search.noResults

search.searching

note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
CONTROLS


Why smart? S


elling smart thermostats is hard – but the best people to do so are installers through recommendation when you are visiting homes to maintain boilers, says Simon Anderson chief strategy officer for geo It might be a good idea not to call them smart thermostats. Our research shows that most people don’t really know what a thermostat is. They are also resistant to the word smart: everything is called smart these days. The combination of the two words is thus not a great start. The term smart thermostat should really be aimed at professionals, not consumers. Secondly, there are several on the market and it


is really too much to expect people to be able to make a choice – especially when they are turned off in the first place by the name. Which is why installers are in a good position to


make the sale. You are trusted and if you can explain the benefits and install one then and there, it makes the sale so much easier for both parties.


So how do you sell one? The answer is simplicity and savings. Most people don’t leave their lights on when they leave home but do leave their heating on - which probably costs them 10 times more. Why? Because they can see lights when they are on and can switch them off easily – you can’t see heating easily when it is on and you want it to come on again before you get home. So, ask them: what percentage of the time do they leave their heating on when they don’t need to? Then ask them to estimate how much that is costing them. The chances are that they will not know the answer to either question, so here is some guidance. The average UK gas bill is around £750, the majority of which is spent on heating. Thus, having your heating on for 10% longer than needed will cost around £70. If their heating is on for 10 hours a day (three hours in the morning and seven in the evening) just leaving home and going to bed 30 minutes before the heating goes off is 10%. And


then there are all the times they are out in the evening or away for the weekend… The savings quickly add up. Simpler heating controls (such as geo's Cosy)


are all about making it easier to control your heating so you don’t leave it on when you don’t need to. A controller sits in the main living space and lets users switch their heating – and hot water – on and off as easily as switching lights on and off. You don’t have to have a mobile phone in your pocket to make it work – or a fixed routine that the system can “learn”.


SafetyMatters I


The evolution of gas safety and considerations today


nflammable gas was first recognised in the UK in 1667, according to the National Gas Museum, and as its uses were explored, considerations


towards health and safety increased. However, it took a disastrous event for the industry to wake up to the dangers and face its responsibilities. In 1968 a gas explosion blew out load-bearing


walls in a 22-storey tower block at Ronan Point in East London. The corner of the building collapsed and killed five people. Caitriona Deakin, CEO of CORGI Services (pictured right), discusses how this disaster changed the face of the gas industry and shares advice for today’s installers.


Gas safety milestones CORGI was founded in 1970 as a direct result of the Ronan Point event, and shortly after, we introduced the gas registration scheme, which became mandatory by law in 1991. This meant installers were required to show evidence of their competence before being able to perform gas work, and the levels of safety increased for consumers. During the 17 years that CORGI gas registration


was in place the number of domestic gas-related fatalities fell from 30 to 12. And the Gas Safe Register (today’s regulator) has continued this momentum, as found by


registered charity The Gas Safety Trust (GST). Established in 2005, GST is said to be the UK’s leading gas safety research provider, and its work is funded by profits from CORGI. Working with leading universities including


University City London, Aston University and Liverpool John Moores University, it aims to improve gas safety for the public and industry. During its research, the GST identified that there


were three carbon monoxide poisoning fatalities in 2014, and figures are decreasing each year.


How to become “gas safe registered” The Gas Safe Register says: • You’ll need the right qualifications and evidence of your competence. This is awarded through an assessment that is passed on to the Gas Safe Register. • The Gas Safe Register accepts the following: the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS); the formal qualification: Scottish / National Vocational Qualification (S / NVQ); and the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF). Once you’ve applied, you’re given a


probationary registration status lasting three months. This means means you’re registered to carry out gas work, you’re required to keep records of and notify the Gas Safe Register on all gas work you do, and the regulator will use this information to determine whether you’ve demonstrated competence when giving you your full registration.


Today’s installer It’s crucial that today’s installers understand the importance of becoming “Gas Safe Registered,” and that they renew it every 12 months, as it’s only valid for one year. In addition to this it’s essential that installers are clued up on gas safety tips. CORGI recommends sharing the following with homeowners:


• Check all gas appliances including boilers, gas cookers and fires annually. • Check all appliances for warning signs to ensure they’re working correctly e.g. crisp blue ones instead of lazy yellow flames, black marks or stains on appliances and too much condensation in rooms. • Invest in audible carbon monoxide alarms and ensure it’s located near gas appliances. • Ensure that there’s enough ventilation for gas appliances to burn efficiently, and that vents are not blocked.


www.heatingandventilating.net


August 2017


14

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56