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What is a HEPA Filter?
Last Updated: 29 August 2025A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a type of mechanical air filter designed to capture fine particles, allergens, and pollutants from the air. It is widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). A HEPA filter is a pleated mechanical air filter that can remove at least 99.97%...
What is HVAC?
Last Updated: 29 August 2025Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) refers to the integrated system used to regulate and maintain indoor environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. In the UK, HVAC systems are critical for ensuring compliance with Building Regulations, particularly Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F...
What is Heat Recovery?
Last Updated: 29 August 2025Heat Recovery is the process of transferring thermal energy from stale, moist, or warm air being extracted from a building to the fresh incoming air via a heat exchanger. This practice improves energy efficiency by reducing heating demands while maintaining indoor air quality. In the UK residential sector, Heat Recovery is commonly implemented through Mechanical...
What is a Heat Pump?
Last Updated: 29 August 2025A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from a source (such as air, ground, or water) to a destination (such as a home’s heating system) using a refrigeration cycle. It can provide both heating and cooling, making it an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating systems like boilers. Heat pumps are particularly effective in...
What is the Heat Loss Coefficient (HLC)?
Last Updated: 29 August 2025The Heat Loss Coefficient (HLC) quantifies the total rate of heat loss from a building through its fabric (walls, roof, floor, windows, doors) and ventilation. It is expressed in Watts per Kelvin (W/K) and represents the sum of: Fabric heat loss (calculated via U-values × surface areas) Ventilation heat loss (air changes × volume × heat capacity...
What is Heat Loss?
Last Updated: 28 August 2025Heat loss refers to the process by which heat escapes from a building’s interior to the external environment. This occurs due to temperature differences between the inside and outside of a structure, driven by conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat loss is a critical factor in energy efficiency, as it directly impacts heating demands and energy...
What is a Hazard Awareness Notice?
Last Updated: 28 August 2025A Hazard Awareness Notice is a formal document used in the UK house building, residential retrofit, and home renovation sectors to identify, record, and communicate potential risks or hazards associated with a property. It serves as a critical tool for ensuring compliance with UK Building Regulations and Approved Documents, particularly in relation to health and...
What is a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)?
Last Updated: 28 August 2025A Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is a renewable energy system that extracts heat from the ground to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for residential and commercial buildings. It operates by circulating a fluid through a loop of underground pipes (ground loop) to absorb heat from the earth, which is then compressed and transferred...
What is Gross Space Heating?
Last Updated: 28 August 2025Gross Space Heating refers to the total heat energy required to maintain a building’s internal temperature at a comfortable level, compensating for heat losses through the fabric (walls, roof, floors, windows) and ventilation. It is measured in kilowatt-hours per day (kWh/day) and serves as a key metric in assessing a building’s thermal performance. Context &...
What is the Gross Internal Area (GIA)?
Last Updated: 28 August 2025The Gross Internal Area (GIA) of a dwelling refers to the total floor space measured between the internal faces of perimeter walls. This measurement encompasses all internal areas, including partitions, structural elements, cupboards, ducts, flights of stairs, and voids above stairs. It is expressed in square meters (m²). GIA is a critical metric in the...