Following the Grand Designs Exhibition, Eal Consult is pleased to announce it will be presenting along with Mitsubishi Electrical UK in a series of seminars in September.The seminars will cover new and self build and refubishments.
Covering: CfSH, Building Regulations, Energy Assessements, New products/Spilt/Controls, Monitoring, Case Studies, Developer Agreements.
12th September – Hatfiled
19th September – Reigate
26th September – Reigate
For more information please contact ealconsult.com
What we percieve ourselves to be and what we are, is very different from reality. Our bodies consist of Universes within Universes. Billions and billions of microbes inhabit our bodies from birth without which we would not survice, as they enable us to function as an organism.
Our universe and as with most others is just a spec amongst the trillions of others that exist. To be able to understand beyond our world and existence is impossible. However, we all inhabit and depend on each other for our existence. To understand ourselves we need to understand the other life forms that live in us and on the planet who we share, without whom we cannot function and survive.
The ancient Indians believed in being in balance with the natural world and belived that Koyaanisqatsi which means unbalanced life”, would result if this did not happen. How we look after the world around us affects how we look after ourselves, as they are in essence the same thing.
An energy audit provides data on a building’s carbon footprint and how efficient it is . There are a variety of elements that are assessed including the building’s construction and its thermal dynamics, live energy consumption data for those devices and areas using energy and benchmarking of the building.
The information gained will in turn provide clear and concise data with detailed analysis of recommendations with costings. In most cases these improvements are self financing.
It makes business sense.
FITs/RHI/Green Deal – All in One
Following clarification last week from the European Commission, DECC is now able to confirm how FITs and the Green Deal can work together to support consumers wanting to install microgeneration technologies.
People are able to use Green Deal finance to contribute towards the cost of installing micro CHP, micro wind or solar PV on their property.
Only the cost savings on their energy bill as a result of generating their own power can be used in calculating the amount of finance support they can get from the Green Deal. FITs generation and export payments are not included, but the customer can benefit from the Green Deal while also separately receiving FITs payments.
Subject to finalisation of RHI policy, installations attracting the Renewable Heat Incentive will also be able to benefit from the Green Deal. Again the amount of support will be limited to the energy bill saving and will not include RHI payments.
The Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) is the UK’s leading energy management industry association. With over 25 years’ involvement in energy management, ESTA is a standard setter in the development of the industry. We have a highly regarded and impressive track record of promoting our members’ interests at the highest levels in the UK, Europe and internationally.
http://www.esta.org.uk
External Wall Insulation
More and more councils, housing associations and home owners are using external insulation on solid brick walls. It is easy and effective – these photos were taken this week of a solid brick wall house being externally insulated. These sort of projects will now be funded under the Green Deal.
A very simple but effective way to reduce heat loss and keep a building thermally efficient.
External Wall Insulation
![106-{1]-baca-Amphibious House-Static Position](http://www.ealconsult.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/106-1-baca-Amphibious-House-Static-Position.jpg)
The UK’s first amphibious house has been granted full planning permission and is set to be built on the banks of the River Thames later this year. It will provide an imaginative architectural solution to overcome the threat of flooding. The Local Authority supported this proposal because it was a replacement dwelling so flood risk was reduced on this site.
![106-[2]-baca-Amphibious House-Flooded](http://www.ealconsult.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/106-2-baca-Amphibious-House-Flooded.jpg)
An amphibious house is a building that rests on the ground on fixed foundations but, whenever a flood occurs, the entire building rises up in its dock and floats there, buoyed by the floodwater.
![106-[5]-baca-Amphibious House-Context](http://www.ealconsult.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/106-5-baca-Amphibious-House-Context.jpg)
The dwelling is located in a riverside location with a designated conservation area. The design is modern yet sympathetic to its surroundings.
![106-[6]-baca-floating concept](http://www.ealconsult.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/106-6-baca-floating-concept.jpg)
The house is designed as a free-floating pontoon. The floating house is secured by four dolphins (permanent vertical posts) arranged close up to the sidewalls. The assembly is sited within a wet dock comprising retaining walls and base slab. When flooding occurs the dock fills with water and the house rises accordingly.
http://www.baca.uk.com/#/projects/view/106
Changes have been made to the regulations, to transpose the requirements of a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in England and Wales. The main requirements will be introduced on 9 January 2013 and are summarised below:
• property advertisements to include details of energy performance certificate rating where available
• no longer a requirement to attach front page of the energy performance certificate to written material
• extension of current requirement for a display energy certificate in large public buildings, to public buildings above 500m². Unlike buildings larger than 1,000m², display energy certificates for smaller public buildings will be valid for 10 years
• energy performance certificate to be displayed in commercial premises larger than 500m² where one has been previously issued
The guidance documents have been revised to reflect the changes and can be viewed: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-the-energy-efficiency-of-our-buildings.
The new regulations consolidate all existing regulations which have been revoked. They are available at legislation.gov.uk.
Higher Utility bills is only part of the story. There is no good reason that the recent increase in bills cannot be offset by energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption.
Whether you run your own business or in your home there is plenty that can be done to reduce consumption. The first step is to identify usage, this can be easily done by monitoring the live usage and providing a cost analysis of what your lighting, heating, etc is costing and when it is being used. This simply tool will enable you to understand where the biggest savings can be made.
There are also measures that can be taken on improving the air tightness of the building; too ensure thermal efficiency, this may include internal or external wall insulation on solid brick buildings, draught proofing, thermostatic radiator valves, as well as other measures that will help including renewable technologies.
These measures are simple and cost effective and will save businesses and home owners money, as well as being friendly to the environment we live in.
Monitoring energy consumption is the first step in the process to understanding energy usage. Granulating the data for the heating and air conditioning systems, lighting and other small power equipment by floor or zone will enable effective management and anaylsis.
A detailed carbon footprint survey of the building and its efficiency is also carried, as well as bench-marking the building and what its reaslistic footprint should be. This will include examming the building’s air tightness and water consumption and wastage.
All energy consuming devices will be monitored to ensure operation efficiency (this should be a ongoing process). Recommendations will be made on the basis of this data on improving the carbon footprint as well as reducing consumption. These measures are often are self funding.
Reducing energy consumption and having a sustainability strategy is good business whatever way you look at it.