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As people get more concerned about the air they're breathing, so the case for buying a smart air purifier becomes more pressing. That's what has prompted 3M to build the Filtrete Bluetooth-enabled residential air filter, which lets you know when it's time for a change. The idea being that the filter itself can alert you — via an app for your smartphone — when it's time to run to the store and buy a $30-ish replacement. The filter itself is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but with a wee bump nestled on the front, which houses the Bluetooth radio and sensors. The system doesn't just act as a prompt for spending more money; it can also offer up real-time data on the air you're breathing. At least, that's something you can do if you spend more cash on a compatible air-quality monitor, although that's likely to come with its own app. The platform can also offer up helpful hints on how better to improve your indoor air quality and life. The EPA recommends you change your air filter once a month, but 3M's data suggests that most folks string theirs out for up to three months at a time. But that doesn't take into account the variable air quality that'll be different in every home and location, or your particular usage pattern. By using a machine that can alert you when your filter begins to degrade, you might wind up avoiding the problems inherent with breathing dirty air. The 3M Filtrete Smart Air Filter will be available for purchase in the spring for a price that has yet — as with so many things at CES — to be determined.

Tickets for the iconic 2018 Allam British Open – the oldest and most established tournament on the PSA World Tour calendar – have officially gone on sale today (December 14). The 'Wimbledon of Squash’ will return to Hull for a sixth successive year between May 15-20 when the world's best players, such as defending champions Gregory Gaultier and Laura Massaro, will line up at the Airco Arena with the hopes of lifting the iconic title. Since it’s inception over 80 years ago, the likes of Jonah Barrington, Jahangir and Jansher Khan, Heather McKay and Nicol David have been among the players to have written their names into the event's history books and, with the PSA World Tour more competitive than ever before, 2018 promises to be one of the most enthralling British Opens ever. “As the longest-running tournament in professional squash, the British Open is one of the highlights of the squash calendar and we look forward to welcoming the world’s best players back to Hull once again in 2018,” said England Squash Chief Executive Keir Worth. “We are delighted that Dr Assem Allam has pledged his support to the tournament with title sponsorship for a seventh year in succession and look forward to working with him, and all of our other partners, over the coming months.” Qualification for the tournament takes place between May 13-14 at the University of Hull – with the University also hosting selected matches from the main draw on May 15-16. The Airco Arena will host main draw matches on the all-glass showcourt from May 15-20, with all matches from the quarter-finals onwards (May 17-20) being held there. Airco Refridgeration & Air Conditioning Ltd. www.airco.co.uk

We are proud to be one of the first companies in the UK to be a approved Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Quality Partner. Only 23 companies have achieved this status and is based solely on quality. This new initiative was launched on Wednesday 21 June 2017 and is aimed to create a new level of partner to mirror Mitsubishi Electric’s high quality, by installing their equipment to the highest standards and ensure we have trouble free operation for the life of the equipment. Key to the new partnership will be regular on site audits, carried out by Mitsubishi Electric, with consequences of being removed from the scheme if the standards are not maintained. This scheme is backed by the leading contractors in the UK and as a group we are more than happy to support this initiative to help grow and maintain the standards within the industry. This new partnership provides a platform for further enhancements and we will share any updates in the future. Mitsubishi Electric should be applauded in their efforts to improve the industry standards and continuing support for those contactors who try their best to maintain the highest standards possible. Airco are proud to be Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Quality Partners so call us now free on 0800 772 0558 to discuss your requirements.

Andy's Man Club: Men's group tackling mental healt meet at the Airco Business lounge every Monday at 7pm. A club aimed at getting men to open up about their mental health problems is expanding. Andy's Man Club was formed in early 2016 by Halifax rugby league player Luke Ambler after his brother-in-law took his own life. The group, which has now spread from Yorkshire to Lancashire, aims to raise awareness of mental health issues among young men. “Andy’s Man Club” is a space for men to talk about their problems without judgement or feeling like a burden. What started as a small support group in Halifax has ballooned into a Facebook group of thousands, with more clubs to be set up across the UK. Airco are delighted to be able to host Andys Man Club in Hull as they meet at the Airco Business lounge every Monday at 7pm. Please see Facebook or website for more details. www.andysmanclub.co.uk [email protected] #ITSOKAYTOTALK #ANDYSMANCLUBHULL

