Behfar will lead the UK team as it continues to champion the adoption of sustainable heating technologies, offer comfort solutions, and support customers in their drive to reduce carbon emissions.

With distinguished roles at large organisations such as EDF, SSE, and E.ON, Behfar has a proven-track record of navigating intricate regulatory environments. By establishing collaborations with industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and government departments Behfar has previously secured funding for energy efficiency initiatives, particularly those backed by government schemes.

His profound understanding of heat network technologies will fortify Taconova UK’s commitment to delivering sustainable, cost-effective metering and billing solutions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Behfar to the Taconova UK team,” said Ralph Seewald, Managing Director of Taconova. “With over two decades of deep-rooted experience in energy efficiency, Behfar’s expertise is an invaluable addition to Taconova UK.”

Reflecting on his new role, Behfar remarked, “Being appointed as the General Manager for Taconova UK is a tremendous honour. The company, distinguished for its high-quality, resource-efficient products, caters to a diverse range of sectors – from residential properties to commercial edifices and public facilities. I am keenly looking forward to offering unparalleled service to our customers, harmonising sustainability with fiscal prudence.”

Under Behfar’s leadership, Taconova UK is well-positioned to continue its mission of offering reliable, low-maintenance, and highly efficient solutions that save customers time, effort, and money.

For more information about Taconova, its products and services, please visit http://www.taconova.com.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Taconova UK Strengthens Senior Leadership Team with General Manager Appointment appeared first on BDC Magazine.

James joins Baxi with a wealth of experience gained from previous roles within the construction industry, most recently as Business Development Director at Polypipe.

Rob Erwood, Commercial Sales and Specification Director at Baxi, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James as our new Head of Public Health, working alongside Anne Wraith, our Head of Building Services, and Michelle Wright, our Head of Key Accounts. Commercial hot water generation is a vital service with unique challenges and opportunities, and James’s appointment reflects our commitment to providing exceptional support for our customers in this sector.”

Experts in hot water systems and renewable/LZC technologies, Baxi’s Public Health team assists public health and mechanical engineers, contractors and commercial end-users in achieving the best solutions for every commercial hot water application. The company’s comprehensive commercial hot water portfolio includes Heatrae Sadia electric hot water solutions, Andrews Water Heaters gas-fired water heaters, buffer vessels and cylinders, Remeha air source heat pumps, and prefabricated packaged plant rooms.

James said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Baxi, given the increasing focus on decarbonising heating and hot water in buildings. From specification to supply and commissioning, I am looking forward to leading my team in providing the best solutions and technical support for our existing and new customers as they transition to a low/zero carbon future.”

For more information on the Baxi range of commercial hot water products, click here.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Baxi appoints new Head of Public Health appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Who: ThermoSphere, a leading British-based electrical heating manufacturer, has been using its technical expertise to drive innovation for over 25 years.

Why: In electric underfloor heating installation, most faults occur at the connection or ‘joint’ where the hot underfloor cable meets the cold cable running to the thermostat. These joints are typically crimped or soldered and then heat shrink wrapped, making them three times thicker than the cable. Their bulky size forces installers to carve holes into the subfloor, insulation, and membrane mats using sharp blades and even grinders.

ThermoSphere Ultimate^®drastically improves installation time and removes all these issues installers currently face:

• cable failure due to the high risk of damaging the cable
• compromising the waterproofing layer and membrane mat guarantee
• overheating and cable failure because the holes don’t carry away heat
• damage to reputation with customers
• loss of time and money to revisit, replace and repair installations.

How: ThermoSphere have incorporated the hot-to-cold joint connections into the primary manufacturing process, creating invisible joints and a reliable, award-winning cable that’s uniform in thickness from end-to-end

ThermoSphere Ultimate^®offers many benefits to installers and merchants:

• A one-step cable installation saves time and effort, and speeds up and simplifies the installation process.
• Prevents cable damage during installation and stops cable failure by removing the number one fault in underfloor heating installations.
• Helps to preserves the waterproofing layer of the decoupling membrane.
• Allows for quick quality workmanship with an automatically flush finish ready for tiling.
• Compatible with all membranes on the market so installers can rely on trusted products.
• Reduces environmental impact and waste to dispose of. There is no plastic, so the reel is recyclable and compostable.
• Comes in four cable lengths so installers can reduce the number of multi-cable installations.

