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The benefits of Timbmet Engineered Components (TEC®) compared to Timber are explained in a new brochure that underlines why the company is at the forefront of innovation in the largely traditional timber industry.

Manufacturers and installers will find that Timbmet’s multi layered construction of TEC® offers stability and stress performance far in excess of Timber. These highly engineered wood products – available in four key species – are made by joining/gluing multiple pieces of material together.

TEC® is designed to provide uniform performance; a flawless appearance free from nots, splits and staining; reduced levels of waste; and savings on material yield costs and labour costs.

“We hope that we can help our customers to see the benefits of using Engineered Timber” says Justin Hayward from Timbmet. “Timbmet is so confident that you’ll see improved results using TEC® that we can provide working samples for you to trial.”

Compared to solid wood, TEC® could save approximately 25% on material yield costs; made to measure components could also result in 30% less waste and lower associated costs. Waste is also produced at the source of manufacture which means it is recycled back into other wood products.

Labour costs are also reduced because of ease of storage and assembly of the quality controlled product.

Mike Thompson of Biker Group says: “We now use engineered Red Grandis for all our doors and windows because of its quality, performance, stainability and sustainability, and because it is economical and 100% FSC® certified.”
TEC® is available in European Oak, Sapele, Redwood FSC® or PEFC certified, and FSC® certified Red Grandis, exclusive to Timbmet in the UK.

Julian Connelly of Patchett Joinery says: “Red Grandis being a hardwood, the consistency of the grain means no imperfections appear after painting. The result is a high performance, low maintenance material that ensures higher value for our customers.”
Timbmet can offer a comprehensive off-the-shelf range and the capacity to manufacture bespoke components, plus the fact that all TEC products are FD30 fire certified. The range includes Window, Door and Stair parts, in addition to Sandwich Panels, Insulated Sandwich Scantlings and Glulam Curtain Walling.
If you would like to learn more about how engineered timber can benefit you in the manufacture and installation of windows, doors and stairways contact marketing@timbmet.com .

Further details on Timbmet’s full range of TEC products and the new brochure can be found at www.timbmet.com . Hard copies are also available by contacting marketing@timbmet.com

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Effective heating controls are a vital part of an efficient central-heating system. Heating controls manufacturer ESi says it makes huge sense to look more closely at the options.

ESi offers a range of programmers from a simple 1 Channel version to a 3 channel Multi-Purpose Programmer which enables housing providers to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations by providing separate timed heating control for living and sleeping zones in a home, whilst also providing timed control of hot water. These programmers also feature a “Landlord” option to encourage social housing tenants to allow access for annual maintenance, often a real challenge for landlords.

ESi has developed a unique new electronic dual Cylinder Thermostat – a revolutionary new energy saving product. It is a direct and economical replacement for traditional mechanical dual cylinder thermostats. It offers real safety and energy saving benefits and provides accurate temperature control with a clear and informative LCD display. Hot water can be stored at any temperature between 25 and 65 degrees C. It has the added advantage of a weekly automatic one hour “boost” that can be set at a time that is best for the homeowners. This “boost” lifts the temperature of the water in the cylinder to above 60 degrees C to eradicate any legionella bacteria. This results in substantial energy saving compared to traditional systems storing the hot water at a constant 60 degrees C.

Most homes in the UK still tend to have a single heating zone – and the only control in the rooms is by thermostatic radiator valves. When a new central-heating system is installed, it’s possible to fit a full zone control that has different pipe loops and separate thermostats for two or more areas. This can offer significant energy savings.

ESi offers a range of zone valves which are a direct replacement for existing valves if they fail. These are very quiet in operation and now come with an industry leading five-year warranty. They are easy fit components, with a simple clip on/off detachable actuator head and an option of a ‘plug and play’ cable.

Take a closer look at ESi’s offering at www.esicontrols.co.uk.

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LG has launched its new range of residential air conditioning equipment,
the Econo, (ref: E09EM / E12EM), the Libero-S, (ref: P09EN / P12EN / P28EN / P24EN), and
the Libero-R, (ref: D09RN / D12RN / D18RN / D24RN).

All have had an upgrade and now come with Wifi options and a ten-year smart inverter compressor warranty, reflecting the reliability of LG units, as well as a stylish redesign to add to its successful ARTCOOL Stylist, the Mirror and the Prestige units.

These new energy efficient units are simple to install and come with easy to use controls and a large magic display allowing you to check the unit’s energy usage. They’re easy to open and simple to clean which lengthens the units’ lifespan. Features include very low noise levels – just 19dB for the 9k and 12k models, fast cooling and heating, smart control – with Wifi option- and Gold-finTM coating protecting the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger from wear and corrosion.
These new units incorporate high pressure blade fans which provide indoor air flow rates 15% higher than conventional systems. The outdoor unit features high efficiency wings that create high efficiency cooling and heating and a 9m long power airflow corridor that provides a cooling response that is faster and more powerful.

Brochures can be downloaded from partner.lge.com/uk, or you can email LG HVAC.marketing@lge.com for more information.

