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An Isle of Lewis Housing Association has chosen Eco Heat Pumps for six new properties in Newvalley near Stornoway. The Eco Thermia Diplomat Heat Pumps are linked to a specially drilled borehole, and provide renewable energy for domestic hot water and space heating for each of the houses. A water-glycol mixture is pumped through pipework in the boreholes, drawing naturally occurring heat into the system from deep below the ground. The heated water - at 12 to 15°C - then enters the flow side of the Eco Heat Pump, where the compressor and condenser brings it to the temperature levels required in the property.

Details for Eco Heat Pumps Ltd

Balconies and cantilever construction elements are responsible for such significant amounts of energy and heat loss from a building. The Schöck Isokorb thermal break element is said to be an effective counter measure for this. The product dramatically reduces thermal energy in critical union connective areas, such as balconies, canopies and other cantilever parts of the building by as much as 84% to 91%. The Isokorb also transfers load and maintains full structural integrity, while at the same time enabling inner surface area temperatures to remain well in excess of those likely to cause mould formation.

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Personnel located at the headquarters of a major supermarket chain in the north of England have warmed to their new working environment, thanks in part to the specification of raft ceiling structures from the range of Ecophon for the offices. The product used in the Booths Central Office in Ribbleton not only offers visual appeal and acoustic control, but helps keep the space cool. Avoiding the use of conventional suspended ceiling systems within the environmentally conscious designs for the development enabled the building's structure to be employed to moderate the internal temperature. This passive approach to cooling within the building services strategy, avoids the need for high cost air conditioning.

Details for Ecophon Ltd

For a carbon neutral building where obstructions from inward and outward opening windows are a no go, but a total clear opening is essential to maximise passive ventilation, what kind of window would you choose? That was the challenge facing Shrewsbury fabricator, AR Manley, when the firm won a contract to supply and fit windows in a unique, eco-friendly three-stage office scheme at the Ludlow Eco Business Park in Shropshire. But thanks to a creative hardware solution from Siegenia-Aubi, the firm is now halfway through installing the first phase of innovative ‘sliding windows’ in the seven-block office development. The solution was the popular PSK sliding door hardware to help AR Manley create ‘sliding windows’ in sustainable timber frames. 'The windows are essentially mini patio doors,' said Anthony Hoyle, technical director at AR Manley..

Details for Siegenia-aubi Ltd

The launch of the solar roof at the Print House in Dalston, East London, is the culmination of a collaboration between Solarcentury and London-based charitable development trust The Bootstrap Company. Saving over 12 tonnes of CO² each year, this is said to be one of the largest and most efficient solar installations of its kind in the UK. The Bootstrap Company is managed by the Environment Trust. It maintains and lets workspaces to local business at affordable and inclusive rates. As a listed building, one of the prime considerations in selecting a renewable power source to reduce running costs was the aesthetics. Solar photovoltaic roof tiles presented the solution, as they are virtually un-discernable from the ground. Jeremy Leggett, CEO of Solarcentury said: 'The work of the Bootstrap Company is vital in London’s tough business environment. Maintaining workspaces that are cost efficient and sustainable is the answer to creating and maintaining local employment in regenerating urban areas.” The solar installation is made up of 184 square metres of photovoltaic roof tiles. These will generate 21,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year whilst saving over 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is the most efficient solar PV technology available, operating at 20% efficiency. The installation will provide most of the electricity that the building’s occupants require.

Details for Solar Century

A windowless staff room in a Victorian school building near Norwich has been transformed into a bright, attractive environment thanks to two Solatube Daylighting Systems from SolaLighting Brooke VC Primary School recently installed the Solatube systems that ‘pipe’ natural light from roof-mounted domes into the room below. The staff are delighted - not only is the room now reclaimed as effective, usable space, but the Solatubes allow significant energy cost savings

Details for Sola Lighting Ltd

The Torrent RE Solar from Gledhill Building Products provides total hot water and heating through its combined thermal store while maximizing the efficiency of solar technology. Built on the expertise gained with the established range of Torrent thermal stores the Torrent RE Solar incorporates an effective heat exchanger which maximizes the energy collected by the solar panels. The solar dedicated section of the unit extracts the energy collected and utilises it to provide hot water for domestic use and also importantly for heating. Solar heated water flows through the boiler, reducing the amount of fuel used.

Details for Gledhill

As part of its range of renewable heating products, Droitwich-based Nu-way has launched a ground source heat pump for domestic use. The company describes the product as providing a complete environmental heating and domestic hot water solution for private houses and smaller commercial properties. EcoHeat is a water/water unit designed to utilise a collector loop either borehole or ground loop, which extracts low temperature heat from bedrock.

Details for Nu Way Ltd

To counter energy and heat loss from a building, Schöck Isokorb thermal break modules have been installed in two developments near Portsmouth. The products guarantee the homogeneity between cantilever structures and the internal floor.

Details for Schock UK

A super-efficient 240000 BTU Trianco Premier A rated condensing oil boiler is helping transform the luxury Dewstow Golf Club & Gardens as part of a major refurbishment. The emission-reducing boiler was installed by M&W Builders to heat the club's function and reception areas. Further oil boilers from the company, yet to be installed, will heat the hotel and private accommodation areas. The product is more than 90% efficient and uses a baffle system to cool emissions so latent heat is returned to the system to enhance performance.

Details for Trianco Ltd