Pro Installer February 2014 - Issue 11 | Page 3

3 PRO INSTALLER FEBRUARY 2014 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 New guidance on benefits of building controls & building energy management BRE has published two Information Papers to help nontechnical clients and building occupiers specify building controls to provide a comfortable climate for a building’s occupants with the lowest possible energy consumption. Information Paper 1/14: Understanding the Choices for Building Controls has been produced by BRE, with support from the Energy Services Technology Association (ESTA) and Siemens Building Technologies. Many building controls specifications are currently focused on providing minimum controls requirements rather than innovative, energy saving controls solutions, because cutting-edge controls technologies are perceived to be too technical and complex to operate. This 16-page document has been produced to overcome these issues by helping clients and building occupiers select the most appropriate controls strategy and technologies for a building in order to help reduce its carbon footprint and to provide a better environment for the occupants. With simple explanations of the different control systems available, it offers guidance as to where and why each system can, and should, be used along with advice on how to apply a technology to get an effective solution in practice. The paper, produced by BRE, with the support of Schneider Electric and ESTA, has been produced to help the many building users who have a poor understanding of the operation of a building energy management system and so fail to realise potential energy savings. The situation is often compounded by a user’s failure to properly maintain the BEMS and to update it to reflect changes in building layout and variations in use. The 12-page document provides users with practical instructions on how to effectively operate a BEMS to realise potential energy savings. It outlines the risks that should be considered, and provides an overview of strategic issues that will impact on the operation of the BEMS. As well as covering standard technologies, the paper also covers the latest building management software such as Analytics and automatic HVAC optimisation. Alan Aldridge, former Executive Director of ESTA said: “The control of energy in buildings is generally poor, despite the availability of a range of tried and tested systems incorporating both mature and innovative technologies. These papers will help clients and occupiers better understand controls solutions and help them select an appropriate controls strategy that will save energy”. Copies of IP 1/14 Understanding the Choices for Building Controls and IP2/14 Operating BEMS: A practical guide to building energy management systems are available to order or download from www. brebookshop.com A FEW CHANGES WE HOPE YOU’LL LIKE... How time flies! It is just a year since we launched Pro Installer which we are delighted to report, has been very well-received by the trade. 2013 was a very busy one for the Clearview Group, as we acquired and re-launched other new trade titles and moved to larger premises to accommodate the Group’s expansion. Now, at the start of our second year of Pro Installer and in line with our company policy of keeping all our publications fresh and readable