If the cable fails in first 12 months due to manufacturing, ThermoSphere will replace the system and flooring*. The guarantee means merchants and installers never need to worry about damage or dead stock.

Where: For more information on cable specifications, pricing and to get your hands on ThermoSphere Ultimate^® visit https://www.thermosphere.com/products/floor-heating/ultimate

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Award-winning underfloor heating system installers can rely on this heating season appeared first on BDC Magazine.

The Journey to Decarbonisation and Net Zero using Heat Pump Technology, is available to watch on-demand for free here. The hour-long webinar provides insight and practical guidance into Carrier’s approach and solutions to decarbonisation and highlighted government incentives available to support the adoption of heat pump technology.

 Carrier Commercial HVAC UK experts explained how heat pumps operate and how customers can harness the technology to reduce their carbon footprint, become more energy efficient and cut energy costs. Guest speaker David Sullivan, General Manager at E.ON’s Citigen district heating network detailed how E.ON is using heat pumps to power heat networks.

This award-winning heat network project in the City of London supplies renewable, low-carbon heating and cooling to buildings across the Square Mile. Three Carrier AquaForce^® 61XWHZE high-temperature heat pumps, which operate on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) R-1234ze refrigerant, extract thermal energy from water pumped from deep boreholes in the aquifer 200 metres beneath the capital. Groundwater sourced from the aquifer is used in the heat pump system and recirculated back to source for reuse in E.ON’s application or by others. The heat pumps also harness waste heat from the existing combined heat and power plant that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere.

“We were really excited to host this webinar and share our expertise on decarbonisation and heat pumps,” said Paul Smith, Commercial HVAC Director UK&I, Carrier. “We want to help our customers meet their decarbonisation goals and this session provides practical advice about how our high-performance heat pump-based solutions can help them do that. Harnessing the power of heat pumps can have huge benefits for our customers, not just in terms of heating and cooling, but for the environment and their return on investment.”

Innovative, efficient heat pump solutions support Carrier’s aim of helping customers reduce their GHG emissions by more than 1 gigaton by 2030 as part of its own 2030 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Goals.

The webinar is available to watch on-demand at http://bit.ly/carrier_webinar

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Carrier Hosts Decarbonisation Technology Webinar to Support Commercial Buildings and Industries’ Journey to Net Zero appeared first on BDC Magazine.

• Almost two-thirds (64%) of hybrid workers are planning to spend more time in the office in 2023 than in 2022
• However, 66% would be deterred if the air conditioning wasn’t working or was low quality
• Close to half (46%) of hybrid workers plan to take advantage of office air conditioning if there is a repeat heatwave this summer
• More than half (57%) (rising to almost two thirds (62%) among women) would avoid a gym where the air conditioning wasn’t up to their standard
• Almost a half (45%) say they’d avoid a restaurant or pub where the air conditioning wasn’t up to their standard and almost a quarter (24%) would side-step a shop or beauty salon for the same reason

Today Samsung Climate Solutions reveals the results of bespoke research[1] which finds that although almost two-thirds (64%) of workers in the UK with hybrid working patterns are planning to spend more time in the office in 2023 than in 2022, 66% would be deterred from heading to the office if the air conditioning wasn’t working or was of their opinion low quality.

Against a backdrop of increased levels of office occupancy from previous years, and temperatures remaining at record levels in the UK, the need for quality climate control within the working environment will be a key factor for attracting more of those who want to be back with their professional peers in the office.

Among those putting in more days in the office, the difference from 2022 is considerable with the average being 9.2 extra days per month in 2023. This is particularly important to 18 to 24-year-olds of which 81% of those surveyed said they were planning more face-to-face days with their co-workers, highlighting the increasing importance of in person work and collaboration.

Almost half (46%) of those surveyed planned to take advantage of office air conditioning if there is a repeat heatwave this summer.  It is clear to see how many hybrid workers appreciate a cool working environment as 35% said they go in when the weather is hot to make use of the air conditioning.

