PHAM NEWS | JUNE 2024 4 News Review


Consumer support for renewable incentives


Now’s the time to set up some summer serving


Installers are being encouraged to engage their customers in dialogue about the importance of a proactive annual boiler service now, to avoid the annual surge in requests come the industry’s busiest period. The encouragement follows


Baxi’s finding that online searches for ‘boiler service’ peaked at 40,000 last October, compared to an annual low of just 12,000 last June. With such a vast difference in demand over the spring and summer compared to the start of the peak heating season, Ian Trott, head of UK training solutions at Baxi, believes now is the time for installers to encourage annual servicing during quieter months. Ian comments: “It is common


knowledge that most boiler service appointments will be booked just ahead of the heating season when customers are preparing to turn on their heating for the first time in months. Some might even choose to delay even further to the point when the system is back up and running and showing signs of a fault. But as we know, leaving servicing to the autumn, one of the busiest periods of the year for heating engineers, could leave householders having to wait weeks for an appointment.” Ian believes that actively


encouraging a service during the industry’s ‘off-peak’ period


of spring and summer has the potential to create a real win- win for both installers and their customers, especially


given


growing price-sensitivity among homeowners. “The benefits to customers of


a spring or summer service are clear. First and foremost, ensuring that the heating system operates safely and efficiently before the start of the heating season gives the homeowner welcome peace of mind of trouble-free service in the colder months ahead. We are also all familiar with instances where a customer requests a service when in fact the boiler has actually broken down. And as we know, when it reaches this point, the cost of a repair is likely to be much higher than that of an annual service.” Investing in customer loyalty


is one area Ian believes installers can sharpen their focus on in a bid to drive a steady flow of servicing work outside of the industry’s peak period. “A simple way to buck the yearly trend is to send service reminders to customers, a tactic which in turn helps build relationships. Similarly, leaving a physical checklist or certificate with the customer upon completion of the job really underlines the value of having the service.”


A new survey undertaken on behalf of the plumbing and heating association SNIPEF suggests that there is widespread dissatisfaction with recent delays, cancellations, and scaling back of climate change targets and policies. According to the survey of 2000


adults conducted by ICM, only 19% of respondents reported feeling satisfied with the current pace of climate action. Furthermore, 35% expressed dissatisfaction with the Westminster government’s handling of climate policies, with 17% being very unsatisfied and 18% unsatisfied. Additionally, the survey asked


respondents whether they would support a further increase in government incentives for renewable energy installations in residences, such as solar panels or heat pumps, to help the UK meet its climate target obligations. The


results show strong support, with 59% in favour, 19% opposed, and


22% unsure. Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of


SNIPEF, comments: “These results should be a wake-up call. The significant level of dissatisfaction among the public reflects a growing concern about the government’s commitment to addressing climate change. The recent delays and rollbacks in climate policies are not only disappointing but also undermine public trust and the future of our environmental sustainability. “The strong support for increased government incentives for renewable energy installations highlights the public’s willingness


to embrace solutions that


contribute to our climate goals. It is imperative that the government listens to these voices and implements policies that facilitate the transition to sustainable energy.” According to SNIPEF, the changing targets and policy uncertainty have also had a profound impact on the plumbing and heating profession. Industry professionals are expected to install new heating technologies like heat pumps, but with the government’s shifting goals, many in the profession feel inhibited from investing in the necessary training, technology and workforce development.


Gas fitter who put lives at risk is taken to court


A rogue gas fitter in Stoke-on- Trent has been sentenced after fitting a boiler when he was not qualified to do so. Nathan Birks pleaded guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre to carrying out gas work illegally and providing false paperwork claiming he was Gas Safe registered. Stoke-on-Trent City Council brought the case


after a


householder alerted them that Birks had fitted a new boiler in their home last year, but when a genuine Gas Safe engineer inspected the work, they found multiple safety issues with the installation. The customer had to pay another trader to correctly


install the boiler. Birks received an eight month


custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to do 10 rehabilitation activities as well as 80 hours community


service. In addition, he was fined a total of £2,218.64 including £850 compensation to be paid back to the consumer. Councillor Amjid Wazir


comments: “There are real risks when unqualified and unregistered persons carry out gas work; the cost to consumers can be fatal. Unregistered gas fitters gain an unfair advantage when competing against qualified and registered engineers. “This is a dishonest practice which can put lives at risk. This case underlines that we take rogue trader offences seriously in Stoke-on-Trent and will prosecute wherever appropriate to protect residents.”


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