FROM THE EDITOR
Comment
T
here’s a distinct sense that people have been waiting with bated breath for the government to hurry up and publish its long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy. There’s already been a lot of speculation – some informed and some not so much – about what it might contain. But the government has already indicated that big changes are coming to the way we heat our homes in the future, and much of it does not involve gas. What’s not so clear right now is whether heat pumps will be mandated, and in what scenarios, and when; or whether the government has listened to those who have been championing the role that hydrogen could play in decarbonisation. And what part could hybrid heat pumps play? They look and feel to consumers like a familiar boiler, and can be fitted in a similar way. They can be seen as a natural stepping stone on the path to net-zero 2050, and could have a valuable role to play. It’s likely that the strategy will be published some time after we’ve gone to press on this issue, but we’ll be making sure we delve into the detail – and what it means for you – as soon as we can, online and in print. Nicki Shearer, editor The quickest way to reach the magazine team is via email. Gas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB. Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Gary Aymes, Carl Banister, David Smith, Jonathan Stirling Production: Mark Turpin Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009. Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
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Jan-Dec 2020
77,332 04 July 2021
Engineers give their feedback on virtual inspection pilot A
round 50 gas engineers have taken part in a trial of virtual inspection events. From the comfort of their own homes, they joined an online classroom to undertake their inspection and gave their feedback on the process to Gas Safe Register afterwards. And an overwhelming majority – 97 per cent – said they would be happy to complete an inspection virtually in the future. As part of the pilot, they had carried out an e-learning module two weeks before the inspection. Then on the day they used their tablets or laptops with a webcam to log in securely via a link sent to them in advance by Gas Safe Register. Their ID cards were checked
and identity confirmed and then they started their knowledge check, a set of 30 multiplechoice open-book questions. Most gas engineers said they found the system easy to access: 68 per cent said they either had no challenges setting it up or had only minor issues that they could resolve themselves. Almost all (92 per cent) said they felt that the process went smoothly or worked well overall, from getting ID confirmed to undertaking the knowledge check. Just 13 per cent said they needed support during the knowledge check, all of whom were happy with the support they then received. The virtual classroom aimed
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