PHAM JULYAUG21:Layout 1 06/07/2021 16:03 Page 6
PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021
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News Review
Young people sceptical of green heating A new survey has found that young people are almost twice as likely as the older generation to doubt the environmental benefits of energy efficiency measures and green heating. Innovation foundation Nesta surveyed more than ˞˙˙˙ people and found that more than a third (˜ˠ%) of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds are “sceptical” about the benefits for the planet of making changes at home – compared to just ˛˛% of those aged ˞˞ and above. They are also more likely to be put off by the perceived effort of researching things like low carbon heating systems, double glazing, and insulation, with ˝˚% not knowing where to start looking into energy efficiency measures (compared to ˛˜% of those in the ˞˞-plus age
category). Similarly, nearly half (˝˛%) of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds say it would be difficult to find the right
tradespeople to install a new energy efficiency measure, compared to around a quarter (˛ˠ%) of older people. However, those aged ˞˞ and over are more likely to have positive perceptions of gas as a fuel – with ˞ˡ% associating it with reliability compared to just a third of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds. Madeleine Gabriel, a director at Nesta and one of the report authors, says: “Contrary to what many people might have assumed, it seems it’s younger people who will need the most support, guidance and education as the UK seeks to drastically cut household carbon emissions, which needs to happen if we’re to achieve net zero by ˛˙˞˙.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˚
Heat pump production Second term for CIPHE president
Responding to a growth in demand, Vaillant has announced plans to begin manufacturing heat pumps at its manufacturing facility in Belper, Derbyshire. From ˛˙˛˛, the capacity will be increased to include production of the company’s aroTHERM plus air to water heat pump. Joe Dunn, plant director of Vaillant Industrial UK, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our existing team to develop our skill sets, ready for our product ùĢƑāũŭĢƩ óÖŶĢŋł̇ Öłù óũāÖŶā łāƒ ũŋķāŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ķŋóÖķ ÖũāÖ̍ As the demand for renewable heating technologies grows at an unprecedented rate in the UK, the Vaillant manufacturing facility will be well placed to meet the demands of the market.” To support an increase of heat pump installers in the ḃ ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ ŋƦ āũŭ ƑŋóÖŶĢŋłÖķ óŋŽũŭāŭ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ product training, which can be undertaken online or in one of six Centres of Excellence and other partner training locations across the UK.
Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, Melville Gumbs EngTech MCIPHE RP (pictured) is set to lead the CIPHE as national president for a second year running. Dr Henry Hung EngTech HON FCIPHE RP will also continue his role as vice president. In his speech at the close of the recent AGM, Mel praised the way manufacturers had made the switch to online learning and how the industry had been using social media to connect, discuss, showcase work and highlight bad practice. As Mel enters his second Presidential year, he is ķŋŋĴĢłė ÖĞāÖù ÖŶ ƑÖũĢŋŽŭ ĢŭŭŽāŭ ÖƦ āóŶĢłė ŶĞā ŭāóŶŋũ̍ zĕ high priority is the road to net zero, which is raising various questions around roll-out, infrastructure, installer training, and the maintenance of existing gas boiler stock. “Our industry is facing the prospect of a Green Revolution,” said Mel, speaking at the Institute’s virtual AGM. “The modern plumber is facing learning a lot of new skills just to keep working and the CIPHE’s role in helping to up-skill the industry will be pivotal.”
Caught for illegal gas work A gas installer has been fined at Manchester Magistrate’s Court after carrying out gas work when falsely claiming to be gas safe registered. The court heard how Paul Chappells carried out gas work in October and November ˛˙˚ˡ at two properties in Hyde and Poynton, but did not hold the necessary registration to complete the work. Nā ũāťķÖóāù Ö ėÖŭ Ʃ ũā Öłù óÖťťāù ŋƦ the supply at the property in Poynton and replaced a gas boiler at the property in Hyde. The work on the boiler was later found to be of a ťŋŋũ ŭŶÖłùÖũù Öłù ƒÖŭ ĢùāłŶĢƩ āù Öŭ
‘at risk’ by a Gas Safe Inspector. The HSE found that the installer was not registered with Gas Safe at the time the work was undertaken at either property, despite advertising as Gas Safe registered on his social media account. Paul Chappells of Withington, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation ˜̛ˠ̜̇ ˛˟̛˚̜ and two counts of regulation ˜(˜) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations ˚ˢˢˡ. He was sentenced to a community order of ˛˞˙ hours unpaid work of ˚ˡ months duration, ˚˞ rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay costs of ͎˚˙˙˙.
Animation to help provide the facts A new animation, available now to view on YouTube, has been created by Worcester Bosch to help installers who want to advise customers on their future domestic heating options. ‘The Future of Home Heating’ is a short, informative video for installers to present to customers, which takes a look at the facts behind some of the headlines. Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, explains: “We are already hearing from installers and heating engineers that their customers are raising concerns about a natural gas boiler ban. Some are even replacing boilers that are still only halfway through their lifetime. “We are committed to a sustainable future and we want to ensure that installers have the right information and guidance to inform their customers about domestic heating.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˛
