February Refurb and Renew magazine

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Heating & Ventilation | Slimming down for modern living Juliet Woodcock reports on the latest innovation from a British manufacturer of water heating products. According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), 60% of people questioned would not buy a house that had been built in the last decade because the rooms are too small. RIBA also reported in its paper, The Case for Space, that consumers in Ireland could expect new homes to be 15% bigger, in the Netherlands they were 53% bigger and in Denmark, the average newly built home was 80% bigger than in the UK. Then, in another article I wrote recently, I reported that one couple had to keep their vacuum cleaner in the car; another stored groceries in their boot. While apparently we’re ‘going off’ brown antiques, preferring instead light coloured Ikea type furniture. The truth is, most new homes are too small for big Victorian wardrobes and tallboys; while large, dark coloured furniture dominates a small room. However, R&R can happily report that one British company is trying to make life easier for new build owner/occupiers as well as developers and social housing providers. In fact Heatrae Sadia, the UK's largest manufacturer of electric water heating products, is in the process of launching the Megaflo Eco Slimline, a compact version of its successful Megaflo Eco, which has been designed for homes where space for a hot water storage cylinder is limited. Taller than the Megaflow Eco, the slimmer version heats the same amount of water and will fit into airing cupboards or, in modern apartments, within built-in cupboards; thus allowing space for, perhaps, a Hoover. Whereas usually an unvented hot water cylinder would need an external expansion system, the Megaflo Eco Slimline features an internal expansion system, facilitating a faster and neater installation. Megaflo Eco Slimline is available in capacities from 100 to 190 litres, as well as offering direct and indirect versions. Crucially it still delivers the same high performance and quality that installers and consumers have come to expect from the market leading Megaflo Eco range. Jon Cockburn, head of marketing at Heatrae Sadia, said: “Our homes are undoubtedly getting smaller; RIBA suggests the average UK new home is now 76m² – half the size of the houses built in the 1920s. So, with space at a premium, finding an adequate amount of room for a hot water storage cylinder can be problematic, even in older properties. “In line with our strategy to continually evolve the Megaflo Eco range to meet market needs, we identified a demand for a slimmer version to fit into non-standard sized airing cupboards and other compact storage areas.” Importantly, the Megaflo range is compatible with all types of heating and hot water systems, including conventional stand-alone boilers, biomass and district heating systems. The twin coil versions are also often specified for installations featuring input from solar thermal panels. Megaflo Eco Slimline’s internal cylinder will have a lifetime warranty, which includes on-site parts and labour. It will be available from April 2016. : The Megaflo Eco Slimline hot water cylinder has been designed for homes where space for a hot water storage cylinder is limited 40 refurb| RENEW Jan / Feb 2O16 issue 8955
Industry responds to Prime Minister’s pledge to transform ‘sink estates’ | Article Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that some of the country’s most run-down housing estates will be replaced with attractive and safe homes. David Cameron described the post-war social housing estates in the UK as a "gift to criminals and drug dealers." He also pledged to spend £140 million for the country’s worst housing estates to be removed and replaced with safe and attractive homes for residents.i In an article written by the PM for The Sunday Times, Cameron said "Step outside in the worst estates, and you're confronted by concrete slabs dropped from on high, brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways that are a gift to criminals and drug dealers." "The police often talk about the importance of designing out crime, but these estates actually designed it in. Decades of neglect have led to gangs, ghettos and anti-social behaviour and poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so." RIBA President Jane Duncan said “We welcome the Government’s decision to look at improving the built environment in the most deprived communities in our country. We believe passionately that everyone has a right to enjoy and benefit from well-designed architecture. These community improvements, however, can’t come at the expense of existing residents and see further reductions in the number of social rented homes at a time where there is already a desperate shortage.” Commenting on the proposals, Neil Marshall, CEO of the National Insulation Association (NIA) said: “Whilst we support the Prime Minister’s proposals to improve housing estates in England we are concerned that the plans appear to focus purely on demolition and rebuilding. Housing estates can be regenerated and transformed by upgrading the existing properties including the installation of attractive external wall insulation. The cost of upgrading estates is significantly less than demolition and rebuilding which means more households could be helped with the money. In addition, upgrading the existing buildings avoids the hassle and disruption of having to re-house the occupants which is associated with demolition and rebuilding. “We would therefore urge the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposals and focus more of the investment on upgrading existing properties. Neil Marshal, CEO of the National Insulation Association (NIA) Jan / Feb 2O16 issue 8955 refurb| RENEW 41
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Page 7 and 8: News | The imposition of Council Ta
Page 9 and 10: To get ‘fit’, go to Telford in
Page 11 and 12: www.spv.co.uk Refurbishment and Mai
Page 13 and 14: : The Bamboo Papers are an exotic p
Page 15 and 16: Q UALITY OU TDOOR FURNI TURE MODULA
Page 18 and 19: Fire & Safety Systems | False alarm
Page 20 and 21: Fire & Safety Systems | Coastal hot
Page 22 and 23: Building Envelope | Refurbs offer f
Page 24: Building Envelope | ‘Aluprof List
Page 27 and 28: SPART TAN PROMEN ADE
Page 29 and 30: Crittall helps maintain ‘industri
Page 31 and 32: Lock Down for Winter House security
Page 33 and 34: DELIVERING ROOFING EXCELLENCE THE O
Page 35 and 36: UK to save millions of pounds. “W
Page 37 and 38: OVERBOARD Introducing Overboard fro
Page 39: Evinox Energy to exhibit at Ecobuil
Page 44 and 45: Interior Refurbishment | Forbo maps
Page 46 and 47: Energy Saving | Chapter House of St
Page 48: Settin ng the Standards RTstack O R

February Refurb and Renew magazine

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