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Co-operation between leading pump manufacturer Wilo UK and Burton-upon-Trent based MCS approved installation company Renewable Heat UK has seen an existing anaerobic digestion plant on a livestock farm expanded and extended to maximise the benefits it offers the farm– Broom House Farm at Oakethorpe, north of Derby.

Renewable Heat UK saw a number of opportunities in the project and with the support of Wilo products, set about introducing new elements to the existing system to show huge improvements in the systems’ output. The newly expanded system saw the inclusion of nine energy saving pumps – Wilo Yonos-MAXO and Wilo Stratos models – that are amongst the most energy efficient pumps on the market.

The new improved anaerobic digestion system offers a raft of benefits that are all making a huge difference to the farm. Now all organic matter produced on the farm can go directly into the digester. This includes cow muck, old bedding, old feed, hedge clippings from around the farm and any other organic matter generated. The system draws methane off the top of the system using it to fire an engine generator that generates 250mW of electricity – 10% of which powers all the electricity required by the farm with the other 90% going to the grid – producing enough electricity theoretically, to supply a small village. The engine in the system has no radiator – it directly heats a large header tank to dissipate the heat, and this water is then pumped around the site using the Wilo pumps to share the heat across the site.

The low methane slurry that is the waste product of the anaerobic digestion can then be spread on the fields, benefitting from an 80% reduction in smell as a result of the anaerobic process that has resulted in a major reduction in complaints from the farms neighbours. In addition the fertiliser is activated far more quickly on the fields after digestion, rather than having to lie on the fields for some time waiting to start the assimilation process.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The heat generated by the system’s engine sees the drinking water for the cows heated to 30 degrees C which has resulted in an 8-10% better milk yield and the cow shed is heated to 20 degrees C resulting in faster growing, healthier calves on the farm as well. Healthier animals require far less antibiotics, reducing cost and other fears regarding the long term use of such drugs on animals which contribute to food supplies for human consumption. The cows also benefit from better quality feed as in the past feed was put out and left for the cows to eat. Now fresh food is put out every day and the old feed goes into the digester.

Rob Ridley says the partnership with Wilo has paid off handsomely: “We were delighted by the help Wilo was able to provide and the farm is benefitting hugely from the newly extended anaerobic digestion system. It’s a model for livestock farms across the UK that could be benefitting from a similar holistic approach to raising stock, maximising milk yields, generating high quantities of electricity, much of which goes to the grid providing additional income for the farm. It’s not just a win, win situation it’s a ‘win to the power of four or five situation’ when you step back and take a closer look at all the benefits the system offers the farm.”

“We were delighted to be involved in the project,” says Wilo UK’s Morgan Warren-Ross. “It’s always rewarding to be involved in a project that offers something slightly different, and the success of this one is far reaching and offers serious opportunities for other livestock farms to learn from the installation and to benefit from additional income streams.”

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Micronics flowmeters were used at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 to survey the energy usage in the heating system. The facilities staff at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Four have a five year plan running from 2014 to 2019, entitled Quinqennium 6 and this plan included the redesign of the heating system, which currently runs at medium temperature hot water (120oC). They required the system to run at a lower temperature in order to be more cost effective, more environmentally friendly, and crucially, safer. To enable this, they needed to log all data during the winter of 2014 so they called in Balfour Beatty, the Delivery Integrator for all building works for Heathrow Airports Ltd, to carry out an energy flow investigation.

Luke Hirst, Balfour Beatty’s Project Manager heard of Micronics from Nick Wells of Power Plan Limited, a Kent company who specialise in the supply, planning and installation of secondary power systems who had used  Micronics flowmeters at Terminal 5 and was particularly impressed that there was no need to cut into the pipework. This would have been extremely disruptive to the Airport, necessitating the temporary shutting down of the whole Terminal heating system. Micronics recommended the use of the U1000 and U3000 flowmeters, with energy calculators and data loggers. They offer a quick and reliable flow measurement solution. They are configured for pipe size so only nominal configuration on site is required, minimising intervention. The easy to follow menu made it a very cost-effective alternative to a traditional in-line meter. Furthermore, dry servicing is possible so that downtime is kept to a minimum which is especially important for the smooth running of such a busy terminal.

Luke Hirst was enthusiastic about Micronics flowmeters. “Operation has proved exceptional. The surveys were carried out without affecting the terminal. As a result of the survey the design of the replacement heating system is being carried out now. We will definitely use Micronics flowmeters on future occasions when the need arises to carry out another survey.”

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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REHAU has posted a new animation on its dedicated YouTube channel to show specifiers that, while its Polytec composite curtain walling system might look just like aluminium systems from the outside, its real secret lies underneath.

The animation literally lifts the aluminium exterior off the curtain walling to reveal the steel sections which are at the core of the system and the PVC-U which is on the inside.

It explains the structural benefits which come from using steel, which is up to three times stronger than aluminium sections with the same geometry, and the fact that the PVC-U interior is low maintenance, warm to the touch and available in any RAL colour.

