15 minute read
Frontline
ALL THAT’S HAPPENING IN PLUMBING AND HEATING
INDUSTRY Renewable technologies will help to drive growth, says AMA Research
Water heating market growth
THE WATER HEATING market experienced a decline of around -13% in 2020, following the COVID-19 outbreak. However, a report from AMA Research suggests growth is expected to be reported for 2021.
The UK water heating market is infl uenced by factors including construction, climate, fuel prices and the development of renewable technologies. However, renewable sources of heat are likely to drive environmentally friendly specifi cation types and market growth.
Abdul Tantouch, research manager at AMA Research, said: “With the government’s drive towards net zero carbon emissions, there will be an increasing focus on renewable technologies, particularly heat pumps and solar energy. This development will have a considerable impact on the type of water heating systems specifi ed.”
Find details of the CIPHE’s Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Design course at www.ciphe.org.uk
MARKET RESEARCH
Triton says customers expect longevity
Great expectations
Triton Showers has revealed that following a survey of 2,000 people, homeowners expect a shower to work for eight-and-a-half years, running twice a day, and a toilet for six-and-a-half years.
“Bathroom products are expected to last a little longer, on average, than anything else in the home, but these items are often used by the whole family multiple times per day,” said Tina Simpson, spokesperson for Triton Showers. “When choosing an item for the home, I’d always recommend checking that it is covered by a guarantee and ensuring that the manufacturer recycles old parts, where possible. There are also steps that can be taken to make appliances perform longer. For example, those living in a hard water area can install a water softener or scale reducer which can help to extend the life of showers, washing machines and dishwashers.”
AWARENESS
Water waste
The Unifi ed Water Label Association (UWLA) has called on the industry to encourage consumers to use water wisely by promoting the Unifi ed Water Label.
The UWLA submitted a detailed background paper for DEFRA and BEIS on water e ciency in the bathroom industry, as part of the information gathering phase, before consultations begin in 2022 on a mandatory label.
Yvonne Orgill, managing director at UWLA, said: “The Unifi ed Water Label is an established and recognised smart tool that can help the industry motivate the consumer to recognise that water matters and make the changes required to meet the government’s targets. We have the support of manufacturers who have responded by driving forward innovation to deliver bathroom products that use less water and energy, but we must keep our focus on how these products are used in the home.
“Retailers can help the consumer understand the link between using water, energy and their carbon footprint. Without their commitment to drive home our messages and help the consumer make informed decisions, we will fail.”
SUSTAINABILITY
Gaps in government policy
Around 18 million homes may need to install a hot water cylinder in order for the UK to meet net zero, says the Hot Water Association (HWA). Its recent report – No Place Like Home – comes with a stark warning for the government to ‘do more’.
Isaac Occhipinti, director of external affairs at HWA said: “There has been little to no focus on hot water cylinders or recognition for the vital part they play in the efficient operation of low-carbon heating. To decarbonise heating, all UK homes will need low to zero carbon heating. Most currently available low-carbon heating solutions require a hot water cylinder.
“The Government must do more to educate homeowners, local authorities and social landlords on the need for hot water storage, and homeowners should be able to access incentives if they wish to replace their hot water cylinder with no stipulation on the type of system to be installed, only that it is a suitable replacement.”
Many homes will need new hot water cylinders
FUEL
O -grid gas solution
Flogas Britain, a liquid gas supplier, has partnered with heating and hot water specialist Baxi Heating to bring UK businesses a unique turnkey liquid gas solution. The new partnership means o -grid companies can switch to liquid gas from oil, solid fuel or electricity.
“By joining forces we’re able to give customers a true end-to-end solution,” said James Goodson, strategic partnerships manager at Flogas. “As we move towards a lower carbon future, liquid gas is becoming popular for businesses operating o the mains gas grid.”
Liquid gas could play a vital role in helping businesses on the road to net zero emissions and these companies can support o -grid businesses as the energy landscape changes.
Nick Wilson, commercial and marketing director UK and Ireland at Baxi Heating, adds: “Our aim is to lead the phase-out of carbon intensive heating with e cient, sustainable solutions. For the o -grid community we see liquid gas as an important step that will help businesses make progress towards their net zero targets.”
Liquid gas is a useful solution for o -grid sites SUSTAINABILITY
Heat and Buildings Strategy welcomed
The long awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy provides clarity and direction for the heating industry and consumers alike, says leading heating industry trade body, the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).
“As an industry, we have worked collaboratively to provide the government with the information it needed to make policy decisions on the future of heat in domestic buildings in the UK,” said Stewart Clements, director of HHIC. “I am pleased that the key evidence outlined by HHIC has been acknowledged by BEIS.”
For more information visit www.hhic.org.uk
LEGAL ACTION
Sewage dumping
The high court’s decision to grant United Utilities almost total immunity for discharging untreated sewage into waterways is being challenged by the Good Law Project (GLP) and the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF). The GLP said: “People must be allowed to bring legal claims against polluters if we are to hold them to account.”
