13 minute read
New Government investment in energy efficiency is a golden chance for schools and academies to upgrade
News New Government investment in energy efficiency is a golden chance for schools and academies to upgrade
Educational establishments should not overlook the opportunities afforded by a new £1bn government funding to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprints, says Priva UK and Ireland sales manager Gavin Holvey.
Making good on a ‘decarbonisation’ manifesto pledge made ahead of the last General Election, UK chancellor Rishi Sunak this week announced the forthcoming availability of a substantial pot of cash for energy efficiency upgrades as part of the government’s summer ‘mini-budget’. Although the majority of the fund is to be reserved for residential projects, £1bn is to be made available to public sector buildings “to fund both energy efficiency and low carbon heat upgrades”.
Long-term observers of British politics will be familiar with the pattern of major stimulus packages following periods of profound upheaval. With a global recession a near-certainty, these initiatives will become increasingly important to private companies active in all sorts of capacities. But for the public sector organisations that can access these funds, they can provide the opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce costs at precisely the time when budgets will be coming under the greatest possible scrutiny.
Schools are among the institutions highlighted with regard to the grant fund, and it’s not hard to see why. Thanks to a series of schemes during the past decade, the education sector is more advanced than some others in terms of implementing a lowcarbon infrastructure. But while many have taken important first steps – notably, replacing legacy lighting with the latest LED-based systems – there is still much that can be done in terms of improving overall energy efficiency.
For instance, whilst new lighting is frequently a part of any major new technology upgrade, it isn’t always deployed with sensors and control systems that could further reduce energy consumption. Heating insulation, on-site energy storage and the partial incorporation of solar power generation are among the other elements that can help schools and colleges ensure they have a fully optimised energy infrastructure.
But it is an overarching building management system (BMS) that is arguably the most significant single component here as it can provide the opportunity to keep precise tabs on how much energy is being used in a facility, and where. Technical managers can then use this information to identify further opportunities for savings, and report back to the governors and authorities about the role their institutions are playing in lowering the overall energy costs of the education sector.
Control and monitoring
Wind back ten years and the range of building control and monitoring systems was significantly more limited. Prices were often prohibitively expensive, especially for publiclyfunded institutions, while the use of proprietary technologies caused all kinds of problems in terms of integrating with other systems. But over the past decade building control technologies have matured into a market of their own, with systems now available that cater to every budget and requirement list.
At Priva we frequently employ the metaphor of a BMS being the brain of a building, enabling all technical functions that ensure a healthy and comfortable indoor climate to be carefully controlled. Our systems – which include the Priva Blue ID S-line for projects requiring the maximum flexibility, and the C-line for smaller-scale projects – utilise constant monitoring to provide insight into the performance of installations through user-friendly interfaces. Connected to primary building systems such as lighting and heating, these BMS can allow technical managers to ensure their facilities are running as efficiently as possible – and then make further changes, for example to presets, in order to reduce unnecessary expenditure.
Whilst an upgrade focused purely on lighting can certainly make a notable difference to a building’s energy efficiency, it is the holistic approach incorporating an overarching BMS that paves the way to the greatest possible savings. And for schools and colleges pondering making an application under the new Government scheme – something they should certainly consider doing! – there is a very good chance that proposals that feature a control and monitoring dimension will be prioritised above those that plan to improve only one or two specific systems.
Good news for taxpayers, too
This scheme will obviously not be able to help all schools and colleges, but it should allow a significant number to take the next step in their energy efficiency journeys. Those establishments that do receive funding will be in a good position to achieve major reductions in their energy expenditure, with the obvious benefit this brings for the tax payer and the Treasury. In a broader context, it will also mean that they can play a bigger role in the latest decarbonisation objective – to reduce emissions by half-a-megatonne a year – as the UK moves towards its great goal of achieving ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050.
For more information on Priva BMS and other smart building technologies, please visit https://www.priva.com/uk.
Klima-Therm leads fight against coronavirus in UK buildings
Leading air conditioning equipment supplier Klima-Therm has introduced easy-toinstall, inexpensive technology that can be retrofitted to a HVAC system to help combat coronavirus (COVID-19) and other pathogens.