Malcolm Taylor, REHAU’s Product Manager, explained: “REHAU Polytec is a triple strength glazed curtain walling system which is unlike any other on the market. It combines the inherent benefits of three materials to deliver real performance benefits over conventional aluminium systems but retains the slim sightlines and huge range of colour options which specifiers demand.

“For large spans in particular, it offers huge benefits and this quick one minute animation perfectly illustrates that.”

REHAU Polytec is a Passivhaus Trust A Plus certified product and has successfully been tested to the CWCT (Centre for Window and Cladding Technology) standards for severe weather performance.

Further information is available at www.rehau.uk/curtainwalling

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The fully equipped LG Training Academy in Weybridge, Surrey, has celebrated 6 months of operation since it was launched, and it’s seen encouraging numbers of engineers and specifiers passing through its doors taking advantage of the huge amount of LG HVAC equipment, including Air Conditioning, Heating, Heat recovery, Ventilation and the high-end central controls zone that are permanently sited in the academy.

LG Electronics is passionate about training – and having the right balance of theoretical and hands-on practical experience ensures everyone is fully capable of specifying, commissioning and troubleshooting across all the company’s impressive range of products.

This is achieved through having essential exposure to LG equipment and LG’s technical advancements, including its design packages – LATS HVAC and LATS CAD. LG also offers significant benefits to Engineers who attend its training courses – especially the two day Multi V VRF course – where customers will be benefit from the ‘Approved Installer Scheme’. For those that attend and pass the course, LG Engineers will support installers throughout their first 2 VRF projects with on-site commissioning assistance.  This includes a pre-commissioning visit to ensure the installation and commissioning process is trouble free.

Mark Richardson, LG Technical Manager, comments: “The Academy really is impressive and showcases LG products extremely well. We will be running CIBSE accredited CPD seminars and other events here as well as the courses.

“New for 2016 is the introduction of our ‘Flexi-courses’. We understand that it’s not always easy to take time-off to attend manufacturers training. Our new flexi-courses mean that we can provide on-site training and bespoke training if required.”

To make it as simple as possible to attend a course, these courses run throughout the year. To book a course, go online and visit partner.lge.com/uk to find out more, or request a copy of the LG Academy brochure, then, simply email aircon.training@lge.com or complete the form at the back of the brochure and return it to the address on the form.

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ETAF Management (Energy, Training and Facilities), are experts in the specialist field of Energy Management. In February 2015 they were confronted with the need to verify for tax claim purposes the ‘useful heat’ used for a 778kW combined heat and power unit in a major hotel group. Alvaro Alvarez, ETAF’s Architecture Technician searched the internet for a solution and discovered the Micronics U3000 which seemed to fit the requirements exactly. The Wiltshire-based company aims to optimise plant operations to achieve proven energy savings of as much as 30% in hotels throughout Europe, working for major groups such as the Carlson Rezidor Group, Jury’s Inn, Marriott and Hyatt as well as smaller groups, and their contribution to the bottom line is highly valued by their clients. The Micronics flow meter allows accurate flow measurement from outside the pipe so there is no need to cut into pipework making measurement quick and simple. The Ultraflo’s easy to follow menu and simple set up makes the calculation of liquid flow effortless and reliable. The whole Micronics range of fixed and portable clamp-on flow meters provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional in-line meter installation for a wide range of applications. In addition, dry servicing means minimum downtime saving both cost and time. Compact, rugged and reliable, the Ultraflo has been designed to provide sustained performance in industrial environments and was ideal for Alvaro’s needs.

“I wanted to try an alternative flow measurement and have been delighted with my choice of the Micronics U3000 which offered exactly what I was looking for. We deal with very big volumes so wanted relatively easy, surface mounted installation. The U3000 offered exactly the features we needed and I would have no hesitation using it in other projects where precise flow measurement is required.”

The potential for similar use is significant and ETAF’s experience is an example of how Fixed Ultrasonic technology can be successfully implemented to gather information on water and energy use.

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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Among its market-leading vapour permeable roofing underlays Klober Permo® forte SK2 is the only 4-layer product designed to help prevent falls through the roof. Its mesh reinforcement gives a degree of strength vastly superior to lightweight 2-layer products while self-adhesive edge tapes provide a lasting airtight seal at laps. As one of the most widely specified underlays for more than a decade it can be used on fully supported or unsupported tile, slate or metal roofs. Permo forte has been independently tested by the BRE for wind uplift in relation to BS 5534 wind speed map.

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When upgrading thermal inefficient rooflights, FAKRO’s new range of flat roof windows offers a choice of flat or domed profiles. All have a contemporary style, utilise a multi-chamber PVC sash and frame and come in sizes designed to match those being replaced. The triple-glazed DRF DU6 has a window U-value of 0.74W/m²K while the DRC-C P2, which offers added burglary resistance through use of a laminated internal pane, is only slightly less impressive at 0.88. For smoke evacuation, the DSF DU6 and DSC-C P2 open automatically to a height of 50cm through activation of motors on each side of the frame.

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