Daikin’s solar thermal collectors have been awarded the Solar Keymark, enabling them to qualify for grants through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Now that Daikin Altherma has qualified for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and Daikin solar collectors have Solar Keymark certification, LCBP grants of up to £1300 are available.

Kanmor’s 500 series of thermostats for heating systems use pulse-width modulation to achieve accuracy and versatility. All user requirements are covered. The basic 501x has a conventional dial, but allows for night setback. The fully programmable 512e is designed for 2-stage heating and offers accurate control of up to four different temperature schedules per day.

Carrier has introduced a range of Aquasnap high-temperature heat pumps with heating capacities from 14 to 105 kW. The range is said to be the first offering high-temperature packaged heat pumps with a heating capacity above 50 kW. The high capacity of these units lends them to non-residential applications, and their compact size enables them to be easily integrated into most commercial buildings.

Instrument Solutions, a wholly own subsidiary of BSRIA, now supplies infra-red cameras for thermal imaging. The service is particularly useful for building inspectors as well as for heating engineers, builders and plumbers. Equipment such as the Flir B-series of compact hand-held imaging cameras can be used to detect energy loss and poor insulation, overheating electrics, moisture and air leakage in a building — as well as hot spots, non-functioning and leaking areas in central heating and underfloor heating systems.

Sanyo’s ECOi Series 6 VRF air-conditioning system can deliver up to 56 kW of cooling from a single outdoor unit. Up to three outdoor units can be linked to deliver up to 168 kW of cooling. The maximum length for refrigerant pipework has been increased from 300 to 1000 m. Units have been significantly redesigned, so that some outdoor units can be transport in a lift to the top of a building rather than requiring cranes or external lifting platforms.

Lindab’s range of Smart Tools for handling spiral ductwork has been confirmed as delivering benefits to the health and safety of people working with ductwork. These products are proven to ease strain and pain, as well as reducing installation time.

To overcome the problem of low water pressure in small commercial and domestic premises, Grundfos offers an engineered solution in the form of a pressurised hot-and-cold-water system connected to a Grundfos pressure-boosting pump. The boosting products range includes simple on/off controlled single pumps, with or without integral water-storage tank, up to variable-speed constant-pressure packaged sets.

The latest additions to Lochinvar’s EcoKnight range of gas-fired boilers and water heaters add higher outputs. The boiler range now comprises eight models with outputs from 41 to 228 kW, based on flow/return of 50/30°C. The eight models of water heaters are designed for use with direct storage vessels and cover recovery rates from 700 to 3800 l/h through a 50 K temperature rise.

Solid Air has overcome many problems associated with traditional designs of chilled beams by adding both variable-air-volume and air-direction control to its OKNI range of active chilled beams. Called eXtravent, this feature enables the volume of primary air to be changed if, for example, the space served changes from standard office space to a meeting room.

The latest additions to Rinnai’s range of continuous-flow water heaters are the HDC1500 and HDC1200 condensing models. These compact wall-mounted units can be fuelled by natural gas or LPG. Condensing models have a gross operating efficiency of up to 95%, making them 12% more efficient than their conventional counterparts. Output is up to 56 kW for natural gas and 67 kW for LPG. Modulation enables them to be turned down to 2.6 kW.

The Krom range of aluminium towel rails from MHS Radiators is said to have up to 40% higher output than chrome towel rails of a similar size. Being of aluminium and having low water content, these towel rails are light in weight and can easily be installed onto stud walls. Heating options include electric only, central heating only and dual fuel.

Potterton Commercial’s GeoFlo range of ground-source heat pumps has controls that are based on the same platform as its Paramount Two and Eurocondense Two condensing boilers, enabling them to be combined in an integrated system. Geoflo heat pumps have an output of 21 kW and can achieve COPs of up to 4.7. They can be installed in multiple-unit cascade configuration.

Powrmatic has introduced a range of condensing suspended gas-fire unit heaters. The NVS range provides outputs from 30 to 140 kW and has a secondary non-ferrous heat exchanger to recover latent heat from the flue gases. These heaters can be operated on natural gas or propane. The fuel savings achieved enable the extra capital cost to be recovered within a year.

Daikin Europe’s Emura air-conditioning unit is described as stylish and strikingly attractive. It has an ultra-thin profile and can be finished in matt crystal white or sandblasted aluminium. These units have been designed in Europe for the European climate and have an EER of up to 4.46 (Energy Label A). There are three classes of unit with cooling capacities from 2.5 to 5.0 kW. They can also provide heating. Sound-pressure level can be as low as 22 dB(A).

Hitachi Europe has expended its Utopia Centrifugal range of air conditioners with three models with DC inverter-driven scroll compressors. The new units have cooling capacities from 7.2 to 25.5 kW and EERs of up to 3.4. They are up to 25% more efficient in typical UK operating conditions compared to the previous fixed-speed models.

