When will builders ‘Go Green’ ?

Now is the time for house builders to change their ways and implement change to achieve the government’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015. However, there are those still questioning the cost of this change to not only a construction cost but to their business itself. There are two options; completely […]

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive will be introduced in 2001-2012 with £860 of funding. However specific details of the implementation are not yet explicit. In addition the Green deal, due to be introduced may also assist in improving home insulation strategies or strategies to improve […]

What is the Green Deal? – Eco-Refit, Refurb and the Future

The BRE Trust and the Energy Saving Trust is currently introducing The National Refurbishment Centre. This data brings in reliable resources from scientific research and testing, guidance’s on installation techniques and more so, real refurbishment projects with customer feedback from around the country. The Governments Green deal investment will implement energy efficiency resources in autumn […]

New Sustainable Homes Code scheme – November 2011

The new Code for Sustainable Homes was published in November 2011 bringing a simpler and more precise code of assessment. It was upgraded from the ‘May 2009 Version 2’ and sets out the code of technical guidance. For the latest changes to the Code for Sustainable Homes assessment scheme click here to download. Please contact […]

Energy Assessments – Extension projects

Both the builder and owner of a building have a legal requirement to make and comply with an appropriate Building Regulations Application. If both the builder and owner do not comply it may result in prosecution through the Magistrates’ Court. If you are considering a building project and you are unsure as to whether it […]

Energy Consultants – 80unit development, Birmingham,BH

Syntegra Consulting appointed as energy consultants to undertake the energy and M&E services strategy for an 80 unit development in Birmingham. The site consists of new build, conversion/refurbishment and extension work. The dwellings will all be built to a minimum of code level 3 standards in relation to the code for sustainable homes assessment scheme.

Low Zero Carbon (LZC) consultants – New Build bungalow, Steyning, BN44 3GF

Syntegra Consulting appointed as energy consultants to provide the LZC feasibility report for a new build detached bunglaow in Steyning, BN44. The LZC report is code compliant to satisfy the ENE 7 category of the Code for Sustainable Homes assessment procedure – It consequently showed and justified a 10% reduction in CO2 reductions via the […]

Energy Consultants – New build industrial & commercial development, Watford, WD18

Syntegra Consulting appointed as Energy Consultants to develop an M&E and energy strategy for a development of 3No. proposed buildings in Watford (circa 25,000 sqft total). The strategy will be compliant to  2010 building regs and to the local authorities 20% CO2 reduction via renewables target (falling under the Mayor of London’s energy strategy policy). […]

Guide to extending your home – Syntegra Consulting feature

Syntegra Consulting in partnership with LABC and Wokingham Borough Council have produced an information booklet applicable for both homeowners/Architects/Contractors when considering to undertake a domestic extension under current building regulations. The information booklet details in phases what to consider, the issues and the documentation required to be produced. The booklet was released in January 2011. […]

Energy Consultants (AC energy inspection) – Chineham Business Park, Basingstoke, RG24

Syntegra Consulting has been commissioned by Peek Traffic to undertake an Air Conditioning Inspection for Unit 2, Lime Tree Way, Hazelwood, Chineham Business Park, Chineham, Basingtoke, RG24 8WZ. The undertaking of an ACI (Air Conditioning Inspection) is a legal requirement according to article 9 of the Energy Performance Building Directive in England and Wales. Air […]

UK economy predictions for 2011 – By Alan King (Director of Syntegra Consulting)

Whilst our business and niche sector in energy consultancy/zero carbon design and sustainable building compliance is growing at a fast and exciting pace, 2011 will be a cautious year as our clients will be moving tentatively into 2011 with the hope of a more confident UK economic recovery. In 2010, at Syntegra Consulting we have […]

20% VAT increase – 11,000 construction job loses predicted

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has predicted that increasing the VAT rate from 17.5% to 20% could lead to over 11,000 job loses in the construction sector over the next decade. They state further that the increase will result in a 2% decrease in demand for domestic repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) work, which […]

2011 Housebuilding – Housebuilding set to stagnate after 30% rise in 2010

The number of new homes started rose by 30% in 2010, bouncing back from record industry lows in 2009 according to the latest NHBC figures. – However, the number of completions actually fell by just over 10% in the year, as housebuilders slowed down due to the tentative market. House minister Grant Shapps this week […]

Energy audit – Waterways, 27 Derby Road, Loughborough

Syntegra Consulting appointed energy consultants on behalf of Mainstay Residential Ltd (Property Management Firm), to undertake a detailed energy audit of the Waterways student accommodation development, consisting of 3No. 3-5 storey buildings. In total there is 35 student apartments. A energy consumption audit and bill validation exercise was carried out along with detailed energy efficiency […]

Energy Audits – Sussex University

Syntegra Consulting appointed to undertake energy audits for 5No. 3/4 storey buildings on the campus of Sussex University. The audits were undertaken to demonstrate the energy efficiency enhancement impact of capital upgrade works to each building using the SBEM simulation software. The buildings consisted of student accommodation and university offices.

Energy audit – Two Chimneys, Guildford GU3

Syntegra Consulting appointed energy consultants to conduct a technical design validation and energy audit for a newly built 4 bedroom detached property in Guildford. The property consists of 3No. borehole serving a Ground Source Heat Pump system, trace heating, zonal underfloor heating and air-conditioning. The report outlined benchmark electrical consumption data against design and actual […]

Air Conditioning Inspection London – 71 Broadwick St, London, W1F

71 Broadwick Street is located in the heart of Westminster, London- just off Carnaby Street. It is a 4 storey office building with various lease tenants on each floor. Syntegra Consulting have undertaken an Air Conditioning inspection (London) of the property according to the EPBD. Cooling and heating is provided to the building by 4No. […]

AC inspection London – 6-8 Kingly Court, London, W1B

Syntegra Consulting appointed to undertake an Air Conditioning Inspection on a 4 storey office building located in Central London (circa 10,000 sqft), that is occupied by a cosmetic company. The ACI has been undertaken in accordance to the EPBD. Comfort cooling is provided to the building by 8 Variable refrigerant flow systems with installed nominal […]

AC energy assessment – YMCA, Derbyshire

Syntegra Consulting appointed to undertake the AC energy inspection assessment in accordance with the EPBD directive from the EU. The premises is 14 months old with 2No. external splits, 1No. Mr Slim and 4No. Lossnay Heat recovery units.

Surface water run-off consultancy – 4No. development sites, London

Syntegra Consulting appointed to undertake Hydrology reports for the SUR 1 & 2 categories of the code for sustainable homes assessment (including flood risk assessments) for 4No. development sites in East London and Essex. The combined Number of units of the sites are circa 100units.