​Mitsubishi Electric has released a new brochure for the advanced Mr Slim R32 Power Inverter range, which offers higher efficiency, added features and increased performance at the same price as the existing R410A Mr Slim Power Inverter line up. “We want to make it easy for installers and customers to switch to R32 so have not only kept the price the same as existing R410A Power Inverter models but also retained the size, look, feel and controls,” explains Graham Temple on behalf of the company. The Mr Slim R32 Power Inverter line-up includes ten outdoor units offering single-phase and 3-phase options, with a capacity range from 3.5 to 14kW.  25 individual indoor units are available as ceiling cassettes, ceiling concealed ducted, wall-mounted and ceiling suspended models.  The range offers leading Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings and longer pipe runs with 100 metres available on the 10kW, 12.5kW and 14kW models – 25 metres longer than the equivalent R410A versions and the longest currently available on the market. The extended pipe runs includes a 30-metre lift that is unique in the UK for this type of product. The longer pipe runs are designed to make Mr Slim R32 even more flexible and allow systems to be installed where previous site restrictions would not allow. The brochure also highlights the advanced and unique features that the new R32 systems offer, including a 3D i-See Sensor with a highly accurate 360º motion detector, which helps improve comfort and efficiency, and a easy to lower grille which aids maintenance. The units are designed to provide powerful heating, even on bitterly cold or snowy days. When compared to the R410A Power Inverter, full heating capacity is maintained down to outside temperatures of -3º C.

Industry body joins FETA in telling parliamentary committee that preferred option to curb HFCs would be to mirror or remain as close to existing EU F-Gas phasedown regime as possible Industry body joins FETA in telling parliamentary committee that preferred option to curb HFCs would be to mirror or remain as close to existing EU F-Gas phasedown regime as possiblRefcom has urged the UK government to continue to comply with the EU’s F-Gas regulations as closely as possible following the conclusion of the Brexit process. The organisation made the call during a recent investigation by the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee into UK progress on curbing emissions of HFCs and other F-Gas. The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), which also took part in the inquiry, echoed similar sentiments on how the UK should look to curb emissions when no longer an EU member state. Graeme Fox, senior mechanical engineer at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) that manages Refcom, told the committee that remaining committed to EU targets would ensure the UK was ahead of broader global targets set out in the Montreal Protocol and the recently ratified Kigali amendment. He said, “We are already ahead of the game in the UK because of our adoption of the F Gas regulation.” FETA commercial manager Martyn Cooper said at the same time that ensuring industry access to refrigerant going forward would be vital when considering any amendments to change the UK’s commitment and reporting regime for curbing F-Gas emissions. With manufacturers, suppliers and end users having spent time and money to ensure compliance, Mr Cooper argued for as close as possible regulatory alignment so UK and EU suppliers could continue to support each other at a time when gas supplies were being further restricted. Mr Cooper said, “In an ideal world, you’d carry on as if nothing had happened. But clearly that isn’t going to happen, therefore you need to have a UK system that mirrors as closely as possible the EU system, while not putting either party at a disadvantage.” He added, “The situation you have is that the largest quota holder under the EU system is a UK-based company. Now they don’t just sell in the UK, they also sell into Europe, so equally European-based quota holders sell into the UK.” Stakeholders during the committee hearing discussed the need of considering a possible reciprocal arrangement to keep current phasedown commitments on track over the coming years. Quota cuts With the most significant quota cuts outlined under the F-Gas regulation coming into effect from 2018, Graeme Fox told the committee that some of the highest GWP refrigerants on the market had already doubled, and in some cases tripled, in price. He added,” While this is great news for the environment, it has also put real pressure on our industry’s skills base. Contractors need to be able to work with alternatives some of which are mildly flammable and many of which are not suitable for retrofitting in existing systems – this means they need to undertake further training.” Mr Fox argued that price rises of up to 60 per cent had been recorded for the refrigerants R404A and R507A in December alone. A further 37 per cent reduction of the availability of such gases on the market next year was also driving up prices on the lower GWP alternatives as a result of increased demand, he said. Mr Fox urged the committee during the session that as opposed to amending current F-Gas targets or regulations, the government should prioritise enforcement and compliance. He therefore pushed for more resources to be afforded to the Environment Agency to better police F-Gas regulations and welcomed the possibility of introducing civil penalties for possible infringements. A consultation on introducing a new civil penalties for infringing F-Gas launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish Government closed late last month. Further coverage of the committee’s F-Gas investigation and its fallout can be read in January’s RAC Magazine.