PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2024 4 News Review


Report pessimistic on heat pump progress


A new report from the National Audit Office has found that government plans to significantly increase heat pump installation in homes across the UK by the end of the decade are falling well short of targets. The number of heat pump


installations by December 2023 was less than half of projections. The NAO report analysed progress


under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which aims to replace traditional gas boilers with low carbon alternatives such as heat pumps. It found that installations under the scheme has significantly underdelivered against expectations, with just 18,900 heat pumps installed between May 2022 and December 2023, when 50,000 were expected. More widely, the NAO report


says government assumptions that 600,000 heat pumps could be


installed annually by 2028 – an eleven-fold increase on 2021 levels – appear overly optimistic based on current rates of consumer demand and supply from manufacturers. A major factor holding back the


rollout according to the report is the higher up-front costs of installing a heat pump compared to a standard gas boiler. Furthermore, government attempts to better balance costs between gas and electricity through mechanisms like price rebates and levies have been delayed, and installation costs have also fallen slower than anticipated. The NAO also found government


lacks a coordinated long-term strategy to improve public awareness of low carbon heating. Katrina Young, practice manager (heat policy and local energy) at Energy Systems Catapult,


Increased capacity


Tepeo, the company behind the Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB), has opened a new facility that will drive the manufacturer’s research and development efforts and triple its production ability. The new facility will not only increase the number of ZEBs produced but also provide a new home for some of Tepeo’s growing team. Johan du Plessis, CEO of tepeo,


says: “The NAO report is clear in the challenges that need to be overcome if we’re to decarbonise home heating at scale and pace. Policy support has historically been focused on reducing up-front costs. While important, other barriers - such as reducing the running costs of electrified heating compared to a gas boiler – will hold us back.


Independents have the edge with clients When asked specifically, four in


five said a tradesperson’s technical ability and attention to detail was their top priority. Three in four also picked reliability as being very important. • 79% voted for a high skill level and attention to detail • 75% voted for reliability • 59% voted for regular and consistent updates • 24% voted for respect for property and tidiness Nearly all favoured these qualities


A new survey from UK workwear supplier Clothes2Order has found that over nine in 10 British people say they prefer to hire independent tradespeople rather than large companies. The survey of attitudes towards


hiring tradespeople like plumbers and electricians found a massive


93% of respondents said they opt for smaller, locally-based sole traders or small businesses. This landslide vote indicates that,


overall, the public perceives smaller businesses to be more trustworthy, or perhaps expect to receive a more personalised service when working with an independent contractor.


above competitive pricing. Other important factors mentioned were a professional and smart appearance, and the speedy completion of a job. On the downside, the findings


highlighted some red flags that customers have encountered. Things like tradespeople adding unexpected extra costs part way through a job or poor communication over timelines both featured highly in complaints.


Championing the next generation of plumbers, Talon, the provider of pipe clips and plumbing accessories, has unveiled the debut instalment of its ‘Apprentice Questions’ video series, featuring Jayson Fairburn, aka Mr. London Plumber on Instagram. Each video will spotlight a seasoned installer who began their journey as an apprentice and has since forged a successful career in the plumbing sector. They will share their personal stories – the ‘why and how’ of their career choices – offer advice to budding apprentices and underscore the essential skills required to excel in this field. Use the reader online link below to access the new video series. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/424/05


“The rebalancing of policy levies


and charges on electricity and gas bills is crucial to incentivise low carbon heating technologies. All options on the table, however, have potentially unequal distributional impacts on households, and the extent to which the policy will affect the heating system choice of consumers is uncertain.”


says: “Our mission to become leaders in low carbon heating solutions meant we need to increase our manufacturing capacity to build more of our Smart Heat Batteries. Opening our new facility reflects the increasing demand for low carbon home heating and is a sign of what the future will hold for Tepeo .”


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