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VW Caddy van prize for oldest one found before 30th June 2009

Wilo, the leading European pump manufacturer is on the look out for the oldest operating Wilo small circulator in the UK! And whilst finding one will be interesting in itself, for the installer or contractor who finds the oldest one still working in the UK there’s an extra special reason for being pleased – he or she will drive away in a brand new VW Caddy van!

Wilo has launched a similar competition in Germany recently and the oldest found so far there is 54 years old – still running flawlessly! Wilo’s Dan Wild says they don’t expect to find one that old in the UK but you just never know: “Clearly Wilo UK has not been in existence as long as Wilo has been trading in Germany so to find one that old would be amazing, but we are confident we’ll find one that is thirty years plus and still working so watch this space!” he says.

Clearly a pump that’s still working several decades after installation is doing so because it was and is a quality product, but because technology has moved on, however well the old pump is operating, replacement by a brand new, high technology, high efficiency Wilo pump will be overdue! Saving energy, reducing emissions and energy costs, using up to 80% less energy to run it, for starters.

There will be regular quarterly prizes for the oldest found during the search – with installers winning a Wii if they have the oldest one at the end of January and April 2009 but the finder of the overall oldest will be presented with the van for their efforts after the 30th June closing date.

Wilo is running the competition in conjunction with a major awareness campaign across the UK, making installers and specifiers aware of the facts behind the on-going growth of Wilo pump sales in the UK. Very definitely the second largest player in the UK marketplace, with pockets of the UK where it is by far the most popular brand – Northern Ireland for example – Wilo is seeing increasing take up of its energy efficient small circulator offering, particularly since the launch of the Wilo-Stratos ECO pump which offers up to 80% energy saving over standard uncontrolled pumps, that still operate extensively and expensively in millions of homes across the country.

“From research we’ve undertaken, it’s clear that many installers and specifiers had no idea that we invented the first small circulator pump and that we are the leading supplier of small circulators to combi boiler manufacturers across Europe,” says Dan Wild. “We manufacture more than 5 million small circulators a year in Europe and there are more than 3.5 million Wilo pumps operating either in combis, system boilers or independently in conventional heating systems in the UK. The numbers are phenomenal and we recently saw the Wilo-Stratos ECO independently tested as the most energy efficient small circulator you can buy, anywhere – tested by one of Europe’s leading consumer groups. It’s all good news and we need to get the message out and about to those who think there’s only one brand of pump in the UK – there’s a second – and its taking chunks of the marketplace year on year, as we grow, year on year.”

Installers looking to win the VW Caddy van need to search for Wilo pumps still operating in their customers homes and if they find one that has clearly been doing the business for a good many years, they need to take a photo of the pump in situ and take a note of the serial number which will allow Wilo to check exactly when it was manufactured. They can go to the Wilo UK web site at www.wilo.co.uk and send the information via the web site with the photo of the pump to Wilo’s head office.

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For those seeking a roof window which combines good eco-credentials with added flexibility of use and security, Fakro's FPP preSelect® is unique. It is made using only close-grain, knot-free, redwood pine from FSC approved sources, while every element of the window can be stripped out and recycled. At the flick of a switch in the frame, opening can be changed from top hung to centre pivot operation. The window’s patented, topSafe® technology offers the highest standard of security and safety currently available (Class 3 – EN 13049), its micro-opening facility enabling it to remain secure even when open. An additional steel reinforcement profile is built into the lower part of the sash, while improved lock reinforcement and screws driven into the sash at an angle prevent hinges being broken. With an overall glazing area around 10% bigger than windows operated by a handle in the upper part of the frame, the FPP provides an overall U-value of 1.4W/m2K.

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The Tehalit C60 range of 3 Compartment Trunking offers numerous features to make your job easier. With comprehensive stocks in the UK you can be assured of quick delivery whatever your project requirements.

The C60 Range is very easy order, it has simple part reference numbers, the base and lid is supplied complete and is available in 2 metre and 3 metre lengths as standard. As well as being easy to order, it’s just as easy to install. The bases are pre-punched and there are also push-out knockouts between the compartments, so there’s no need to drill through to fix to the wall.

The compartment knockouts fit into the base to aid alignment. And for those awkward corners that are not truly at a 90-degree agree, Tehalit also offers adjustable moulded corners to get that perfect fit.

The Tehalit C60 Range is also easy to cable. With its 170mm x 60mm deep profile, it allows more space for cabling, it minimises the potential damage to cables by providing smooth elongated knockouts between compartments. Data cable bend radii respected, maximising data integrity. The Outer compartment cable retainers are supplied as standard with trunking (2 per metre).

You can choose from 3 different base and lid profiles, they are available either complete or separate. Corner cover kits plus joint covers are also available both internal and external.

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For 2009’s Ecobuild, single ply and green roof specialist Flag-Soprema Ltd presented its Soprema systems for the first time. These include the Duoflex lightweight structural waterproofing, Sopralene elastomeric and Alsan liquid waterproofing systems, all of which were shown together with the company’s diverse range of extensive and intensive green roofs. At 70m2, both the stand and the products on display reflected the diversity and increased size of the range. The company’s TPO single ply membrane range, manufactured using an innovative formulation of non-toxic EPR modified polyolefin liner is rot-proof, puncture, UV and wind shear resistant, and highly adaptable to structural movement.

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There’s a new twist to the tales of Aeon’s stainless steel Twister radiator technology. Twister720 has joined the family alongside the Twister180, Twister360 and Clipper.

Boasting three synchronised twists along each of its bars, the new Twister720 design reveals alternating brushed and polished surfaces that create a sculptural, ripple effect.

Its contemporary appearance makes Twister720 particularly suitable for any modern living space. Yet it is also versatile enough to look striking in a more traditional environment.

Numerous applications, both horizontally and vertically, are possible for this unique, pioneering style. Available in 200cm height/length only, Twister720 can be ordered with five, seven or nine bars (more than nine bars by special order). Outputs range from between 775 watts and 1395 watts.

Prices start from £604 plus VAT for a five-bar Twister720 (220 x 60 mm) which is suitable for hot water systems and can be delivered within 4-6 weeks. The nine-bar Twister720 model is also compatible with electric only and dual fuel systems.

Radiators in the Aeon Collection are made from the highest-grade solid stainless steel. All designs in the hand-finished range carry a 20-year guarantee.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited us on our stand at the recent Healthcare Estates show in Harrogate. The stand marked a significant step towards a new era of advanced multi-outlet and multi-functional electronic controls. Moving on from our established range addressing self-harm prevention, hand wash hygiene, cross-contamination and safe water temperature, the new products boast exciting energy and communication features.

Under the ‘Take Control’ banner, ECO-Logic UK unveiled a Safe Room communication panel designed especially for secure room facilities. The panel offers low voltage lighting, cell call, emergency call, and limited telephone, television and audio links, with remote management control. In another product launch, MC Modular was featured to run alongside the existing ECO-Logic UK control package. MC Modular capability enables the inclusion of Air Movement, Security Locking and Heating Controls, together with BMS Links. The eye-catching ECO-Logic UK stand also displayed innovative Bathfill and Showering products, which can now link to remote central control points, for example nurse and management stations.

A new compact and fully welded ECO Pipetank design was also unveiled and enjoyed much interest from architects and designers alike due to its unique space saving benefits. This innovative product will be introduced in 2008 alongside a new ECO-Logic flushing valve.

Meanwhile, ECO-Logic UK achievements have been recognised in a recent award from Medilink West Midlands for Growth in Sector. This award was given to recognise company sales growth and technical advancement in intelligent control systems for Healthcare. At a glittering ceremony, satirical comedian and GP Dr Phil Hammond presented the prestigious awards, created to recognise the most outstanding business accomplishmentsn across the West Midlands. Judges praised all five winners for their drive, passion and investment in medical technology. With more than 1300 medical manufacturers in the region, competition for the awards was fierce.

MedilinkWM’s Communication Director, Michelle Dalton said, “These awards are an excellent chance to celebrate the huge variety of skills, expertise and experience in this sector and recognise the huge impact the medical manufacturers in the West Midlands are having on national healthcare services”. Each winning company will now go forward to represent the region in the national Medical Technology Awards. All in all, these are exciting times for ECO-Logic UK, who are now poised for excellent growth in 2008.

