With no two heat networks ever the same, well-planned design and installation are crucial to ensuring a system performs to its potential. Pete Mills explains the top considerations for consultants embarking on a district heating project.

James Townley explains that effective water treatment is more than simply cleaning; it also protects pipework for better performance and life-time costs.

Grundfos pumps has assisted with delivery of containerised water to drought-striken Italy, with its packaged booster sets.

Steve Schofield explains why it’s vital to consider lifetime costs when specifying pumps – and why over-sizing is to be avoided.

Rehau is now able to supply polymer-based district heating solutions for larger projects in the UK following an exclusive deal with Aquatherm Sales UK.

Pegler Yorkshire’s Xpress Power Tools range offers a variety of tooling to support press-fit installations from 12mm to 168.3mm, as well as sprinkler systems. In addition, the range includes the popular combined package of AC0203 with 15mm to 35mm jaws in a single case.

Victaulic announces its new fire protection mobile truck tour of the UK. Travelling across the UK, the truck will stop at various locations in order to showcase Victaulic’s grooved piping system solutions.

The REMS Multi-Push is a compact, electronic flushing and pressure-testing unit with an oil-free compressor. It’s designed to help installers meet the European Standards EN 806-4 on the commissioning OF potable water installations.

As in any trade or profession, there are days in the life of a building services engineer when the only thing that will do is a quick fix. For those occasions when the clock is ticking, the pressure is on, a solution must be found ... and found quickly. Paul Wightman of Albion Valves shares some simple and cost-effective tactics to tackle energy wastage.

Underfloor heating for a new extension block at a school in north London was designed, supplied and installed by Oventrop Projects. The school is La Sainte Union Catholic Girls School and sixth-form college, and the project was carried out on behalf of RN Plumbing & Heating for the ground and first floors.

Variable-flow systems have the potential to reduce pumping energy significantly, but only with the right kind of balancing valves — properly used. Martyn Neil of Danfoss explores the role of differential-pressure control valves in the energy performance of commercial HVAC systems.

An energy-efficient heating system should be at the top of the agenda for any building-services professional. However, improving the efficiency of a heating system is about more than just installing a high-efficiency boiler, as Steven Evans of Potterton Commercial, explains.

Heating and hot water for the Richmond Villages retirement complex in Ashton-on-Trent is provided by InTec 34C combination boilers from Alpha Heating Innovation. The development by Richmond Villages is designed so that residents can enjoy an independent and full lifestyle.

The failing cast-iron drainage system in the 25-storey Millbrook Tower in Southampton has been replaced using a high-density polyethylene system that was installed without the temporary re-homing of any residents. Built over 50 years ago and formerly the tallest building in Southampton, it has a cast-iron drainage system that had started to rust.

Rinnai’s Infinity range of A-rated continuous-flow gas-fired water heaters, are well suited for small business and domestic properties that require high volumes of water at intermittent times of the day. The water is delivered at accurate temperatures for optimum user comfort and safety. Applications include cafes, pubs, restaurants, offices, shops, hairdressers, small commercial units, caravan parks and leisure facilities.

Potterton Commercial has made its easier for installers working on light-commercial project with the introduction of its best-value 50 kW Paramount Four boiler and flue offer. For a limited time, contractors can get a free horizontal or vertical flue when they purchase the boiler.

Evinox’s ModuSat heat interface unit takes around 15 seconds to reach 55°C from the tap opening, providing an impressive dynamic response. PID control logic, in combination with PICVs and a fast-acting actuator, modulates the primary flow rate to match the demand for hot water or heating demand, with very rapid response to changing loads.

Over the next two years, legislative changes will drive manufacturers to design even more energy-efficient water heaters. Here, Jonathan Tedstone of Andrews Water Heaters looks at what’s in store.

Xylem has extended its Ecocirc XL and XLplus range of wet-rotor circulator pumps, enabling increased energy savings for commercial HVAC users. There are two new product groups for hot and cold HVAC applications.

Viega now offers its Megapress press-in connection in the UK. The system makes it a simple job to add extra sensors, thermometers, drainage valves or pipe connections to thick-walled pipe. A press-in connection can be installed in a couple of minutes, with an estimated time saving of 80% compared to welding a connection.

Identifying installation issues with pipework at the commissioning stage is vital to prevent time–consuming remedial work after the fit out is complete. Scott James of Viega UK looks at what to consider when specifying pipework and how modern installation methods can help save time and money during and after the project.

An energy check carried out by Grundfos Pumps on an 11 000-student campus at a university in the north west of England highlighted potential energy savings of over 64 MWh a year, with a return on investment of just three years. The savings were achieved by exchanging a number of circulators for more efficient models.

Bristol Airport has gone beyond basic requirements in its suitability for use by people with disabilities by installing a Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita wash-and-dry toilet in place of a conventional peninsular WC. The facility measures 3 x 4 m and includes a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench and ceiling track hoist that are key to a compliant Changing Places.

Water-treatment regulations and product standards are almost entirely absent in the non-domestic market. Chris Shelton of Sentinel Commercial explains the financial and operational benefits of proactively embracing a best practice approach to water treatment — and how it can be easily and cost-effectively implemented.

The supply of hot water for the Malvern Hills Caravan Club site is now plentiful and consistent following the installation of four Rinnai continuous-flow water heaters to replace two storage water heaters. The site has 210 pitches and is especially busy from Easter right through to October.

Sabien Technology is the exclusive UK distributor for the Endotherm energy-saving heating additive for commercial multi-site heating systems. The agreement with Endo Enterprises (UK) is to supply the additive, which has won a CIBSE award, for commercial boiler heating systems.

Micronic flowmeters have been used at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 to survey energy usage in the heating system. The facilities staff at the terminal have a 5-year plan running to 2019, entitled Quinquennium 6, which includes the redesign of the medium-temperature hot-water system, which previously ran at 120°C. The requirement was to run the system at a lower temperature to be more cost effective, more environmentally friendly and — crucially — safer.

Marflow Hydronics has further developed its web site to enable customers to download relevant technical information, including BIM models, via a new product-downloads section. In addition, all product pages can be captured in PDF format and used as a data sheet.