Viewpoint Archives - Specifier Review

A royally renewable revolution

June 17, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

As Royal Wedding hysteria begins to settle down, Ellina Webb looks into what the Royal Household is doing to improve their green credentials and help save our planet. Whatever your views on our Royalty, it’s[…]

Changing Attitudes to Green Infrastructure in the UK

June 15, 2018 Kirsty HammondRoofing & Maintenance

With increasing pressure on ground level green spaces it comes as no surprise that we are experiencing a growing momentum across the UK in the number of green roofing and green walling projects. The increased[…]

Anti-scald advocate calls for better education to avoid unnecessary deaths

June 13, 2018 Kirsty HammondHealth & Safety

Following the news last month that a 79-year-old man died after falling in a scalding hot bath at his Romford home, the director of leading bathroom product manufacturer Inta is once again calling for more[…]

School should be a healthy environment for young minds

June 8, 2018June 8, 2018 Kirsty HammondEducational Buildings

by Janvi Patel ~ Ventilation specialist at Mitsubishi Electric With news reports that air inside London’s classrooms is worse than the air outside, Janvi Patel looks at what we can do to protect our young. As[…]

Futurology: the new home in 2050

June 5, 2018June 5, 2018 Kirsty HammondArchitecture

Homes of the future will increasingly tap into neighbourhood energy systems, feature flexible layouts and use improved technology to make automatic decisions about heating, security and even postal deliveries, according to a new report. The[…]

The Principles of Green Roof Maintenance

June 4, 2018 Kirsty HammondRoofing & Maintenance

During very wet seasons green roofs can have problems retaining the plant nutrients. If the flowers have been in short supply then it may be time to apply a sort of fertilizer. If there are[…]

The effects of climate change in London

June 4, 2018June 4, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Article by by Ellina Webb – Mitsubishi Electric Climate change is an issue that makes us think about the wider implications to our planet. But what about the impacts on pinpointed locations like London? The potential impacts of[…]

Should the UK follow the German example in developing green roofs?

May 31, 2018 Kirsty HammondRoofing & Maintenance

When we consider the development of green infrastructure as part of an overall strategy to combat climate change, few would argue that we need to look much beyond Germany as the leader. Germany Green Roofs[…]

Where would Hollywood be without HVAC?

May 30, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Ellina Webb looks at the importance of HVAC infrastructure in large buildings, spaceships and Hollywood action films. What do Aliens, Die Hard and Mission Impossible all have in common aside from gore, action and heroism?[…]

It’s time to embrace the ‘living wall’ years

May 21, 2018May 22, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Ellina Webb looks at some of the most successful examples of living walls in the UK Over the past few years the number of buildings with living walls both internally and on the external facade[…]

The University of Huddersfield – Inspiring Tomorrow's Professionals

Artificial intelligence used in major study analysing occupant behaviour to enhance building energy performance

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

The work, using AI’s Machine Learning, aims to combat and minimise the ‘energy performance gap’ in buildings ARTIFICAL intelligence has been at the centre of many media reports recently and a researcher at the University[…]

New proposals for a wilder Britain

May 5, 2018 Kirsty HammondSustainable Development

Critical moment to reverse the decline of nature On Tuesday 1st May, The Wildlife Trusts are publishing Towards a wilder Britain – creating a Nature Recovery Network which shows how new laws could lead to the creation[…]

Can art improve air quality?

May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Article by Janvi Patel ~ Ventilation specialist at Mitsubishi Electric Will a new London art installation help improve air quality? As a Londoner, I love the diversity of the city and the amount of cultural[…]

Six reasons why timber frame is surging in the UK

April 30, 2018May 14, 2018 Kirsty HammondConstruction

In the mid-1980s negative press about quality control for timber-frame housing caused a healthy market to slump from around 40 percent to less than 10 percent in a single year. It was slow to rebuild[…]

Top construction materials that can positively impact the environment

April 27, 2018 Kirsty HammondConstruction

The building industry is undergoing a shift. Most of the cities around us are built using a combination of steel and concrete. Concrete blocks are used to build our homes, offices, schools, bridges and pathways.[…]

Working in fall arrest: what you need to know

April 10, 2018 Kirsty HammondConstruction

Fall arrest is the term used when working at height with a system which doesn’t prevent you from accessing a fall risk, unlike fall restraint. Instead of preventing you from going into these places, fall[…]

Building the cities of the future

April 3, 2018April 4, 2018 Kirsty HammondArchitecture

Martin Fahey reports from MIPIM, the global property event where sustainability was top of the agenda Having just spent four days in the south of France meeting some of the most influential and important people[…]

3 steps to planning ahead with F-Gas

March 19, 2018 Kirsty HammondHeating & Ventilation

As we continue to talk about the important industry topic of changes in F-Gas Regulation, Carl Dickinson looks at 3 steps aimed at encouraging those in building services to gather information before making an informed[…]

The benefits of timber as a building material

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018 Kirsty HammondTimber in Building

Jeremy English, Sales Director at Södra – Sweden’s largest forest-owner association – explains how timber is perfectly placed to meet the needs of the UK construction industry. With its clean, cost effective, attractive and efficient[…]

Energy efficient help for SMEs

March 13, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

With business looking for ways to reduce operating costs, Scott McGavin looks at how even small adjustments to a building’s HVAC systems can make a significant difference to bills. Did you know for every 1ºC[…]

