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Affordable solar panel heating

Housing association Places for People is trialling an innovative and affordable solar panel heating system that costs about a quarter of a traditional solar system. The system, which is manufactured by Viridian Concepts, costs between 拢750 and 拢1000 per household. The 2.9 m x 1.2 m panels, which provide domestic hot water, are being fitted in three new homes at Norfolk Park in Sheffield as part of a year-long pilot programme aimed at widening the renewable energies used in the housing association鈥檚 homes. The performance of the panels will be monitored by BRE.

Viridian

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Domestic micro CHP unit

Baxi Heating has signed an agreement with Microgen Energy to produce a micro combined heat and power unit for the UK domestic market, starting in 2008. The compact, wall-mounted unit will incorporate Baxi鈥檚 condensing boiler technology and Microgen鈥檚 Stirling engine, controls and micro CHP combustion technology. The unit will have two burners: one heats the Stirling engine to provide heat and hot water, simultaneously generating electricity; the second supplementary burner provides more heat in high demand periods. The appliance is expected to reduce homeowners鈥� annual energy bill by about a quarter, equating to a saving of 拢100 a year. CO2 emissions could be reduced by up to 1.5 tonnes per household per year.

Baxi

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You鈥檝e seen the concept car; now here鈥檚 the concept garage. Car manufacturer Citroen has gone into the building business with this designer home for its C6 car. The futuristic-looking concrete garage has been designed by architect Neutral for Citroen. It has sliding door-screens made from polycarbonate sheeting with coloured LCD layers to make the screens opaque. Unlike concept cars, the garage is on the market, at a price of 拢95,600 plus VAT.

Citroen

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Energy-efficient radiators

Manchester council has specified Jaga鈥檚 Strada radiators for an eco-home project at Miles Platting. The project involves the refurbishment of two homes to create a single home complying with the latest environmental standards. The Strada radiator鈥檚 Low-H20 element offers fast, regulated heating, with a reaction speed three times faster than equivalent output steel panel radiators. Its fast and controlled response has been shown by BRE tests to deliver a saving of at least 10% in fuel consumption. The Low-H20 heat emitters use 100% natural convection and so offer good air distribution and circulation. This ensures that a whole room is heated to the same controlled temperature, preventing humidity or mould formulation in cold spots.

Jaga

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Underfloor heating

Devi鈥檚 Devimat underfloor heating and thermostat control system is being installed by Capley Ceramics and Stone at Berkeley Homes鈥� Chelsea Bridge Wharf apartment scheme in Battersea, west London. The system has a single cable 鈥渢ail鈥� to connect to the thermostat, making it quick and safe to install. The heating is being installed in the limestone-floored bathrooms and ensuites to the apartments.

Devi

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Black could be the new stainless steel for kitchens. Servis has introduced a black washing machine called the M6702. The machine has an A+ energy rating and a 7kg drum capacity. It is also available in a silver or white finish.

Servis

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High-efficiency combo boilers

Golden Gates Housing Association in Warrington is installing about 500 high-efficiency combination boilers from Vaillant in its housing stock over the next four years. The boiler replacement programme is part of the commitment to meet the government鈥檚 Decent Homes standard. Vaillant鈥檚 ecoTEC Plus 831 boiler is expected to produce savings of 35% in gas consumption. The boilers also feature an AquaComfort system to control hot water supply.

Vaillant

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Rainwater harvesting system

Aquatek has published a brochure explaining its Simplex, Duplex and Triplex rainwater harvesting systems. The systems capture and store rainwater from roofs allowing it to be reused around buildings for supplying water to flush toilets, wash clothes or water the garden.

Aquatek

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