Given this demand, the quality of office environments is more vital than ever. 24% of hybrid workers were not satisfied with their office air conditioning, and of those 40% reported that it is often not functioning properly. Interestingly, almost a third (31%) of hybrid workers who have experienced problems with air conditioning say the problem is cold draughts.

Steve Fleming, Head of Climate Solutions UK & Ireland, commented: “As the UK adapts to changing working patterns and changing weather patterns, the importance of advanced technology in cooling will only increase. Businesses looking to attract workers into the office on a regular basis will gain significantly from quality climate control technology in the months and years to come. Such technologies include Samsung’s WindFree^TM cooling, which disperses the cool air evenly through an office without the stereotypical cold draughts that people complain about. There is a huge opportunity here to cope with demand as people return to the office to make our working and social spaces as comfortable as possible.”

Furthermore, control systems will have a key role in office comfort. The research reveals that just under half (42%) of hybrid workers in the UK have had a dispute about the air conditioning. A third of respondents (34%) have argued with colleagues about what temperature the room should be set at and just under a quarter (24%) have complained about the temperature going up and down due to people constantly altering it.

Interestingly, the most common trigger for the dispute is individuals setting the thermostat to suit themselves (37%). Over half (55%) of hybrid workers say that their offices have a single control system to manage the temperature for the whole working space. Only a third (36%) have systems that allow them to control the temperature by office area and only a quarter of offices have a democratic approach to controlling the temperature in their workspace, allowing each employee to cast an equal vote. However, this progressive approach doesn’t apply everywhere.  15% of respondents stated that in their offices, the boss will be in charge of setting the temperature.

As the hybrid working landscape changes, workers are adjusting their lifestyles to best suit their work-life balance, especially as the UK climate changes too. This is changing our expectations of public spaces, from offices to gyms, as more than half (57%) of hybrid workers in the UK (rising to almost two thirds (62%) among women) would avoid a gym where the air conditioning wasn’t up to their standard. Almost a half (45%) say they’d avoid a restaurant or pub with a similar problem and almost a quarter (24%) would side-step a shop.

Building cloud management services, such as Samsung’s b.IoT interface which allows remote, zoned control for commercial buildings, will enable companies to manage office environments for the benefit of all employees. Technology is rapidly advancing to best suit the needs and demands of the changing climate and this data illustrates the importance of climate control for the modern hybrid worker.

About Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe B.V. (SEACE)

Since introducing its first air conditioner in 1974, and its first heat pump in 2012, Samsung Electronics has been redefining indoor climate comfort for decades. Operating from Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe B.V. (SEACE) which opened in 2017 in Amsterdam, SEACE aims to harmonize activities across more than 30 European countries, offering ongoing technical training in climate and smart building solutions as well as after sales and technical support for its industry partners. Backed by Samsung’s quality reputation and leading-edge innovation, including digital connectivity solutions. SEACE goes beyond convention to provide innovative cooling, heating, domestic hot water, refrigeration and smart building solutions to fulfil the needs for both the commercial and residential market.

[1] Samsung Climate Solutions survey of 500 hybrid working adults in the UK on their attitudes towards air conditioning and the comfort of office conditions. Conducted by Samsung research partner.

The post Air conditioning is a must for hybrid workers returning to the office appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Ideal Heating has been manufacturing many of the country’s best-selling boilers for over a century at its headquarters in Hull.

Now the business is undergoing a major transformation as it engineers the green heating solutions to support the UK’s drive to net zero.

Ideal Heating’s transition to renewable heating solutions will play a key role in the UK’s green industrial revolution.

A huge decarbonisation of housing stock must take place for the UK to achieve net zero status by 2050, as homes account for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited Ideal Heating’s Hull factory to mark the start of heat pump production by the company in the UK.

The new heat pump production line forms part of a £60m investment programme at the Hull site, which includes a heat pump manufacturing facility, an expanded distribution hub, and a research and development centre to pioneer the heating technologies of the future.

Ideal Heating has also invested more than £2m in its flagship training centre – one of the heating industry’s largest and best-equipped training facilities and whereup to 5,000 installers every year can gain the skills to install and service heat pumps.

