Even More Choice with Faber Matrix Faber has extended its MatriX range of
large LCD display with touch button control
modular balanced flue gas fires, delivering
and full thermostatic programming, and all
even greater choice when designing a show-
models are compatible with Faber’s
stopping fireplace.
innovative ITC app for complete control from a smartphone or tablet.
The new Matrix 1050/500 available in three options - front glass only, front and side glass, Even installation and servicing is made easy, or as a three-sided glass design - and the three thanks to the modular construction and a
-sided glass option of the new 450/500 and
unique, quick-release, easy to open window
450/650 models offer complete versatility to
system.
suit every individual preference.
Together with the 1050/650, 800/500 and 800/650 models launched last year, the new
Tapping into the growing demand for customdesigned centrepiece fires, the MatriX collection has been constructed in a modular
models give designers, fireplace retailers and homeowners a complete range of sizes to suit all rooms.
system for complete flexibility and easy installation, and comes with a wide range of
features to improve performance, visual effect and ease of use.
Tracey Falshaw, marketing manager for Faber, said: “The MatriX range has proved an extremely popular addition to the Faber collection, giving people real options to build
As well as taking advantage of the flexible design options, users can benefit from Faber’s
a fireplace which is tailored to meet their own individual preferences.
patented Logburner 2.0 technology. Featuring five burners providing up to 8.1 kW heat output, and is available with the option of either natural gas or LPG. The Logburner
technology can also now be paired with the option of Symbio LED fuel bed for an enhanced flame picture, plus non-reflective
“These new fires, bringing the total number of models to five – each with a choice of designs – will only increase that choice and create more opportunities for retailers and designers.
glass and a choice of in-built frames and fire
“All backed, of course, by the quality,
backs.
performance, impressive flame picture and after-sales support you can expect from a trusted brand like Faber.”
Faber’s premium remote control offers a
www.faberfireplaces.co.uk
The Future of Wood-Burning - TODAY Starts 16 January 2017 th
The SIA (Stove Industry Alliance) recently
This is a very significant milestone for the
used the services of a research company,
stove industry and for the environment. The
Kiwa Gastec whose report shows that
fact is that whilst old stoves might produce a
modern clean burning Ecodesign stoves,
useful amount of heat within the home, they
including those in the Charlton & Jenrick
are not combustion efficient, not by a long
range, can reduce particulate emissions by up way, and are not anywhere near as kind on to 90% compared to an open fire, and 80-
the environment as newly developed high
84% compared to an old stove.
efficiency clean burning stoves. At 15-20%
This finding is so important that SIA have begun an “Ecodesign Ready� labelling scheme verified by HETAS to promote stoves meeting the efficiency and emissions regulations early. The scheme is due for official launch in Parliament on 28th February.
efficiency open fires needlessly remove a huge amount of warm room air up the chimney from their open throat and at the same time don’t give the optimum burning conditions to minimise escape of smoke and unwanted residues into the environment.
Charlton & Jenrick invested in the design and
to include classic cast iron clad models plus a
development of the Purevision range of
slim line and cylindrical model under
Ecodesign ready stoves as long ago as 2013 to
development. All models have been amongst
prepare for future tightening of regulations. In the very first to be registered with the new SIA doing so new combustion optimisation ideas
Ecodesign Ready scheme as demonstrated on
and techniques were perfected resulting in a
the HETAS appliance listing website.
patent covering the tertiary air inlet system and several other innovations which were added within the products. The result was
Managing Director Peter Mintoft commented, “As any stove development engineer will
three initial fireboxes available in six inset and testify, achieving all the Ecodesign criteria simultaneously for log burning fireboxes is a freestanding formats which all passed the
Ecodesign criteria nine years ahead of official
very difficult task indeed. For example the
introduction of these tough new rules - which
objective of 0.12% average CO or below during
consumers and the environment can benefit
3 consecutive burn cycles is a reduction of
from right now. The range has since expanded 88% from current permitted levels, and every aspect of a firebox from the details of the
tertiary air inlets to the air wash and even firebox shape itself has an influence on the burning performance and must therefore be optimised. This is time consuming work taking many hours of thought, design, iteration, samples and hundreds of further hours of testing and modifications to perfect. The results for the environment and the stove user are great news but it is definitely not something to be taken lightly!�
Many other ideas are being worked on continuously to further bolster the Ecodesign compliant range of wood burners offered by Charlton & Jenrick and keep abreast of market developments in the future. From 2017, the industry’s main manufacturers, including Charlton & Jenrick will ensure that all newly-
designed wood burning stove models will meet European environmental standards for particulate emissions, which are not due to be enforced until 2022. With the advent of BREXIT there has been speculation that the rules might be relaxed but SIA discussions with DEFRA indicate that there is such huge pressure on Government to reduce emissions of all kinds that there is unlikely to be any easing of what will be international agreements on pollutant and particulate release – including Ecodesign for wood burning stoves. There are significant benefits to using a highly efficient stove, which include:
* You only pay for the wood you burn – no gas bills or standing charges to worry about * Burning wood in a highly efficient stove is virtually carbon neutral * It’s a renewable energy source * They produce a wonderful flame * Plenty of heat output from modern stoves
* They make a wonderful, welcoming feature in a home
So there is no reason to delay installing a stove showrooms, local government (social housing), – future-proof Ecodesign compliant models are high street retail chains, and nationwide house available today! Charlton & Jenrick Ltd are leading manufacturers and suppliers to the fire,
fireplace, and stove industry. We have five industry leading brands - these are Katell, Paragon, Matchless, Fireline, and Infinity
builders. As a group, we are committed to the research and development of highly efficient, environmentally friendly, innovative, and
attractive products for the fire, fireplace, and stove industry. We are ISO 9001 and 14001 accredited.
Fires. We supply local independent
Join the C&J Facebook community.
Follow C&J on Twitter.
Get Ready for Energy Labelling The Energy Labelling directive has been introduced in the UK and Europe to help consumers make informed choices on solid fuel appliances in relation to the efficiency of the appliance. With the first of the new Energy Labelling requirements for solid fuel appliances coming into effect this April, industry
roomheater stove appliances will be required
body HETAS has compiled a guide to
to comply with the new legislation.
help installers and manufacturers get to Woodburning and biomass appliances will grips with the changes. “The new Energy Labelling directive affects both installers and manufacturers,” says Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS. “While the new legislation has been brought in to make
likely be categorised as an A rating due to their renewable and zero carbon characteristics. Appliances capable of burning solid mineral and other fossil fuels such as gas and oil are likely to be classed lower.
consumer choice on appliances easier,
To help ensure the new regulations are being
manufacturers will need to ensure that their
met, the European Commission has created an
products are appropriately labelled, and
“Energy Label Generator” which
installers will need to have a good
manufacturers and installers can use. Bruce
understanding of the requirements to ensure
comments: “The user simply fills in the
commissioned installations are in
relevant performance details of the appliance
compliance.”
to generate the applicable Energy Label in a
Energy Labels which can already be found on a number of domestic appliances such as refrigerators offer a ratings score based on the overall verified efficiency of the appliance.
Bruce continues: “Energy Labels are an important tool for consumers to determine
PDF format which can be printed and passed onto the installer or consumer.” HETAS has also developed a range of calculator tools and guides which can be found in the members’ technical area on its website: https:// www.hetas.co.uk/members-area/
whether a product will cut their carbon
“These calculations can be used by
footprint and save them money on energy
manufacturers to calculate an accurate Energy
bills.”
Efficiency Index (EEI) for each specific
This April, the Energy Labelling directive was implemented on independent boiler appliances and come January 2018,
appliance sold as calculations for independent boiler appliances are different to that of roomheater stove appliances. Our online tools
System Label Package will also aid installers in determining energy energy rating of the solid fuel appliance,�
efficiency ratings on system packages. System packages which contain multiple technologies within the scope of the directive (supplementary heat sources, hot water storage, temperature control devices and/or solar panels) will be affixed with a label based on the energy efficiency of the complete package. This will also indicate the
Bruce adds. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure an eligible label is affixed to all solid fuel and biomass products and that the labels meet the required design parameters detailed in the directive. Bruce continues: “It is worth noting that any new applications on the HETAS approved product scheme
Manufacturers 'Label
Installers Flowchart
Manufacturers Flowchart after April will require an Energy Label to be
them. Installers will need to know what to
submitted with the Product Fiche which
look out for in ensuring compliant solid fuel
provides critical performance information for appliances and boiler systems are being the purchaser or installer. For existing
purchased from reputable suppliers,” Bruce
products listed with HETAS, a copy of the
adds. All Energy Labels will be associated
required information will be requested at the
with a relevant reference number, allowing
time of renewal of listings in the HETAS
installers to track energy ratings back to the
Guide at the end of this year.”
supplier/manufacturer should any queries
For installers, it’s important that they understand what the Energy Labelling
arise during installation. For more information on the Energy Labelling
requirements represent to support customers requirements, advice and downloadable with appliance selection and choice.
guides, HETAS members should visit the
“Consumers will want to know what a higher
technical area on the website: https://
rated energy labelled appliance will mean for
www.hetas.co.uk/members-area/
NACE Launches Technical Q&A Page on Facebook
NACE are the industry’s leading authority with needed. NACE wishes to point out their Q&A regard to chimney engineering, the
page is not a social arena or forum as there are
compliance of controlled services (Chimney
many of these in existence, any comments
and Flue systems and controlled fittings
posted to this page which are not directly
combustion appliances) represented within
related will be removed, you are however
the Building Regulations 2010. NACE have
invited to post your questions directly to the
launched a Facebook technical Q&A resource
page
page to promote and disseminate technical and mechanical excellence within and beyond the industry. NACE will address everyday areas such as Controlled Services, Controlled Fittings, Regulatory and Statutory Requirements, Contractual Liability, Installer, Contractor, Sweep responsibility, HSE Requirements, Fire Risk, Business Administration and Consumer Safety etc The NACE Q&A provides a much-needed resource for professionals and consumers alike to use as a repository of expert practical knowledge, it is hoped those visiting the page will post technical question when and if
If you need immediate advice on any competent technical subject contact NACE directly or through the Facebook page instant messaging service. Everyone is welcome to take advantage of this technical Q&A platform as a portal to address practical problems, promote education,
learning, and to provide a route to CPD which is available to all sectors of the industry. www.facebook.com/NACEINFO/ The National Association of Chimney Engineers PO Box 849, Metheringham Lincoln, LN4 3WU General enquiries: 01526 322555 Fax: 01526 888007 Email: info@nace.org.uk Technical guidance and help: 08437136223. (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company's access charge.) Email: technical@nace.org.uk
Haddonstone’s Classic Fireplace Haddonstone, the UK’s leading manufacturer of fine stonework for exteriors and interiors,
ratio. This means the component weight is reduced by approximately two thirds when compared with similar standard Haddonstone pieces. Haddonstone’s range of fireplaces and hearths
has a fabulous range of fireplaces, mantles and has been dramatically expanded to offer chimney piece surrounds. Pictured is the customers a choice of nineteen surround Classic Fireplace, priced at just £1,295 inc
designs from the simple and stylish to the
VAT.
ornate and elegant. Most of the designs can be
The Classic Fireplace is the latest design to be launched by Haddonstone as part of the
supplied with or without slip rebates, allowing thirty four variations.
Robert A.M. Stern Collection. The Classic
Haddonstone is currently looking to expand
Fireplace is manufactured using
its range of fireplace stockists. For more
Haddonstone’s TecLite Material to ease
information on Haddonstone’s range of
handling and installation. TecLite is a cement
wonderful fireplaces visit
based material containing drawn glass fibre
www.haddonstone.com.
which benefits from a high strength to weight
A fireplace was traditionally made from handmade bricks to form the chamber with a piece of York Stone or slate for the base or hearth, although the same effect
can of course be achieved with any brick or stone.
Handmade bricks come in a variety of sizes the most common being 2 5/8� and 2 7/8� and in various colours and hues dependent upon the area they are made. The flagstone hearth again can be a variety of colours dependent upon where
it is quarried from in the country. A flagstone base is an excellent choice as it will not transpose too much heat.
Because handmade bricks are by their nature an individually produced product they are slightly different which adds to the character of the fireplace with their different shades, hues and edges. Add a
flagstone or slate hearth and the visual impact is stunning making a real focus and centre piece of any room.
By building your new fireplace from reclaimed product e.g. brick, flagstone etc. not only are you getting the benefits detailed above but there is the additional
benefit of patina where the product has aged over the years. This can make the fireplace even more stunning and blend in properly with the age of a house if a fireplace is being put in an older property. A further advantage is that the building product is recycled and doesn’t go into landfill! Adding to the feature of a fireplace is the lintel to support the chimney breast which is typically sandstone or a piece of oak.
One of the more visual fireplace bases can be created with former sandstone railway platforms with a bullnose – like the pictures attached. Riverside Reclamation Ltd – Reclaiming our heritage for future use. W: www.riverside-r.co.uk E: sales@riversidereclamation.co.uk T: 01204 533141
Bradford Businessman Eyes New Window of Opportunity In Chimney Sweeping Sector A West Yorkshire businessman is hoping to
Lashman, who founded the company in 2015
make a clean sweep with a new product for
after working for 35 years as a chimney sweep
chimney sweeps.
and liner, and has since has been striving to
Bradford’s Lashman Singh, who runs Sweepmate, has developed the sector’s first-
make life easier, quicker and more efficient for fellow tradesman.
ever sweeping sheets with detachable windows. Sweepmate’s expanding range of sweeping and “They provide easy access to chimneys, while also equipping the operative with ‘eyes’ to see exactly what is happening,” explained
hearth sheets - they come with seal-tight
apertures for arm, rod and vacuum access - has now been supplemented by two new window sheets, both suitable for traditional and power
sweeping, one with an additional access point
Exhibition. It won best new product award at
for chimney relining work.
the 2016 Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
They will be launched at this year’s main
Trade Show.
industry exhibition, Hearth & Home, to be
Lashman is a founder member of both the
staged in Harrogate, on Sunday, June 11.
Guild and NACS - the National Association of Chimney Sweeps, of which he is also a former vice-president.
Also under the spotlight will be recently
developed sweeping sheets for cylindrical stoves and external twin wall chimneys.
“Never before in the history of chimney sweeping has there been a range of sheets like this for every conceivable job or application,”
Lashman launched his own chimney sweeping said Lashman. business in 1980 from his home in Maythorne His website is www.sweepmate.net Crescent, Clayton, with Sweepmate first unveiled at the 2015 Harrogate Fireplace
New Chimney Fan for Gas Fireplaces – Rsg250 exodraft chimney fans for gas fireplaces are the only products on the market which have an approved fail-safe function to ensure that no one is exposed to unnecessary risk when using an open gas fireplace. At the resent Hearth & Home exhibition, exodraft presented the latest addition to their product range –RSG250 – a high-capacity fan designed for large open gas fireplaces. The RSG series of chimney fans from exodraft can be used to ensure the safety of an existing gas fireplace or as part of the installation of a new gas fireplace. Contact exodraft Ltd. For further info. Tel: +44 (0) 1494 465 166 Fax: +44 (0) 1494 465 163 info@exodraft.co.uk www.exodraft.co.uk
Education, Education, Education … Chimney Geek! I certainly do not profess to knowing it all; But I am always eager to learn and regularly find myself asking questions as to the ‘How’s, What’s and Why’s’ of day to day life, day to day Sweeping, the developments of things within our industry and the world in general! I am a firm believer that even without really trying to, you learn something new every day. I love to learn and only last week when I was trying to impart some of my chimney knowledge regarding some technical chimney issue to a nice new customer, they proceeded to go on to called me a ‘’Chimney Geek’’! This really did make me laugh, and I suppose they are right that I am a bit of a Chimney Geek! …but not as bad as some I know might I just add…you know who you are. So what have I been up to?... I think that should be re-phrased to ‘what haven’t I been up to!’ Although summer is supposed to be a quieter
great sweeps, learning and adding to my sweep knowledge base. Each course is held over one training day and is part of the NACS additional qualifications that are available to all NACS
time for a Chimney Sweeps I have been as busy sweeps (and even sweeps from other associations). As well as the 2 courses that I as ever with numerous things and in this past month or so I have certainly learnt a lot too.
Clocking up on my mileage, I have been off once again venturing down the country. This time to The NACS Training Centre to add to my sweeping qualifications by attending the ‘CCTV Inspection & Survey Training Course' & 'Flexible Flue Linings Course'. A really interesting few days, meeting some
attended there are also ‘Flue smoke testing’, ‘Rooftop and Ladder Safety’ and ‘Chimney Maintenance’ courses available. My posh certificates for the CCTV & Liner course have just arrived in the post, all be it a little creased by our Postman from him bending them in half to fit them in the ‘Post Pot’ (this is my chimney pot and bonnet ventilation cowl that I made in to our post box
at home). That’s the price you pay for being
Chimney Sweeps seem to love a good
unconventional I suppose.
gathering.
Fast forward a week or so from the NACS
Other things I have learnt this month come in
training and I was off again. Next stop on my
the form of now knowing my smoke alarms
travels was to The National Association of
from my heat alarms. Following on from the
Chimney Sweep’s Annual General Meeting …
insightful Honeywell article in last month’s
AKA ‘The NACS AGM’ I was particularly
issue of Fireplace.co.uk ( https://
looking forward to this trip as with one thing
goo.gl/6egCIz ) all about their range of
and another and having young children, I had alarms, I was lucky enough to be kindly not been able to attend in past years, so I was
invited along to visit the very nice people at
very pleased to finally be able to make it.
Honeywell in Poole in Dorset.
A very interesting and productive gathering,
…Yes another trip down the country, I know.
with lots of exciting future developments, as well as being a great chance to catch up with all the NACS sweeps who had also travelled from far and wide from across the country.
For those of you not in the know Honeywell manufacturers & assemble (amongst other things) a range of exceedingly high-quality
Carbon Monoxide alarms, as well as Smoke
and Heat alarms right here in the UK My Husband and traveling companion Tom and I received some excellent information & advice that reaffirms how very important it is to have a quality 'Working' CO & Smoke Alarm in your Home. I now know all about the most suitable alarm for certain rooms and the importance of an optical sensor smoke alarm over a traditional ionisation sensor alarm. Fascinating stuff. Last month’s article all about the types of alarms is well worth a read and if you missed it last time, I am quite sure it is now on the Fireplace.co.uk website Information Hub. Back home in good old North Yorkshire, when not galivanting up and down the country, we have been keeping busy sweeping and of late I have been carrying out a lot of stove servicing and maintenance work. With so many stoves out there now this has been a good string to add to our bow, and our Summer Sweep and Servicing offer for our customers has been very well received. I am booked onto the HETAS H009 service and maintenance course (31st Aug,1st Sep) at The NACS HQ, so I am looking forward to that as I have heard good things about it from fellow sweeps who have already taken the course and I hope to be able to perfect my servicing skills and to learn a few more things along the way. Whoop for the ‘Hearth and Homes Exhibition’! As well as the H&H Exhibition being an excellently hosted annual event and having all the latest in all things fireplace it is
also a super social gathering of everyone in
On a closing note as I cannot possibly cram
the industry… my very favourite bits about
anymore in to my Sweep Diary this month -
the H&H is that it is literally 20 minutes’ down the road from where I live... Actually, in North Yorkshire. Brilliant! It doesn’t get much better than that I’ll tell thee. We attended on the Sunday and had a cracking day… without even having to travel the country to attend. Sorry everyone else who did have to travel, but well worth it I’m sure you would agree.
A very important thing I have learnt when traveling up and down the country many a time is ‘’You can Take the lass out of Yorkshire but you can never take Yorkshire out of the lass’’ I hope everyone enjoyed the H&H as much as me. … and Happy sweeping to all.
Gain Inspiration and Make Your Next Building Project a Triumph
According to the National Custom and Self
Build Association (NaCSBA), 14,000 homes will be built across the UK in the next year. For those considering this route, the annual Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, sponsored for the first time by Everest Home Improvements, is marking its anticipated return to Sandown Park, from 1-2 July 2017, with hands-on tips to help consumers succeed in their property ventures. Across two full days, visitors can speak to over 220 exhibitors and access more than 500+ advice sessions, 20+ free masterclasses on essential topics which can tackle any problem, from implementing the latest intelligent security systems to funding a remodelling project.
Six resident property specialists will be on
safer and quieter homes, and will provide the
hand to help people with all building and
same useful guidance at its stand.
renovating queries and leading companies will be exhibiting their latest ranges of services and products from an array of industries including architecture; design; financial topics; kitchens; bathrooms; doors and windows; lighting; heating; ventilation; planning permission and much more. The show venue will become a useful platform for all consumers who are facing similar challenges throughout all stages of their projects, as they can soak up advice and guidance and take inspiration from successful case studies. Everest Home Improvements, a brand with over 50 years’ experience in fitting doors and double glazed windows, will be at stand O20 at the Southern event, after a successful exhibition at The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show in March. The company has helped over two million people enjoy warmer,
Oakwrights Design Consultation
Service, which combines traditional materials with contemporary ones that can add a distinctive touch to any home, will be offering free 20-minute consultations to those who are interested in discovering more about its bespoke oak framing and encapsulation service. It will provide insight around using oak materials and best practice, blending traditional skills with innovative technology. The Advice Centre is a hub for one-on-one impartial guidance and this year self-builders can run their ideas past property specialists with years of experience in this field. In this zone, visitors can head to the Ask the Builder area and meet an expert for advice on their renovation project. All members of the Federation of Master Builders are vetted and
inspected on joining to give visitors the
Visitors who are interested in 15-minute
confidence when looking for a builder.
consultations with some of the UK’s pre-
Visitors can also come along to the Ask the
eminent property specialists, should head to
Architect area where they will receive first-
the Advice Centre, which also features
hand knowledge and expertise from reputable the Ask the Expert zone. Attendees will be members from the Royal Institute of British
able to discuss their building ideas
Architects (RIBA), who will be able to advise
with: Michael Holmes (director of content
on how to tackle building challenges and take and product development for Homebuilding plans from start to finish. To take on the issue of obtaining planning permission, Sally Tagg and her team of experts will be at the Planning Clinic to consult on how to make an application and jump through all the hoops in the process to those with a building or renovating project in mind. The Foxley Tagg specialists will update visitors on the latest rules, regulations and caveats to be aware of, saving self-builders time and money.
& Renovating magazine); Jason Orme (editorial director of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Tim Pullen (eco-
expert of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Bob Branscombe (building expert of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Chris Reeves (Homebuilding & Renovating magazine’s legal expert and a chartered builder and lawyer) and Sally Tagg (an expert on planning permission).
OFTEC 201 Proves Popular at EOGB We’re pleased to report that our first OFTEC
would highly recommend it to others.”
201 commercial burner course was successfully completed at EOGB last week with engineers attending from all over the country.
Meanwhile, Keith Sadler from East Kent Eco Heating Solutions added: “The quality and experience of the staff was both evident and
Eddie Phillips and his son Eddie Phillips Jnr of invaluable to the success of the course, and EMP Oil Services travelled from the Isle of would set it apart from any other purely Man after they were told that they must have
training establishments.”
OFTEC 201 to renew their public liability insurance. After doing their research, they found that EOGB was the only training establishment in the UK to offer additional
burner manufacturer training that would enable them to be fully compliant with BS5410. Eddie Jnr said: “I’d urge anyone to check their insurance policy as we are horrified to think that, in the event of a claim, engineers could lose their homes and livelihoods. We’ve been really impressed with the course at EOGB and
The three-day course involves theory and practical burner training including health and safety, combustion theory, detailed fault finding and burner commissioning. For more information, or to book yourself in for OFTEC 201 training, email training@eogb.co.uk or call 01480 477066 (option 3).
Working Together
According to Sue Malthouse, managing director at Artisan Fireplace Design, the best retailer-manufacturer relationships are the ones that work both ways.
accessories. With something for every home, much of its success is down to the service delivered to customers, and a reputation forged over more
With Europe’s largest fireplace showroom
than three decades. Customer relationships are
boasting more than 550 displays in an old silk
vital, of course, but they are not the only
mill in Brighouse, Artisan Fireplace Design has important relationships built by the retailer. been heating Yorkshire’s homes for more than
Managing director Sue Malthouse says links
30 years. The impressive showroom is set over with manufacturers such as Dimplex have been three floors, showcasing a wide range of electric, gas and solid fuel stoves and fires, plus
critical to its continued success. Artisan Fireplace Design Ltd is one of a select
group of Dimplex Premier Retailers, taking advantage of enhanced support from the leading electric fires brand that spans website, social media, point of sale (POS) and other marketing activities. The scheme, which offers priority listing on Dimplex’s website and an individual page for all participating retailers, recognises the showroom support given by
designing bespoke fireplaces to house the fires.
“We have a strong relationship with Dimplex and are proud to be Yorkshire’s premiere dealer for their fine products. Dimplex has a dedicated after sales team, who are swift to attend to our customers’ needs when it is needed.”
retailers, who must display a total of seven
Spotting trends
Dimplex fires across the Opti-myst and
Part of the success of any retailer, of course, is
Optiflame ranges to be included.
being able to identify changes in customer
Sue Malthouse says it is just one of the ways in demand – and deliver the products needed to meet those changing demands. which the retailer and manufacturer can benefit from mutual support, to benefit both
Sue Malthouse adds that Dimplex’s
brands.
commitment to new product development,
She said: “We have a whole floor dedicated to
supported by the manufacturer’s own in-house
electric appliances only and this includes up to research and development and product design facilities, has been another benefit over the 40 Dimplex products on display. We are delighted to display and support the Dimplex
course of many years.
brand, with most of the range on display
She adds: “Dimplex is always once step ahead
including the Opti-myst cassette 1000, Opti-
with its new effects, incomparable from others, myst chassis 600 and the large landscape Opti- hence the runaway success of their whole V PGF20 as an entrance feature. range. “Of course the marketing and website support
“We are seeing a trend towards the larger
we get as part of the Dimplex Premier Retailer cassette type fires, with more people looking scheme is a benefit to us, but like any good for a real statement fire, and Dimplex offers partnership, it works well because we offer
some perfect solutions with its Opti-V and Opti
mutual support.
-myst cassette models. Of course, the
“We’ve seen the way in which Dimplex actively traditional range is consistently popular too.”
promotes products across its social media channels and we’ve been able to engage with this on our own Facebook and Twitter pages to our advantage. We regularly promote the products in regional TV campaigns and in quality newspapers and we’ve also put significant investment into the showroom to show off the products to their very best - even
Supporting retailers Mike James, sales director, independent retail from Dimplex, said: “The Premier Retailer scheme was set up to recognise and reward those retailers who support the Dimplex brand, giving something back to help those retailers drive footfall and encourage sales.
“The website support is particularly valuable showrooms to visit.” because of the numbers we are able to generate thanks to significant marketing investment, including national advertising. This year’s vibrant national press advertising campaign for the Opti-myst 3D electric flame and smoke effect, for example, reached an estimated 9.5 million consumers and we had
To become a Dimplex Premier Retailer, retailers must display a minimum of three Dimplex Opti-myst fires and four Dimplex Optiflame fires. For more information contact your local Dimplex sales representative.
more than 3.7 million page views on the Dimplex fires website as a result of last year’s Dimplex campaign. Tel: 0844 879 3587 “Website visitors are encouraged to find their marketing@dimplex.co.uk Web: www.dimplex.co.uk local retailer in order to purchase our fires and it goes without saying that the Premier Retailers, which have the largest selection of Dimplex fires, are the most appealing
Wood Burning Stoves – Eurostove’s Chris Baines Answers Some Questions from Consumers.
Buying a stove is much more than choosing
between a contemporary or traditional stove. Chris Baines, Eurostove MD helps to choose the right stove.
What model of stove should be installed with regard to heat output? Output is an important factor in choosing a stove, it’s just as important not to overheat
the room as to underheat it. As a rule of thumb, work out the cubic metre capacity of the room and divide by 14. However for modern and well-insulated homes it is probably more accurate to divide by 20. It is important to have a site survey conducted by a registered professional (Hetas or equivalent) to survey the proposed installation.
Is there a stove that produces longlasting heat so I don’t have to keep refilling it? Yes indeed, the Somerton II from Eurostove has a heat storage block which means the stove will keep giving out heat for up to eight hours after the last logs are loaded.
Does it really matter what wood I burn? It makes a huge difference. Kiln-dried wood
Should I replace my old stove? Older stoves are up to 10x more polluting than modern ones, and cost more to run.
(less than 20% moisture) is the best source of There are new standards coming into effect in wood. A 1Kg log of new wood is 50-60%
2022, which will require manufacturers to
water, compared to dried wood, which may
ensure that their stoves emit substantially
be 20% water, but kiln-dried wood is around
fewer emissions. The Westfire 37 from
15%. The higher the moisture content, the
Eurostove already meets those Ecodesign
lower the combustion temperature, which
standards, as well as many other stoves from
leads to more emissions being produced.
Eurostove. A full list of Ecodesign stoves can be found on the SIA website
What’s the difference between primary,
secondary and tertiary Air? Modern stoves consist of up to 3 air intakes, primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary intake (at the bottom) is used ONLY to get the fire going, otherwise it drives too much air through the stove and the temperature in the flue increases, which means heat is being lost. Unfortunately this leads to the vivid flame with which many consumers associate a “good� fire, but it is very inefficient and not clean burning. In fact the chamber temperature will actually decrease as the flow of air is too fast.
The secondary air intake, which comes in at the top, is the main air source, for use once the fire is properly alight. If the primary air is still
What if I live in a smokeless zone?
being used now, it will impede the flow of
If your stove is labelled SE or Smoke Exempt
secondary air, meaning particles which would
this means that it has been tested and is
normally be burnt off will blow up the chimney, DEFRA approved. This approval allows you to increasing pollution. burn wood in a smokeless area, these stoves are also fit to burn approved smokeless fuels, Tertiary air intake at the back is pre-warmed
unless otherwise specified.
air injected into the combustion chamber at force to re-combust gas from the first combustion phase , giving the cleanest, most efficient, burn possible. It adds more oxygen into the chamber to aid the secondary
combustion. What is a convection stove? Convection means that the stove has the equivalent to an inner and outer body, and between these bodies, air is heated and then travels around the room to heat a room more effectively. See the picture below for more information.
Eurostove Ltd 01934 750 500 www.eurostove.co.uk
A new App especially for Sweeps. It's designed to work across any device with or without a phone signal. You enter your customer details including fireplace details and sweep frequency. When you make an appointment your customer gets an email confirming the appointment. 24 hours before they receive another email and SMS. When you have finished the job completing the certificate and invoicing takes seconds. NACS have authorised the use of digital certificates so just fill in the digital certificate and email to your customer. You can still of course write one out for customers with no email. If you need to delete an appointment you can. You will have already entered into system
charges you make and your logo. Select your charge and take payment. You can take credit and debit card payments even without a signal. Before leaving your customer make the next appointment. They will get a reminder one month before as well as the usual 24 reminders. There are lots of other features maps of
your customers, customers who need a sweep report, mileage reports, expense tracking, bookkeeper access. For businesses with more than one van the App has separate calendars. NACS & GMCS members get 10% off. You can register for a free trial at the website www.thesweepsapp.com
Terracotta – The Answer to The Dream Period Home? Paul Wydell, Product Manager for Terracotta at Hepworth Clay offers his advice on how installers can use terracotta products to return properties to their original splendour, while also highlighting the benefits of the natural material to homeowners and installers alike.
Despite the recent increase in new build homes, many homeowners still favour the authenticity and heritage of days past – older styles of housing, or “period property”. This offer significantly appeals to homeowners and buyers alike, who are looking to restore older housing stock to its former glory. As such, demand for terracotta, the classic material principally known with its association
to ceramic flue liners and chimney pots, is on the increase. There are many reasons why homeowners might want to restore the original features that are signatures of period homes. Currently, period revival is in vogue. A recent survey by SellingUp/Populus found that original period features, like fireplaces, were key in helping individuals decide when buying a property, as it made them more desirable. Almost half of those surveyed (46 per cent) said that they would want an operational fireplace with original or period features in their dream home. With the majority agreeing that these features add character to a property, it’s clear that
these elements can help boost the value of the temperatures and weathering. It’s also house. Hence restoration, and the allure of terracotta, are on the rise. Terracotta has been used for centuries in construction; bringing an ornamental element to structures, as well as enhancing and
protecting the heating and ventilation functions within the buildings. It’s typically been related to the Victorian period, thanks to its decorative qualities that suited the era’s ornamental style. That being said, terracotta is renowned for more than just its aesthetics,
resistant to the effects of atmospheric pollution, which means that it lasts longer than many other materials. Today, many properties have fireplaces that were probably used daily when they were in their prime. However, they might have been sealed off to follow fashion or trends of the day. With period features coming back into style, installers are likely to find themselves with the task of opening up an existing fireplace that has not been in use for many years.
as the natural material is resistant to the
Re-commissioning a fireplace is a challenging
effects of acid corrosion, extremes
task. Fireplaces, stoves and fires have varying
technical and legal requirements, so it is key
One of terracotta’s many uses is its
for anyone who works with operational
involvement in the construction of fireplaces,
appliances to be listed and hold a current
flues and chimneys. A fireplace is a beautiful
certificate from a Competent Persons Scheme. addition to any home, but it is vital that the This needs to be appropriate to the fuel you
fireplace, flue and chimney are properly
intend to burn and come from an organisation constructed and maintained. As well as such as (but not limited to) HETAS, OFTEC,
addressing key health and safety concerns,
or Gas Safe, enabling the installer to know
such as occupant wellbeing and protection
which terracotta products would be most
from toxic gases, it also protects the structure
suited in each case.
from heat and acid corrosion. This occurs
when soot combines with rain penetration or
installation guidance and by utilising
built up condensation, creating a form of acid. Hepworth Terracotta, be able to equip homes This can - in inadequately maintained
craving a bit of Victorian character with the
buildings - cause unsightly staining of the
perfect terracotta fix.
outside and sometimes inside walls. Therefore, it is key for installers to stay
For more information on Hepworth Terracotta and installation advice, visit
updated on the latest building regulations and www.hepworthterracotta.co.uk
NACE Supports Chimney Fire Safety Week NACE have thrown its considerable weight behind Chimney Fire Safety Week by highlighting the dangers of less than 'fit for purpose' controlled services and defective
potentially dangerous interpretation as such
controlled fittings as well as poor quality
structures do not maintain themselves and
workmanship and where singularly or
may represent a danger to the building
together these represent a direct hazard to the occupants as well as to the general public, therefore a prudent approach to safety, fire consumer. More has to be done to inform the consumer of potential fire risks around the home in particular where chimneys and flue systems
risk and structural integrity should at all times be considered with a competently produced mechanical report provided to the consumer.
are concerned and where these may have
NACE work closely with Government Fire
fallen in to disrepair.
Inspectorate at the Home Office who support
Most property owners will assume that a
chimney if still in place above their roof must
this public media communication.
www.nace.org.uk
be alright', this is a rather naive and
Warm Stories Underpin New EcoFriendly Fuel Options From Warma Wood and coal fuel specialist, Warma Home Fuels, is offering trade customers two new ways in which to satisfy the needs of their eco-friendly customers,
having introduced two show-stoppers to its firstclass range of logs at Hearth & Home 2017. Both of Warma’s new products are innovative and great creators of talking points with customers. The first, Brackenburn Brackettes, has already wowed ‘Countryfile’ viewers (October 2016) and has strong customer recognition as a result. It was also a new product finalist in the Hearth & Home Awards 2017.
Brackenburn Brackettes are briquettes
Brackenburn Brackettes won a SW Green
formed from 100% bracken, Britain’s virulent Energy Award in 2016, for all these reasons, large coarse fern that covers 2.5 million acres
plus the fact regular bracken harvesting
of Britain’s countryside. The makers of
improves the land’s biodiversity, allowing
Brackenburn Brackettes harvest dead bracken flora such as bluebells and wild flowers to from heath and moorland and compress it
flourish, whilst better supporting
into a solid log that is a sustainable fuel
wildlife. The harvesting of the bracken also
source, ideal for use in log burners and on
helps prevent its encroachment on other land.
open fires. It burns hotter and faster than an equivalent oak log, also producing significantly more potash. This means
The second product now available to the trade
customers derive a double benefit, being also
is the innovative Coffee Log – a product
able to use the potash, after burning, to feed
customers can burn without having grounds
plants, shrubs and flowers with a natural
for remorse. Coffee logs boast ‘Made in
fertiliser.
Britain’ accreditation and are formulated from the grounds of coffee, with each log
being made from the grounds of up to 25 cups. aroma rests in the oils that have been
All oil is extracted from the coffee, enabling
extracted.
the grounds to be dried, compacted and coated Warma Home Fuels’ sales director, Stephen in wax and formed into a briquette. This
Talbot, says: “We are delighted to have these
briquette is a 100% carbon neutral fuel and
two brilliant fuel options for those wishing to
each log can burn for up to 60 minutes, with
enjoy great heat output, without
the burn being longer, hotter and cleaner than compromising green credentials. Both have an that of wood.
amazing back story that retailers can relay to their customers to help boost sales and we therefore believe these products add a lot of
The Coffee Logs offer trade retailers a lot of
value to our range.”
scope, as they are suitable for use in solid fuel stoves, open fires, pizza ovens, smokers, chimeneas and barbecues. They help
Trade customers can buy Brackenburn
homeowners reduce their carbon footprint,
Brackettes from Warma Home Fuels at a cost
lower emissions and cut out waste and can be
of £4.95 for a 10kg bag of 10 logs and Coffee
easily set alight using firelighters and
Logs are priced at £5.34 for a 6kg bag of 16
kindling. What they won’t do, however, is
logs?. Call 01524 812476 for more
emit a smell of coffee as they burn, as the
information.
Germany Is Converting a Coal Mine Into a Massive Renewable Energy Battery
Diagram showing how the mine would work. Credit: University of Duisburg-Essen
Gemany is turning one of its old coal mines
Researchers from several German universities
into a giant 'battery station' that will store
are working with private engineering firms
hydroelectric power and provide energy to
and the government on the project, and have
around 400,000 homes, with hopes of
been running feasibility studies on the site
launching similar facilities across the country
since 2012. If the project is a success, more
in the coming years.
mines like this could be adapted.
After half a century of service, the Prosper-
The 600-metre-deep (1,969-foot) mine
Haniel hard coal mine in the north-west of the provides something the area doesn't have country is due to be shut down in 2018, when
naturally – elevation. That's crucial if you want
the task of getting it converted to a clean
to create a pumped storage plant like this, with
energy facility will begin.
a reservoir on high ground usually feeding
another in a valley below.
surface above the mine. As for the battery part of the equation, water
The flow of water powers turbines and generates electricity, with water pumped back up again during periods of low demand. "In regions such as the Rhineland or the Ruhr area, the lack of relief in the landscape does not provide the necessary height differences [for hydroelectric power]," explains the project website. "This is where the former coal mines come in." The transformed 200 megawatt plant would take in energy from wind turbines, solar panels, and biomass sources installed on the
could be pumped out of the mine during a particularly sunny or windy day, effectively storing the energy as a volume of water in the top reservoir until it was needed. There are some 26 kilometres (16 miles) of shafts in the complex, with the potential to have a million cubic metres (35 million cubic feet) of water flowing through them, helped by
the forces of gravity. While pumped hydroelectric storage facilities like this typically use up more energy than they generate, they've become important in balancing electricity loads during peak times,
Oil Users – Fuel Price Winners Once Again! Following the release of the latest comparative average heating price figures from Sutherland Tables, OFTEC reports good news for most oil heating users in the UK. Detailed below, the figures show the three months up to the end of April. Over this quarter the cost of kerosene has decreased slightly for most areas, ranging from 1 – 3%. The exceptions are Scotland and Northern Ireland where costs have risen by approximately 2% and 5% respectively. Regional variations can be quite significant and prices are usually highest in Scotland where transport costs are a bigger factor.
The best news comes from the Republic of
whereas in Northern and Southern Ireland
Ireland where the average cost of home
prices have remained static. The natural gas
heating using oil has decreased by almost 8%
price has remained static except in Northern
compared to last quarter, which is excellent
Ireland where it has increased by over 2%.
news for homeowners and oil heating businesses alike.
Comparative space and water heating costs for a three bedroom house Figures supplied by Sutherland Tables GREAT BRITAIN (Average) is calculated using South East, South West, Wales, Midlands, Northern England and Scotland Homeowners with other types of heating have not all been so lucky. Over the last quarter, the biggest heating cost losers have been consumers of LPG and electricity in all UK regions. In Great Britain, consumers of LPG have experienced a price increase of approximately 5%, while in Northern Ireland LPG costs have risen by almost 8%. In Republic of Ireland, the cost of using LPG has remained static. Consumers using electric heating in Great Britain have also seen an increase in costs,
The bigger picture – falling crude prices After a relatively stable period during the
winter months when, buoyed-up by OPEC’s production cut, the price of Brent crude hovered at around $55 a barrel, prices started to fall steeply in March, rallied briefly in April, then fell again in May to only just over $50 a barrel. As previously predicted, once prices passed $50 a barrel, US shale oil production began rebounding and most
commentators agree that OPEC’s attempt to
likely to stay between $50-60 a barrel for the
push the price of crude oil up has probably
rest of the year, which can only be good for
failed. While it’s never possible to predict the
our industry.
price oil with certainty, unless there is major disruption to the market, the price is thought
www.oftec.org.uk
British Gas Business statement on Ofgem announcement •
Once British Gas Business has agreed to pay £9.5 million in compensation to customers, and to the Money Advice Trust (which provides the Business Debtline service).
•
Payment arises after British Gas Business self-reported to Ofgem some issues following the implementation of a new customer billing system.
•
British Gas Business will contact directly those microbusiness customers that have been identified by Ofgem as being affected by the issues.
•
BGB has spent £40 million on the new system, which combined more than 100 old systems into one.
•
Implementation was extremely complex, but the problems have now been resolved and billing is working well.
British Gas Business has commented
improve the service we provide to our
following the conclusion of Ofgem’s
business customers. At the time, this was a
investigation, which was launched after the major undertaking - merging nearly 100 supplier self-reported to the regulator some different systems into one. It didn’t go as issues arising from a transformation of its
smoothly as we would have liked so we
customer account systems.
reported this to Ofgem as a priority.
The issues are now resolved, and we have
“We’ve worked hard to put this right since
seen a 30-point improvement in customer
and Ofgem has acknowledged this today.
satisfaction, as measured by Net Promoter
We’ve restored a very good quality of
Score (NPS). In addition, complaints fell by customer service, and more and more of almost a third in 2016 compared to the year our customers are going online to use the before.
new billing system. I'd like to apologise to our business customers for any inconvenience caused when we were
Upon completion of the Ofgem investigation, Gab Barbaro, Managing Director of British Gas Business, said: "We invested in a new billing system so we could
implementing the system.” Again!
Extending the gas network provides a cost effective way to tackle fuel poverty”, claims former Minister
“Households are 50 per cent more likely to be Mr Foster’s matter-of-fact speech illustrated in fuel poverty if they aren’t connected to gas
the stark reality of living in a cold, energy
and that is a fact that can no longer be
inefficient home.
ignored” says Mike Foster, former Government Minister and cur-rent Chief Executive of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, as he delivered his speech at Utility Week Live on 23rd May 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Mr Foster Chaired the ‘Meeting the needs of vulnerable customers’ seminar which explored best practice examples of understanding and vulnerable customers and delivery of the right service and support. The seminar also examined how energy efficiency measures can be focused on the poorest households.
“In 2014/15 there were in excess of 40,000 preventable deaths associated with winter. In 2015/16 there were 41% more deaths from respiratory disease in winter compared to warmer seasons. Cold living conditions are one of the triggers of such diseases. Heat and health are intrinsically linked. Something must be done address this. EUA’s report; Fuel Poverty- A Connected Solution, published in January uses complex statistical methods to identify that connection to the gas grid is the best way the energy industry can help people out of
fuel poverty, providing the biggest reductions
make a real impact in lifting up to half a
in their bills compared to the costs incurred.”
million homes out of fuel poverty.”
“Simply helping people to switch from electric
“Our gas networks are essential in providing
heating to gas central heating, will lift them
affordable energy, securely, to the vast
out of fuel poverty by cutting bills by over
majority of UK homes. And with the right
£900 a year.”
Government direction, could change the lives
“With so many homes close to the
of hundreds of thousands of families who
underground gas network, connection to the
today juggle between heating and eating.”
gas grid and installing first-time central heating, funded by schemes such as ECO could
Team Building
Working as a team has been on my mind recently, since we are currently trying to grow ours. I came across this blog about hiring sales people that has some helpful ideas about recuiting good sales people, a challenge I am sure many of us face. https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/signs-youshould-hire-salesperson? utm_campaign=Sales%20Blog%20-%
20Automatic%20Daily% 20Emails&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medi um=email&utm_content=52880966#sm.001 axzaf813wsf5owul1sgg01dgsl And I’ve been considering the age old debate of nature v nurture; can we recruit people with the right attitude and help them develop into
the kind of people we want to work with, who can help our clients grow their business? Both of my boys play football, are passionate about the game, and winning of course. Both have flourished in teams where the coaching
style is positive and encouraging and both
So the carrot or the stick? Which one works for
have floundered where negative feedback was
you?
the norm. Psychologists say that for a person to reach their highest potential they must be held in consistently high regard. At Cre8 we
We're a Sales Consultancy, offering sales
are real advocates of treating everyone well,
campaigns and training. Cre8 Sales Solutions
kindly and honestly, and acting with integrity
don't just offer lead generation services, it's
at all times. We love the quote that people
how we're building our own business. For
learn from your example, not your opinion; we more information about us go to www.cre8salessolutions.co.uk or call us on may not always get it right but we try to and are always learning from our mistakes. Great
0121 347 6601.
leadership has to be demonstrating who we
https://youtu.be/
want our teams to be by living it ourselves, consistently, day in, day out. We’re a work in progress and no doubt have a lot to learn on this leg of our business journey.
FTJsGwzZ_MA
https://youtu.be/FTJsGwzZ_MA
Drax Biomass awarded Lantern Award Drax Biomass has received The Lantern Award
demonstrates that our hard work on local eco-
for its dedication and commitment to Louisiana nomic development is highly valued and recogcommunities. The award was handed out personally by the Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson. The Louisiana Economic Development launched The Lantern Award in 1979, to recognise businesses that have made a substantial contribution to the economic and civic development of their communities. It is a highly competitive process, and nominees must have the support of state officials and leading civic organisations.
nised in Louisiana.” Winners are selected by Louisiana’s eight Regional Planning and Development Districts. Drax Biomass began construction on its Morehouse BioEnergy facility in Bastrop, LA in early 2013. Since breaking ground, the Morehouse BioEnergy plant has become a major contributor to the region’s economy. The plant maintains almost 65 full-time employees and sup-
ports approximately 150 additional jobs across the forestry, hauling, and transportation sec-
“We’re proud of the role that we play in the are- tors. Drax Biomass is also contributing to the as in which we operate and as we grow as a
revitalisation of the local wood products sector,
business we feel strongly that the communities
which has suffered in recent years from the clo-
around our operations should grow as well,”
sure of several large-scale paper mills.
said Pete Madden, President and CEO of Drax Biomass. “This is a significant achievement and
Drax Biomass is committed to expanding its
positive presence and supporting the commu-
Elaine, who has arthritis and asthma, moved
nities in which it operates by promoting sus-
into the house with husband Alyn in 2010
tainable forestry and investing in local eco-
and said she had never had this sort of prob-
nomic development.
lem before.
https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/dry-
Elaine, 58, and Alyn, 70, described how on
bulk/09062017/drax-biomass-awarded-
May 25 they saw “hundreds” of bees drop in
lantern-award/
through their fireplace, completely unexpectedly.
A family had a shock when 'hundreds of bees' suddenly landed in their fireplace
She said: “I saw something on the wooden floor and so put on my glasses and thought it
was a bluebottle. It was making a buzzing sound but I quickly realised what it was. We have got a spider catcher so my husband caught it with that. “I thought because we’d had a few nice days recently it was one that had strayed in through the window. “But then I heard lots of dropping onto the hearth and saw all of these bees looking a bit shocked, like they had fallen from a distance. They shook their bodies before flying over to the window. “Alyn was catching some of them with his fly
Elaine Morgan, who lives in Maerdy with hus-
catcher but there were just too many.
band Alyn, struggled to contain a huge influx
“So we called our son over who helped patch
of insects. Elaine, who was not sure when they first nested in her home, said: “It was an experience I wouldn’t like to go through again. “What if my grandchildren had been there on that day? If you get stung you wouldn’t know if you were having an allergic reaction until it hit you. It could have been a life-threatening situation.”
up the fireplace with recycling bags.” Luckily neither of the couple were stung during the infestation and Elaine believes the problem has been sorted. That’s because they used a pesticide to kill the insects – but the couple still have the fireplace patched up in case the problem recurs.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through that refer to their tenancy agreement as it is the resort of thing. You don’t know whether they are
sponsibility of the tenant to report any rodent
going to attack again or anything like that.”
or insect infestation to the local council and
She said housing association Trivallis’ response had been “poor”. She explained: “All they told me was that they didn’t put the bees there themselves so they
couldn’t do anything about it. It’s shocking, really.” A spokeswoman for Trivallis said: “We can confirm that we received a call via our out-of-hours service in relation to one our customers reporting an infestation. “In these situations we advise our customers to
make the necessary arrangements directly with them.” Elaine said by the time contact had been made with Rhondda Cynon Taf council their help was no longer needed. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/walesnews/family-shock-hundreds-bees-suddenly13119238
Warmth trapped in the ground is being used to heat North East homes and business
Heat trapped in the ground is being targeted as
Heat accounts for 45% of UK energy consump-
a resource for use by North East homes and
tion and over 30% of carbon emissions, with UK
business, as Peter McCusker reports.
customers spending well over £30bn a year on
Work on some 200 boreholes - drilled down to
energy for heating.
depths of 150 meters - next to four Gateshead
However, whilst major progress has been made
tower blocks will begin in the next few months.
cutting carbon emissions in the electricity sec-
They will house a network of pipes to power ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) heating over 300 homes. Meanwhile Northumberland County Council is also in the process of installing GSHPs in three of the county’s fire stations, and one North East energy company is in talks with housebuilders to trial GSHPs in new build homes.
tor - where 50% of power regularly comes from low-carbon sources - progress is much slower with heating systems. One of the North East’s leading experts in low carbon heating systems is Prof Chris Underwood, chair of energy modelling for the built environment at Northumbria University. He said: “The Government is determined to cut
our dependence on overseas gas and reduce car- Prudhoe, Seahouses and Amble fire stations. bon emissions from existing heat networks, and The Prudhoe scheme is the most advanced with as a result it is supporting the roll-out of ground five boreholes drilled to depths totalling 700 source heat pumps.
meters.
“They may not be the cheapest way of support-
A council spokesperson said: “As a council we
ing this transition but they will go on to play a
consider a range of measures that will help us to
major role in the domestic energy mix. We will
reduce costs and make our buildings more ener-
see a significant growth in heat pumps in the
gy efficient, as well as more environmentally
coming years.”
friendly.
GSHP systems tap into heat absorbed at the
“We need reliable and affordable energy sources
Earth’s surface from solar energy, which at
and new technologies like ground source heat
depths of six meters is between 10 and 16°C.
pumps can help us to achieve this.”
This heat is is different from geothermal energy which is trapped in the earth’s crust and dates back to dawn of time.
The government subsidises GSHP development through its Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and wants the scheme to help it achieve its am-
This ground source heat is absorbed with the
bition of 12% of heating from renewable sources
use of a fluid inside an underground pipe net-
by 2020.
work which passes through a compressor to increase temperature. Gateshead Council will deploy a £6.8m GSHP network in Ripley, Willerby, Acomb and Bedale Courts in the Harlow Green area, cutting emissions and heating bills for residents.
Since the launch of the RHI there has been 8,000 domestic installations and over 750 nondomestic installations, nationally. Stuart Pocock, chief operating officer at the Renewable Energy Association, said: “Ground source heat pumps play a valuable role in decar-
Each pair of tower blocks requires around 100
bonising heat in homes and businesses. Heat
vertical boreholes, drilled to a depth of about
pumps work best in well insulated buildings
150 meters, covering an area of around one and and are perfect for new-build properties.” a half football pitches.
