As we head towards the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November, the focus on reducing emissions from both the public and private sector is growing. Many businesses have announced ambitious plans to reduce their environmental impact, recognising how a more sustainable approach gives them greater long-term resiliency.

As pressure mounts on UK businesses to be working towards the Government’s net zero target, now is the time for them to address how a net zero strategy can become part of their purpose says TEAM.

Manufacturer Rinnai has completed a detailed report into the possible savings of 81% on carbon emissions if off-grid sites convert to using BioLPG as the main fuel source

Purmo is presenting its range of radiators as offering a potential energy saving of 15% in low-temperature heating systems compared with other types of heat emitter, particularly in applications using renewable-heat sources. Chris Edwards, sales and marketing director, explains, ‘The secret is largely in their ability to react rapidly to changes in temperature as and when they are required.

With the formal launch of the Green Deal to improve the environmental performance of 14 million homes, a group of 20 consumer advice bodies, charities, trade associations and building-industry organisations has urged the Government to tackle the risk of rogue traders cashing in on the Green Deal.

The news that the Government is offering up to £1000 cashback to kickstart the Green Deal has been welcomed by Brian Smithers, director of Rexel UK. He says, ‘A headline-grabbing cash incentive is exactly what the Green Deal needs to raise awareness amongst consumers. If this initiative is a success, and we see a rush in enquiries, this is where the recently announced Green Deal advisors will be crucial.’

Energy savings of 50% and a better visual environment at Birmingham Women’s Hospital have been achieved with the help of Plateia LED luminaires from Megaman UK replacing traditional grid-based recessed fluorescent luminaires. Plateia luminaires were selected following an assessment by a local electrical wholesaler.

NIBE’s exhaust-air heat-pump system installed in a house that was previous reliant on an immersion heater and storage heaters has reduced the total electricity bill by nearly 40% to £950 a year. The house is occupied by a couple and two children and is one of four upgraded by Keepmoat for Wakefield & District Housing.

The launch of the Green Deal offers a wealth of energy- and cost-saving opportunities for businesses — as Siobonne Brewster of Carillion Energy Services, explains.

Cathryn Hickey of the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies discusses the opportunities for the businesses in the commercial sector brought to the table by the Green Deal.

Inteb Sustainability, which specialises in low-energy and sustainable solutions reports a significant number of enquiries from commercial real-estate portfolio holders wishing to take advantage of it being one of the first two accredited Green Deal providers, pioneering the initiative in the commercial sector.

The Sigma Home that forms part of BRE’s Innovation park in Watford is design to meet Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and includes a Voltis domestic voltage optimiser from Marshall-Tufflex. Rexel Energy Solutions, which was responsible for equipping the home with sustainable technologies, specified Voltis Home because of its close working relationship with Marshall-Tufflex and the cost and functionality of the system.

NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers) has welcomed the Government’s cashback scheme to stimulate the early uptake of the Green Deal. The £125 million scheme will provide funding packages of up to £1000 per household and becomes available on 28 January 2013.

The NEOflo range of storage water heaters from Andrews Water Heaters are said to be especially suitable for retrofit and refurbishment projects in buildings using tank-fed (vented) systems and in areas with low water pressure. These units do not have internal circulators, so they can operate with pressures are low as 0.2 bar.

The Government’s Green Deal, which promises a revolution in energy efficiency, was officially ‘soft’ launched on 1 October 2012, with an initial focus on low-energy installations within the social housing sector. Gary Dowsett of Ener-G Controls tells you what you need to know about it.