Letters
Protecting the regs is a priority cent of the total UK carbon emissions. What quoted in our article. We chose the prices at the
Professor Michael Kelly is absolutely right to point is the environmental case for that decision? I time in the Luton area, where the Ecodan unit
out that none of the recent energy initiatives have thought the idea of a consultation was to obtain a we were closely monitoring is installed. Our
been justified by full economic analysis and, in wider view of the viability and economic case for central thrust, though, is beyond dispute. Prices
particular, we should be extremely cautious about policy proposals. So wouldn’t it have been a good of oil and gas will continue to rise year on year.
the value issues of “compulsion” in making idea to include the idea in the package, perhaps Electricity prices may fluctuate and a lot depends
homeowners improve the energy performance with some very specific questions about whether on how it is produced, but it is also almost certain
of their properties and possible “sanctions” for the environmental case could offset the cost and to become ‘greener’ to produce in general.
defaulters (Journal, July, page 7). complexity? After all, if it was to be made a legal I must also correct the wrong impression
Older hands will recall that, in the mid-1990s, requirement that when undertaking building given by the letter about the seasonal COPs of
CIBSE and kindred institutions were air source heat pumps. We have just
engaged in a desperate battle to prevent completed live winter trials in four sites
the entire Building Regulations around the UK and have achieved an
from being consigned to the bin by average COP of between 3.0 and 3.4.
the Deregulation Task Force of the This covers the period between October
government of John Major. Hence, 2008 and March 2009, including
any talk at this point of compulsion or the periods where temperatures dropped
sanctions could easily provide hostages to minus 9 deg C. What this means is that
to fortune if the Building Regulations heat pumps are at least three times more
come under threat once again from a efficient than a modern gas condensing
change of government next year. boiler – regardless of the price of the
In the same edition of the Journal fuel. This is also being generous to gas,
there was much to admire in Amanda as very few boilers operate at 93 per cent
Reid’s commentary on the challenges efficiency levels all of the time.
of being a young female engineer of Max Halliwell, product manager,
four in an office of 70 males (Opinion, Mitsubishi Electric heating department
July, page 20). It was good to see that the
situation was much more welcoming Not so passive house
on her return to the industry after some In the July edition of the Journal you
gap years, and that she received offers report on the UK’s first Passivhaus
from all of the firms that she applied school. Although the design of an air-
to. How many males from her peer group could work on existing homes, 10 per cent of the bill tight, super-insulated school is to be praised, the
claim that? But her disparaging use of the term must be spent on improving the energy efficiency design does not meet Passivhaus standards; nor,
“senior gentlemen’s industry” is both sexist and of the home, then people wouldn’t stop doing I assume, has been certified by the Passivhaus
ageist at the same time and does nothing to home improvement. They would merely factor institute. I therefore think the title of the article
advance the equality agenda that she seems keen in the cost of the energy efficiency work, much somewhat disingenuous. Furthermore, the article
to encourage, and which is also CIBSE policy. as they factor in the cost of a burglar-resistant says in its fourth paragraph that, because the
More importantly from her point of view, neither front door, or Part L-compliant windows. building has a small heat requirement, it cannot be
is it likely to inspire the confidence and trust that Perhaps the minister was worried that last certified as truly Passivhaus. This is incorrect: the
all young engineers need from their seniors in time his department consulted on consequential standard allows for 15 kWh/sq m per annum. It
order to support and advance their careers up to improvements, 80 per cent of respondents said it would be bad indeed if readers got the impression
and into the boardroom. was a good idea. At least last time we got a chance that Passivhaus was synonymous with unheated.
Ian Brown MSc CEng FIMechE FCIBSE to express a view. So, this time around, as well as David Coley, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for
commenting on the proposals that are included Energy and the Environment, Exeter, UK
We need to express a view in the package, everyone who wants to see
“In my view, in the present economic downturn, consequential improvements introduced for all
CIBSE Journal welcomes article proposals from
the environmental case didn’t offset the cost and homes should get in there and argue the case.
any reader, wherever you are – whether it be
letters, longer opinion pieces, news stories,
complexity in the proposals thus far outlined.” Hywel Davies, technical director, CIBSE
people or events listings, humorous items, or any
So said UK Housing Minister John Healey to
content ideas.
justify taking the proposals for consequential Truths about heat pumps
Please send all letters and any other items for
improvements out of the consultation on As the author of much of the research that was possible publication to: editor@cibsejournal.
plans to amend Parts L and F of the Building used as the basis for the CPD Module on heat
com, or write to Bob Cervi, editor, CIBSE Journal,
Cambridge Publishers Ltd, 275 Newmarket Road,
Regulations (Journal, July, page 6). And so the pump technology published in the May Journal
Cambridge, CB5 8JE, UK. We reserve the right to
current consultation package contains no (page 59), I must reply to Michael Cade’s letter edit all letters. Please indicate how you wish your
tangible provision for improving the existing in the June issue entitled ‘Misleading figures on
letter to be attributed, and whether you wish to
have your contact details included.
housing stock, which accounts for some 27 per heat pumps’. Cade questions the prices of energy
16 CIBSE Journal August 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEaug09 pp16 letters.indd 16 23/7/09 14:50:05
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