TRAINING
Online support
JTL, the training provider, has launched an online channel, Tune Up, to help tradespeople develop their careers. The platform for people in the plumbing and electrical sector o ers videos such as digital skills and CV writing.
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SUSTAINABILITY
London Housing Action Plan
A new plan to achieve net zero across all London properties could see a £98 billion investment in the green economy and result in massive environmental and economic benefi ts, boroughs have declared.
All 33 of the capital’s local authorities have agreed a joint plan to cut carbon emissions from London’s 3,781,477 domestic buildings by retrofi tting to improve energy e ciency.
Philip Glanville, mayor of Hackney and chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “Achieving net zero is a momentous challenge – but it’s also an invaluable opportunity to work with communities in improving energy e ciency, embedding green skills and driving a green recovery.
“Retrofi tting on this scale will bring immediate benefi ts by creating new jobs while also at this crucial time lowering Londoners’ fuel bills, cutting carbon emissions, and addressing the climate emergency.”
The plan could have a huge impact for Londoners HYDROGEN
Karen Boswell says things “need to move more quickly”
Call for swifter action
KAREN BOSWELL OBE, managing director of Baxi UK and Ireland, has called for swifter measures to speed up the introduction of hydrogen in order to decarbonise home heating.
Speaking at the Hydrogen Transition Summit in Glasgow, on the fringe of COP26, she said more ambition needed to be shown to ensure hydrogen can take the place of natural gas in UK homes:
“The infrastructure, in our view, will need to move even more quickly in order to get this market going. Heat pumps will work in some buildings and heat networks in others, but hydrogen represents a strong opportunity to solve this complex puzzle.
“If production is ramped up enough, there are no limits on the number of homes on the current gas grid that could be converted over to utilise hydrogen. This is a race in which every horse needs to be backed.”
Baxi said that it would support the reskilling of installers who will help customers to make the right decisions about low-carbon technology.
Read more at www.baxi.co.uk
HEAT PUMPS
A ordability gap
New research for Baxi shows the ongoing a ordability gap between low-carbon heat pumps and traditional gas boilers and proposes a £250 a year Green Heating Credit as a solution.
With the average heat pump costing £236 a year more to run than a gas boiler, Baxi cites the ongoing higher running costs as an obstacle to progress towards low-carbon heat in the UK.
Baxi research also shows how important a ordability is. Saving money was seen as the most attractive reason (by 66% of respondents) for switching to a heat pump. The survey found that a Green Heating Credit of £250 per annum would increase interest in a heat pump for three quarters of surveyed consumers, while the prospect of increased running costs is a disincentive for 40%.
Karen Boswell OBE, managing director of Baxi UK and Ireland, said: “Heat pumps could play a part as we decarbonise heating, but we need to bridge this a ordability gap.”
STANDARDS
Action on unsafe work
A self-employed gas engineer, trading as Shabba Gas Services Plumbing and Heating Engineer, has been fi ned for carrying out unsafe gas work after installing a boiler which was later found to have multiple installation faults.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the fl ue had been assembled with parts from more than one manufacturer, water was leaking from the joints and it had been propped up with rubble.
Dexter Regis pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 5(3), 26(1), 26(5) and 27(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years with requirements to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and a tagged curfew between 9pm6am for three months.
HSE Inspector Charles Linfoot said: “This case could have had tragic consequences. It highlights the importance of engineers working to the correct standards and installing gas boilers in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations, using the correct fl ue which is properly supported.
“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
CIPHE members commit to our Code of Professional Standards. Find out more at ciphe.org.uk/consumer/code
CHARITY
Worcester Bosch partners with Mind
Worcester Bosch has announced that it will be fundraising for Mind, the mental health charity, over the next two years.
Each year, Worcester Bosch employees vote for one charity that they wish the company to partner with and fundraise for. This year the employees voted for Mind due to the essential work they do for mental health support.
Worcester Bosch has a real affinity to supporting mental health, with over 200 mental health champions trained throughout the business. This is something it hopes will help encourage all employees to get involved with charitable activity, including Christmas Jumper Week last year.
Sue Pennington, corporate communications manager at Worcester Bosch, said; “We are looking forward to raising awareness and as much money for Mind as we can during the next two years. Every penny our colleagues raise is matched by the business, which gives our fundraising even more impact.
“The work they do for mental health in the UK is crucial and we hope that, with the support of our 1,800-strong team who are based all over the country, we can really help them continue to make a difference.”
For more information at www. worcester-bosch. co.uk
PARTS
Speedy spares
Wolseley Plumb and Parts has now made thousands of the industry’s most used heating spares available within 60 minutes. The new click and collect service is available from 450 Wolseley Plumb and Parts branches nationwide on thousands of individual heating spare parts. Richard Beeley, parts specialist at Wolseley Plumb and Parts, said: “We believe the new service will help installers to increase their fi rst-time-fi x rates and provide a better service to their own customers, ensuring they spend less time waiting and more time working.”
