UK heatwaves lead to massive spike in air conditioning interest

We are currently in the second heatwave of summer 2022, with temperatures rising once again well into the upper 30s for many parts of the country. In response to increased consumer demand to keep cool during July's record temperatures, Logic4training saw a massive spike in interest in related training. ‘F Gas course' queries - an essential part of AC training - rose by 129%. While we might miss the dizzy heights of 40+ this time around, it's still going to be hot and if this year is anything to go by, ‘hot' is something we will all have to get used to. To date, mechanical cooling in the UK has been the preserve of commercial buildings, such as offices and manufacturing facilities, but with the unfortunate grip of global warming clearly taking hold, the marketplace is changing. According to a report published last year, less than 5% of homes in the UK currently have AC, but by the turn of the century it is predicted that 85% of cooling demand will be domestic. The report, which was issued by government department, BEIS, echoed Logic4training's findings, stating that ‘…hot weather spikes (consistent high temperatures for one or two weeks) can trigger much higher levels of enquiries resulting in installations within the year, or through customers planning for the following year.’ What's clear is that cooling is becoming an increasing concern, providing new market opportunities for air conditioning engineers. Air conditioning for the home A knee-jerk reaction to the heat wave means many homeowners opt for a portable air conditioning unit, which can simply be plugged in. This is not the most efficient solution and will add considerable pounds to electricity bills which are usually lower in the summer. In the future, energy efficient and dual-purpose technologies, like air source heat pumps (ASHPs) that provide both heating and cooling will become more popular. F Gas training is relevant for both AC and ASHPs, delivering year-round business for suitably trained installers. What is F Gas training? Flourinated gases (F-Gases) are used in air conditioning, refrigeration and some heat pump systems. Engineers working on these technologies need F Gas training to understand how to deal with these potentially dangerous substances safely and effectively, covering leak checking, refrigerant recovery, servicing, maintenance and installation. The most harmful F-Gases, which are known as ‘Ozone Depleting Substances' (ODS), are being phased out across Europe and the UK under the F-Gas Regulations, ensuring the latest cooling and heating technologies are energy efficient with minimal environmental impact.

Energy crisis calls ‘unfair’ taxpayer-funded heat pump subsidy into question

Speculation that the energy price cap will soar to over £3,300 by October and further to £4,200 in January 2023 has called into question whether subsidising heat pump installations is the best use of taxpayer’s cash. According to the latest figures for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, 2,000 heat pump installations were given a subsidy of £5,000 in July, costing the taxpayer £10 million. In response, not-for-profit trade body the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) has stated the subsidy would be more effective if it was targeted towards energy efficiency measures in the home, reducing bills for people reportedly already in debt to profiting energy companies. Data from the Energy Savings Trust indicates £10 million would provide 19,000 lofts with insulation, saving households £4.8 million a year on bills, while reducing carbon emissions by 11,400 tonnes. If used to fit cavity wall insulation, 8,400 homes would benefit, saving £2.4 million a year on bills and reducing carbon emissions by 5,600 tonnes. Fitting a heat pump to 2,000 homes reduces carbon by 3,200 tonnes, but total household bills will increase by £186,000 a year. Chief Executive of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, Mike Foster says: “We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, bills are soaring and consumers hurting. Is now the time for taxpayers to pay a middle-class bung to fit a heat pump when there are better ways of reducing bills for more people and cuts greater levels of carbon? The former Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has spotted the problem and called for this unfair subsidy to be scrapped. Will the bookies favourite to be the next PM, Liz Truss, do the same? “When times are tough, there is an even greater importance on the government providing the best use of hard-earned taxpayers’ cash. It simply isn’t the time to give £5,000 cash handouts to those who can afford their energy bills, compared to helping the millions in dire need of support. “The scheme isn’t even living up to expectations. We know Whitehall officials are worried it is failing. The total scheme, over three years, amounts to £450 million subsidising 90,000 heat pumps. That same amount means nearly one million homes could get free insulation, cutting bills by nearly £220 million a year. Surely that’s the greater prize in these difficult times?”

