August 2019 Newsletter

 

‘ECO3 will cost installers and consumers dearly, Engineering services cautiously optimistic says survey, £100m Chester racecourse revamp approved, Baxi 800 range ready for September launch, Castle Building Services bags £6m M&E package’.

 

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Enquiries for new boiler installs up over 40% in summer months, reports boiler guide

According to boiler repair directory Boiler Guide, enquiries for new gas boiler installations on the platform have risen by 44.5% over the past three months, compared to May-July 2018.

The seasonal decline that often sees heating engineers struggle for business may be a thing of the past, the company says, with homeowners now more savvy to the potential savings of getting a new boiler installed when demand for heating engineers is lower.

David Holmes, Founder of Boiler Guide, said: “It’s great to see that more UK homeowners are not waiting until winter to get their boilers replaced – we are all well aware of the high demands on repair people during the colder snaps of winter and the potential implications of a broken boiler.

“In some areas of the UK you can save up to £500 by replacing your boiler in August as opposed to November, so it’s worth speaking to a heating engineer in the summer if you’re after a bargain.”

 

 

Source: HVP Magazine

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A WEEE lamp update

Visiting trade shows across the country, Recolight have learnt that disposing of waste electricals and lighting can be a headache for contractors. The Waste Electronic and Electrical Regulations were introduced to the UK back in 2007, but many contactors we spoke to either weren’t aware of them or didn’t know how to use them.

Recolight is a not for profit WEEE Compliance scheme, set up and funded by the lighting industry to manage a free lamp recycling service. If you collect 1000 lamps each quarter, the container and collection is free too. This is great for contractors carrying out a large re-lamp project, but not if you’ve only got a small number of lamps in your van. Recolight can still help though, as we have a UK network of 850 drop-off points. Search the map on the Recolight website to find the closest one, and then simply drop off your lamps between jobs. It’s free, but you do need to take a consignment note with you.

A consignment note is an Environment Agency requirement. They’re used to track the movement of hazardous waste. There are three copies, one to leave at the drop-off point, one for you, and one for your customer (where you pick up the waste from). The benefit to you, is that you can prove to your customer that you’re doing the right thing, and if you were to be stopped for a spot check by the Environment Agency, you are compliant.

You will find guidance on the Recolight website to help you with consignment notes,  WEEE storage exemptions, and waste carrier licences.

 

 

Source: Electrical Trade Magazine 

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ECO3 will ‘cost installers and consumers dearly’

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has warned that the proposals in the Government consultation for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO3) threaten the livelihoods of thousands of heating and plumbing businesses.

The consultation is seeking views on proposed changes to the current ECO3 scheme. This includes:

• Incorporating the TrustMark Government Endorsed Quality scheme (a result of Each Home Counts) into ECO3, as a route to demonstrating compliance with the most up to date relevant PAS standards and to ensure a sufficient consumer protection process and guarantees are in place.
• Technical changes to the way First Time Central Heating is treated under the scheme.

Stewart Clements, director, HHIC said: “The HHIC has consistently argued that the industry needs the existing building regulations to be better enforced and to have access to greater resources. Better policing and adherence to current standards is needed. What is not needed is another layer of expensive red and blue tape. This additional complexity will almost certainly lead to worse outcomes for more vulnerable people, who could be misled into options they do not want or need.”

“PAS2035 and Trustmark are potentially the most disruptive policy changes to hit the heating industry in decades and if we allow it to filter in unchecked, it could radically transform how heating engineers not only carry out their day job but whether they can operate at all.

“At present, ECO installers must comply with PAS 2030 which has been deemed bureaucratic, expensive and time consuming for the vast majority of heating installers. There are approximately 130,000 gas safe registered engineers in the UK and yet only 350 (0.4%) of them have registered with the scheme. Why is Government enforcing yet another scheme which is set to fail before it has even begun?

“A scheme that will financially benefit a number of accreditation companies and TrustMark, but not consumers, installers or ultimately Government who will see costs rise without any discernible change in delivery.

“Some will say that there is no cause for concern as ECO work is not compulsory and they can simply choose not to engage. We believe to adopt such a view would be naïve. This policy is sliding in below the radar. Once this standard makes its way into ECO it could (and most probably will) then make its way into Building Regulations and Gas Safe. The direction of travel is clear.”

 

 

Source: HPM Magazine

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Industry backs leading fire and security awards

 

 

Source: Electrical Contracting News

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£100m Chester Racecourse revamp approved

 

 

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B&K checks in with Manchester “Jenga” hotel

 

 

Source: Construction Enquirer 

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Castle Building Services bags £6m M&E package

 

 

Source: Construction Enquirer

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Baxi 800 range ready for September launch

Baxi has unveiled its new 800 range of boilers ahead of a full release next month, on September 2nd.

The range has been designed “to meet the changing needs of consumers”, consisting of the Baxi 825 Combi, Baxi 830 Combi, Baxi 836 Combi, Baxi 818 System and the Baxi 824 System.

Each boiler has a central flue design and comes with a 10-year parts and labour warranty, and a compact Adey Magnaclean Micro2 magnet system filter to protect the heating system.

Of the accessories available to complement the range, there is a rear pipework kit, extensive range of flues and accessories for versatile siting, IFOS in-flue weather sensors for easy compliance with Boiler Plus and the uSense smart control.

David Cook, sales director at Baxi Heating, added: “The new Baxi 800 range is straightforward to install, reliable and easy to maintain. It was designed with installers in mind, with the features they told us they prefer, such as brass hydraulics. The 10-year warranty and magnetic filter mean they can offer their customers the complete package.”

 

 

Source: HPM Magazine

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Engineering services cautiously optimistic, says survey

The latest Building Engineering Business Survey, sponsored by Scolmore, has shown that sector growth remained steady in the second quarter of 2019 in the face of rising costs and persistent payment issues.

The survey, which included data from industry trade bodies ECA, BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, found that more than 8 in 10 (81%) businesses’ turnover remained the same or increased in Q2 2019 (versus Q1 2019). Less than a fifth (18%) reported their turnover had decreased.Outlook for Q3 suggests that the vast majority (85%) of businesses expect more or the same turnover compared to Q2.ECA CEO Steve Bratt commented, “Businesses are continuing to show resilience in what is a challenging commercial environment, with increased costs and poor payment ongoing concerns. With the uncertainty of the ongoing Brexit impasse casting a shadow over industry, it’s vital that the new government injects some impetus by backing major infrastructure projects and ensuring prompt payment across the sector.”More than half (52%) of respondents reported an increase in labour costs, while two thirds (62%) reported an increase in material costs.Prompt payment remained a major challenge, with it taking over 30 days in 62 per cent of jobs in the public sector, in breach of regulations. This comes despite 56 per cent of businesses saying their clients promised below 30-day payment within contractual agreements.BESA CEO David Frise added, “It’s reassuring to see how resilient the industry is in spite of the current political situation, the continued scourge of late payments and the rising costs of labour and materials.“The new government must take heed that businesses are crying out for certainty. Until a clear consensus on what direction the country is heading emerges, this limbo will continue to hit investment and prevent us dealing with the other major challenges we face, such as climate change, air quality, improvements to the NHS and education and the housing crisis.”SNIPEF CEO Fiona Hodgson also commented, “While it is promising to see signs of steady growth in the industry, it is clear the sector still faces many challenges. Issues with poor payment practices and growing costs continue to affect the sector. It is important these problems are urgently addressed to provide certainty for businesses.”The survey received 497 responses from companies across the industry, mainly regarding their performance in Q2 2019 (1 April to 30 June 2019), and expectations for Q3 2019.

 

 

Source: Electrical Review

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Kensa to step up ground source heat pump production

Manufacturer expects new manufacturing and office complex to produce 30,000 heat pump units and support wider research in appliances able to meet UK need for lower carbon appliances

Kensa Heat Pumps has announced construction of a 1000 square metre manufacturing facility at its existing base in Cornwall that will allow it to manufacture 30,000 ground source heat pumps a year.

Announcement of the new production site, which will also include office space, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the company and will support market demand amidst the UK’s drive to decarbonise heat in buildings. The privately-funded investment will also support the manufacturer’s work to research and develop new products and components in line with new forms of refrigerant and operational benefits.

A key factor of the site’s construction will be the inclusion of underfloor heating and hot water that is fed by a ground source heat pump. The technology will make use of heat in water in the flodded mine workings below.

The new facility is expected to create potentially up to 150 new jobs with the company, which expects annual growth of 50 per cent as the government prepares to introduce regulations to end the use of high carbon fossils fuels in new build homes from 2025.

Kensa has claimed that ground source heat pumps are capable of providing the lowest cost heat of all appliances currently on the market.

Company chief executive Simon Lomax said the new site, which is due to be operational from January 2020, would cement its reputation as a major employer in the region’s low carbon heating sector.

He said, “Kensa is the long-established UK market leader and we expect to grow at a rapid rate in the years ahead as the appeal of ground source heat pumps become apparent to all.”

Sarah Newton, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, also welcomed the expansion of the company in the area, noting its ability to produce heat pumps that she said would be increasingly Important to realise the government’s 2050 decarbonisation target.

 

 

Source: HVN Plus

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EV Charging: ‘Quality must come first’ states Bureau Veritas

In response to the government’s recent pledge to invest more cash into the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Bureau Veritas has again voiced its concerns over maintenance challenges; stating that ‘quality must come first’ if the UK is to create a world-class charging network for cleaner vehicles.

This week, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced it is pumping nearly £40 million into improving the infrastructure for electric vehicles, with investments in wireless charging and pop-up pavement technology. All new homes built in Britain are also set to be fitted with charging points for electric cars.

At present, the UK has more than 24,000 public charging connectors in nearly 9,000 locations. However, with EV car registrations up 62% to 2,461 in June compared with the same month last year, the number of charging points being installed is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years.

Welcoming the government’s additional funding, Bureau Veritas has responded saying that the speedy creation of charging infrastructure should focus on quality and safety.

Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, says, “This funding offers a great opportunity to a number of industries, including automotive, engineering and electrical contractors, currently involved in delivering the government’s Road to Zero strategy, which wants ‘almost every car and van’ in the UK to be zero emission by 2050.”

“However, in the race to deliver the adequate charging infrastructure required to achieve this, quality in terms of engineering, safety and compliant installations must come first. Especially, if the UK is to create a world-class charging network for cleaner vehicles – one that is not only cost-effective but will also last the test of time.”

Bureau Veritas is also encouraging installers of charging points to ensure they hold the latest accreditations and are up to speed with recent rule changes on residual current devices (RCDs) and earthing arrangements. The firm points to new guidance on the installation of EV charging points offered in Section 722 of the 18^th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations. This has recently led to the code of practice for electric vehicle charging equipment installations moving on to its 3^rd Edition.

Michael Kenyon adds, “As all new installations will need to be compliant, businesses such as service stations, shopping centres and hotels will require installers of EV charging points to be accredited by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). What’s more, installers and inspectors of charging infrastructure will need to have a clear and detailed understanding of the different types and classifications of RCDs and how to test them.”

“We understand that for many, this will be a new area, often fraught with complexity. That’s why putting a robust strategy in place for the initial inspection and maintenance of these charging installations by an independent appraiser is the best way to ensure they comply with all the relevant standards.”

 

 

Source: Electrical Contracting News

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Radisson backs £5bn Kent theme park with hotel plan

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