Leading pump manufacturer – Wilo UK – is encouraging the largest users of electricity in the UK to look carefully at the energy savings that could be made simply by switching the large number of pumps in their buildings and premises to Wilo’s high efficiency, variable speed pumps that use significantly less electricity than traditional pumps – up to 90% less energy in fact. With the largest 5000 users of electricity having had to sign up to the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme (CRCs) being run by the Environment Agency, by this April 2010, finding ways of lowering energy use and reducing emissions now, is key to many businesses.

Leading pump manufacturer – Wilo UK – is encouraging the largest users of electricity in the UK to look carefully at the energy savings that could be made simply by switching the large number of pumps in their buildings and premises to Wilo’s high efficiency, variable speed pumps that use significantly less electricity than traditional pumps – up to 90% less energy in fact. With the largest 5000 users of electricity having had to sign up to the Government’s Carbon Reduction commitment Scheme (CRCs) being run by the Environment Agency, by this April 2010, finding ways of lowering energy use and reducing emissions now, is key to many businesses.

Wilo has an excellent track record of helping businesses to replace elderly, energy guzzling pumps with their new, high efficiency pumps that can save up to 90% of the energy previously being consumed by a standard fixed speed pump doing the same job, in many cases seeing the capital cost of the replacement pump covered well within two years – often in less than 12 months.

The CRC is a cap and trade scheme introduced by the Government and aimed at reducing the UK’s carbon emissions by one-third by 2050. The scheme requires some 5,000 organisations which consume over 6 GWh/year and who operate half hourly metering, to join, and participants will be required to purchase carbon allowances based on the Information Packs they have received from the Environment Agency.

Initially organisations need to ensure they accurately monitor their energy use emissions and capture the information into a database designed to perform all monitoring and targeting functions. Some organisations have made the decision to outsource their carbon emission monitoring to specialist companies as many have reported that collecting the energy data is very resource intensive, particularly where manual readings have been required. The installation of automated meter reading (AMR) systems has been a lengthy and in some cases complex process.

It’s thought that businesses will need to make savings of around 5% just to fund the costs associated with administering the scheme. Wilo UK says the real energy saving and carbon reduction benefits come from implementing specialist new technologies that contribute to measurable reductions in the actual energy consumed and as a result in the carbon dioxide emitted.

One of the biggest contributors to energy consumption in buildings, are the numerous pumps used in HVAC systems. Variable speed drives are used to regulate the speed of the electric motor driving the pump. Saving up to 90% of the electricity bill is possible with payback as short as 6 months. Wilo’s huge range of high efficiency pumps offer solutions for a wide range of uses within the built environment including for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, water supply and boosting and sewage and waste water pumping and lifting solutions.

Wilo UK offers a site survey and energy comparison for any building or organisation. They’ll illustrate in simple terms what the current set up is costing and what can be saved by switching to Wilo energy saving pumps.

The newly launched range represents a new generation of the Pulse 8 system from Sirrus by Gummers Investment in the development of capacitance technology has enabled the company to refine the design and produce a range that can compete directly on price with infra-red.

Unlike infra-red controls, which operate via a sensor, capacitance systems harness the electrical impulses naturally generated by the human body. Product marketing manager Fiona Bowyer says: “Capacitance technology is well established in consumer electronics applications, where it is widely used to enable touch-screen operations in products such as laptop computers, MP3 players and point-of-sale systems where the user simply has to apply a light touch to a glass screen. We have developed this proven technology by increasing the sensitivity of the capacitance unit within our taps so that they respond to the electrical energy stored within the human body without the need for actual physical contact.”

Now able to compete on a cost basis with infra-red, capacitance technology offers a number of advantages. With no sensor involved, the units are far more resistant to vandalism, nuisance or accidental operation, all of which can lead to a waste of water. Fiona Bowyer: “Capacitance is more reliable and offers a consistent level of performance. It is also an intelligent technology: if an attempt is made to vandalise a unit by, for example, wrapping material around the tap, the unit has the capability of working out that something is wrong and will then turn off and re-set itself.”

The Pulse 8 electronic control box is pre-programmed with variable overrun times which can be selected at the point of installation. Taps are supplied programmed with a clean flush, which runs for 2 seconds after hands are removed to clean the hand basin or trough. Handwash, which can be used with an individual wall plate, has a 15 second overrun time. A and J Gummers Showers can use the 15 second setting or the more suitable 60 second shower time. The new Pulse 8 range consists of two non-touch basin spouts, a remote sensor plate and a power pack that is hard-wired to the mains. Where mains operation is not an option, a separate battery pack is available.

Vello from Twyford Bathrooms, which is previewed for the first time at KBB 2010, is a gorgeous and timeless bathroom collection that is set to appeal to the most discerning consumer. Vello combines a soft romantic bathroom aesthetic with unrivalled functionality and adaptability for a contemporary yet understated bathroom scheme.

Vello has been designed by Code.2.design, the Stuttgart-based design studio headed up by the industrial planner Michael Schmidt. The Vello collection features a signature basin shape that is softly rounded and which sits atop a sleek and angular wooden furniture. It is the juxtaposition of the soft and the angular which gives Vello its enduring timeless appeal.

The key to Vello’s success is the size of the collection, which offers the end user endless flexibility. With a choice of four basin sizes from a 400mm hand rinse basin for ensuites and cloakrooms through to a 570mm RH/LH offset and 600mm and an indulgent 800mm, Vello is guaranteed to work in any sized bathroom. The two larger basins can be used with either a full or semi pedestal or with a selection of matching furniture to optimize storage.

The Vello furniture collection is supply in either a light oak or a dark wenge real wood finish and comes with a choice of uncomplicated under basin shelves in three sizes for a sophisticated yet minimalist feel, or with a series of multifunctional cabinets or drawers for a contemporary look. An optional side cabinet offers the advantage of yet more bathroom storage.

The Vello WC, provide in either a 6/4 litre dual flush close-coupled or wall hung option comes with a light weight soft close seat as standard. Moreover the pan seating position has been developed to be 30mm higher than a standard pan, for increased comfort.

So for the ultimate in sophisticated elegance look no additional than Vello by Twyford Bathrooms.

Idealite range builds on Ideal Standard’s existing shower enclosure business

Ideal Standard, a leading provider of innovative and design-driven bathroom solutions, has launched its new Idealite Idealite Simplicity shower trays are sculpted from IdealiteIdealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks., an innovative new material developed by Ideal Standard. Idealite Idealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks.creates a shower tray which is both remarkably light and surprisingly strong.shower tray range.
The trays are sculpted from IdealiteIdealite Simplicity shower trays are sculpted from IdealiteIdealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks., an innovative new material developed by Ideal Standard. Idealite Idealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks.creates a shower tray which is both remarkably light and surprisingly strong., an innovative new material developed by Ideal Standard, which is substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable and their contemporary design makes them compatible with most of Ideal Standard’s enclosure ranges.  The only exception to this is the Bliss collection, where dedicated trays are available.  
The Idealite Simplicity shower trays are sculpted from Idealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks., an innovative new material developed by Ideal Standard. Idealite low profile shower trays are substantially lighter than conventional shower trays. With a height of just 45mm they are strong and durable with contemporary good looks.creates a shower tray which is both remarkably light and surprisingly strong.trays come in a broad range of sizes and shapes such as square, quadrant and rectangular all of which are available in flat top and upstand variants.  Separate riser panels and kits are also available. For ease of installation, a 90mm waste is also included.