To fi nd out more visit www. wolseley.co.uk/click-and-collect
TECHNOLOGY
Heat Network app
KURVE, the UK’s fi rst digital smart metering and pay-as-you-go web app for heat networks, has been chosen to provide dual-utility (heating and hot water and cooling) metering at a high-profi le new business and residential development in central London. Jointly developed by heat network metering and billing specialist Insite Energy and energy-e cient heating provider SAV Systems, KURVE is designed to make smart metering more accessible and a ordable for heat network users.
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TRAINING
The new suite of resources is easy to access
GTEC launches new e-learning platform
GTEC HAS LAUNCHED a new online tool, MCS Made Easy, designed to help installers comply with MCS 001, which covers the key requirements to become MCS Certifi ed. The programme includes a webinar and supporting documentation.
Developed by GTEC and Learning Lounge, MCS Made Easy provides a package of support, including tutorials, Q&As and real-life scenarios.
Gri Thomas, managing director for GTEC, said: “MCS Made Easy is a simple to use, informative resource that should really help installers gain a good understanding of what can seem a daunting task.
“Whilst systems are crucial to maintain standards in renewable technologies, they do not need to be fully documented and complex; our webinar demonstrates this and will hopefully give installers a great basis to get their certifi cation in place.
“It is also really important that we create a transparent route to give consumers the confi dence to ‘go green’, while providing installation companies with a clear and stress-free framework to follow.
“Thanks to this new way of learning, we hope more building services installers will have the confi dence to upskill into renewables and gain MCS certifi cation – something that is much needed to meet the growing demand for low-carbon technologies.”
To sign up for the MCS Made Easy webinar, visit www.mcsmadeeasy.co.uk
CHARITY
Charity partnership
Triton Showers has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), supporting the charity in its mission to create a cleaner, better-protected and healthier ocean.
As part of the collaboration, Triton will highlight the e ect that products used in the bathroom can have on the environment.
David Tutton, managing director at Triton, said: “Alongside challenges related to domestic water usage and energy wastage, pollution a ecting the seas surrounding the British Isles and on a global scale is reaching crisis point. As a shower manufacturer, Triton is perfectly positioned to make a di erence when it comes to helping inform, educate and change consumer behaviours related to all of these areas.”
Visit www.tritonshowers.co.uk
SUSTAINABILITY
MEHNA welcomes new strategy
The Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association (MEHNA) welcomes the Heat and Buildings Strategy that recognises the importance of heat networks as the way forward for sectors that will be di cult to decarbonise.
Steve McConnell, director, of MEHNA said: “Heat networks are an essential part of the decarbonisation approach. There are over 14,000 heat networks in the UK, providing heating and hot water to around 480,000 consumers. This is proven technology that will assist the UK to make carbon reductions and enable consumers to protect their heating and hot water comfort levels, safe in the knowledge that it is being done in the most e cient way possible.”
BUSINESS
Some businesses in the trades are struggling to recover from the effects of COVID-19
Trades feel COVID effect
ALTHOUGH UK TRADES are on the road to recovery as the threat from COVID-19 recedes, soaring costs mean one-in-eight fears failure within a year, according to a report by field service management software provider, BigChange.
Demand for trades soared by 70% post-lockdown and turnovers are up 79%, but COVID-19 compliance issues and rising costs mean just half of firms are currently profitable, leaving 13% of firms fearing they could go out of business in the next 12 months.
Despite rising turnovers and average price increases of 47%, fewer than half of trades businesses (48%) said they were profitable in the year to July 2021. Richard Warley, chief executive officer of BigChange, said: “While demand for the trades has boomed since the first lockdown, this backbone of the economy is not as strong as it might look. Only half of firms are profiting from this extra work. There’s a big difference between growing and growing stronger.
“The strong, profitable businesses are succeeding by working smarter to stay in control of their operations, keeping a lid on costs, and making their teams more productive. They are using technology to improve management oversight, plan better and automate processes, and improve communication and response times as part of efforts to make the customer experience their new source of competitive advantage.”
FUEL
Biofuel breakthrough
Grant Engineering has pioneered a major breakthrough with biofuels, a development that could help reduce carbon emissions in rural, hard-to-heat homes with minimal disruption and reduced costs.
The introduction of this unique product was the catalyst for a sustained increase in boiler efficiencies, leading to a reduction in running costs for homeowners and bringing about a major transformation across the whole oil boiler industry.
The use of HVO, either at 100% (resulting in a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 88%) or a percentage blend with kerosene, will allow rural properties to transition to a renewable, green alternative from 100% kerosene at an affordable cost and with minimum disruption to their home lives. Biofuels provide a viable alternative for older buildings which are currently incorporating a high temperature heating system, such as an oil-fired boiler.
“The use of HVO biofuel is incredibly exciting because it provides a further solution to low-carbon heating for homeowners and their installers,” said Paul Wakefield, Grant UK’s managing director. “It could enable existing off-gas residential homes, which are currently being heated by oil, to decarbonise their heating without having to undergo significant changes to their home.”
Find out more at www.grantuk.com
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