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Programmes on low carbon refurbishment and retrofit
Posted on: 4 October 2013
By: mackene
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Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is the standard setter and authority on building services engineering in the UK and overseas. It speaks for the profession and supports career development. This series of programmes on the Business Channel.tv aims to provide a master class of expertise to help construction and building engineering organisations and CIBSE members refurbish and retrofit offices, plants, hotels, leisure and shopping centres, hospitals and schools with low carbon technologies and products. Contributors include CIBSE, the Carbon Trust and the UK Green Building Council. Four programmes are available on innovative engineering and building performance, and three episodes on the retrofit plan.
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Report 2013
Posted on: 2 October 2013
By: mackene
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The Global Real Estates Sustainability Benchmark GRESB has released 2013 Report, which is based on sustainability data gathered from 543 property companies and funds, providing aggregate information on 49,000 properties across the globe. The report shows that the real estate sector is significantly reducing its environmental impact, decreasing energy consumption by 4.8 percent over the 2011-2012 period – equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 163,000 homes. Over the same period, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.5 percent, and water consumption decreased by 1.2 percent.
World green building trends: Business benefits driving new and retrofit market opportunities in over 60 countries
Posted on: 1 October 2013
By: mackene
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This study assesses the attitudes and trends in green building, expanding on McGraw-Hill Construction’s 2008 Global Green Building SmartMarket report. For this study, green building is defined as a construction project that is either certified under any recognized global green rating system or built to qualify for certification.
Assessment of MVHR systems and air quality in new homes
Posted on: 27 September 2013
By: mackene
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The National House Building Council (NHBC) is setting a new standard for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems following recent research which raises issues about the performance of the technology. Analysis by the UK’s leading standard-setting body and warranty provider has found that the move to create more energy efficient homes and improve airtightness has led to around a quarter of new homes being fitted with MVHR systems. MVHR systems provide fresh air ventilation while at the same time recovering heat from exhaust air that would have otherwise been lost, but there is a growing body of evidence that shows that performance of these units is greatly reduced if they are not designed or installed correctly. New research published by the NHBC Foundation monitored ten homes in Slough built to level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes over an 18 month period. The report found that nine of the units were recommissioned and one was replaced after approximately one year of occupation. Previous research by the NHBC Foundation and Zero Carbon Hub has also revealed a number of issues with MVHR systems. In response to this research and following wide consultation with the industry, NHBC is setting a new standard for MVHR which will be included in the 2014 edition of NHBC Standards. This technical guidance, which will be issued to NHBC registered builders in October, will cover issues such as system design, ductwork, location of the fan unit and prevention of condensation. Register for free to view the document.
Resource Efficient House
Posted on: 24 September 2013
By: mackene
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The Resource Efficient House is a ground-breaking project which aims to promote and encourage the construction of sustainable and affordable family homes across the country. The house, which was formally opened on 19 September 2013, provides a real life illustration of what can be achieved when resource efficient principles are considered at every stage of the process, proof that sustainable construction doesn’t have to mean higher costs.
The implementation of energy efficient buildings policies: an international comparison
Posted on: 20 September 2013
By: mackene
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CIB CommissionTG66, Energy and the Built Environment, has published its final report, providing a structured overview and synthesis of the information gathered throughout the project. The outcome of this task group clearly highlights that the energy challenges in buildings are an issue of concern in all countries involved in this study, but that the roadmaps and actions in the different continents vary widely. The study concludes that further international collaboration in the context of CIB or in other networks is therefore needed.
Building a sustainable future
Posted on: 20 September 2013
By: mackene
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BAM Construct has launched a new microsite to report on and share its experience and knowledge of sustainability in the built environment. The site, launched to coincide with World Green Building Week 2013, is designed for both BAM employees and the wider industry, and focuses on six key performance indicators, sustainable design, carbon, resource efficiency, sourcing responsibly, community, and health and wellbeing. It also includes information on BAM’s sustainability progress and its own industry insights.
Passive houses in tropical climates
Posted on: 19 September 2013
By: mackene
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Passivhaus principles are just as good at reducing energy demand in tropical climates as they are in central European ones, as the focus shifts to cooling and dehumidification rather than heating. That is the key conclusion of a new study by Germany’s Passivhaus Institut. Analysing the challenges of heat, torrential rains and high humidity, the study looks at dynamic simulations set in three cities: Mumbai, Singapore and Salvador da Bahia in Brazil. It shows that the essentials for Passivhaus buildings in tropical climates are: a very airtight building envelope; 10-15 cm of insulation; solar control glazing; fixed external shades for the windows; and ventilation with both heat and energy recovery.
Ground breaking facade generates heat and biomass
Posted on: 16 September 2013
By: mackene
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Design consultants, Arup have created this video explaining more about the development of an innovative facade system that generates biomass and heat for use in buildings.
The Construction Scope 3 (Embodied) Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Guidance
Posted on: 16 September 2013
By: mackene
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is aimed at helping professionals working within the construction industry to better understand and account for the embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction; for example, those emissions relating to the extraction of raw materials and manufacture and transport of products used in new build and refurbishments.
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