Rada’s Sense Dual Shower T3 has two shower heads (one fixed and one with a hose) that can be selected by the user. It is designed with children and the less able in mind and suitable for all commercial and public-sector requirements that need to meet the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations. Sense Dual Shower T3 combines a diverter show with two heads with the company’s intelligent digital thermo­static mixing valve technology.

The Saracen waterless urinal system is distributed exclusively by Plumb Center and incorporates the company’s Water Warrior technology. As well as saving water, the dual patented system eradicates the build up of limescale. A patented cartridge neutralises odours above the bowl, and the waste housing acts as a hygienic seal against odours emitted from within the pipework below the bowl.

Monodraught’s Cool-phase passive cooling system uses a phase-change material (PCM) to control the temperature in a room. When the room temperature is high, the PCM changes phase so as to absorb heat. When the room temperature is cool, the PCM changes phase to release heat. A cool-phase module has a thermal mass equivalent to 9 t of concrete.

Fujitsu’s Airstage V-II DC inverter-controlled VRF air-conditioning system is 20% lighter than the previous equivalent and can handle total pipe lengths of up to 1000 m. Significant reductions to installation time have been achieved by adopting a removable L-shaped font panel. Compressor noise has been reduced by shielding the compressor compartment. Electronic expansion-valve control in each indoor unit controls temperature to ±0.5 K.

The Zero range of low-cost lightweight aluminium radiators from MHS radiators has contemporary styling and offers heat outputs from 423 to 3068 W. They have a low water content, so they heat up rapidly. An operating pressure of up to 16 bar enables them to be used in high-rise buildings.

Two Dimplex heat pumps have been recognised by the Government’s Microgeneration Certification scheme, making them eligible for LCBP2 and CERT funding. Through the course of the approvals process, Dimplex has agreed a methodology with certification body BRE for families of products to be tested and approved together.

Flakt Woods has enlarged its range of chilled beams with the Stella exposed multi-service chilled beam (pictured) and the integrated Astra. They are part of the IQ-Star range. The provide demand-controlled ventilation based on room occupancy to reduce ventilation and heating and cooling loads by 10 to 30%.

Danlers designs and manufactures a range of indoor and outdoor electronic time-lag switches for lighting or heating loads. They are ideal for simply saving energy in stairwells, store rooms, student accommodation, smoking shelters etc.

The AC6 Commissioning Meter from Comdronic is compact, lightweight and user friendly. 0 to 250 kPa differential pressure range (600 kPa also available). Database of over 2600 valves and devices from 52 manufacturers.

Trench and floor-standing heaters from S&P Coil Products use the Peltier effect to generate electricity from the heat emitted to power fans to increase heat output, avoiding the need for electrical wiring. The Minib range is said to be the first range of direct space-heating devices to use thermo-electric technology to power integral fans. As a result, the output per linear metre of heating element of about 1 kW is about double that of a conventional unpowered natural convector.

LG’s Therma V air-to-water heat pumps use inverter technology and are aimed at commercial and domestic markets. They can provide heating and cooling via underfloor systems and fan-coil units and heating via radiators. There are four models with cooling/heating outputs from 8.6/9 to 14/16 kW via an underfloor system with outside temperature of 7°C. Heat outputs via fan-coil units or radiators are 7.5 to 13.3 kW with 5.8 to 9.5 kW of cooling via a fan-coil unit. COP is up to 4.5. Domestic hot water can also be produced.

MHIE (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe) has announced a major expansion to its KX6 VRF range of air-conditioning systems following the success of its KX6 Compact range. The eight ‘full-size’ KX6 heat-pump models offer cooling capacities from 33 to 68 kW and can be paired to provide up to 136 kW. There is also a new range of indoor units. with size reductions or detail improvements to almost every model.

Bitzer’s Ecoline range of semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors are optimised for R134a. This new range increases energy efficiency by up to 20% and is designed for medium-temperature cooling applications. The range is based on the Octagon and B5/B6 compressors and has been extended to lower condensing temperatures to achieve COP improvements of more than 60% under these conditions. They provide an alternative to R404A systems.

Rehau has improved the insulation of its Rauthermex district-heating pipe by optimising the foam-blowing process. The new foam achieves lambda values of 0.0255 W/mK, said to be the best in class, without affecting pipework flexibility and quality.

Stokvis has developed a series of packaged heat exchangers to generate domestic hot water using condensing boilers. The Econoplate C series is specifically designed to operate with the lower primary temperatures provided by condensing boilers. With a flow temperature of 70°C, they will achieve a return temperature of about 45°C.

CP Electronics has introduced two high-bay PIR detectors for controlling lighting in warehouses and factories. Both detectors can be used in presence or absence mode with incandescent, fluorescent and compact-fluorescent light sources. They can have optional manual controls.

