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Gas Run

With all pipework installed, tested, purged and commissioned, here’s a gas run in 76mm Stainless Steel Xpress that serves a new Lennox Benelux BV AHUAll…

How much does it cost to run an office?

Electricity makes the world go round – and the office. Finder.com recently published a compilation of the latest statistics that reveal how UK businesses consumed and spent money on energy over the last year. It’s a useful piece of information as it enables business owners who might be worried they’ve overspent to see where they sit on the scale of average.

The cost of running your office is dependent on many factors but the average cost for a micro, small and medium office is as follows:

MicroElectricity: 5,000 – 15,000kWh (£1, 062); Gas: 10, 000 kWh (£430)

MediumElectricity: 15,000 – 30,000kWh (£2,038); Gas: 25,000kWh (£856)

LargeElectricity: 30,000 – 50,000kWh (£3, 146); Gas: 45,000kWh (£1,424)

The appliances that are cost offices the most are:

Appliance                   Percentage of total electricity bill

Air Con                        29.15%

Light Fittings               26.12%

Computers                  10.1%

Vending Machine        6.05%

Water Cooler              6.05%

Kettles                         4.66%

Fridge                          3.33%

Printers                       3.02%

Hand Dryers                2.59%

Microwaves                1.73%

TV Screen                    1.71%

Laptops                       1.27%

Dishwasher                 1.04%

Toasters                      1.04%

Coffee Machine          0.86%

Desk Fans                    0.48%

These statistics offer insight into where businesses can cut back on costs when it comes to running an office or perhaps even invest more if the budget allows.

For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

How a sustainable water strategy will save your business money

The conservation of energy has been a hot topic for the last few years. The effects of global warming have forced the world to take note and take action; governments, businesses and home owners have been (correctly) burdened with the social responsibility to do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint.

Energy – gas and electricity – is an obvious expense on a balance sheet and so most businesses are naturally inclined to focus a great deal of effort on finding ways to minimise this expense. As it so happens, decisions made for economic reasons often turn out to be the sustainable route as well, a happy coincidence, but there is a cost that companies often overlook, and that is water.

Water is usually overshadowed by the price of energy but it bears hidden costs that it would benefit businesses to take note of, such as the carbon and monetary costs of supplying that water, heating it and treating it after use. In other words, water is intrinsically linked to energy use and carbon emissions – so why aren’t we trying harder to save it?

Recent estimates suggest that if we continue business as usual, global demand for water will exceed viable resources by 40 per cent by the year 2030. Policymakers are thus under pressure to tighten water regulations amidst growing concern about scarcity and pollution. As an outcome, businesses will be compelled to implement sustainable water strategies. This means recycling more water and looking at new ways in which to develop goods and services with a much smaller water footprint. And for smaller companies, awareness is a good starting point.

Martin Stuchtey, director of the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment, says that businesses need to shift to a circular economy for water:

“We need a completely new mindset of not contaminating water in the first place. We need to treat it like a durable and keep it in closed loops; or like a consumable, but return it in a way so that it is cheap or beneficial to take into second or third use.”

Companies should start to look beyond their fences; to collaborate with others – experts in the field – and encourage respective suppliers, partners, customers and others to work with them in their effort to implement water-saving plans. Industry sectors also need to join forces to manage water more efficiently, Stutchey argues:

“There might be ways that a handshake between the agriculture and industries might provide the better solution. Industrial grey water, if it’s not too contaminated, could in fact be an interesting input into agriculture. We need to go across sectors and manage water in more effective and circular ways.”

The good news is that an effective water management plan can transform the economic prospects of a business – if ever there was an incentive!

For more information on water sustainability or any plumbing-related issues feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc

Sources: Theguardian.com – “A sustainable water strategy is good for business”; “Six thing business needs to know about water and sustainability” and Mckinsey.com – “Rethinking the water cycle”

New Gas Absorption Heat Pump range by Remeha Commercial

Commercial heating manufacturer and supplier Remeha Commercial recently announced the launch of a range of Gas Absorption Heat Pumps (GAHP), which are described by the company as perfect for space heating in commercial new build developments – either in conjunction with commercial condensing boilers or in cascade operations – as well as a great low-carbon alternative for space heating.

As the owner or developer of a commercial new-build (or of an existing property), you’ll be looking to cut costs but not at the expense of quality and capability. Remeha’s new range is a high efficiency, low-carbon, low-NOx alternative for low grade heating and hot water generation.

The GAHP range uses gas-fired heat pump technology and a low-NOx thermodynamic condensing heat generator to draw energy from the air, typically for low temperature hot water applications such as under-floor heating.

So, how does this translate in business terms?

When it’s cold (which happens a lot in England), natural gas performs better than electricity; it warms a room within minutes, and is thus cheaper and more effective long-term. By using gas rather than electricity to fire the heat pump, the Gas Absorption Heat Pumps are the cheaper option.

And here’s an FYI: natural gas is recognised as one of the most eco-friendly sources of energy available. It is the cleanest burning fuel available today, and because natural gas is so efficient, you end up lowering your overall energy usage, which leaves your home with a much smaller carbon footprint.

The GAHP range has been described by Mark Northcott, Managing Director of Remeha Commercial, as one of the best means of harnessing renewable energy for heating. But not to worry if you’re using a liquid-petroleum-gas operation (a more costly fuel variant); Remeha’s GAHP range is suitable for LPG as well as natural gas.

Depending on the scale of the new-build, the Remeha GAHP range is available as a single unit or in cascade operations of up to 48 units. It comes in two versions: a high temperature optimised and a low temperature optimised version for distribution systems. And if you’re looking to save space in your building, the GAHP comes in a weatherproof steel casing for outdoor installations.

The pumps have been hailed as easy to use and easy to install.

For more information, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc