BSEE


s part of the 2018 Budget, the Chancellor has announced the closure of the enhanced capital allowances (ECA) scheme from April 2020. Businesses looking to invest in energy efficiency measures should plan now to take full advantage of tax relief opportunities, says Remeha. The Government’s measure to close the enhanced capital allowances scheme will end the first year allowance on the Energy Technology List (ETL) and the Water Technology List (WTL), including the associated first year tax credit, from April 2020 onwards. It will also update the lists of energy- efficient or environmentally beneficial products or technologies for 2019 to 2020 which are eligible for first-year allowances.


ECA scheme closure looming, warns Remeha A


“Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways for businesses to improve the energy performance of their buildings. As a large user of energy in a building, heating is frequently a starting place for efficiency measures. And by providing accelerated tax relief on higher energy-efficient equipment, like our own condensing boiler range, the ECA has helped businesses take a whole-life approach to costing for greater long-term energy and emissions savings.


Paul Arnold, product manager at Remeha (pictured right), says: “The ECA is a popular scheme that has been in place since 2001 to encourage the manufacture and uptake of increasingly energy-efficient products and technologies.


“Businesses will still have an annual investment allowance (AIA) of £200,000. But we would advise any businesses intending to invest in energy efficiency upgrades to plan and budget in the next year. This will allow them to take advantage of tax relief for ETL products via the ECA, if the AIA maximum has already been met.” Qualifying costs include the installation and transportation costs, in addition to the cost of the equipment. For more information on the ending of ECA allowances visit the website at:


Switch2 shortlisted for four Energy Network Awards


www.gov.uk/government/publications/ ending-enhanced-capital-allowances- for-energy-and-water-efficient-plant-and -machinery


Stroma Group officially launches Stroma Built Environment T


he Stroma Group has launched its new division, Stroma Built Environment, which becomes one of the UK’s largest providers of environmental sustainability and compliance services to the construction industry.


Stroma Built Environment is formed from Stroma’s existing Stroma Tech division, as well as Bespoke Builder Services Environmental (BBSE) and HRS Services which were acquired by the Stroma Group in 2016 and 2017 respectively. This new division of the Stroma Group has brought together a wealth of experience and expertise to deliver Environmental Monitoring, Performance Testing, Energy Consultancy and Management and Health & Safety Services throughout the RIBA Plan of Work from Stage 0 to Stage 7.


Over the past 18 months, a detailed integration programme has taken place to merge the very best elements


of BBSE, HRS Services and Stroma Tech in order to create a premier environmental sustainability and compliance service provider. The process was guided and informed by their existing client relations to ensure each step in the integration would help to maintain and advance the excellent service already received by clients from the three individual businesses. Stroma Built Environment has the ability to deliver specialist services throughout the project lifecycle, with support available from concept design stage through to project completion, occupation and operation. Its team of air and acoustics engineers, environmental and energy consultants and support staff is one of the largest in the UK, with a national presence to provide project support at a local level. Stroma Built Environment delivers Air, Acoustics, BREEAM, Energy


Assessments, SAP, SBEM, Thermography, Health & Safety Services and many


Network Awards, which recognise outstanding achievement across the UK energy network sector. Switch2's success in transforming the


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performance of London's City House community heating scheme included improvements to system efficiency and reliability, leading to cost and carbon savings. This achievement was recognised by judges, who shortlisted the district heating specialist for the Heat Network Project of the Year Award.


The Switch2 Optimise solution that has helped deliver dramatic


more services which support clients to achieve their regulatory, sustainability and energy efficiency targets. Steve Horrocks, managing director, Stroma Built Environment, said: “Stroma Built Environment is a vibrant new brand combining an impressive suite of specialist testing, consulting and environmental assessment services via a sole provider. We look forward to working with our clients and partners on future projects. Clients can trust a reputation built by BBSE, HRS Services and Stroma Tech for efficient, timely and high quality services delivered by experienced professionals.”


New report highlights condensation issues in UK social housing


hoosing an alternative to traditional Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems with heaters could improve tenant acceptability and energy efficiency in social housing properties, according to a new report published by Elta Fans. ‘Combatting Condensation: A guide to solving condensation issues faced by the social housing sector’ aims to educate social house builders and landlords around the escalating issue of condensation in social housing, while providing solid and realistic guidance on improving ventilation, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Paul Harrington, head of residential sales at Elta Fans, comments: “Condensation isn’t a new problem, however, amongst a drive to make properties more energy efficient and better insulated, we are


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losing fresh air and ventilation in our homes. As such,


condensation can quickly lead to damp and mould which will affect tenants’ health and the properties themselves.” This report sheds a light on the issues condensation poses for social housing providers, while explaining condensation season and its common misdiagnosis as damp. The report goes on to consider the financial and health implications of


condensation and evaluates the ventilation systems that are currently being installed in social housing properties. Finally, the case for upgrading current ventilation systems for a more intelligent solution to help manage the risk of


condensation in social housing properties is put forward. Harrington continues: “Social housing providers have a responsibility to maintain air


4 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2019


quality and comfort for their tenants and tackling


condensation plays a significant role in this. Industry needs to move away from an over-reliance on heaters in PIV systems, and towards more measured and targeted ventilation.” The guide is available to download from: http://bit.ly/2BkxRNM


improvements for City House also won the company a place in the final of the Data Project of the Year and ‘Gamechanger' (partners) awards. Switch2's dedication to customer service has also been recognised with a place in the final of the Stakeholder Engagement Award. This celebrates those that have gone above and beyond statutory requirements to support everyone involved


witch2 Energy has been shortlisted for four prestigious


NEWS


in the network, particularly end users.


Richard Slee, CEO of Switch2 Energy (above), said: “It is an honour to be shortlisted for four of the 13 awards alongside many of the UK's elite network businesses. We are proud to drive ever higher operational performance and customer service standards in the heat network industry. Our success is due to our talented team, who are committed to continuous innovation and technical excellence, while placing the customer at the heart of everything we do.” The awards final will take place on 26 March 2019 to coincide with the Network Forum event in Birmingham.


ECA backs government plans for electrical safety in PRS F


ollowing the government’s response to a public consultation on electrical safety in the private rented sector (PRS), including the MHCLG’s move for mandated five-yearly electrical checks, leading electro technical trade body, ECA has responded to the main conclusions.


ECA director of technical, Steve Martin, commented: “ECA has long argued for regular electrical checks to take place in privately rented homes. It is vital that tenants feel safe wherever they live, and that landlords are provided with a cost-effective and practical way forward, which these proposals deliver.


“An important test will lie in the enforcement regime, and it is vital that those with oversight, such as councils, have the tools they need to ensure landlords follow the law. It is now key that the government puts these plans into law at the nearest opportunity.” Some of the main conclusions set out in government’s response include: Introducing legislation to make five- yearly electrical safety checks


mandatory; Producing new guidance for landlords that demonstrates the levels of qualification and competence required to carry out electrical inspections; and a commitment to ensuring the regulations are properly enforced and that there are real penalties for failing to comply.


ECA director of employment and skills, Andrew Eldred, added: “The government’s response represents a pragmatic, practicable approach that will ensure that businesses with a properly qualified and skilled workforce who follow good industry practice can deliver this vital work.


“ECA backs government plans to provide new guidance to landlords that will put qualifications at the heart of proving the competency of those carrying out the work.”


The government’s response comes after an initial consultation was held from February to April 2018, to which ECA responded. In July 2018, the government announced that regulations would be introduced requiring private landlords to carry out electrical safety checks every five years.


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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