West Fraser, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of engineered wood-based panel products, continues to strengthen support for architects through its high-performance, sustainably produced OSB, particleboard, and MDF solutions. These products, trusted across the UK construction sector, are designed to help architects meet modern building demands, enhance design flexibility, and achieve essential sustainability goals. At the core of West Fraser’s offering is its commitment

Deceuninck has launched a new CPD for architects and specifiers to explain the practical impact of the Future Homes Standard on window and door specification. While the headline u-value requirement for new build windows remains unchanged at 1.2W/m²K, the methodology used to assess compliance has shifted significantly. Instead of relying on a standard model window, performance is now assessed against the exact size and configuration of each individual window supplied. That

Chris Goggin explains what E-methane is, how it is produced and its potential relevance inside the UK alternative gasses market. An informed synopsis of the progress that e-methane is making in becoming relevant will be used to highlight how e-methane can contribute towards carbon reduction aims. A range of alternative energies that include renewables, hydrogen and clean electrification can potentially replace fossil fuels in UK and EU grid systems. E-Methane is a relativel

Fiona Keysell, Director of Consultancy, and Jim Howlett, Business Development Manager – Public Sector at RenEnergy UK, explore the importance of solar PV to creating a net-zero healthcare sector. NHS England spends £1.4 billion on energy, making it the single biggest user of energy in the public sector. With this demand only set to rise, the value of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a strategic consideration for NHS estates as decarbonisation pressures fundamentally

Neil Turner, Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, advises on designing airtight buildings while protecting against moisture damage. Creating an airtight home is a fundamental part of modern building design, supporting energy efficiency and building performance, from meeting regulatory requirements through to high-performance standards such as Passive House. An airtight home eliminates leaks in the building envelope that should not exist. This is crucial for maint

Instantor has achieved the Business Working Responsibly Mark. Established in 2010 by Business in the Community Ireland, the Business Working Responsibly Mark (‘the Mark’) is Ireland’s Economic, Environmental, Social, and Governance (EESG) standard. Independently verified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, it is the standard for sustainability that goes beyond legal compliance by fostering a culture of responsible business through continuous improvement, ongoing

Plans to ensure that all rented properties will have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030 are underway. Presently, just over 2.5 million rented properties maintain a rating in between D and G. This could offer a major business boost to the UK HVAC industry, with an unprecedented commercial opportunity that could stimulate both regional and national economies. An EPC evaluates and determines the energy efficiency of a property. The key areas withi

Rinnai Director Chris Goggin looks at some of the unreported details of the politics of NetZero, more specifically the ideological challenges to carbon neutrality and climate change policies coming from all areas of the global political spectrum. Mr Goggin reports on how China, Europe, UK and the US are fielding their climate change policies. Additionally, there are further observations on what pledges and agreements could be sacrificed for an approach that relies on the cont

Rinnai’s Director Chris Goggin takes a close look at the role of natural gas, LPG and BioLPG in the current and near future UK energy market. Follow the free Rinnai newsletter for free updates on UK energy policy https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/newsletter-sign What are the fuels that presently matter most to the UK consumer and what roles do they fulfil in the current UK energy market? When responding to this question it would be impossible not to mention natural g

Josh Owen of the Rinnai Technical Design looks at some possibilities coming out of the forthcoming EPC scheme. Plans to ensure that all rented properties across the UK will have a minimum EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C by 2030 are underway. Presently, just over 2.5 million rented properties maintain a rating in between D and G. This could offer a major business boost to the UK HVAC industry with an unprecedented commercial opportunity that could stimulate

Shoreham Beach House is a private development in Sussex designed using Passivhaus principles and the Schöck Isokorb T type S. Specify & Build reports. Shoreham Beach House is a private residential development at Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex. Jim Miller Design, a leading architectural practice based in Hove, has designed the project using Passivhaus principles. One of the challenges of the project involved the extensive number of connections between the internal and external stee

The new DEVIcell Low Carbon insulation plate system offers faster heat, lower energy use and a smaller carbon footprint. Developed by European underfloor heating manufacturer DEVI, the system is made using 75% recycled aluminium and delivers up to 33% faster heat-up times and impressive energy savings. Suitable for both dry installations beneath wood, laminate, or parquet floors, and wet screed installations beneath tiles, DEVIcell Low Carbon can be used under almost any floo

Recent additions to Rinnai’s extensive list of industry relevant CPDs include SPF – Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design; Introduction to Water Neutrality; and Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA and SPF Analysis. All the CPDs provide updated insights into significant issues concerning contractors, consultants, specifiers, system designers, and installers operating in the UK HVAC market. The CPD on Seasonal Performance Factors (SPF) discus

UK based passive fire protection manufacturer Promat has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 86% of its products sold within the Etex Building Performance UK division, to provide transparent, third-party verified data to customers, ensuring they have access to credible sustainability information to inform specification. As part of its ClearChange sustainability program, Promat has increased transparency by providing customers access to environmental declar

Rinnai has produced a new CPD titled ‘W ater Neutrality’ and it details a subject that will become increasingly important as UK water supplies become less accessible due to overpopulation and climate change. Rinnai aims to increase awareness of this issue as well as supply verified information and industry insight into the question: should water neutrality be added to national legislation? Sign up today as places are limited at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/training/element

RINNAI APPLIED IS AT THE ELEMENTAL SHOW LONDON EXCEL NOVEMBER 19/20 TH 2025 Rinnai Applied have made its first major launch with the introduction of its R290 range of commercial and industrial heat pumps. Rinnai Applied’s new high efficiency and eco-friendly heat pumps arrives in a wide variety of sizes from 40kW to 410kW and uses the propane-based refrigerant R290. To request a brochure on this new innovative range simply follow this link https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/conta

Rinnai’s recent additions to the company’s extensive list of industry relevant CPDs include SPF – Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design; Introduction to Water Neutrality and Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA & SPF Analysis. Sign up today as places are limited at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/training/elementallondon-cpd-sign and see how you can earn and learn bursaries of up to £200 on successful completion of all three CPDs. All the C

Focusing on the specification of the rear-ventilated façade substructure can pay dividends in achieving the higher building envelope performance targets required for sustainable housing developments, as one landmark project in Leeds demonstrates. Gary Robson, Business Development Manager at EJOT UK,explains why. As developers pursue increased levels of thermal insulation in building envelopes, while also pushing the boundaries of architectural expression and adhering to s

Today, housing developers are more frequently looking to deliver future-proofed properties that rely on renewables, driven by both government regulation and consumer demand. Mark Ferris, National Specification Manager at Ariston, explores the challenges that can arise when specifying heat pumps in new homes and how they can be overcome. The UK housing sector is currently at a turning point. The government remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the Future Hom

Can our electricity grids handle the heat - and can governments need to accommodate growing demand without infringing upon NetZero ambitions? Rinnai Managing Director Tony Gittings looks at the accelerated increases in demand for cooling technology due to global warming. RINNAI APPLIED IS AT THE ELEMENTAL SHOW LONDON EXCEL NOVEMBER 19/20 TH 2025 A requirement for properties to be cooled during summer months is becoming ever more sought after by both international and UK cust