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National pub chain, Slug and Lettuce, has been given a slick and sophisticated new look courtesy of a multi-million pound refurbishement and the introduction of Dimplex Optiflame's electric fires. Leeds-based design specialists Plumtree Mee were appointed by Slug and Lettuce owners, the Laurel Pub Group, to re-design and oversee the management of an updated style for the chain's 50 plus branches. Plumtree Mee, which specialises in the design of commercial environments, was looking for products that introduced extra 'life' to the interior of the pubs. Designer Katie Stammers said: 'Retail environments are not only about function but also about fashion and that can be a challenging brief for us to fulfil. In the Slug and Lettuce we ensure not only that the products look good but also tha they will withstand the rigours of a busy environment and most importantly, be safe. Dimplex fires, for us, tick all these boxes.'

Details for Dimplex

National pub chain, Slug and Lettuce, has been given a slick and sophisticated new look courtesy of a multi-million pound refurbishement and the introduction of Dimplex Optiflame's electric fires. Leeds-based design specialists Plumtree Mee were appointed by Slug and Lettuce owners, the Laurel Pub Group, to re-design and oversee the management of an updated style for the chain's 50 plus branches. Plumtree Mee, which specialises in the design of commercial environments, was looking for products that introduced extra 'life' to the interior of the pubs. Designer Katie Stammers said: 'Retail environments are not only about function but also about fashion and that can be a challenging brief for us to fulfil. In the Slug and Lettuce we ensure not only that the products look good but also tha they will withstand the rigours of a busy environment and most importantly, be safe. Dimplex fires, for us, tick all these boxes.'

Details for Dimplex

What is being as described as an innovative approach to a tried and tested method of ventilation being introduced by Passivent. The company says it is set to further improve the internal living environment by cutting condensation risk. One of the UK’s leading suppliers of ventilation solutions, Passivent has developed a ductless ‘whole house’ Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) System, to effectively ventilate the home, cut condensation and minimise energy consumption. The system, which is easy to install, overcomes the problems normally associated with accommodating ducting in existing properties, making it particularly suitable for refurbishment projects.

Details for Passivent

Aimed at the domestic market, the flat-fronted Ecovector range of energy efficient heat emitters from Smith's Environmental Products are now officially available. Designed along the lines of a low surface temperature radiator it is operated by what is described as an almost silent twin-speed fan. It can be fitted to existing heating systems and can be mixed on the same system with any natural convectors. Another feature of the Ecovector is that its heat exchanger uses just five per cent of the water required for an equivalent output radiator. This low water content means it heats up faster and quickly responds to changing heating requirements dictated by enviromental changes.

Details for Smiths Environmental Products Ltd

Eco Heat pumps are helping to combine luxury living with a 'green' approach at a beachside development in Cornwall A geothermal system will draw heat from the boreholes sunk into granite to supply underfloor heating and up to 2000 litres of hot water to the project. The Eco system is designed around two of thecompany's Duo Heat Pumps. Said to ideal for this type of dwelling the Thermia Duo is intended for use with a separate hot water tank. Units are claimed to be economical and reliable in operation and incorporates quiet running scroll-type compressors to give outputs between 4-16kW. No inlet or outlet valves are used in this type of compressor.

Details for Eco Heat Pumps Ltd

Lochinvar has launched a new fully condensing gas-fired water heater, the EcoKnight. The company believes this addition will give it one of the largest and most flexible range of gas-fired condensing water heaters available on the UK commercial market. Offering thermal efficiencies of up to 109 per cent and low NOx emissions, there are five models with hot water outputs ranging from 709 to 2,436 litres per hour based on a temperature rise of 50 deg C.

Details for Lochinvar Ltd

Two external Reznor heating and ventiliation units and two internal air mixing ducts have given Cranford Community College in Hounslow, Middlesx, total control over heating their sports all. The hall was previously heated by a 25-year-old system that had performace limitations. In particular, the system was unable to provide ventilation and, when a temporary partition was used to sub-divide the hall for use with small groups, the whole of the interior had to be heated, with consequent excessive energy use and costs.

Details for Reznor UK Ltd

Stiebel Eltron has made advances in its Open-Outlet water storage heater range. The company's compact heaters have capacities ranging from five to 15 litres and provide a powerful source of hot water. For applications in any domestic or commercial site, the new water storage heaters feature both Thermo-Stop and Anti-Drip technologies to give greater efficiency in operation and no drips, which waste both energy and water. Taking on board energy efficiency concerns, its efficient thermal insulation, combined with the Thermo-Stop, offers hot water on a continuous basis with almost zero energy losses. Water is maintained at a set temperature via the thermostat, with ranges between 35°C and 85°C, and an energy saving setting. The heaters can be sited above or below sinks, with over sink units available with inlet valve and outlet spouts.

Details for Stiebel Eltron Ltd

Creative use of internal space has allowed Bridgewood to turn a former office block in St Albans into apartments with the help of an Even-Heat underfloor heating system. The company has ensured both maximum use of space and discreet comfort at City Point by integrating Even-Heat underfloor heating systems into the floors throughout all 12 apartments. Every square centimetre of room space has been put to practical use, while the large areas of low temperature radiant heating guarantee a pleasant internal environment whatever the weather outside. As part of the installation, loops of Even-Heat's special cross-linked polyethylene pipe work were laid above a layer of insulation material to prevent downward heat transfer.

Details for Even-Heat Ltd

When a new village hall was commissioned for Lamphey, south west Wales, Project Manager Ian Pankhurst approached fellow resident and owner of Gas Technical Services, Paul Smith, to install a traditional boiler and radiator heating system. Paul's concern for the hall to be as efficient and practical as possible led him to commission a Unico heating system. In public meeting places, radiator heating systems are particularly wasteful as, being slow to reach a comfortable temperature, they are often left on when the building is unused. Unico's high-velocity air aspiration system means that even large spaces warm up quickly, so there is no need to maintain a background heat when the building is unoccupied.Knowing of the regular playgroups that meet in the hall, Paul was also keen for the system to be child-friendly. The radiators would have to be run at low surface temperatures in order to be safe to touch, increasing the problem of heating time-lag. Unico's mini-ducts provided the solution.

Details for Unico System International Ltd