With legislation, Building Regulations and local-authority planning consent applying increasing pressure on the heating and ventilation sector to deliver commercial plant rooms with the lowest possible carbon footprint, Paul Hardy explains how the integration and harmonising of low- and zero-carbon (LZC) technologies with conventional products has the potential to achieve the ultimate solutions for space heating and hot-water generation.

The compact dimensions and low weight of MHS Boilers’ Ultramax R3400 and 3600SB gas-fired condensing boilers suit them to being installed in roof-top plant rooms and in plant rooms where space is restricted.

Annual heating bills of just £280 are being achieved by an energy-efficient country mansion of some 600 m2 using two Keston condensing boilers. These boilers were specified by the owner, designer and building of Poachers Retreat, Malcom Cox.

GAH Heating has added an external range to its Thermeco brand of high-efficiency oil-fired condensing boilers. They have outputs of 12 to 16 kW and 16 to 25 kW.

With fuel prices at record highs and dark thoughts of recession, Peter Gammon considers what specifiers of heating systems can do to make the best of the current tough times.

A Hoval biomass boiler is among a range of sustainable features incorporated into a new primary school in Newark. Bowbridge Primary School also boasts solar water heating, toilet flushing using rainwater and a sedum roof. It is also designed to make full use of natural daylight and natural ventilation.

We are often told that we can’t save the planet and save money. Mark Northcott, national sales manager (commercial) of Broag-Remeha, disagrees.

With BREEAM already taking account of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from boilers and Building Regulations expected to impose limits, Richard Evans explains how oxides of nitrogen are formed and how to reduce them.

The Italian-made Murelle HE range of high-efficiency gas boilers is available in the UK from Sime, a subsidiary of Sime Spa, and comprises 10 models with five outputs from 12 to 35 kW. There are versions for heating only, heating and DHW and fully integrated DHW storage.

A 450 kW biomass boiler from Broag has replaced three elderly oil-fired boilers at Stradbroke Business & Enterprise College in Suffolk and is reducing carbon emissions by around 120 t a year. The school has some 370 pupils. The boiler was specified by Suffolk County Council and installed by the Ipswich branch of Elyo Services.

Buderus has added a new wall-mounted boiler to its GB162 range. The new model has an output of 65 kW and joins the existing 80 and 100 kW models.

Following a successful trial of Vaillant’s VRC 630 boiler management system in the Knights Court sheltered-Housing scheme in Ventnor, South Wight Housing Association is considering installing further systems and communal heating in other sheltered-housing schemes.

Ideal Boilers has added a 100 kW-output model to its Imax W range of wall-hung condensing boilers. To achieve the higher output, Ideal has refined the operation of the 80 kW version and created, in the same casing, the W100.