Unlocking the potential of heat networks

The rollout of heat networks are a key plank of the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy. To identify the urban areas most suitable for networks, the government has published a new document on zoning, as Andy Pearson reports

What will buildings look like in 2050?

Ahead of Glasgow’s COP26, we asked six leading engineers what a typical building will look like in 2050, and the challenges designers and industry will face in getting to net zero in key sectors

Designing efficient hybrid heat pump systems

Considering the optimal operational design conditions of both technologies is essential to maximise the efficiency of a hybrid heat pump system. Baxi Heating’s Ryan Kirkwood offers advice on how to avoid conflict

Rethinking the fan coil

The Artus hybrid air conditioning unit is only 200mm deep, yet it achieves energy savings of 83% over conventional fan coil units thanks to patented designs for the heat exchanger and fan assembly. Andy Pearson speaks to inventor Roger Olsen about his quest to cool buildings more efficiently

Young Engineers Awards finalists revealed

Eight young engineers – vying to become the CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year 2021 – will take to the virtual stage at the Young Engineers Awards this month, when the Apprentice of the Year will also be crowned

Our time is now: interview with CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter

CIBSE’s new chief executive, Ruth Carter, says the Institution is on the cusp of an exciting new era, in which building services engineers will be integral to the creation of a new generation of net-zero buildings that will put occupants first

Why space volume matters in Covid-19 transmission

It’s not just ventilation that removes viable virus from indoor air. To understand the risk of transmission of Covid-19, the University of Nottingham’s Benjamin Jones and Chris Iddon say other mechanisms that are dependent on the volume of a space have to be considered

The business case for wellbeing

Winner of the 2021 CIBSE Building Performance Awards Product or Innovation of the Year – Wellbeing is a timely productivity mapping toolkit from Cundall that helps make the business case for interventions in workplaces to improve wellbeing. Phil Lattimore reports