Daikin Europe’s EWAD-C series of air-cooled chillers have cooling capacities from 680 to 1800 kW and use R134a. They are fitted with high-efficiency fans and are available with three different sound levels. These compressors have a single screw compressor with an asymmetric loading system to maximise efficiency at part load.

BASF has developed a system for quickly improving room acoustics with little effort. It is based on Abacustica panels that can be mounted on walls to absorb sound and reduce reverberation. In rooms with a high level of reverberation, people have to talk louder and louder to overcome it.

Flir has introduced two new mid-range infra-red cameras to help reduce the energy consumption of buildings in line with the EU’s latest energy-declaration legislation. The B365 and B425 cameras feature low weight, picture-in-picture fusion, touch screen, tiltable lens unit and interchangeable optics.

Honeywell’s Kombi 4 valve provides a low-cost means of ensuring immediate hot water and reducing water wastage while enabling easier and faster commissioning in buildings with many DHW outlets. These throttle and balancing valves are installed in the secondary return of constant hot-water systems to balance them. A optional thermostatic control attachment additionally maintains constant circulation temperature.

Ex-Or has added microwave technology as an option for its LightSpot and MLS Digital systems. These detectors can be installed in corners to control an area up to 20 m square. They have dual-circuit control and a regulating photocell to adjust light output in response to ambient light levels. They can control up to 25 DSI/DALI ballasts.

Advanced Engineering has made three additions to its popular AC Pro documentation for air-conditioning surveys. They are based on simple check boxes and labels. The additions cover new F-gas procedures and changes in best-practice recommendations from the Institute of Refrigeration.

Tour & Andersson’s TA-Scope handheld instrument is designed to verify, measure and balance flow, differential pressure, temperature and power of complex hydronic systems. Its small size enables it to be used in small spaces and situations that might pose a risk if a large, cumbersome measuring and balancing tool were used. Internal batteries provide three days of operation.

Victaulic has added to its advanced grooved pipe-jointing system (AGS) for large-diameter pipes. Rigid and flexible couplings are now available for pipes up to 60 in (1525 mm) diameter. Joints that would require several hours to weld can be installed in less than an hour using AGS couplings. They are available in diameters from 14 to 60 in (350 to 1525 mm) — compared with 14 to 24 in (350 to 610 mm) previously.

Integrated Environmental Systems (IES) now offers full technical support for Virtual Environment installations on Apple Mac computers using VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop or the Boot Camp utility in the latest Mac OS. This means that the Virtual Environment suite of Windows products (VE-Ware, VE-Toolkits, VE-Gaia and VE-Pro) can be installed and run on Apple computers and be eligible for full IES technical support.

Pegler Yorkshire has introduced two new tap ranges. Ebro and Pulsar (pictured) are both minimalist in style and, despite being part of the Francis Pegler range, competitive in price. There are 14 pieces in the Pulsar range and eight in the Ebro range. Both ranges include models for kitchens and bathrooms.

Passivent now offers a version of its controlled Aircool ventilation louvre with an integrated heating coil that can be connected to a building’s wet heating system. Called Thermal Aircool, it warms air being drawn from outside to avoid draughts and reduce the load on the rest of the heating system.

Sime has launched a range of high-efficiency condensing combination and system boilers. The Format Digital HE range comprises three combis and one system boiler with outputs from 20 to 35 kW. The combi boilers can deliver instantaneous hot water from 9.5 to 14 l/min. For lightness of weight, the heat exchanger is made of cast aluminium.

SPX offers a new range of APV Compakva water heaters and district heating units for domestic water heating in social housing and commercial schemes.

ABB has signed a deal to supply variable-speed drives for Nuaire’s range of fans. These drives will form an integral part of Nuaire’s Ecosmart control range, which links, fans, drives and condition sensors into a ventilation system that supplies air to meet real-time demand — saving money by cutting energy use.

Danlers designs and manufactures a cost-effective, long-range, directional, passive infra-red occupancy switch suitable for applications such as corridors and storage aisles.

Big Foot Systems’ ‘off-the-shelf’ prefabricated aluminium roof penetrations have rounded inlets to prevent damage to insulated pipes and cables. They are designed to resist damage by poor weather conditions and avoid expensive insurance claims.

EDSL/Tas, which specialises in dynamic plant simulation modelling, has announced expansion plans to double its office operating area. Dr Alan Jones, managing director of EDSL, tells us that software that can accurately calculate carbon emissions from buildings is in great demand following the various initiatives that have focused on this issue.

The AC6 Commissioning Meter from Comdronic is compact, lightweight and user friendly. 0 to 250 kPa differential pressure range (600 kPa also available). Database of over 2600 valves and devices from 52 manufacturers.