As the UK market leader in both the domestic and commercial heating sectors, Ideal Heating is now leading the industry towards a greener future, supported by its parent company, Groupe Atlantic, a global heating industry leader.

Shaun Edwards, CEO of Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland and North America, said: “The transition to low carbon heating solutions including heat pumps is the biggest transformation in the business since we moved from coal to gas-fired boilers in the 1930s.

“The major investments we’re making at our Hull site send out a very clear signal about our commitment to the net zero transition and to re-modelling our business to meet the needs of our customers today and into the future.”

Lord Callanan’s visit to the Hull site marked the start of heat pump production. He also officially opened Ideal Heating’s £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle, on the outskirts of Hull.

On his arrival at the training facility, Lord Callanan addressed Ideal Heating staff and said: “Ideal Heating is by far the most advanced of the traditional gas boiler manufacturers and it’s great to see all the developments that are taking place in terms of manufacturing, production and training.

“Everyone at Ideal Heating is doing a fantastic job, so I’d like to say well done and keep it up.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Market leader Ideal Heating launches first UK heat pump production line as part of £60m net zero drive appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Mark Chapman, General Manager of the Platform Lifts and Microlift Division, said: “I am very excited that the Platform sales team can start talking about this new range with customers in the UK. Customers can choose from a more extensive range of platform lift car sizes, finishes and materials  – and we are offering a two-year warranty, including four service visits per year for added peace of mind on every model. We trust they’ll be as excited as us about these new arrivals”. 

The new range of lift cars, finishes, structures and materials offer greater choice, so you’re guaranteed to find a model that can fit in even the tightest space. All models require a minimal pit for when limited depth or headroom makes other lifts difficult, and of course, offer DDA, Part M and Section 4.2 compliance where needed.

The new cabin platform lift range is as follows.

• Midilift CL – a stylish, simple-to-install, competitively-sized hydraulic cabin lift with hinged landing doors
• Midilift CLS – a stylish, highly energy-efficient hydraulic cabin platform lift with automatic sliding doors and the appearance of a conventional passenger lift

Plus, complete technical data is now available in the Stannah technical area to ensure easy specification for ongoing and future projects. 

Don’t forget the much-loved Midilift Plus and Piccolo models which are continued to be supported in the field and with existing Stannah orders. 

Over the years, Stannah have supplied over 50,000 commercial lifts in the UK, a mix of bought-in and own-manufacture; many still provide reliable service and have ongoing support thanks to the strong network of service branches across the UK.

 Please take a look at the new cabin platform lifts – contact Stannah to find out more.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Stannah launches new cabin platform lifts with more cabin sizes and finish choices appeared first on BDC Magazine.

The initiative is the result of a collaboration between Energy Saving Trust, Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), South Lanarkshire College and NIBE Energy Systems, and has been fully funded by the Scottish Government. The facility was officially launched by Mr Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Minister for Veterans at South Lanarkshire College on 2^nd August.

Hosted by South Lanarkshire College, the BPEC approved training and assessment centre will be a shared resource available to all Scottish colleges. Installers can visit the centre to undergo training and certification on heat pumps, as well as obtain their Water Byelaws/Regulations and Domestic Vented and Unvented Hot Water Storage qualifications.

It is designed to provide flexible training opportunities across the country and encourage the industry to gain the skills needed to decarbonise homes and buildings in line with Scotland’s plans to become Net Zero by 2045. The Scottish Government has stated that the availability of an inclusive, diverse and capable supply chain will be key to delivering on their ambition for the decarbonisation of heat in buildings. They estimate that an additional 16,400 jobs will be supported across the economy in 2030 as a result of investment in the deployment of zero emissions heat in new and existing buildings. This initiative will play a key part in achieving these objectives.

NIBE Energy Systems is proud to have assisted with the design of the centre and to have provided the facility with some of its latest air source and ground source heat pumps so that installers can gain hands-on-experience with innovative, low carbon heating technologies.

