Volume 53 | Issue 8 | September 2015
Are installers prepared for energy labelling? Come 26 September, installers will be required to produce a label showing the efficiency rating on newly fitted boilers and heating system components under the ErP Directive. But are they ready? When the Energy-related Products Directive comes into force on 26 September, installers of space and water heating products will be responsible for evaluating the efficiency of the system and generating an energy rating label, similar to those commonly seen on white goods. As part of the build-up to the launch, manufacturers have been surveying installers to find out how prepared they are to take on this additional job role. Results have shown a mixed level of readiness and acceptance. Worcester was among the first to ask installers their views on the ErP, and its findings back in June revealed that 78% of the 500 questioned feel unprepared. More recently, a survey conducted by NuHeat Underfloor Heating & Renewables found that whilst most installers understand the purpose of ErP and energy labelling, over three quarters still do not feel confident in calculating and producing the required energy label for a system package to hand to their customer. In addition, over 80% said that they feel the ErP is making their job unnecessarily complicated, as they already advise their
customers on product and system energy efficiency. This finding echoes the results of Worcester’s survey, which indicated that more than half of respondents said they were concerned about the effect the Directive will have on their day-to-day duties. A survey of Bristan Connect plumbers has turned up more positive results. Despite concerns over how the ErP will impact industry, 67% said they welcome its arrival. When asked what word best summed up their feelings around the ErP, half said ‘positive’, while a quarter felt ‘excited’. In contrast, just a quarter (25%) said they felt
daunted. Exactly half said they felt more than prepared as they have been reading up on it well in advance. To support the introduction on the 26th, most manufacturers have developed online calculators that will help installers of their products make quick and accurate energy labels. There are also numerous videos on YouTube explaining the details of ErP, which can be found by searching for ‘ErP Directive’. Commenting on the imminent launch, Peter Manning, Bristan’s Technical Liaison Manager, says: “ErP constitutes one of the most important pieces of legislation that the industry has seen in a decade, helping to drive out inefficient products and create greater transparency. In this way, it will create a great opportunity for installers to more easily advocate the highest rated products, in turn, creating increased profit opportunity. It is therefore nothing to be concerned about, but rather welcomed.” For more detailed information on the ErP Directive, turn to page 28 for answers to some of the frequently asked questions posed at Plumb and Parts Center's recent ErP Roadshow.
Government to slash renewable subsidies The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is proposing to cut the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) subsidy for solar PV by as much as 87%, following a review of the popular renewable energy initiative. Small wind turbines are also under threat. From 1 January, rates for smaller scale solar installations may drop from 12.47p per kilowatt hour to just 1.63p, with large standalone units facing a decline to 1.03p/kWh, compared to the current 4.28p. FiT may also be closed to new entrants. All this is subject to a consultation, which is currently underway.
Industry and green groups have responded to the announcement with uniform shock. Many fear that a sudden cut may result in a boom-and-bust market that will damage businesses and jobs in a thriving sector. David Hunt, Managing Partner of renewables recruitment company Hyperion Executive Search, comments: “How can the renewables sector plan for the future when faced with chaotic policy-making aimed at winning headlines as opposed to helping the renewables sector continue to play a key part in the economic success of the UK?”
Head of Policy and External Affairs at the REA, James Court, says: “87% is beyond the worst fears of many of our members. Solar has come down in cost dramatically in the past five years and has grid parity in its sights. The industry feels like it’s having its legs cut away metres from the finishing line.” Friends of the Earth campaigner, Alasdair Cameron, adds: “These absurd solar cuts will send UK energy policy massively in the wrong direction and prevent almost a million homes, schools and hospitals from plugging in to clean, renewable energy.”
Win with ADEY! Your chance to win an iPhone 6 in this month's competition See page 78
Comfort for sick animals Wingham Wildlife Park has reduced its heating costs thanks to the installation of two Windhager 45kW BioWIN Excel wood pellet boilers. The boilers, which use a six-probe suction feed system from the pellet store to the boiler, heat the park’s offices and animal hospital rooms. Located in Kent, the park specified the wood pellet biomass boilers to replace its oil heating system due to its eco-friendly credentials as well as the money saving benefits from the RHI scheme. The fully automated 90kW BioWIN Excel Kaskade system was installed by local installers, Grummant Heating and Plumbing Services.
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