Author Archives: news

  1. Energy Star Battle of the Buildings competition leads to energy savings on up to $50m

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    A competition that involved over 5,500 buildings across the US has helped cut energy usage by an average of 6% percent for each competitor, a recent news report has been able to reveal.

    The organizers, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed that their event, the fifth-annual Energy Star Battle of the Buildings Competition: ‘Team Challenge’, helped cut energy usage and saved competitors $50 million (£32m). They also cut more than 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s equivalent to the energy use of more than 37,000 homes.

    EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said: “EPA’s Energy Star Battle of the Buildings Competition brings together communities to find important solutions to reduce harmful carbon pollution fuelling climate change, save energy and significantly reduce energy costs in the places where we work, play and learn.

    “It’s great to see the collaboration and hard work the competition inspires to accomplish energy efficiency measures that will continue to benefit these communities for years to come.”

    HeatingSave – helping customers enjoy significant energy savings

    The HeatingSave Building Energy Management System helps customers save more than 30% on their bills by optimizing any heating system’s overall functionality. This is done by taking into account a variety of factors, such as internal and external temperatures, occupancy, time of the year, the particular characteristics of installed boilers, etc. All of the data is used in order to determine the best heating patterns for the various heating zones within any building, using our proprietary heat-loss algorithm.

    The end result is that users still get a very good level of comfort, while in the same time saving energy and money in the process.

    If you’d like to find out more details on all the features HeatingSave has in store, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to provide you with all the necessary information.

  2. New Centre for Medicine at the University of Leicester to become UK’s largest Passivhaus

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    The new Centre for Medicine to be built at the University of Leicester is set to become the largest building in the UK to meet the Passivhaus criteria for energy efficiency, a recent news report has been able to reveal.

    The £42m Centre will record a ‘-2’ energy performance asset rating and comes complete with its own green wall and roof, helping pollination and promoting bio-diversity in the local area.

    Passivhaus – the fastest-growing energy performance standard in the world – is set to reduce the University’s energy bill for its new teaching and research facility by six times, due to the excellent thermal performance of the building.

    Efficient and effective Building Energy Management Systems are capable of delivering extensive monitoring and control options, compared to basic controls. They typically employ data from a variety of sources (boiler flow and return sensors, internal and external temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, humidity sensors, etc.), and enable the perfect optimization of a building’s boiler-based central heating system.

    If you’d like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.

  3. Energy supplier launches service to help companies meet the ESOS criteria

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    One of the UK’s best-known energy suppliers has just launched a service designed to help companies meet the requirements of the new Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), a recent news report has been able to reveal.

    The new service introduced by GDF SUEZ Energy UK has two parts; the first phase looks at the existing energy and fuel consumption of the company and advises on the most resource-efficient way to meet ESOS requirements.

    The second phase carries out the audits needed and provides a report advising energy-saving solutions for the business, which provides the evidence of compliance needed in the ESOS scheme.

    Sales Director at GDF SUEZ Energy UK David Hall said: “We believe many large companies are unaware of this new obligation and with all the audits and evidence required by early December, there really is no time to lose.”

    Under ESOS provisions, companies will have to be fully compliant with the scheme’s requirements by December 2015, by in order to do so, they’d need at least one year’s worth of accurate energy consumption measurements. In other words, the latest date to start measuring energy consumption is the 5th of December 2014.

    The ESOS scheme is providing a significant opportunity for UK businesses to employ best practice techniques in their energy monitoring and consumption.

    Building Energy Management Systems are capable of delivering extensive monitoring and control options, compared to basic controls. They typically employ data from a variety of sources (boiler flow and return sensors, internal and external temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, humidity sensors, etc.), and enable the perfect optimization of a building’s boiler-based central heating system.

    If you’d like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.

  4. Retailer to embark on behaviour change plan to save energy

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    One of the UK’s largest, most iconic retailers has recently launched a new behaviour change campaign to help it cut energy use by 50% across UK operations by 2020, a news report into the matter can reveal.

    UK retailer Marks & Spencer has launched the Making Energy Matter campaign that will communicate tips and targets to employees in a “multitude of different formats: from presentations to posters, displays to desk-drops, web banners to booklets, emails to in-house magazines.”

    M&S energy programme coordinator Kate Neale believes that that M&S employees are vitally important if the company is to reach the ‘ambitious targets’ laid out in its last Plan A report – a 50% cut in energy and 35% cut in water use by 2020.

    “We believe that the more information we give people, about the impact and effect of wasted energy and water, the more likely they are to do something about preventing it. In short, knowledge is the key to unlocking people power,” she said.

