The holy grail of sustainable construction, namely reduced thermal conductivity with relatively small and simple changes to construction methods at little or no extra cost is in sight, says Paul Joyner, director of Sustainable Building Solutions at Travis Perkins. The discussion around sustainability has, for too long, been centred on the job that renewable technologies can do in bringing both new build and our ageing housing stock into the low carbon future.Read More

Simon Osborne, head of product and channel management at Baxi, discusses the importance of a visionary policy plan.Read More

Glan Blake-Thomas, managing director at AET, the supplier of the Camel Solar range of panels and collectors into the UK market, explains how new, aesthetically attractive and energy efficient designs open up fresh installation opportunities for building services contractors, consultants and architects.Read More

Dr Jerry Harrall of SEArch architects describes how simple, low invasive design techniques such as using extruded polystyrene as external insulation transformed the cost of living and quality of life for residents of a 200 year old house in High Wycombe.Read More

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly, as well as being able to displace a proportion of Grid-supplied electricity with locally generated, lower carbon electricity. Paul Riding, head of innovation, Calor, discusses.Read More

Graham Fisher, business development director, CME   Sanitary Systems, looks at how greywater management can help with meeting the requirements for a sustainable build, whatever the weather.Read More

Julie Dempster, marketing manager, Forbo Flooring Systems looks at the environmental benefits of linoleum.Read More

Consideration should be given to the sustainability credentials of the materials used between and around buildings, as well as to those used in the construction of those buildings. For precast concrete paving, the benefits are wide-ranging, says Colin Nessfield, secretary, Interpave.Read More

A review of insulation materials reveals that PIR provides a simple solution to constructing greener buildings, says Dale Kaszycki, marketing manager, EcoTherm Insulation (UK).Read More

John Durbin, engineering department manager, Daikin UK, argues that ‘whole building thinking’, incorporating the use of heat recovery systems, can pave the way to meeting legislative demands on energy-efficiency and carbon reduction.Read More