At the Passivhaus-accredited Riverside Primary School in Perth, Scotland, the selection of point-of-use water heaters played a key role in driving down energy use. Baxi’s Andy Green explains how the optimal solution was realised
Category: Technical
Turning waste into warmth: how data centres can heat tomorrow’s cities
Aecom has helped develop a vast energy centre in West London that will pipe waste heat from data centres into 10,000 new homes and existing businesses via a heat network. The company’s Asad Kwaja looks at the ‘architecture’ behind the design
Race to net zero: why schools must act now
UK schools produce 2% of UK carbon emissions, yet retrofits lag behind net zero targets. Professor Dejan Mumovic FCIBSE explains to Alex Smith how large-scale models can accelerate decarbonisation while minimising overheating risk
In demand: the DESNZ/IEA Heat Pump Research Seminar
Demand-response strategies were the hot topic at this year’s DESNZ/IEA Heat Pump Research Seminar. Molly Tooher-Rudd and Alex Smith capture the highlights, including talks on non-domestic heat pump retrofits and full-scale testing of net zero homes
Do you have to comply with government’s notional building types?
HVAC strategies are set for a substantial shift next year, so how much flexibility do you have to create your own design?
Cooling without compromise: Thermal Comfort winner
EcoTechX’s CIBSE Award-winning Optimum air conditioning system uses water, not refrigerant, to provide cooling, which not only reduces embodied carbon, but also cuts operational energy use by up to 65%
Breaking the ice: a novel defrosting solution for heat pumps
Heat pump performance in sub-zero conditions is significantly challenged because of cumulative freezing. A new passive refrigerant flow control system aims to mitigate ice buildup, offering a simple yet effective approach to improving efficiency in extreme climates. Tim Dwyer reports
Take note: fire-safe façades
New Technical Notes from the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology are essential reading for anyone involved in the design and construction of modern façades. By David Metcalfe, director at CWCT
Countdown to regulation: new heat network standards
A new regulatory framework, due in January 2026, will require all heat networks to meet minimum technical standards. A recent CIBSE conference looked at the challenges and opportunities for operators and consumers. Alex Smith reports
Clarifying fire safety: understanding new standards
The updated BS 9991:2024 ushers in a new era of fire safety design for high-rise flats, with guidance on escape staircases, open-plan spaces, evacuation lifts, sprinklers, smoke control and care homes. Calum Smith explores the key updates