The relatively simple, but ingenious air purification solution - which involves ionizing the air - is designed to suit a wide variety of applications in a variety of applications across the built environment including the hospitality, healthcare, education, entertainment, offices and leisure sectors.
The technology has been tested by several independent laboratories to validate its effectiveness at protecting against pathogens and reducing potentially harmful airborne particulates.
As well as eliminating bacteria and guarding against viruses, the ionization technology can also protect people from other potentially risky particulates such as volatile organic compounds, pollen, spores, odorous gases and aerosols.
It offers a host of features and benefits to customers. For example, it is: • Exceptionally safe. • Inexpensive. • Particularly energy efficient. • Highly effective at removing the COVID-19 virus as well as other pathogens such as MRSA and larger particulates. • Fast and easy to install, avoiding costly and timeconsuming disruption. • Easily adapted to fit existing HVAC equipment. • Low-maintenance and therefore economical to operate in the long-term.
The Gallery at Sketch, London: Sketch is the first UK location for KlimaTherm’s air ionizing solution First UK application at London’s Sketch
The system has already been installed in a variety of high-profile applications. These prestigious projects include Sketch, a three-star Michelin rated restaurant in London. Sketch is the first high profile restaurant to take the ionizing technology on board for the safety and comfort of its customers and staff.
The technology has also been fitted in a luxurious five-star hotel in London; the 215-room Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona; the newly renovated historic 350-room Hotel Paso del Norte in El Paso, Texas and the new TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, as well as several other landmark developments in the US and elsewhere.
Klima-Therm is one of the first companies to introduce air purification technology into the UK to protect against COVID-19 and other potentially dangerous airborne particles.
The company has more than 40 years’ experience in the HVAC sector with a reputation for supplying high quality, ultrahigh efficiency building services equipment such as chillers, heat pumps, air handing units, fan coil units and chilled beams.
Klima-Therm can supply an air purification solution that is tailormade for each client, taking into account its specific requirements and circumstances. It can also offer valuable advice on the complete HVAC system and how to maximise its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
News Wates Smartspace Boosts Team With Senior Appointment
Sam Hagans named as Commercial Director
Leading fit-out, refurbishment and property upkeep company, Wates Smartspace has today announced the appointment of Sam Hagans as Commercial Director.
The announcement follows the recent promotion of former Commercial Director, Scott Camp, to the position of Managing Director. Sam’s appointment becomes effective with immediate effect and sees him elevated to the Wates Smartspace board.
Sam Hagans joined Wates in 2003 as an assistant surveyor, working exclusively within the Smartspace division, and culminating in his most recent position as Regional Commercial Director. In recent years he has played a key role leading the commercial delivery for the banking sector whilst also driving various business improvement initiatives.
His new role, which will oversee all national commercial activity also involves responsibility for the management and professional development of the commercial team of over 50 people.
Commenting on the appointment, Sam Hagans said:
“I’m excited to be taking on this new role and to be working alongside Scott and the senior team as we focus on the future after the challenges of the pandemic and adapting our business to customers’ evolving requirements.
Wates Smartspace MD, Scott Camp, said:
Wates Smartspace forms part of Wates Property Services (WPS) – a specialist in housing and corporate building maintenance and part of the Wates Group.
Cleanology gives 20,000 people the chance to alleviate hygiene poverty
Many of the 14 million people in the UK living in poverty are forced to make tough choices between buying food, paying utilities, or keeping clean. For the UK’s first National Hygiene Week, Cleanology has teamed up with The Hygiene Bank, which raises awareness about hygiene poverty and distributes personal hygiene and cleaning products to those in need.
Cleanology founder and CEO, Dominic Ponniah, said: “The statistics are shocking. One fifth of the population is struggling with poverty, and two thirds of those people are in work. For many, the choice between spending money on food and on daily cleaning items is a harsh reality which we feel compelled to tackle.”
For National Hygiene Week, which runs from 14–20 September, Cleanology is organising collections from 300 clients. It is also encouraging its own staff to donate toiletries and hygiene products. As well as arranging the collections, it will promote the week through social media channels.
