INDUSTRY NEWS FETA ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE T
he Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) has named Chris Yates as the new
FETA chief executive. This decision follows a rigorous and thorough selection
process involving representation from across the Federation’s associations. Mr Yates will take over in early September from Russell Beattie, who had delayed his original departure date due to the COVID-19 situation. Mr Yates has worked in the low carbon and renewable
heating and ventilation sector since 1998 and has gained extensive experience running manufacturing/distribution companies and working for the Energy Utilities Alliance (EUA). He has either been a member of, or chaired, a variety
of government/industry bodies representing low carbon fuels, gas installation and appliances, both in the UK and Europe. He has also been a steering group member of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and chaired the Installer subgroup. Recently, he has been running the
CORGI brand licensing business, which has a number of partnerships, as well as being a non-executive director of the National Home Improvement Council. He has also been a non-executive director of the Gas Industry Safety Group and chair of OFTEC. Russell Beattie has occupied the FETA chief executive
role since 2014. He previously worked for the John Smith Memorial Trust and served in the Armed Forces. He said: “It has been a privilege to be the FETA CEO for the past seven years during a time when we have seen some landmark developments in our industry and their effect on our environment. I would like to thank all the members for their support and to welcome Chris and wish him all the best in taking on this role.” On his appointment Mr Yates commented: “I am delighted to be succeeding Russell as chief executive of FETA. I am very much looking forward to working with the FETA membership and the wider industry as the UK transitions towards net zero carbon.”
CONSUMER CONCERNS RAISED BY EUA REPORT A
new report published by the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), ‘Too Close to Home’
claims that while consumers broadly support the Government’s climate change efforts there are deep concerns about the associated costs and disruption to homes due to the installation of low carbon heating technologies. With some low carbon technologies
such as heat pumps costing between £8,000-£14,000, 80% of respondents said that this was either too excessive and they couldn’t afford to pay (54%), or that they would pay it only with financial support (26%). Mike Foster, chief executive at the
EUA, says the consumer needs to be the focus of the Government’s home decarbonisation efforts. “The key issue here is affordability. The British public wants to ‘do their bit’ to deal with climate change, but the potential cost of the heat pumps to replace boilers is regarded as excessive. For many consumers a new boiler costing circa £2,500 is a major expense, but the installation of a heat pump and associated equipment, such as hot water tanks, will dwarf this. Unless there is a rethink the Government risks a consumer backlash that will have a major impact on our ability to hit the
pumps and make all the surrounding alterations that need to be made, which could include insulation, water tanks and new radiators.” The report also makes clear that
consumer choice in terms of energy sources is vitally important. 73% of consumers said it is important to keep both gas and electricity connected to their home, despite current government plans to ban all gas boilers by 2035. Gas is also currently the most popular fuel for heating, hot water and cooking in UK homes with more than 21 million households on the mains gas network. Consumers welcomed initiatives such as hydrogen boilers, with 72% supporting efforts of UK manufacturers to develop low carbon gas boilers. “It is clear that the consumer wants
UK’s climate change targets.” One potential solution is for the
Government to introduce a financing scheme to help pay for new home heating and hot water technologies. A combined 76% expected either a non- repayable grant for the full amount (40%), or a non-repayable grant for a proportion of the amount above the cost of a new boiler (36%). Mr Foster continued: “The British
public is sending a clear message that it cannot afford to install heat
to retain a form of gas heating, such as hydrogen, delivered to them through the existing gas network. It is vital we give consumers a choice and avoid imposing decisions upon them. Heat pumps will be the choice for some, but others will not accept the cost and the disruption to their homes. I would urge the Government to open their minds to a hydrogen future for heat, or their voters will want to see the Government open their cheque books and pay the costs of net zero.”
Inbrief
Johnson Controls has selected R-454B, a lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, to replace R-410A in its ducted residential and commercial unitary products as well as air-cooled scroll chillers.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
Ideal Heat Solutions has warned that the challenges of the winter months head and the coronavirus make it essential for healthcare and education building owners to have a disaster plan in place which includes temporary measures to keep the heat on.
www.idealheatsolutions.co.uk
BESA has called for a concerted response from the worldwide refrigeration and air conditioning community after a spate of fatal accidents reportedly linked to faulty repair work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in Nigeria.
www.thebesa.com
REHAU has expressed concern about wellbeing being ‘value- engineered’ out of buildings which are being converted from shops into housing and has called on contractors to champion a healthy approach to M&E solutions.
www.rehau.com
Organisations that invest in clean air technology today will improve the health and productivity of their staff and customers immediately. That was the message from Mark Bouldin, healthy buildings expert at Johnson Controls, on Clean Air Day.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
To support the demand for qualified engineers and installers, Fernox is working alongside Cambridge Regional College to provide product, technical advice and training.
fernox.com
Milton Keynes-based Plumbing & Gas Solutions has scooped a national award and has been revealed as a double finalist in the SME MK & Buckinghamshire business awards.
www.plumbgassolutions.co.uk
British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia’s Silhouette bathroom fan has celebrated is 16th birthday.
www.vent-axia.com
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