PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 6 News Review


Demand for solar soaring in Scotland


BESA calls for a building upgrade scheme


The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to help accelerate growth in the number of whole building retrofit projects. The Association believes only “a holistic approach to building performance” will unlock the full potential of the building services industry to cut carbon emissions, improve energy security and reduce consumers’ bills. While welcoming the recently announced allocation of an extra £1.5bn to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), it argues that funds would be better directed at whole building solutions. BESA has also sought to downplay


Last year saw more certified heat pumps and solar panels being installed in Scottish homes and businesses than ever before, with an 18% jump on the previous record set in 2022. More than 30,000 solar panels, heat pumps and other


renewable energy technologies were installed across the nation last year, according to figures from the MCS database of registered installations. Scottish government grants for homeowners and social


landlords will have helped drive demand, alongside advice provided by Home Energy Scotland. Heat pump installations soared by 113% between 2020 and 2023, with grants of up to £9000 available for installations, but the vast majority of MCS installations registered last year were solar panels, at nearly 26,000. This is a 174% increase on 2020, when just over 9000 certified solar panel installations were carried out. Nearly one in ten Scottish households (8.23%) now have


MCS-certified renewable energy in their homes, with more than 200,000 installations in total. David Cowdrey, director of external affairs at the MCS


Foundation, comments: “Scottish households are leading the UK in renewable energy installations, and the record figures from 2023 show a very positive trajectory for solar panels and heat pumps. Scottish government grants of up to £9000 have helped to boost installations and get more households off polluting fossil fuels and onto cheaper and more efficient renewables. To reduce energy bills and tackle the climate crisis the rate of installations must continue to increase. This will need action from Westminster as well, to reduce the costs of electricity so that even more households can make savings on their energy bill by replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump.”


the potential of hydrogen for heating buildings, saying it only had “limited feasibility” due to a range of financial and technical difficulties. “There is a danger that hydrogen


becomes a damaging distraction because of vested interests trying to keep it in the decarbonisation picture, but it will only play a very minor role


BESA also believes that ESG


(environmental, social and governance) reporting will have an impact on building energy efficiency this year as clients come under pressure to be fully transparent about their net zero strategies to bolster their corporate reputations. In addition, all newly


leased


in buildings long-term,” says BESA technical director Graeme Fox. “It certainly could play some part in industrial and transport sectors, but not home heating – the infrastructure issues are too complex and the costs too high. “We need to keep focused on full


building retrofits that make best use of energy efficient design and existing low carbon heating and cooling solutions,” he adds.


Advice on frozen condensate


With many parts of the UK having recently experienced sub-zero temperatures, the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is encouraging heating engineers to ensure that condensate discharge pipes are installed correctly, and any installations are upgraded where they have a risk of freezing in extreme cold weather. Some households could experience issues related to the condensate discharge pipe freezing and becoming blocked with ice. While it is the responsibility of a heating engineer to confirm that the condensate discharge pipe has been fitted and insulated


correctly, prolonged sub-zero temperatures may still raise the need to thaw the pipe. To help prevent homes experiencing


heating and hot water issues and engineers being called out to condensate-related jobs during winter, the HHIC has released an updated best practice installation and maintenance guide. The guide features several key instructions for installing a condensate pipe that will provide maximum protection to the boiler and the customer. It also outlines the alternative of condensate pumps and how to overcome the challenges associated


with existing installations. Multiple diagrams to assist with external connections are followed by a list of other considerations, like the type of insulation materials, air breaks in condensate discharge pipes and the issue of unheated areas in buildings. To download the guide, please use


the online reader link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/05


Bathroom exhibition highlights latest ideas


QUANTUM - THE WORLD’S FIRST PUSH BUTTON SYPHON


Leak-Free Syphonic Technology


Optimises Water Usage


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KBB Birmingham, the annual exhibition for the UK kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms sector, is set to open its doors to visitors at the NEC on 3rd March. The four- day show provides an insight into the latest products and design trends and is predicted to offer a showcase for 250 exhibitors and attract a total audience of over 15,000. An increase in more sustainable solutions and


technological advances are key themes which are said to be driving consumer demand as well as supporting their changing lifestyle needs. Statement art in the bathroom in the form of bold furniture pieces or playful tiling to give the consumer more creativity through personalisation are also likely to be strongly in evidence. In both the bathroom and kitchen sectors, sustainability


remains a key feature in interior design projects as consumers are keen to make conscious choices. Many bathroom brands are following suit, emphasising their consumer and environmental focus with water-saving fittings that greatly reduce water use. “It has never been so important to encourage consumers


to make water-efficient purchases for their bathroom to reduce household consumption,” says Tom Reynolds CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. To register for your free KBB Birmingham visitor pass,


British design, British build, Family business Quantum_FAM_Half Page.indd 1 30/01/2024 15:17:06


please use the online link below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/06


commercial buildings will need to achieve EPC ratings of ‘C’ or higher from 2025 – with existing leases required to meet the same target by 2028 – and the Association said this could unlock greater investment this year as landlords seek to meet the deadlines. “2024 could be a big year for


accelerating whole building retrofits to drive better energy performance, and the consultation is another opportunity for the government to send positive and supportive signals to the market,” concludes Fox.“Let’s turn the Boiler Upgrade Scheme into the Building Upgrade Scheme.”


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