Green Deal finance and energy saving installations
The Green Deal provides a great deal opportunity for housing associations to retrofit their properties making them more energy efficient. Once Green Deal finance is in place which the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is certain will be on 28th January, energy efficient improvements to properties can be made of up to £10,000 […]
Output levels not expected to rise until 2014 while levels continue to decline in the second quarter of 2012
Construction output continued to decline in the second quarter of 2012 after a contraction of almost 6% in the first quarter. Output was also down by 9% year-on-year at £24.5bn. Repair and maintenance output fell by 1.6% over the previous quarter, while new work fell by 3.8% in the 3 months to June 2012. Output […]
Heat networks must increase in order to meet UK’s carbon-reduction targets
To help meet the Uk’s carbon reduction targets, the number of homes connected to heat networks must increase 30-fold by 2050 according to a report on domestic heating for the Electricity Networks Association highlighted in MBS magazine. There are currently only 1% of homes on the network and connecting more will reduce carbon emissions while […]
Guide for maximising benefits from the RHI
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) provides annual subsidy payments over 20 years for the generation of heating by renewable technologies at a level designed to remove the barriers of installation. Those generating heat and hot water from heat pumps, solar-thermal solutions, biomass and bio-methane boilers can be paid up to 8.5p/kWh under the RHI with […]
Consultation to improve slow uptake of RHI
The renewable heat incentive (RHI) has had a slow take-up, with only 458 installations of renewable heat systems carried out. A consultation on plans to extend the scheme which has been available to commercial properties for the last year, to the domestic market and to more commercial buildings closes today. According to Building Magazine, Energy […]
New government energy plans set to boost retrofitting market
The government has set out reforms of the electricity market with incentives for businesses to reduce energy consumption, possibly stimulating the demand for retrofitting existing buildings to make them more energy efficient. Plans published by the government allowed firms to be paid for saving energy and provided opportunities for those working in retrofitting. The government […]
UK backed to be BIM global leader
The Government has launched a strategy to transform the UK into a global leader in building information modelling (BIM). BIM is a process for designing a building structure collaboratively by using one coherent system of computer models. Published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) the 12 point action plan includes proposals to […]
UK Green Building Council Co-ordinates alliance for government to act on Green for Growth campaign
A number of property and construction industry bodies have signed an open letter to Chancellor George Osborne calling for the government to act on Building’s Green for Growth campaign. The letter, drafted by the UK Green Building Council highlights 5 key demands; action on the Green Deal, retrofitting public buildings, display energy certificates, the zero […]
Adding Thermal Mass During Refurbishment
The fluctuation of temperatures within a building can be an issue as it involves the use of air-conditioning or the heating system. In the 1960s, scientists started to develop and experiment PCMs (phase-change materials) which have for advantage to store and release the heat when needed. Thanks to it, a reduction of up to eight […]
Low-carbon investment in infrastructure is needed to help the UK meet its C02 targets
Over the next few decades we will have to address an investment challenge towards its transition to a low carbon energy future. According to a recent report from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the government should set binding targets in the way towards the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity sector in order to promote […]
Four tips to improve the efficiency of compressed air system
Four top energy efficiency measures are proposed to optimize the efficiency of a compressed air system rather than purchasing a new compressor. These five recommendations are as follows: First of all, it is important for business to measure how much compressed air used and how much it costs if it is used correctly. Additionally, assess […]
Webinar – The Essential Guide to Structural Waterproofing
Syntegra Consulting took part on the 28th of November at a webinar organised by Building and RIW on “The essential guide to structural waterproofing”. The webinar explored the BS8102 specification and design principles for a successful waterproofing strategy, looked at different system choices and their application with case studies including Berkeley Home’s Royal Arsenal Riverside […]
Expansion of district heating to reach UK’s emission reduction target
A recent report on domestic heating for the Electricity Networks Association indicated that only 1% of the homes are connected to heat networks and this figure must be increased by 30 times by 2050 to meet UK’s carbon reduction requirement. Additionally, the report also stated the need for expanding heart networks for their potential in […]
New Ideas on Retrofitting Old Buildings
The Department of energy and Climate Change is supporting a new approach to retrofitting existing buildings. This is due to new research by the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA), whose report calls for a change of the retrofitting process to maximise the effectiveness of sustainability improvements to buildings built before 1919, which account for a […]
Benefits of Solar Thermal Water Heating
Solar thermal systems collect free solar radiation, available throughout the year, via flat plate panels or evacuated tubes positioned on a building’s roof. This energy is used to heat water stored within a specially designed cylinder which then serves taps, showers, baths and any other appliances with a hot water feed. When necessary, a supplementary […]
Understanding commercial and industrial scale solar PV installation
Syntegra Consulting attended a workshop from Ikaros Solar in understanding how a well designed PV system can help to offset large utility bills and also be a very sound long term financial investment. This workshop was particularly relevant because after months of indecision and misinformation, the solar PV industry is starting to get back on […]
UK Passivhaus Open Days 2012 – Syntegra’s site visit
Syntegra Consulting attended on Friday 9th November the visit of the Fox Barn single family Passivhaus in Andover, Hants as part of the UK Passivhaus Open Days 2012. A huge amount of energy is waste through inefficiency, lazy design and bad habits formed by energy being historically too cheap to worry about, but it is […]
The Growth and Benefits of Underfloor Heating Systems within the UK
Underfloor heating has become increasingly prevalent within the UK in recent years; now being installed in approximately 50% of new commercial builds and an increasing number of domestic projects. This is due to the growing recognition of the benefits associated with underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is perhaps the most energy efficient heating method available. With […]
Wales’ One Planet Development Scheme
In July 2010, Wales introduced One Planet Developments; a national planning policy to encourage low environmental impact developments. This is in response to studies showing that, if everyone consumed natural resources at the rate that Wales currently does, it would take 3 planets to support everyone. It has been concluded that Wales must reduce its […]
Standardised Homes Scheme for London
The Standardised Homes Scheme is an initiative to build thouplasands of standardised homes all across London. It was developed and initiated by Kelvin Campbell; one of the consultants behind the London Design Guide. The Standard Homes Scheme aims to integrate different agreed design parameters for different houses in London so that the planning application relating […]
ISO Audit
ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard which describes how an effective Environment Management System (EMS) could be put. It reveals the balance between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact and helps you to achieve both objectives. In ISO 14001, it comprises general requirement, environment policy, planning implementation and operation, checking and corrective action and […]
Webinar –UK Green Building Council Planning
Syntegra Consulting took part on 25th October at its first webinar on “UK Green Building Council Planning webinar”. The webinar explored how far planners should be going when requiring high quality, sustainable development and how far is too far. It brought together a panel of expert speakers to debate these issues as Martin Randall, Head […]
Wall insulation -Energy Efficiency in Building
In a building a well installed insulation ensures energy efficiency in every part of the building envelope and more specifically on walls. Insulation is a key component of the wall to achieve a low U-value and there are lots of innovative building systems for wall insulation. LOGIX Build Solutions launched their new LOGIX IFCs products […]
Design Excellence – Syntegra’s project shortlisted for the Hackney Design Awards 2012
The short list of 19 buildings and public spaces nominated for the 2012 Hackney Design Awards has been unveiled and people are now being invited to vote for their favourite scheme. The schemes have been selected for their innovative design and contribution to the surrounding area. Syntegra Consulting have seen one of its projects 2 […]
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