INDUSTRY NEWS Inbrief
Uponor has been officially named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing 2023 by Great Place to Work. The award recognises companies that are dedicated to supporting colleague wellbeing and ensure that a positive workplace is felt by everyone in the organisation.
www.uponor.com
Baroness Parminter
communicating the benefits of heat pumps versus fossil fuel systems. “For example, a heat pump will typically save 5%-10% in annual running costs compared to a gas boiler. We also believe the ban on the installation of gas boilers in new homes should be brought forward if heat pumps are to become mainstream and support the UK’s net zero ambition. “Clearer training support for installers – particularly sole operators – will be key to meeting this target, too. Daikin currently trains 3,000 engineers to fit low carbon heat pumps every year, but we have the capacity to double this number. The government needs to support our industry in shouting about the opportunities that jobs in the green economy offer.” Dr Matthew Trewhella, CEO of The Kensa Group said:
“We are calling on the government to reconsider the subsidies that are currently offered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which is currently failing to incentivise ground source heat pumps fairly. “We propose that grant levels should be related to
carbon savings as ground source heat pumps are the most energy efficient heating and cooling technology. They should also be reflective of the impact on the grid and the longevity of the infrastructure – both of which are more beneficial with ground source technology. “A Networked Heat Pump solution provides a tangible pathway for a widescale and rapid transition away from gas to renewable energy for all buildings
including; commercial, private homes and tower blocks. This solution is available right now as demonstrated by our current projects with Thurrock Council and Northumberland Council, and Heat The Streets; a pioneering scheme offering high value, low-carbon ground source heat pump technology to households of any tenure, street-by-street, with the ground array infrastructure in the street, mimicking the gas grid.” In response to the House of Lords Boiler Upgrade Scheme Inquiry, an energy industry expert is emphasising the need to scrap the scheme and focus on measures to bring energy bills down. Meanwhile Mike Foster, chief executive of the not-for-
profit trade association the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has called for the BUS to be scrapped. He said: “This report confirms just how far removed
this committee is from the average member of the public. While we agree the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is failing, we want to see it scrapped, rather than see the recommendation of the committee to double-down on the flawed policy be supported.” “Giving a £5,000 taxpayer handout to the well-off is
immoral and simply cannot be justified when millions are living in fuel poverty and we all face a 20 per cent increase in our bills from April.” “The committee suggests removing government
protections around insulation requirements as a way of increasing the take up of heat pumps, when this will only push up bills and create a backlash against this technology. Because the money is tied up in the scheme, it can’t be used to fund sensible measures like insulation that permanently reduce bills and carbon emissions. Insulation can also be targeted at the least well-off, making it a fairer policy too!” “The Government’s plans for hydrogen-ready boilers
are a no regrets option going forward, helping households decarbonise their homes with minimal disruption and crucially without the £13,000 upfront cost of a heat pump.” “This sum may be pocket change to the committee members but to most British households, it is simply eye- watering; they can’t afford it with or without a £5,000 bung.”
The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) has followed up the results of its recent payments survey by issuing a new Best Practice Guide to help contractors and sub-contractors improve cashflow and prevent costly and damaging disputes.
https://cicvforum.co.uk
A new report by The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) and Partners details the benefits of a technology-agnostic approach to decarbonising buildings; tailoring solutions to achieve the best outcomes. sustainableenergyassociation. com
The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International and Eurovent have announced a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two manufacturer associations.
www.amca.org https://eurovent.eu
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched an expanded and rebranded BESA Industry Awards programme for 2023.
https://bit.ly/3ZcJApR
Distech Controls is expanding its European head office in Brignais, near Lyon. The works began in January 2023 and construction is expected to come to a close at the end of the year.
www.distech-controls.com
To mark the first UK Hydrogen Week, BAXI has called for the industry to respond to the Government’s pivotal Improving boiler standards and efficiency consultation.
www.baxi.co.uk
Unitherm Heating Systems celebrated two years of successful trading in the UK in February 2023.
www.unitherm.co.uk
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