Phil Hurley, Managing Director of NIBE Energy Systems said:

“We’re so pleased to have been a part of this project. We have made it our mission at NIBE to do as much as we can to empower installers through removing barriers to training and unlocking opportunities. Heat pumps will play a key role in decarbonising homes and buildings in Scotland, and we can’t roll them out without installers.

“The Climate Change Committee has outlined that net zero has the potential to create between 135,000 and 725,000 jobs by 2030, but that the availability of workers in the sector must increase to meet the demand for low carbon technology. Flexible training facilities like this will be fundamental in making sure they can access the skills and qualifications they need, and we’re honoured to have provided the facility with NIBE heat pumps so that they can get to grips with the technology as they learn.”

The post Heat Pump Training Centre Launched to Unlock Training Opportunities for Installers in Scotland appeared first on BDC Magazine.

The latest addition to Brigade’s portfolio of safety solutions, AI cameras are a new generation of active blind-spot detection that utilise artificial intelligence to recognise humans within a predefined detection zone and warn drivers visually and/or audibly before a possible collision occurs.

Compared to traditional vehicle cameras, Brigade’s AI cameras have a range of improved features and offer enhanced visibility at both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Experts in the industry are praising the launch of AI cameras as a major breakthrough in commercial vehicle safety.

Thierry Bourgeay, Senior Product Manager at Brigade Electronics, commented:

“The introduction of AI cameras in the UK by Brigade Electronics is set to make a significant impact on the commercial vehicle safety landscape. Their advanced features and capabilities make them an invaluable tool for fleet operators and drivers, ensuring that our roads are safer and more secure than ever before.” 

Peter Squire, Managing Director at Brigade Electronics in the UK, said:

“Artificial intelligence is revolutionising safety for fleet operators and drivers and our AI Intelligent Detection Cameras are a great example of this. Our AI cameras require no configuration software, so they are quick and easy to install, making them ideal for busy fleets across a range of industries, including transport, logistics, construction, and passenger vehicles like buses and coaches.”

The key benefits of Brigade’s AI Intelligent Detection Cameras are:

• Produces high definition images
• Recognises and alerts drivers to people in a vehicle’s front and rear blind spot
• People detected are shown in a coloured box overlayed on the HD camera image on the driver’s monitor
• Image processing and detected person overlay are built into the camera
• Plug and play – AI cameras connect directly to Brigade’s monitors and, if required, buzzers
• Includes Brigade Select range of connectors
• Compatible with all Brigade HD monitors and MDR digital video recorders
• Available in front and rear formats

To find out more about Brigade’s AI Intelligent Detection Cameras and its portfolio of products, please visit https://brigade-electronics.com/commercial-vehicle-safety-products/.

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The post Brigade Electronics launches AI Intelligent Detection cameras in the UK appeared first on BDC Magazine.

Faversham and Mid Kent MP, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, Helen Whately and The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone, Martin Cox, attended the opening of the manufacturing plant, which will bring new work opportunities to the local area. 

Most of the staff live within 12 miles of the site, including the factory’s operations manager, and every employee has access to a local free electric bus service to help them get to work. The launch will also open up job opportunities for local residents, with a focus on skilled and experienced professionals in the manufacturing and engineering fields.

Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 120-year-old Zehnder Group, Dr Hans-Peter Zehnder and Zehnder UK Managing Director, Tony Twohig, welcomed guests for an exclusive tour.

The new factory site has been designed to meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability and will incorporate the latest energy-efficient technologies to minimise its environmental impact. 

New machinery, such as plastic moulding machines, cooling systems and a fully electric vehicle fleet, including forklift trucks, also work to the latest energy efficiency ratings – lowering Zehnder’s carbon footprint. 

 Helen Whately MP, said: “It’s great to have Zehnder in Maidstone and continuing to invest in our local economy. Its new factory is impressive, combining innovative technology with sustainability.

“Investments like this are just what our area needs. They bring good jobs and opportunities, and mark Kent out as a place to do business. I wish Zehnder every success for the future.”

The modern manufacturing facility represents a significant investment for the company.

Factory operations manager Conrad Thrower said: “This new facility will offer us increased production capacity and more efficient technology to expand our product lines and services.”

The post Zehnder opens sustainable factory in Kent appeared first on BDC Magazine.