18 Things you need to know about R32 in 2018

March 9, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

As the market sees R410A refrigerant increase in cost by over 600%, Deane Flint looks at 18 reasons you need to be thinking and talking to your customers about the move to R32-ready air conditioning[…]

Antibacterial Protection For Worksurfaces Better Than Wetwipes

March 5, 2018 Kirsty HammondKitchen & Bathroom

It’s well known that a kitchen dishcloth is a breeding ground for bugs – leading to increases in sales of anti-bacterial wipes. The trouble with wipes is that a recent feature on BBC’s Trust Me[…]

What’s in a number? The search for true capacity

March 1, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

Max Halliwell looks at what can be deduced from heat pump manufacturers’ performance figures when the temperature drops below zero. Many of my colleagues have recently made the switch to hybrid, plug-in vehicles but they[…]

18 Things you need to know about F-Gas in 2018

February 27, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

As industries using refrigerants continue to discuss changes related to the F-Gas Regulations, Deane Flint looks at 18 important details you need to undertake and plan for now. In March 2014 the European Parliament passed regulation on[…]

Love your home: The power of the positive

February 20, 2018March 1, 2018 Kirsty HammondInterior Design

Can positive energy really affect happiness, well-being and love for your home? Ellina Webb investigates the three lifestyle concepts of Feng Shui, Hygge and Minimalism. Over the past year on the Hub, we have posted[…]

Top of the class: The smarty pants office building

February 7, 2018 Kirsty HammondCommercial Buildings

Ellina Webb looks at the smart solutions that can help building owners comply with legislation and improve both the energy rating and the graded class of their office space. Retrofitting smart technology to commercial buildings[…]

The 18 things you need to know about MEES in 2018

January 29, 2018 Kirsty HammondCommercial Buildings

With big changes soon to affect commercial buildings in England and Wales, Deane Flint looks at 18 important details regarding MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) and the changes landlords might need to make to their[…]

Can we now breathe in deeply and celebrate air quality?

January 22, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

As London manages not to exceed legal limits, ventilation expert, Janvi Patel ponders on air quality News last week on the BBC website that London’s air quality has not exceeded legal limits in mid-January for the[…]

25 year plan to tackle environmental issues

January 15, 2018January 19, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

Has the government done enough with the publication of its environmental plan? On the 11th of January, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, announced a 25 year plan to “nurture” the environment, referring to it as a[…]

The solar revolution: 3 everyday items you didn’t realise were solar powered

January 14, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

As we look towards a positive growth in solar and renewables, Ellina Webb looks backwards and forwards at the solar revolution. Solar power was the fastest-growing source of new energy worldwide last year, and with[…]

Wildlife Trusts - Homes for people and wildlife

New guidelines call for homes for people and wildlife

January 11, 2018 Kirsty HammondSustainable Development

Why and how to build nature-friendly housing developments New guidelines published by The Wildlife Trusts today show how new housing developments can be built in a way that provides people with greener, inspirational homes which[…]

Are we driving towards an electric future for heating?

January 9, 2018January 9, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Russell Jones finds parallels between news of electric car sales and renewable heating. The news last Friday was full of reports about the drop in UK car sales with a 17% decline in diesel in particular focusing[…]

Fossil Fuels: Beyond global warming and beyond the UK

January 3, 2018January 3, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

Ellina Webb examines how burning fossil fuels causes damage to the world we live in. We all know the wider implications of burning fossil fuels, not only do they use up our limited supply of[…]

Top tips for limescale removal

January 2, 2018 Kirsty HammondKitchen & Bathroom

Limescale is incredibly common, and it’s likely that you will have it on your taps at some point in your life. Your taps will look significantly nicer without limescale on them as you will be[…]

Can you make a commitment to conscious shopping?

January 1, 2018January 8, 2018 Kirsty HammondEnergy Saving

Ellina Webb challenges shoppers and encourages retailers to be environmentally conscious this 2018. As the New Year dawns, about 63% of people are waking up to – not only a hangover, but a commitment to a series[…]

Keeping your HVAC airways clean

December 21, 2017 Kirsty HammondHeating & Ventilation

RICHARD BETTS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RABSCREEN, THE EXTERNAL FILTER SPECIALISTS, DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF AIRFLOW IN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS. Airflow is the single most critical element in the correct operation of all air heating[…]

Preparing your new home for its first winter

The future of heating is wireless

December 19, 2017 Kirsty HammondHeating & Ventilation

After a month without any gas heating, Russell Jones now looks towards a wireless future and online control If you read my last post ‘But baby it’s cold outside’ you will already know that I’ve[…]

The smarty-pants home

December 13, 2017 Kirsty HammondHeating & Ventilation

As our homes head towards being “smart” and we are bombarded with a plethora of different home devices to add to our Christmas presents list, Ellina Webb looks into what’s on offer to help her[…]

Key considerations for green roof specification

December 8, 2017January 29, 2018 Kirsty HammondRoofing & Maintenance

Stuart Hicks from cold-applied liquid waterproofing specialist, Kemper System, discusses the rise of green roof applications and specification best practice. The green roof market is quite literally growing – in 2017, the annual market growth[…]

Key Drivers Forcing the Green Gateway Agenda

December 6, 2017 Kirsty HammondEnvironmental Control

Growing awareness and evolving values are driving Government, businesses and individuals to demand greener, more affordable and socially acceptable energy technologies. As an essential part of both the challenge and the solution, it is up[…]