February 2011
4. Seal the deal Dubbed “the simple way to save energy” by UK-based design manager Nici Pickering, air sealing is a cheap and effective means of keeping heat in or out, depending on your preference and the time of year. “High-tech solutions to reducing energy and carbon emissions in building are worthwhile, but not before simple fabric improvements, such as air tightening, have been made,” asserts Pickering.
From thermal rooftop generation to LED light bulbs, retrofitting solutions come in all shapes and sizes.
6. Sky’s the limit For the more ambitious retrofitters out there, Mellor also suggests some more labourintensive modifications. “With regard to energy, most buildings could install thermal rooftop generation and indeed seek to share energy infrastructure with neighbouring buildings if possible. More intrusive measures include the installation of better-performing windows and super insulation, and building management systems to monitor resource use,” he says. Katie McGregor, BREEAM manager at independent third-party certification body BRE Global, adds that the way in which a building is modified can vary enormously from property to property. “This entirely depends on the current building, particularly when and how it was constructed, and how it is being managed,” says McGregor. “Each building should be considered on a case-by-case basis to work out where the best improvements can be made. “It may be that a simple approach such as changing light fittings has the greatest rewards, whereas in some cases more substantial works such as replacing sanitaryware to reduce water consumption and wastage is more appropriate,” she explains.
Air sealing is a cheap and effective way to keep the heat in or out, depending on your preference and the time of year” 7. Feeling flush On the topic of sanitary savings; these can be significant if the right products are installed, according to Urimat’s Vidyuth Kini. The supplier recently launched its latest waterless urinal line, Urimat Eco-compact. An ideal and sustainable alternative to traditional water-flushed urinals, the model does not require electricity, water or chemicals and can be installed easily anywhere, says Kini. Fittings such as the Eco-compact can save significant acquisition, maintenance and operating costs. Furthermore, there is no additional pipe work for the water inlet and cistern, so there is no need to break the wall when installing. You can simply remove the old unit, turn off the previous pipe work and use the existing drain – making it ideal for retrofits like ‘plug and play’.
www.buildgreen.ae
Retrofitting a hotel can lead to significant savings in operating costs.
CONSTRUCTION
5. Easy eco-tel Our next tip relates to reducing operating costs specifically in hotels through clever retrofitting techniques. Many existing hotels are facing the challenge of retrofitting as the region’s municipalities set sustainable targets for the tourism sector. Andrew Mellor, group director at PRP Architects has a systematic approach to upgrading existing properties. “Our first steps would be to examine the soft measures that can be taken before any disruptive construction work takes place.
These soft measures include the education of management, the changing of fixtures and fittings to more environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as taps, light bulbs and appliances in the rooms.”
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