Rob Borruso

Two things have been vexing me quite a lot recently. Firstly, the resistance to actually getting things done caused by all the legislation I (we) have to deal with these days. And, secondly, ever since the radio broke in my digger, which of 300+ albums stored on my phone to play next.

I'll tackle the more important issue first. I've various apps on my phone that claim, after I make an initial choice, to be able to compile play-lists for me. Aside from the fact the apps don't know whether I'm path smoothing...

Chris Hocknell | Eight Associates

How is the Energy Efficiency Directive changing the way we do business? Is it really achieving its goals or is it just a soft-touch regulation without real tangible achievements?

Overview and Policy Context

Several regulatory instruments have been implemented within the UK to ensure that the UK achieves the cumulative final energy saving target of 27.86 Mtoe by 2020 (2014-2020 period), as per its NEEAP (National Energy Efficiency Action Plan) in...

Cath Hassell | ech2o 

Legionella pneumophila bacteria (first identified in July 1976) are found in all types of nutrient-rich fresh water environments, including rivers and streams. From these sources they enter and colonise man-made water systems such as humidifiers, cooling towers and hot and cold water systems. The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C. Legionella only become a risk to health if the bacteria multiply rapidly, which occurs when temperatures are between 20-45°C...

Tom Dollard | Pollard Thomas Edwards

The Zero Carbon Hub’s recent work with industry has found extensive evidence of a considerable ‘Performance Gap’ between the energy use of new homes as-designed and the actual use of the completed building. This gap occurs when a constructed home requires more energy than was predicted during its design, before taking into account the behaviour of occupants.

This gap represents a significant risk to...

Cath Hassell | ech2o 

Anyone who is used to working in the commercial sector and looking at scoring easy BREEAM points will already know all about total washroom control (1). For the rest of you think urinal controls only bigger, better, faster, exerting control over all the water supply into a toilet block.

Benchmarking of schools

The main way of comparing different buildings with regards to how much water they use is based on the number of building users. For schools the...

Lucy Pedler | The Green Register

I recently made a presentation to a room full of architects for the RIBA South West in Exeter. Having been given free reign about what to present, I chose to take a look at what progress we have, or have not, made since the turn of the century.

There is no doubt that Bill Dunster’s BedZed scheme in south London welcomed the new century in with a bang. It is one of the most...

Jillian Mitchell | Project Logistics

I recently enjoyed a week’s holiday on a narrow boat.  There’s something about pootling around at 3 miles an hour, spending time in the great outdoors, which slows the mind and gives time to think, or better still, time to simply be – a rare treat, these days.

This blog isn’t about my holidays, although of course that would be fascinating.  This is actually about water consumption.  (I won’t cover the wonders of civil engineering and water...

Rob Borruso

I was planning a whole load of puns to go with this blog especially as my take on this is going to be rather heavy on facts and figures. But actually no, I think it is best that we all suffer the numbers. To my mind to issues surrounding fracking are, in many ways, a lot like those surrounding nuclear power. The public at large want lower bills and energy security at the prices that cheap fossil fuels have always delivered. Unfortunately, the fact that the era of cheap energy bills is now in the past is an inconvenient...

Cath Hassell | ech2o 

G3 (1) of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) states that hot water must be provided ‘to any washbasin in, or adjacent to, a room containing a sanitary convenience.’(1) Under the guidance it states that: ‘in the Secretary of State’s view the requirement will be met if: the installation conveys hot water to the sanitary appliances … without waste, misuse, or undue consumption of water.’ (2) G4 states that: ‘adequate hand washing facilities must be provided in rooms containing...