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 ( %) of 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 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 ( %) of older people. However, those aged and over are more likely to have positive perceptions of gas as a fuel – with % associating it with reliability compared to just a third of 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 .” phamnews.co.uk/

Heat pump production

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 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 product training, which can be undertaken online or in one of six Centres of Excellence and other partner training locations across the UK.

Second term for CIPHE president

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 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 at two properties in Hyde and Poynton, but did not hold the necessary registration to complete the work. 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 ‘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 and two counts of regulation ( ) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations . He was sentenced to a community order of hours unpaid work of 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.” phamnews.co.uk/

Plumber’s idea attracts global interest

he set 8 months. Installers can take their pick of either a Testo kit or an Apple Watch Series 6 in ATAG Commercial’s new , installers will points, installers can then claim a prize. Emiliano Gabrielli, MD at ATAG phamnews.co.uk/

Benchmark joins Toolbelt app

new Benchmark app with Works installers will be able to access the Benchmark checklist Safe notifications, Benchmark app makes it information into the Benchmark track of installations the Toolbelt App, the incorporation of the Benchmark Checklist will phamnews.co.uk/

Trainee grants extended until next year

who participate in the Traineeship Traineeship work placements with a September to months. For more information or to make phamnews.co.uk/

PLUMBERS IN THE NEWS

theft has left him worse off Warwickshire Police. A couple has been jailed after a spree of burglaries committed while pretending to be plumbers carrying out essential work in the homes of elderly people. William Smith and Keira Baugh were caught when Keira left a tissue behind in one of the victim’s homes DNA match on it. StokeOnTrentLive has featured the vocal stylings of plumber Nick Emery, who has gone viral with a video of him singing with joy that roadworks have been removed from Joiners Square roundabout, which he faced on and Toolstation. ‘There are no more lights on Vicky Road’ – sung to the tune of ‘She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain’ – has now amassed more than views on Facebook.

Burnley apprentice wins training title

-hour practical plumbing diploma in September, Tom attends Burnley College in Lancashire one day a week and is an apprentice with Pinnacle pounds worth of prizes, including a cash prize of £ and an installer pack from platinum sponsor Fernox, and a boiler from Worcester Bosch, among other prizes donated by the competition sponsors. - and an installer pack from Fernox.

Integrated website

upgraded site merges the former joinoftec.com, oftecdirect. com, oftec.org and ofteconline.com, and includes all the launch of the new site and portal is a major step forward in our phamnews.co.uk/

OBITUARY:

Andy Watts MBE

The CIPHE has announced the sad passing of its former CEO, Worshipful Company of Plumbers and a respected stalwart of the plumbing and heating industry, he died at the age of after

Leading the Institute for some years, Andy was a great ambassador for the plumbing industry and was honoured by the the sector in .

A consummate communicator, Andy was instrumental in the creation of the World Plumbing Secretary from to . The highest honour, the Distinguished . the WPC forging a close working relationship with the World Health Organisation.

Passing on his condolences, grateful to Andy for all the support and encouragement he my ‘apprenticeship’ during my early years at the Institute. He worked tirelessly to promote standards in the public interest and in the ongoing campaign to in the plumbing and heating industry. The outpouring of grief across the world reflects the impact that Andy made globally

Marking a year milestone

This year sees Mira Showers mark its th birthday and to thank installers for their continued loyalty and support, rewards, training, and support through programme is designed for independent technical support, training and business merchandise, installer kit, and retail lets members earn points simply by uploading details of their installations a selected range of products. This includes its full digital range, with the eligible product list being expanded all the time.

Also in honour of its centenary, Mira has set a target of raising £ for its

Based in Cheltenham since , the shower manufacturer introduced the and was purchased by Kohler, the Amercian bathroom company, in . The company introduced the Mira Flight shower tray in in a new state-of-the-art shower tray manufacturing facilitiy in Hull in .

Promotions will deliver rewards

Members of Worcester Bosch’s Excelerate two new promotions. boiler runs until st August . Installers need to purchase, install and Worcester’s online Excelerate portal and set up a Worcester Bosch promotion account to start enjoying the rewards, which includes gift cards with access to up to

Meanwhile, the ‘Fit ’ promotion enables Excelerate members to claim cash back based on the amount of additional boilers they purchase and install within the promotional period of st July and back, installers must register each purchase through their Excelerate account and must install either three or six boilers to qualify for the promotional cashback onto a Worcester Bosch branded Mastercard after three boilers; and cashback onto a Mastercard for six additional boilers. hope to see many installers across the UK phamnews.co.uk/

Plumber’s app makes product delivery a snap Call to use water labels to educate users

A former plumber has created an app designed to make getting parts and spares quick and easy, with delivery to site in less than an hour. Viktor Muhhin, founder of the new Snap-It app, says the on-demand delivery service will help installers improve efficiency and increase productivity.

By partnering with wholesalers and independent stores across London, the app gives users access to over suppliers and plumbing and heating products. According to Viktor Muhhin, this means installers have a better chance of with delivery said to occur within to minutes. The app currently operates within the M , but there are plans to expand to other key cities across the UK.

“Snap-It delivers materials to tradespeople on-demand, allowing them to complete more jobs and increase annual earnings, whilst generating incremental revenue for partnered retailers,” explains Viktor. “Most there and then!” phamnews.co.uk/

Navien Choice is the name of a new trade customer loyalty scheme open to gas and oil boiler installers. The points-based scheme offers a range of awards, from wireless speakers and pizza ovens, through to PlayStation consoles, iPhones, and holiday vouchers.

Points are accrued for every NCB-CE combi, NCB-CE system and Blue Flame oil boiler installers register. Points can then either be ‘banked’ or redeemed for instant rewards, with participants able to claim a Sony wireless speaker after registering just one NCB combi gas boiler.

Installers simply need to register their boilers as usual, via the Navien Installer app, by scanning the barcode on the product’s serial label.

Carbon monoxide charity’s new name

UK safety charity, The Gas Safety Trust, has changed its name to The CO Research Trust to better reflect the nature of the work it carries out. Speaking as the organisation’s new chair of the board of trustees, Baroness Finlay comments:

“Our vision is a world where people are not exposed to carbon monoxide, the effects of which can be devastating. We fight CO exposure through funding scientific research as we believe that this will make the greatest difference. The new name more accurately conveys the focus of our work.”

Alongside the name change, the Trust has launched a new website to provide a showcase for all the projects which have been funded by the charity to date, and the research, reports, and workshops that are currently in progress. phamnews.co.uk/ In the wake of the climate commitments made by G leaders at the Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) is calling for the bathroom industry to support its Water Matters message. The Association believes the bathroom industry has an important role to play in helping people reduce their carbon emissions by using water wisely.

UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says: “It was great to see that climate change was a major focus at the Summit. The world leaders present committed to cut emissions and pledged to meet net zero emissions by . “We know that when we heat water in our homes, it has an our carbon footprint. Over 6 % of water used in the domestic environment is used in the bathroom, and % of energy used in the home is associated with heating hot water, with 8% of UK carbon emissions emanating from the home.

“If as an industry we promote the use of products then make an informed choice about the bathroom products they select for their homes.”