    HeatingSave Building Energy Management System helps support behavioural change efforts to save energy

    Behavioural change is always a difficult target to attain, but this is specifically where the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System could help.

    HeatingSave has a number of features to prevent employees from adjusting the heating controls and leaving them in setting that can waste fuel. The keypad and display on the front of the controller has two levels of password protection.

    These passwords can be changed by authorized personnel locally or centrally using the PC software. The password programming meets the requirements laid down by the Carbon Trust, and the PC software is user ID and password protected too.

    Naturally, employees do have the right to set the ambient temperature at a value that best suites their needs, and HeatingSave manages this situation by firstly getting the temperature right so people don’t feel too hot or cold. If employees do feel too cold, they can hit a button to increase the room temperature. The heating will be turned up for a while BUT will then automatically turn back – keeping the employee at the right comfort temperature – and saving the employer on their fuel bill.

    If you’d like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.

  5. Over 61% percent of customers to switch suppliers after getting a high bill, survey says

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    Almost 61% of UK residents would switch suppliers after being hit with an unexpectedly high bill, a recent survey by software provider Opower has been able to reveal.

    The survey found that in excess of 80% of respondents said it is important for their utility to provide them with alerts for unusually high bills, helpful customer support and information about rate changes.

    Furthermore, 43% of 1,000 British customers participating in the survey said improvements in customer service would have the biggest impact on satisfaction levels with their energy provider.

    HeatingSave – save energy and money regardless of supplier

    Building Energy Management Systems are capable of delivering extensive monitoring and control options, compared to basic controls. They typically employ data from a variety of sources (boiler flow and return sensors, internal and external temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, humidity sensors, etc.), and enable the perfect optimization of a building’s boiler-based central heating system.

    If you’d like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.

  6. Energy consumption in the UK rose by 1.7%, but fell by 0.7% on a temperature adjusted basis

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    The primary energy consumption in the UK rose by 1.7% on a fuel input basis but fell by 0.7% on a temperature adjusted basis between December 2014 and February 2015, recent statistical figures released by the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) have been able to reveal.

    Indigenous energy production fell by 2.7% driven by falls in UKCS output, but nuclear production was up 5.1% due to stations returning to operation after outages.

    Coal provided 34.7% of electricity generation by Major Power Producers, with gas at 25.1% and nuclear at 20.9%. Wind generation by Major Power Producers was up 1.2%, whilst overall renewables up 13.4% with growth in biomass.

    Building energy management systems (or BEMS) allow building owners to control and monitor their heating and cooling systems, lighting, and various electrical appliances without much extra effort or compromises on comfort.

    Motion detectors, for example, can ensure that energy is only used when occupants are present, while light control that assesses outdoor light can also minimise the use of daytime lighting.

    HeatingSave – slash energy bills and cut carbon emissions in a fast and easy way

    Replacing your central heating clock with a HeatingSave energy and boiler management controller is the quickest way of beating those tariff rises and saving on energy costs, often paying for itself in less than a year but almost always in less than 3 years.

    HeatingSave can cut your energy usage by 20% to 30% with its energy management control, as its internal microprocessor constantly calculates and improves the efficiency and savings of your central heating system.

    Using HeatingSave, simply choose the room temperature and the hot water you want, and when, and HeatingSave does the rest. It works with all central heating systems – oil, gas or coal – and links up with a PC to produce reports and graphs to fashion a powerful and complete energy management system.

    The system is backed by the Carbon Trust and the Energy Savings Trust.

  7. Businesses don’t fully understand their energy bills, research reveals

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    The majority of decision-makers across multiple businesses have a very poor understanding of their energy bills, a fresh report drawn up by energy and water consultants Utilitywise has been able to reveal.

    60% of businesses were not able to identify whether ‘E’ or ‘A’ readings meant estimated or actual rates, while as many as 2.19 million businesses never or only occasionally check their energy bills despite three quarters of small and medium sized businesses saying they pay too much for their utilities.

    Furthermore, more than 60% of businesses rely on estimated bills, the survey suggests, while the report also showed 46% of small businesses think energy prices will go up in the next year.

    Reducing energy costs and properly monitoring them is something every company should seriously consider, and implementing a reliable and affordable solution designed specifically to reduce the overall energy-related bills is one of the most sure-fire ways to attain these cuts.

    HeatingSave optimizes any heating system’s overall functionality by taking into account a variety of factors, such as internal and external temperatures, occupancy, time of the year, the particular characteristics of installed boilers, etc. All of the data is used in order to determine the best heating patterns for the various heating zones within any building, using our proprietary heat-loss algorithm.