The Hygiene Bank Founder, Lizzy Hall, said: “We started the charity to alleviate hygiene poverty in the UK, not thinking how significant the issue would be during a pandemic. Now, we not only need to keep clean, but also need to have a constant supply of PPE. That is a costly ask for many of us. Most of the issues we are addressing revolve around better financial security for all, not some. With that, we are very excited to host the first National Hygiene Week. During this week, we aim to raise awareness about the hidden crisis that is hygiene poverty in the UK.”
Ponniah said: “Figures show that one in three people living in the UK have had to go without hygiene essentials or cut down on purchases for financial reasons. To be in this situation in 2020 is just unacceptable. The greatest challenge is awareness. Over the coming week, we aim to collect a sizeable number of products from our clients and staff but, longer-term, we will continue to support Hygiene Bank, with the goal of eradicating hygiene poverty altogether.”
In Kind Direct’s research shows that people will have stopped buying toiletries long before they approach a food bank. The impact on self-worth and on wider success
in life can be huge – from losing a job opportunity due to dirty clothes, to children being bullied, or ill health caused by poor dental care. The Hygiene Bank manages a national donation framework that enables people to donate products locally, in much the same way as a food bank.
National Hygiene Week calls for people to say #BOGOF to poverty by taking advantage of Buy-one-get-one-free offers. The Hygiene Bank is asking the public to donate the additional product to one of its 766 drop off locations, and to help raise awareness about the issue more widely by posting the donation on social media, using the #BOGOF and @ nationalhygieneweek tags.
News Pinnacle responds to help The Ebbsfleet Academy’s students and teachers return to school safely this September
With children across the UK returning to school this September, in Kent, the Pinnacle team providing The Ebbsfleet Academy with facilities management (FM) services have been working hard to make sure that the 700+ pupils can return safely to school to resume their studies.
In fact, the school never fully closed last term and around 10 students continued to attend the Academy throughout the lockdown with their parents supporting the region as Key Workers. Pinnacle quickly responded to the emerging COVID-19 outbreak by bringing additional COVID-secure cleaning of frequent touch points such as toilets, door handles and light switches and handrails. The Pinnacle team have introduced a top four tips for students returning to school, in line with Government guidance this September:
Ensuring that your hands are clean! Keep washing your hands with soap and water throughout the day;
Making sure you catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and put them in the bin! Then wash your hands again;
If you sneeze, try to trap
this in your elbow rather than sneezing across the room; and,
Please wear your face coverings if you need to wear one, make sure it covers your mouth and nose.
Gurjit Kaur Shergill. Principle at The Ebbsfleet Academy: “I must take a moment to stop, reflect and applaud the tremendous effort, patience and resilience shown by the Pinnacle Team who have gone above and beyond this summer to ensure that we are ready to welcome our students back safely after being away from our school gates for over 100 days!
Nothing has been too much trouble for the team and the word ‘no’ just does seem to exist in their vocabulary. I am humbled by the team’s efforts and I thank you for everything you do each and every day.”
Matt Morrell, Director of Total FM at the Pinnacle Group added: “Being able to play our part in getting The Ebbsfleet Academy’s students back to school safely has been incredibly rewarding for the Pinnacle team. The COVID-19 outbreak has forced everyone to rethink how they approach everyday tasks and at Ebbsfleet this has been no different. I would like to thank the whole Pinnacle
team along with the staff at The Ebbsfleet Academy for their hard work in making sure the changes we have been forced to make in order to keep the children safe have been completed ahead of the new term and we can open the doors once again.”
Pinnacle provides FM services including; cleaning, grounds maintenance, lifecycle, repairs and maintenance, major works and catering services to The Ebbsfleet Academy over the course of an eight-year contract. www.pinnaclegroup.co.uk
23 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE. 12 MILES WALKED EVERY DAY. 500,000 FANS EVERY SEASON. 4 ACRES OF TRAINING PITCHES. 1 LAWN MOWER. STIHL LIFE. ƒ
When it comes to the challenge of looking after parks and pitches all year round, STIHL tackles it head on. With a range of tools designed to maintain grounds to the highest and most professional standards. Not only does STIHL set the standard for quality, efficiency and reliability, our tools are also easy to maintain and offer superb parts availability. All of which adds up to minimum downtime and maximum performance.
Ed Mowe, Head Groundsman for Leicester Tigers, with the STIHL RM 655 RS
AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL STIHL DEALER.
