division.

Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle takes place at Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 8TH, just two miles from the entrance to SED (The National Event For Construction), from Tuesday 12th – Thursday 14th May 2009 inclusive.

No ticket or invitation is required, just turn up on the day that suits you best, and the extended opening times (8.00am – 6.30pm) compared to SED will enable visitors to call in on their way to or from the show, or they can choose to make a complete day of it at Rockingham Castle.

Visitors will be able to put their selected Kubota mini excavators, tractors and mowers to the test on the extensive demo areas, as well as experiencing the exceptional performance of the RTV900 all-terrain utility vehicle on the challenging 4×4 off-road driving course.

Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment Division Sales & Marketing Manager, Richard Harrison, said: “Our inaugural ‘Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle’ event in 2008 was a resounding success and despite the current economic downturn in the construction equipment sector we had no hesitation in returning this year  when we are celebrating 30 years in the UK and Ireland market”.
“The event offers a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see equipment demonstrations and to take a close look and personally test drive models from across the entire Kubota range, in an informal and relaxed atmosphere – something rarely possible at traditional trade shows”.
“And with its convenient timing and a superb location and facilities, including free car parking and complimentary refreshments, it’s definitely an event not to be missed”.

Kubota mini excavators have a legendary reputation for quality, performance, reliability, versatility, excellent residual values and outstanding value-for-money, making them ideal for many different applications and end-users; from building, construction, civil engineering, quarrying, demolition, recycling and landscaping, to plant hire companies, amenities, utilities and owner operators.

All machines feature the unique Kubota E-TVCS (Three Vortex Combustion System) engines, which enable high energy output, low vibration and economic fuel consumption, whilst minimising exhaust emissions.

In the UK and Ireland, all new Kubota mini excavators, from 1.5 tonnes upwards, now feature their unique upgraded ‘ANTI-THEFT PLUS’ security system, the first and still the only one of its kind fitted as standard equipment by an excavator manufacturer.

This security system has also gained the certification of Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, and is recognised by insurers which should result in substantial discounts on premiums for users of Kubota minis.

Kubota also again outstripped its competitors with the announcement that all new mini excavators in the UK and Ireland now carry a full 3 year warranty as standard.  The new 3 year (3,000 hours) warranty applies to all models across the entire Kubota range.  Typically most other manufacturers currently offer a maximum 2 year standard warranty period.

A national network of specialist dealers provides the highest standards of advice and aftersales service.

View Kubota's profile:

Story

JS Air Curtains has supplied and installed six air curtains above the doors of the University College Hospital in London. Sets of two 1.5m stainless steel air curtains and a 2.5m curved air curtain were installed above identical doorways at both the Euston Road and Beaumont Place entrances to the hospital.

A curved RotoWind air curtain was used to protect against draughts coming through the hospital’s double curved sliding doors. Both doorways automatically open in turn as someone walks through the entrance, providing a double seal to the doorway. However, at busy times both doors can be open at once so the air curtain creates a barrier of air across the internal doorway, preventing cold air from entering the hospital.

The RotoWind air curtain is bespoke for the curved angle of the doorway and incorporates an electric heater with an output of up to 32kW and low noise centrifugal double inlet fans providing up to 6,475m3/h airflow.

The RotoWind air curtain can also be used with revolving doors and is available in any RAL colour with electric or low pressure hot water heating and air only models. Three formats are offered with different mounting options. The motor housing can be mounted above the doorway with the semi-circular outlets blowing inside the door’s aperture. Another model is mounted above the door blowing on the room-side of the inner door opening and a third has its entire motor housing mounted room-side and blows around the room-side of the doorway.

The two air curtains mounted above the swing doors to the sides of the hospital’s large circular entrance have an attractive round design and stainless steel construction. Both are 1.5m in length and incorporate electric heaters capable of delivering up to 22.5kW of heat and low noise fans providing up to 3,700m3/h of airflow.

This type of designer stainless steel air curtain can suspended horizontally above a door or stood on its end and positioned to the side. It can be fitted with many different mounting or suspension options including round goal post-like supports that can attach to a wall, ceiling or stand on the floor. It can also be suspended with chains or poles to tie-in with the architecture of an entrance.

JS Air Curtains supplies an extensive range of air curtains, as well as bespoke solutions, for all commercial and industrial applications. JS’ in-house project management division also provides a smooth, hassle-free installation service that walks the customer through from design specification to post-installed product training.

View JS Air Curtains's profile:

Story

View Laidlaw's profile:

Story

On 17 December 2008, the European Parliament adopted the EU Directive on promoting the use of energy from renewable sources. For the first time however, in addition to geothermal energy, aero thermal and hydrothermal energy are also recognised as renewable energy sources. The Directive, which should be adopted by each member state, opens up a major opportunity for the increased use of Daikin air, ground and water source heat pumps.

EU Directive to boost heat pump promotion

With the recognition by the EU of outside air, ground and (surface, lake or well) water as renewable energy sources, much is expected of member states’ promotion of heat pump technologies using these sources. The Directive text indeed implies that member states shall promote heat pumps in much the same way as they have for solar and wind energy.

