Category: Technical

Specifiers need to start assessing a refrigerant’s embodied carbon as well as its global warming potential, says Klima-Therm’s Tim Mitchell, who is working with bodies such as LETI and CIBSE to calculate the full carbon impact of HVAC systems

The energy demand of our homes must be reduced significantly to make a net-zero future viable, but for a high proportion of existing buildings this will be challenging. Passivhaus Trust’s John Palmer says upcoming LETI guidance will show professionals what is possible

Embodied carbon in MEP equipment makes up a large proportion of building emissions, but is hard to measure. Elementa Consulting’s Louise Hamot and Clara Bagenal George explain how CIBSE’s TM65 methodology estimates components’ environmental impact

With office occupation in central London not expected to return to pre-Covid levels, Andy Pearson finds out how space has been repurposed for university students at two major developments

Millions of people now work from home because of Covid-19 restrictions, but are they working in a healthy environment? Researchers have assessed the impact on indoor air quality in eight homes. Anastasia Mylona reports

Leading lighting academics Peter Boyce, Kit Cuttle, Kevin Kelly and Peter Raynham are calling for a fundamental change to lighting practice

Integrating intelligent HVAC controls could resolve systems conflicts and give facilities managers a powerful online tool to manage their portfolios. Aecom’s Mary-Ann Clarke MCIBSE reports from a CIBSE HVAC Group webinar on implementing smart HVAC systems

Water-quality tests reveal deteriorating water conditions in commercial buildings under lockdown. Guardian Water Treatment’s Tom O’ Sullivan says action is needed in underused facilities to avoid HVAC breakdowns and the risk of legionella

Sponsored Podcast: Daikin’s Darren Manley speaks to Alex Smith about how ambient loop systems can cut carbon when connected to low carbon heat sources

Building controls systems are complex and can be a major obstacle to good performance if they are not specified and commissioned properly. Building Intelligence Group’s Paul Ehrlich says new tools and standards are helping to digitise the design process and streamline verification