Virginia Graham, chief executive of Renewable
As well as well as installing GSHPs, all homes
Energy Consumer Code, said: “Ground source
will be installed with new central heating sys-
heat pumps are ideal for new-build, off-gas grid
tems and radiators.
homes with a high level of insulation. It is im-
Newcastle company Future Energy is set to trial heat pumps as a feature of a smart energy sys-
portant to ensure that the heat pump you are installing is correctly sized for your property.
tem in five new build North East homes in com- “It is also important to understand if it will be ing months. Northumberland County Council has begun work on the installation of three heat pumps at
used just for just heat or for heat and hot water, as the specifications will change. Additionally, bear in mind that ground source heat pumps
are very likely to result in increased electricity
source heat pump, with both of these needing
usage.”
electricity to power them.
Schemes can be expensive with boreholes cost-
“A large-scale transition to a low-carbon heat-
ing around £7,500 and the heating system
ing system will most likely involve a mix of
slightly less at £6,000, with Prof Underwood
technologies including; heat pumps, district
describing them as a ‘pensioner perk’.
heating schemes and the possible conversion of
“The most significant problem with them are the costs. We already have some eight million
the gas grid to a one run on a hybrid mix of hydrogen and gas,” he said.
families in fuel poverty in this country and they http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/ will not be able to afford them.
“Heat pumps have greater potential in new
business-news/warmth-trapped-ground-beingused-13151626
builds or as a combined system with an air-
My mother paid £25 a month for boiler insurance for 21 years. So why when she died aged 96 was I told it could no longer be covered? This doesn't make sense to me because the boiler works fine and is regularly serviced but what I find most frustrating is that D&G were happily taking the money from my mother yet admitted to me they wouldn't insure this kind of boiler. I believe she must have been paying a considerable sum to insure what I've discovered is an 'uninsurable' item. As her only income was the state pension, this was quite a large amount for
My 96-year old mother recently died and while going through her bills I found out she had been paying £25 a month for boiler insurance. The policy with Domestic and General ended when she died but when I asked how much it would be to set up a new policy, I was told as
her and I believe she has been treated very unfairly, Rebecca Rutt, of This is Money, replies: Boiler insurance policies are designed to provide cover if your boiler breaks down and needs to be repaired or replaced.
the boiler which was 21-years old, it could not
There are usually different levels of cover to
be insured.
choose from, with some just paying out for re-
repairs and replacements for the boiler and oth- policy was because your mother's policy ended ers covering your entire heating system and
when she died and you were trying to take out a
yearly boiler services.
'new' policy on the boiler.
However there are often strict terms and condi- A spokesperson said: 'The reader was a loyal tions with these policies, such as the age of the
customer who had a policy on her boiler with us
boiler and its condition.
for 20 years.
Typically you can't buy insurance for a boiler
'When she passed away it was automatically
that is more than around seven years old, or one cancelled, and we were unable to reinstate it that is in a poor condition, and this is probably
due to our current processes. In light of this, we
why when you tried to buy a new policy for the
are now changing how we take care of policies
boiler it was rejected.
when customers pass away. In addition we have
We checked with Domestic & General and it confirmed your mother's policy was still valid as
offered her daughter a free one year protection
plan for the boiler.'
she was an existing customer and if she had
It has not yet said what changes it will make to
wanted to claim on it she would have been able
its policies.
to - up to the limit of ÂŁ750 per year for repairs. It also said she had claimed on it nine times since buying the boiler in 1996. The reason you could not get insurance for this
The second issue here is the amount your mother was paying. The monthly charge was ÂŁ25 which meant she was paying out ÂŁ300 a year for the boiler insurance. As a new customer, we
checked how much it would cost to sign up and were given a quote of £11 for a brand new boiler.
This isn't a comparable quote - as her boiler was 21-years old - but she still paid a significant amount during this time. The price of a brand new boiler can be anything between £500 and £2,500, excluding installation costs, according to comparison website uSwitch, and therefore the money she paid out for the insurance may have been enough to pay for a brand new boiler several times in the 21 years. However, the reason people take out this kind of insurance is for peace of mind and knowing that if their boiler was to break down it would be replaced without them having to pay out a large sum. During the time she had the policy, your mother did use it several times and although she was paying a premium for it - and more than a new customer would have paid - she wouldn't have been able to take out a new policy when her boiler hit the seven-year mark. Another option available to people who want the assurance that they could cover a boiler breakdown but who don't want to fork out for insurance is diverting the money they would have paid in premiums into a savings account. That way, it's there to pay for a new boiler or repairs if necessary, but can be spent elsewhere if it's not required.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/experts/article-4515030/Why-mother-paying-25-month
-boiler-insurance.html
Ireland is the latest European country to ban fracking – the Tories need to follow suit
sitting at the opposite end of the table from her Eu-
More and more world leaders are ac-
Aside from the fact that no one yet knows how expensive it would be to get shale gas out of the ground in Europe, which is much more geologically “crumpled” than the US, increasing volumes of studies pointing to risks, such as correlations with
cepting the gravity of the risks associated with fracking. Theresa May is becoming increasingly isolated in her support for this environmental travesty Theresa May might have to get used to
ropean counterparts on one more issue – fracking. Following this week’s vote in the Irish Parliament to ban fracking, the Prime Minister looks increasingly out on a limb as one of the few European leaders to still argue that fracking is a good idea. France, the Netherlands and Germany have all put a stop to this risky method of trying to get gas out of the ground by breaking up rocks at high pressure.
spikes in methane, water contamination and
appears to be sputtering, despite the best efforts
health impacts, are giving leaders pause for
of the previous government. It’s now been six
thought. The impetus to show European com-
years since the first and only attempt to frack in
mitment to the Paris Climate Agreement in the
England, which ended following earth tremors
face of Trump’s actions is likely front of mind
in May 2011. Six years with nothing to show,
too.
despite the millions of pounds of tax breaks, the
It’s not been going so well for those hoping to make a quick buck out of the gas trapped underneath our homes and countryside. Leaders of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties have all said they would oppose fracking in their manifestos. In addition, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all put in place their own
relaxing of planning rules, the handing out of hundreds of licences to frack, and the secret meetings convened to try to force projects through despite local opposition. Imagine if that
much effort was put into supporting clean energy projects like wind farms and solar panels that people actually want?
suspensions of fracking, which means whatever When Theresa May became Prime Minster, her the election result large sections of the UK are
words on the steps on 10 Downing Street made
already off the table as a source of shale gas.
me hopeful of a different approach: “When we
The promised European shale gas “revolution”
take the big calls, we’ll think not of the power-
ful, but you. When we pass new laws, we’ll listen site, a clear sign that the only way fracking can not to the mighty, but to you,” she said. But I
progress is by pushing ordinary people to one
was disappointed when last year Westminster
side.
overturned the decision of the local county council in Lancashire to reject the plans of Cuadrilla to frack, and even more so to see proposals in the Conservative manifesto to weaken local decision making in relation to fracking.
This week I was with a delegation of campaigners from 30 different European countries at the site on a fact-finding mission and to give support to the local community. This included the director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands,
Since Cuadrilla arrived back in Lancashire in
who won their own battle against Cuadrilla. As I
January, thousands of pounds of public money
spoke with local residents and campaigners
has been spent on policing to facilitate a compa- from across our continent and heard their sto-
ny operating without public consent. Money,
ries, it was clear to me that the minority in fa-
which as the Lancashire Police Commissioner
vour of fracking may be powerful, but they are
points out, is not easy to come by and would be
increasingly isolated. With those who oppose
much better spent on policing crime than legiti- fracking only increasing in number, I hope that mate protest. A vigil has been held daily by local Theresa May realises she’s better off listening to residents, including grandmothers and farmers
the people than sitting by her ideologically iso-
that have never campaigned before in their
lated self.
lives. This week, these people were pushed into a kettle – a controversial police method of forced containment – to allow a 15-truck convoy to bring pieces of drilling equipment onto the
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/fracking -environment-ireland-theresa-may-
a7771956.html
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