MedilinkWM’s Communication Director, Michelle Dalton said, “These awards are an excellent chance to celebrate the huge variety of skills, expertise and experience in this sector and recognise the huge impact the medical manufacturers in the West Midlands are having on national healthcare services”

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The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld two complaints from Klober about an advertisements by The Proctor Group in relation to its roofing underlay Roofshield. In particular, the ads included such claims as Roofshield “Was often imitated but never beaten”, offered “Superior vapour permeability”, was “Still the best” and “The only breather membrane with ventility” (ventility refering to the ability to be both air permeable and vapour permeable). The ad also claimed that “…this superior membrane … continues to offer the highest performance of any breather membrane available today”. While the Proctor Group agreed to remove the claims in what is described as an informal resolution, the ASA had received similar assurances in July. Klober Managing Director David Arendell commented “Our air-open membrane Permo Air is 13% more breathable and offers lower water vapour resistance than any other underlay currently available. It is disappointing that we had to make two complaints to the ASA but we are now satisfied that Roofshield ads will no longer contain these misleading claims”. The adjudications are recorded on the ASA website on 22nd October and 16th July.

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Pioneering Daikin VRV climate control technology for commercial buildings is extended with the introduction of new and upgraded VRVIII models with higher COP/EER ratings for both heat pump and heat recovery ranges.

Heat pump range

Efficiency has been increased in the heat pump range with a redesigned small footprint 8 HP model with a COP of 4.50 (+5,4%) and EER of 4.29 (+6.5%) and the addition of a high COP 12 HP model with a COP of 4.37 (+10%) and an EER of 3.89(+12%). Combinations of existing small foot print models and the upgraded 8 HP model offer improved energy efficiencies in variety of configurations, whilst overall efficiency throughout the high COP range also benefits from the inclusion where possible of the new 12 HP high COP model.

Heat recovery range

The extended VRV heat recovery range also benefits from the high COP upgrade and returns the best efficiencies currently available on the market and this is the first time that Daikin has introduced a high COP heat recovery range alongside a small footprint modular range. Upgraded 8 HP units with a COP of 4.31 (+5%) in cooling mode and 4.38 (+2%) in heating mode plus 12 HP units with a COP of 3.84 (+4%) in cooling mode and 4.24 (+1%) in heating are available in stand-alone format. The modular series benefits from the addition of an upgraded 8 HP model and a new high COP 12 HP model.

All the new models also feature automatic refrigerant charging and testing, saving time and ensuring an optimum refrigerant charge for top performance.

Continuous heating

Combination systems using heat recovery models also provide continuous heating during defrost and oil return cycles since only one outdoor coil at a time is defrosted, allowing the other units to continue to provide (reduced) heating capacity to the entire system, resulting in a higher integrated heating capacity and a significant increase in user comfort.

Year round cooling

VRVIII heat recovery models also feature a year round cooling option (known as technical cooling), allowing cooling even at ambient outdoor temperatures down to -20° C and supporting piping lengths to 165m or 1,000m in total. The technical cooling facility can be set up in the field. Rapid changeover from cooling/heating is also possible whilst the ability to control each zone separately – heating or cooling only those rooms where it is needed – keeps operating costs down to a minimum.

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With the drive towards more thermally efficient construction, the risk of condensation in the roofspace has increased dramatically. Roofing ventilation specialist Klober has introduced a 'Condensation Risk Analysis' service to help determine ventilation requirements. This has proved invaluable to both specifiers at the design stage and contractors when tendering. Klober Technical Manager Graham Copson commented “Demand for such information has grown with increased use of 'non-ventilated' systems. Problems are by no means restricted to complex roof designs or situations where heavy vapour creators such as power showers and wet rooms are used”.

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Energi Holdings is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of renewable technologies and specialise in the design and installation of solar and wind energies.

Energi Holdings works with clients across the public and private sectors including educational establishments, social housing associations, commercial and residential property developers and the agricultural industry to reduce fossil fuel derived energy bills and cut carbon emissions.

Public sector organisations can benefit from up to 50 per cent government funding towards the cost of their installations and Energi Holdings are experts in enabling businesses to access this.

With companies and businesses now legally required to ‘green-up’ their operations, one way to meet regulations is to install solar or wind power. Energi Holding’s technologies can be used to comply with the Merton Rule, Code for Sustainable Homes and other associated planning policies.

Energi Holdings offer its clients a complete bespoke solution and holistic consultancy service – helping clients access funding, designing systems, providing installation and offering ongoing monitoring, evaluation and maintenance.

Recent projects completed by Energi Holdings include the largest installation of solar photovoltaic panels at any educational establishment in the U.K. at the University of Central Lancashire. The panels will generate 36,800 kWh of electricity every year- enough to power more than 500 laptops. Video Link to University of Lancashire Project: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5-TFsg4B3SY

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