    The end result is that users still get a very good level of comfort, while in the same time saving energy and money in the process.

    If you’d like to find out more details on all the features HeatingSave has in store, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to provide you with all the necessary information.

  8. Heating should be a part of building law, Scottish experts argue

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    Housing developers should be forced to consider low cost communal heating systems as part of a revamped set of planning rules, Scottish heat experts have argued.

    Trade organisation Scottish Renewables says the move would slash the number of city households living in fuel poverty, and argue that Glasgow should follow into the footsteps of London, Manchester, Birmingham or Liverpool, where councils already require those building homes or offices to first consider affordable, low carbon alternatives to gas boilers or electric heaters.

    The Scottish Government has set a target that 11% of heat should come from renewables by 2020 – the figure is at present 3%.

    Stephanie Clark, policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “As a society, we take warm homes and workplaces and constant hot water from granted.

    “But if we are to have any chance of meeting our 2020 targets, we urgently need to re-think our relationship with heat and the way it is generated, transported and used.”

    Cut your energy consumption and spending with HeatingSave

    Replacing your central heating clock with a HeatingSave energy and boiler management controller is the quickest way of beating those tariff rises and saving on energy costs, often paying for itself in less than a year but almost always in less than 3 years.

    HeatingSave can cut your energy usage by 20% to 30% with its energy management control, as its internal microprocessor constantly calculates and improves the efficiency and savings of your central heating system.

    Using HeatingSave, simply choose the room temperature and the hot water you want, and when, and HeatingSave does the rest. It works with all central heating systems – oil, gas or coal – and links up with a PC to produce reports and graphs to fashion a powerful and complete energy management system.

    The system is backed by the Carbon Trust and the Energy Savings Trust.

  9. Almost 68% of employees are interesting in saving energy at work, research reveals

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    Almost 68 percent of employees are interested in saving energy while at work, a YouGov survey has recently been able to reveal.

    More than 60% of the 1,118 workers surveyed said the businesses they work in have invested in saving energy, while nearly half (43%) agreed their organisation ensures all lights and computers are switched off when not in use and just over a quarter conduct a regular energy audit.

    According to the survey, 38% of workers in the financial services sector – 12% more than the average – said their company has introduced a paperless policy, which can also help save energy.

    HeatingSave – slash energy bills and cut carbon emissions in a fast and easy way

    Replacing your central heating clock with a HeatingSave energy and boiler management controller is the quickest way of beating those tariff rises and saving on energy costs, often paying for itself in less than a year but almost always in less than 3 years.

    HeatingSave can cut your energy usage by 20% to 30% with its energy management control, as its internal microprocessor constantly calculates and improves the efficiency and savings of your central heating system.

    Using HeatingSave, simply choose the room temperature and the hot water you want, and when, and HeatingSave does the rest. It works with all central heating systems – oil, gas or coal – and links up with a PC to produce reports and graphs to fashion a powerful and complete energy management system.

    The system is backed by the Carbon Trust and the Energy Savings Trust.

  10. Training staff on energy efficiency and behavioural change can lead to significant savings

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    A well-known UK retailer has managed to cut its energy bills by around £500,000 on its energy bill last year after training its staff to reduce energy usage, a recent news report has been able to reveal.

    UK DIY store Wickes trained 146 member across 230 stores after store manager Neil Chetwynd noticed an overspend on electricity.

    Wickes’ North West region saved £30,500 in a period of six months as a result of the energy reduction programme.

    Mr Chetwynd said: “There has been a culture change. It’s about changing behaviour until the conscious becomes the subconscious. It’s great for the environment and it’s brilliant for our profit line. It has been an enormous success so far.”

    HeatingSave Building Energy Management System helps support behavioural change efforts

    Behavioural change is always a difficult target to attain, but this is specifically where the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System could help.

    HeatingSave has a number of features to prevent employees from adjusting the heating controls and leaving them in setting that can waste fuel. The keypad and display on the front of the controller has two levels of password protection.

    These passwords can be changed by authorized personnel locally or centrally using the PC software. The password programming meets the requirements laid down by the Carbon Trust, and the PC software is user ID and password protected too.

    Naturally, employees do have the right to set the ambient temperature at a value that best suites their needs, and HeatingSave manages this situation by firstly getting the temperature right so people don’t feel too hot or cold. If employees do feel too cold, they can hit a button to increase the room temperature. The heating will be turned up for a while BUT will then automatically turn back – keeping the employee at the right comfort temperature – and saving the employer on their fuel bill.

    If you’d like to find out more about the savings enabled by the HeatingSave Building Energy Management System, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and queries.