BSEE-FEB22-PG06 News & Quote.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2022 13:09 Page 6
BSEE
18 million homes may be unable to decarbonise heating
Zero according to the Hot Water Association (HWA).
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The HWA has highlighted gaps in government policy, which could result in unnecessary costs to consumers and the UK falling short of Net Zero, or at the very least, making it harder to reach.
A recent HWA report ‘No Place Like Home’ comes with a stark warning for government to ‘do more’. Commenting, Isaac Occhipinti, director of external affairs at the HWA said: “The political focus of decarbonising heating has been solely on the heat source; such as boilers and heat pumps. There has been little to no focus on hot water cylinders, and recognition for the vital part they play in the efficient
round 18 million homes may need to install a hot water cylinder in order for the UK to meet Net
operation of low carbon heating. There is also, currently untapped potential for them to act as domestic batteries.”
“To decarbonise heating, all UK homes will need low to zero carbon heating. Most, currently available, low carbon heating solutions require a hot water cylinder.”
“With a gap of 18 million homes in England, it is clear that homeowners are not replacing or installing cylinders at the speed required to meet our decarbonisation targets. Also, where a hot water store has been removed the space is often repurposed for additional storage or bathrooms, and therefore re- introducing a hot water store can prove challenging.”
“The Government must do more to educate homeowners, local authorities and social landlords on the need for hot water storage, and
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homeowners should be able to access incentives if they wish to replace their hot water cylinder with no stipulation on the type of system to be installed only that it is a suitable replacement. This will also mean that in the future the cost of moving to new heating systems will be reduced.”
Webinar series covers all technical topics N
ICEIC, the UK’s leading certification provider for the building services industry, is delivering a
new series of the technical webinars, THE WIRE. Covering the most relevant technical topics, episodes will discuss maximum demand and diversity and battery storage.
Delivered via a new browser-based platform, the 2022 series will also feature a newcomer, the NICEIC Pub Quiz, a fun interactive segment designed to test (and reward) the most technically advanced minds. “When the pandemic struck back in 2020, the world looked for quality sources of remote learning. Quick to respond we doubled our efforts on The Wire to ensure our contractors had the resources they needed”, said NICEIC and ELECSA’s technical director, John O’Neill.
“Since this time, we have
broadcasted 48 episodes delivering over 40 hours of CPD Certified learning. Our live sessions attracted significant numbers and were often maxed out, while our on-demand service also attracted a large following.
“The combined result is one we are extremely proud of. Since April 2020, we have issued 69,000 personalised CPD certificates to our registered contractors, a fantastic number and
one we are committed to exceeding in 2022.”
Mr O’Neill said: “We believe the improved functionality of our new platform, coupled with our fresh and engaging new content, will ensure 2022 is another record-breaking year for The Wire. We are focused and ready to kick off another year, supporting our contractors providing them with the tools they need to remain at the forefront of the industry.”
Ecoserv Group gains certified carbon neutral status E
coserv Group, the multi- discipline facilities management company, has achieved certified carbon neutral by offsetting 1,285kg of CO2e.
Partnering with Ecologi, Ecoserv Group has offset its 2020 carbon footprint, covering scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and will maintain neutral status while the company works towards its target of Net Zero by 2030. “Our aim is to be Net Zero without the need to invest in carbon removal projects by 2030, but in the meantime this offsetting represents a major milestone in our sustainability journey,” explains Sally Ann Van Blerk, group sustainability and brand director at Ecoserv Group. “We are proud of the fact that this offsetting covers scope 3 hotspots including all commuting across our workforce and franchise offices, which is rare within the facilities management marketplace.” Under the agreement with Ecologi, Ecoserv Group will support two climate projects that are directly impacting atmospheric CO2 levels. As a result, the company is making a
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funding contribution to a wind power plant in Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam, that is generating 372,000 MWh of electricity annually, as well as helping to preserve 27,000 hectares of Amazonian rainforest in Brazil. “The race to Net Zero is really gearing up and as an organisation we want to be carbon positive as soon as possible. We will continue to offset
6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2022
where we cannot reduce or reduction remains an ongoing goal, but for us this is only a temporary solution. Last year we took steps to calculate our exact carbon footprint and establish science-based reduction targets, which will underpin our efforts this year to develop and implement effective carbon removal initiatives,” adds Ms Van Blerk.
Michael Christou, director at building, electrical, and gas service company Just A Phase, said the following in response to a study by Vape Club which made stark revelations about worker stress levels:
“One of the biggest strains on construction workers right now is deadlines, we have seen a large increase in materials shortages which means construction workers are forced to work longer and harder to catch up on the time lost due to these shortages.
Most of these shortages are due to Brexit with shipping delays being a major issue and has caused already squeezed project deadlines to be even more unrealistic and very unmanageable in many cases. Also, COVID restrictions have played a part in the delays and shortages of delivery of materials. All of this funnels down to the construction workers on the ground as they are pushed harder and expected to do more.
It is key to ensure that construction workers are not pushed into burnout… I have seen in some cases construction workers nearly in tears with the amount of pressure they can be put under.”
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NEWS & QUOTES Quote, unquote
Mark Bouldin, clean air expert, Johnson Controls UK&I comments as follows on keeping indoor air clean and safe…
“To ensure our workplaces, schools, and hospitals are healthy and safe for everyone, clean air must be taken seriously. Thankfully, technologies exist that can capture 99.7% of airborne pathogens, ensuring the air people breathe is safe. But even just ensuring clean air is being filtered in from the outside can be enough. We spend 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air is sometimes five times more polluted than outdoor air. And that doesn’t just affect the transmission of Covid-19. Poor air quality can also mean increased CO2 levels, particulate matter, and VOCs, all of which are proven to impact our health and productivity. “The onus is on governments to introduce a national standard for internal air quality that corporations should be held accountable on. It will mean that poor outdoor air quality won’t affect and permeate into the building meaning the health, welfare, and productivity of building occupants can be kept to the highest standard. Businesses can only hope to achieve this with technologies that help monitor and improve the quality of air.
“Air quality needs to be put firmly on the agenda. Only then, can we create safe places for everyone to thrive so that we can resume to normality while keeping those around us safe.”
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Hwyel Davies, technical director, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers commented as follows after the publication of the revision to Building Regulations in England… “CIBSE welcome new requirements for energy performance modelling and overheating risk assessments, which should help deliver better building performance outcomes. We are also pleased to see the renewed commitment that the Future Homes / Buildings standard will ensure new buildings do not need retrofit for Net Zero. We look forward to working with The Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) on this, and on the next uplifts for works to existing buildings, since retrofitting our existing stock is essential to deliver Net Zero as well as healthy and comfortable buildings.”
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