Some member states have not yet recognised that air and water can be ideal for low carbon home heating. This Directive encourages them to support related technologies and to help achieve EU energy objectives. Heat pumps are already popular in countries such as France, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden. In some cases, this is due to tax incentives (France and Ireland). In others, a lack of oil or environmental awareness on the part of the government has led to increased attention afforded to heat pumps. Around 70% of all newly built houses in Switzerland are equipped with heat pumps and Norway and Sweden actively promote heat pumps for environmental preservation reasons.

Daikin heat pumps contribute to EU 20/20/20 objectives

The urgency of EU 20/20/20 objectives – reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energy by 20%, all by 2020 – and the fact that heat pumps can contribute directly to meeting these ambitious objectives, present a major opportunity for heat pumps. With 60 years’ experience in heat pumps, Daikin Europe is confident it can contribute to help meet these objectives. The company is therefore, well pleased by the adoption of the Directive and will step up its efforts to make its heat pumps even more energy efficient. Backed by the commercial success of heat pumps in France, the adoption of the Directive plus the urgency of meeting EU energy objectives, other member states should certainly be encouraged to enhance awareness concerning heat pumps.

In the UK, the government’s “Sustainable Energy and Climate Change” bill and Part L.1a building regulations “Conservation of Fuel and Power” have already contributed significantly to a sharp increase in sales of the Daikin Altherma air to water heat pump system. Nevertheless, the new Directive will certainly drive this increase to even greater heights. The low carbon emission characteristics, readily accessible heat source, good low ambient performance and the potential to reduce valuable energy input by up to 80% present a compelling argument for the wider use of Altherma in UK residential applications.

Heat pumps will boost the low carbon heating market

Although the share of heat pumps in the total heating market has not yet reached double digit figures, its enormous potential and the incentive programmes to be expected following the adoption of the Directive will undoubtedly lead to increased market share.

View Daikin's profile:

Story

Hospitals are missing the key sources of MRSA infection by focusing on obvious “dirty” areas, an expert has claimed. Instead, cleaning should be targeted on “hand touch” sites in wards, such as door handles, bed rails, lockers, and electrical switches, surrounding patients, said Dr Stephanie Dancer from South General Hospital in Glasgow, writing in the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Evidence showed that these were the places most likely to harbour the antibiotic resistant MRSA superbug. Yet they were generally poorly cleaned, said Dr Dancer.

Crabtree’s range of anti-microbial electrical switches and socket outlets has been specially developed in conjunction with BioCote® to incorporate a unique silver additive specifically to help overcome this problem. The silver contained in Crabtree accessories is a natural antimicrobial, with a high efficacy against bacteria, mould and fungi.When micro-organisms come into contact with the silver, their ability to reproduce is inhibited and they die.

Responding to the study, the Government’s chief nursing officer, Professor Christine Beasley, said: “Infection control is a complex problem that needs a range of solutions and the fact is there is no single remedy.

Carl Kimberley, Electrium’s Marketing Manager said: “The Crabtree brand has always represented good design and safety, and we at Electrium are proud to now be a small part of the solution in the battle for infection control in our hospitals.”

View Crabtree's profile:

Story

Daikin has upgraded the design of its RZQ Super Inverter (1 phase) and RZQS Comfort Inverter, developed for use in offices, shops and restaurants, thereby increasing efficiencies throughout both ranges. In the case of the RZQS100 for example, cooling and heating efficiencies are improved by up to 23% and 11% respectively over those of the earlier model. Both RZQ and RZQS units continue to support the connection of a wide range of indoor units and retain their wide temperature operating range.

RZQ Super Inverter — high efficiency and installation flexibility

The new RZQ-D Super Inverter currently returns the highest COPs and EERs on the market with energy label 'A' ratings in most configurations and like previous RZQ units, it also has an extended operating range in -15° C to 50° C (cooling) and 15.5&deg C down to -20° C (heating) outdoor ambients.

The unit is flexible with respect to piping diameter and although it utilises R-410A refrigerant, it also allows the re-use of existing R-22 or R-407c field piping with piping lengths up to 75m possible. This ensures easier installation and lower installation costs when upgrading existing buildings. The RZQ is also suitable for technical and computer room cooling.

RZQS Comfort Inverter: improved efficiency

The new RZQS Comfort Inverter also has higher COPs and EERs than previous models, with energy label ratings of 'B' in most configurations. It retains its predecessor's extended operating range – with cooling at outdoor temperatures up to 46° C and heating down to -15° C – and supports multiple indoor units.

Built to last

Both units feature the Daikin emphasis on quality construction with special acrylic pre-coated fins to prevent corrosion on the heat exchanger and resist severe weather conditions. The outdoor units – available in 3,4,5,6 HP models – are fitted with high quality Daikin swing or scroll compressors, renowned for their low noise, high energy efficiency and trouble-free operation.

View Daikin's profile: