www.heatingandventilating.net


and battery storage together with an energy management system can reduce electrical demand by around one third by increasing the amount of self-produced energy being used. When you consider that around 90% of the value of electricity is lost if it’s exported, as the sale price is typically around a tenth of the purchase tariff, it’s clear why this matters. However not everyone has the budget to install everything


at once, and that can be a real barrier. While it’s certainly possible to start with PV and add additional elements later when funds allow, making different systems work together retrospectively so that each element is optimised can be a headache. How do you know what you fit today will work well with the appliances of tomorrow? And which supplier should you turn to if equipment doesn’t interact correctly?


Modular approach


Viessmann has devised a solution to these dilemmas that will make switching to renewable energy much easier, and adding as you go. The Vitovolt 300 solar PV system is a modular package of market-beating heat-and-power- generating appliances designed to make installing, operating and optimising an autonomous system streamlined and simple.


This means homeowners can start with PV panels as a


first step on the road to self-sufficiency and add additional elements such as storage, heating and vehicle charging over time. Alternatively, if they already have a heat pump, it’s simple to add PV to eradicate running costs.


Financial benefits


A 4 kWp Vitovolt 300 PV system generates around 3,800 kWh/year – well over the typical UK four-person household consumption level of 2,900 kWh. Around 30% of this will be used within the home, saving approximately £422/year at 30p/kWh. Adding a battery increases household usage to 50%, giving annual savings of £627. With an electric vehicle and heat pump in the mix, nearly 100% will be used, saving £1,140/year and enabling fully renewable self-sufficiency for heat, power, hot water and transport. To obtain these kinds of savings, however, it’s essential to


have an energy management system that coordinates and optimises the entire ecosystem, improving efficiency and comfort while reducing costs and emissions. But finding software that can integrate with multiple appliances from different manufacturers is not always easy and can add extra complexity and costs. That’s why all the appliances in the Vitovolt 300 package


have Viessmann’s ‘Energy Management Inside’, a free energy-optimisation system which is connected to the Viessmann One Base system-integration platform and user- friendly ViCare app.


Viessmann also supports its customers with a residential


and commercial design service for installers and can design for east or west orientations, sometimes without ballast. Together, these innovations allow homeowners to build


a self-reliant renewable system at their own pace, secure in the knowledge it will all integrate seamlessly and work together optimally.


RENEWABLES boilingpoint


Improving payment on construction contracts


T


he construction industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK economy, contributing significantly to job


creation and economic growth. However, the sector is plagued by a persistent problem of poor payment practices, which have a detrimental effect on contractors, sub- contractors, and workers alike. Plumbing and heating/building services contractors are particularly susceptible to payment issues, often being way down the ‘food chain’ in relation to payment from the client. These practices can have a significant impact on businesses, leading to cash flow problems, reduced profitability, and even bankruptcy. In recent years, the UK government has been to taking steps to address the problem of poor payment practices in the construction industry. The government’s latest position is set out in the Construction Playbook, which was published in December 2020. The Playbook sets out a series of actions to improve payment practices and ensure fair treatment for all parties involved in construction projects – we hasten to add that the Playbook relates to procurement on Government and public works contracts only but with a will could be applied to construction contracts in the private sector. One of the key measures set out in the Construction Playbook is the requirement for all government departments and their suppliers to adhere to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC). The PPC is a voluntary code of practice that sets standards for payment practices in the UK. It requires signatories to pay suppliers on time, give clear and transparent information about payment terms, and encourage good payment practices throughout their supply chains. In addition to the PPC, the Construction


Playbook also sets out a range of other measures to improve payment practices in the construction industry. These include the use of project bank accounts (PBAs) and the requirement for contractors to provide evidence of


prompt payment before being awarded government contracts. Another measure set out in the Construction Playbook is the requirement for contractors to provide evidence of prompt payment before being awarded government contracts. This is intended to encourage good payment practices and ensure that only those contractors who are committed to fair payment practices are awarded government contracts. However, the measures set out in the Construction Playbook do not go far enough to tackle the root causes of poor payment practices.


One of the main criticisms of the Playbook is that it does not address the issue of payment retentions, where a percentage of payment is held back by the client or main contractor until the completion of the project. This can lead to cash flow problems for contractors and sub-contractors, as they are effectively lending money to the client or main contractor.


Despite these criticisms, the government’s position on poor payment practices in the construction industry is a step in the right direction. The key issue from an APHC perspective is that what’s been developed surrounding the Prompt Payment Code and Project Bank Accounts needs ‘porting’ to private as well as public contracts. Further work needs to take place on retentions and then these requirements need to be legislated for on a mandatory basis. We don’t think it’s too much to ask for - essentially, it’s about getting paid on time without significant delay.


www.aphc.co.uk


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