Heat in Bristol – What Developers Need To Know
Posted on November 22nd 2023
The Bristol Heat Network is an ambitious project to deliver low carbon heat to existing and new homes and businesses across the city. Aspirational projects like this present some very positive opportunities for new development, but successful implementation needs careful consideration from the outset. The network is already in operation and has plans for significant expansion. Aligning with the city’s …
Electrification – The Future of Heating Buildings
Posted on November 22nd 2023
Clean hydrogen should not be viewed as a replacement for gas in domestic heating. As widely expected, the Second National Infrastructure Assessment agreed that electrification via heat pumps should be prioritised to decarbonise heat in buildings. Developments will therefore need to contend with increased electrical demands and the associated costs (both capital and operational) that this will likely bring. Such …
Thermal Bridging – Why at Stage 2
Posted on November 22nd 2023
The table below shows how considering thermal bridging early improves quality, and enables optimisation, of the thermal envelope and use of photovoltaics. It’s never too early to think about thermal bridging as their assessors helps streamline routes to compliance. Consolidating the work within the same company can streamline the process.
Building Services Embodied Carbon Risk
Posted on October 20th 2023
Post construction whole life cycle carbon (WLC) emissions associated to building services are significant when compared to estimates at planning. Working through the design process as more information is known ensures building services are fit for purpose. Without careful attention this can increase embodied carbon emissions as a result of increased material quantities and different plant selection. Our recent post …
Key Design Considerations for Peak Lopping Units
Posted on October 20th 2023
Peak lopping units are increasingly being used by developers to ensure compliance with Part O. The units include a cooling module that, when activated, provide a degree of cooling to the dwellings, helping them achieve compliance. In specifying these units, developers should also be aware of the following: Size and weight: Some models are large (exceeding 2000mm in height and …
Good Retrofit Requires Good Ventilation
Posted on October 19th 2023
The energy crisis has focused minds on reducing energy in existing buildings use, but improving fabric without considering means of ventilation can have negative consequences. Improving building fabric will help reduce heating bills, improve EPC ratings and help reduce CO2 emissions. Poor ventilation can lead to undesirable consequences such as condensation, mould risk, poor air quality and overheating. Older buildings …
Enforcement Action For Non-Permitted Heating Plant Over 1MW
Posted on October 19th 2023
Failure to secure a permit for any heating plant using combustion over 1MW could result in the Environment Agency (EA) taking enforcement action. Failure to comply with the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) could result in suspension of operations on the site or issuing fines. The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) came into effect in December 2018 and applies to …
Hodkinson Consultancy celebrate Passive House Qualifications
Posted on September 27th 2023
Hodkinson Consultancy now have two qualified Passive House Consultants in-house. Jonathan Peck and Rodrigo Guedes recently passed their Passive House exam following a comprehensive three-week training course with Mosart. Passive House assessment using Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software has thus been added to the wide portfolio of energy services the company can provide. An increasing number of developers are …
Climate Change Impact of Heat Networks – From Design to Operation
Posted on September 27th 2023
The climate change impact of a heat network is a product of the network’s whole life – from design to operation. According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), there will be planned regulation for heat networks and a limit will be set on carbon emissions from heat networks. Furthermore, it is predicted by the CCC that around a fifth of …
Overheating – Do Current Designs Go Far Enough?
Posted on September 27th 2023
Developers are at risk of implementing overheating mitigation strategies that do not address future climate scenarios. Current regulations require compliance under a CIBSE TM49 2020s weather file (2011 – 2040), whilst buildings are designed to last well beyond this period. With strategies commonly implementing peak-lopping MVHR or comfort cooling, additional stress on these systems could lead to a rise in …