[ Spotlight: Heating and ventilation ] Become a complete solutions provider
ECA member W T Parker Group off ers a good example of the power of diversifi cation. Rafe Bateson, renewables director of W T Parker Group, explains: ‘More and more in the commercial operation, we are seeing a mixture of products. As an electrical/mechanical contractor, we deal with everything from CHP to PV, solar thermal to heat pumps. ‘So, instead of having to go outside to a separate company for
each element, we can keep them all in house… We can look at each element and pull a complete package together. We might use diff erent manufacturers to do the various calculations, but we have the expertise in-house to do the total installation… This is the real opportunity – off ering a complete solution rather than simply a one- stop shop.’ More information:
www.wtparker.co.uk
Certifi cation The MCS is an industry-led scheme designed to support the development of the microgeneration industry and boost the quality of installations. It covers electricity generating technologies with a capacity of up to 50kW, and heat generating technologies with a capacity of up to 45kW including biomass and solar thermal technologies, as well as air and ground source heat pumps. ECA head of energy solutions, Bill Wright, points out that heat pumps have a particularly high electrical content, including sensors, controls, power supplies and wiring. Making them an even more attractive prospect, he believes, contractors could receive considerable installation help from heat pump manufacturers: ‘The design work can be done by the manufacturer, and they also very often provide data sheets and size the installation up for you.’ This, says Wright, has implications for the
partnerships that electricians forge: ‘There is no reason why the electrical contractor shouldn’t take the lead and employ a plumber [to help install heat pumps] rather than the other way around. That’s what we’re pushing for.’ Other renewable technologies, too, are
expected to grow in popularity. Biomass heating, for example, is set to become increasingly widespread.
Simon Holden, managing director of biomass boiler supplier Euroheat, says: ‘The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), both commercial and newly launched domestic version, off er opportunities for electricians as well as heating engineers. When it comes to biomass, the system has to be wired-in, between the boiler and the accumulator and then to the house itself. ‘Modern biomass systems include intelligent
controls, which also require confi guring – a job for an experienced electrician, at qualifi ed supervisor level. Domestic systems don’t need quite the same depth of technical expertise, so by next spring [when the domestic RHI is expected
42 ECA Today September 2013
to be introduced] there will be plenty of work for electrical installers across the board. ‘The majority of biomass customers are rurally- based, usually in off -gas locations, so this business boost will be seen largely out of towns and cities.’
Cutaway of a Heatrae Sadia Electromax Solar unvented hot water cylinder
Solar power Solar thermal heating too is set to grow thanks largely to the domestic RHI. Rafe Bateson, renewables director of W T Parker Group, says: ‘Until now, solar thermal hasn’t given a very good payback. Now that the government has annouced the new domestic RHI, it will give the market the impetus it needs... There are opportunities here for canny electrical contractors.’ A focus on energy effi ciency also opens the
door for contractors to upsell and exploit add- on opportunities. Dimplex’s Stammers says: ‘By defi nition, all electric resistance heating is 100 per cent effi cient; this cannot be improved upon. However, products off ering some aspect of improved capability can create real advantage for the user. For example, a product can be made more responsive through sophisticated, intuitive, self-learning controls.’ Indeed, controls off er a useful extra source of
The need for electricians to be able to work across an entire house has never been so important
revenue, according to Andy Mansfi eld, marketing communications manager, responsible for heating controls at Honeywell: ‘With an abundance of installers to partner with, a growing demand from homeowners for modern controls and constantly evolving technology, heating controls are an ideal market for an electrician to capitalise on.’ Currently, around eight million homes in the
UK do not have any form of room thermostat installed and, of those that do, many are ineffi cient, outdated or are in need of an upgrade, so there is a large market on which electrical contractors can capitalise. Mansfi eld continues: ‘Despite the increase
in wireless technology in heating controls, an element of wiring is still a necessity, so there is still very much a need for the electrician in the
Danfl oss heating control panel
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