Head to the AWE Village for the complete EI Live! experience

What’s the best thing about EI Live!? Clearly, it has to be a visit to the AWE Village where you can see so many of the premium products that you need for a great installation all in one place. Featuring four dedicated technology zones, two projection demo rooms, and a Base Performance Simulator for visitors to test their competitive driving skills, the AWE Village is back with a bang for EI Live! 2022 with its biggest footprint yet - super-sized in line with AWE’s growing brand portfolio. Here, AWE will showcase innovations from Bowers and Wilkins, part of the Sound United family available exclusively to the CI channel, alongside the latest 4K projectors from Sony together with exciting new display technologies, including the new Sony QD-LED and Hisense L9 TVs. Listen up The AWE Village will feature two audio zones. Firstly, in the Bowers and Wilkins zone integrators can see the latest architectural in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers for home cinema and whole-home projects. These will include 800 Diamond Series and 700 Series architectural loudspeakers and CT series in-wall subwoofers, alongside iconic floor-standing loudspeakers from the Bowers and Wilkins range. Also here will be the latest custom installation amplifiers by Rotel - the C8 and C8+. These new Class AB amplifiers leverage Rotel’s 60-year audio engineering heritage to deliver a higher level of acoustic performance with eight channels of high-performance multi-zone audio. The second audio zone will showcase processors, receivers, and amplifiers from Denon and Marantz, whole-home audio from by Denon featuring HEOS technology, and more speakers from Definitive Technology. Prepare to be dazzled The Sony Demo Room will feature Sony’s new XW compact Native 4K SXRD Laser Home projectors VPL-XW7000ES and VPL-XW5000ES - the first public showing outside of AWE’s show facility in Epsom. These feature-rich projectors pack a whooping 3840x2160 4K resolution and 8.3million pixels into a small chassis, making them ideal for all installations. The price-point is tempting too, starting at just £6k for the VPL-XW5000ES (2,000lm) and £15k for the VPL-XW7000ES (3,200lm) model. With rich, inky blacks as well as clear, cinematic motion and image smoothness, the new projectors reproduce colour with more tones and textures than other models at an equivalent price point. Powered by Sony’s ‘X1 Ultimate for Projector’ processor, based on BRAVIA TV technology and optimised for projectors, these projectors feature a dynamic HDR Enhancer and object-based super resolution to create a greater dynamic range and unrivalled image clarity. Outside of the Sony Demo room will be the Hisense L9 ‘laser TV’. The Hisense L9 has all the features of a ‘standard’ smart TV but comes in two-parts - an ultra-short throw laser projector and a 100in, or 120in, ambient light rejecting TV - which is the secret to achieving a big screen experience for under £4,500! The projector is a single chip DLP projector, but what makes it different is that three lasers - one red, one green and one blue - produce bright, punchy colours (which exceed the BT.2020 colour gamut) instead of a colour wheel. Coming in at 3,000 lumens, the triple Laser engine offers consistent colour and brightness over a 25,000-hour lifetime! Settle in The Epson Demo Room headlines with the EH-LS12000B projector which features a high 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 4K resolution (8.3mil pixels on-screen), HDR10+ support, 3LCD and a laser light source. It’s equally adept as a movie projector as it is for gaming, offering 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, along with input lag times below 20ms. We’re sure you’ll agree that it’s a projector that stands out at its price point. Room-filling, detailed sound is provided by Sound United while new TV innovations flank the outside walls, with LG and Panasonic bringing their latest products to the show. QD-OLED, for your viewing pleasure Head to the Sony TV zone to learn about the latest enhancements to the brand’s 2022 line-up, including some cool new models for Bravia, Mini LED and OLED. Visitors can also enjoy the EI Live! premier of Sony’s 65in Bravia XR A95K QD-OLED. For colour quality, QD-OLED (quantum dot OLED) technology is in a class of its own. Sony’s Bravia XR A95K combines QD-OLED with the XR OLED Contact Pro and XR Triluminos Max, boosting colour brightness up to 200% - with pure blacks and the brightest colours ever from Sony. Visitors can also see Sony’s new Mini LED panels, which now have an even higher number of LED’s. Each LED is precisely controlled and reacts immediately and accurately to changes in light source brightness for a super sharp image, concentrating the light and almost eliminating all flare or halos. The contrast is exceptional, with deep blacks and dazzling highlights. Take control In the control zone, integrators can learn what’s new in the URC Total Control platform, including the new Accelerator 3 software, featuring the Expressway option on the software for simpler installations. There’s also a display of Ring X-line innovative security solutions and the latest products from Philips Hue and Silent Gliss for effective lighting and blind control. Gearing up! This year, AWE invites integrators to get back in the driving seat! Reviving its popular AWE BPS Sprint Cup, integrators can put their foot to the floor and experience the thrill of driving an Aston martin AMR GT4 in the Blade Sim from Base Performance Simulators (BPS). Not only is this a fantastic way to find out more about how these incredible sims can bring the wow-factor to a client’s home, but the top three qualifiers will win a private tuition session and go head-to-head at BPS HQ in Banbury. “We have so much to show and can’t wait to get back amongst the action at EI Live!” says Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE. “The AWE Village is always where it’s at, and this year is no exception. We have some jaw-dropping technologies for integrators, especially in terms of new innovations in projection and display. Come along and talk to our team of experts about how we can support your next project. You will not leave disappointed!”

Burg-Wächter supports the Rainy Day Trust to help those hit by tool theft

As part of its Secure Communities Scheme, Burg-Wächter has pledged to support the Rainy Day Trust in its joint campaign with Toolstation by supplying security equipment to independent tradespeople who fall victim to tool theft. Tool theft rise Bryan Clover, Chief Executive of the Rainy Day Trust, says, “Tool theft is becoming more prevalent and is a factor of the way the economy is going. In fact, in 2020 alone, almost 11,300 tool thefts from vehicles were reported. If your power tools are gone and you’re a roofer for example, you can’t go to work the next day - it’s as simple as that.” Replace and protect Bryan continues, “However, if the worst does happen, the Rainy Day Trust is here to help. Once verified as a genuine claim, replacement tools are organised as quickly as possible to help minimise the disruption that a theft can cause. “Our partnership with Toolstation was offered additional support by Burg-Wächter, who were happy to help by providing a package of security products ideal for protecting van doors as well as bolts and chains to secure both vehicles and tools. Although good insurance will help mitigate the loss in the first instance, fitting good, strong, high-quality security devices will help to protect against and deter future attacks.” Andrew Field, Managing Director at Burg-Wächter UK, comments, “We are very proud to be able to support the Rainy Day Trust and Toolstation’s tool theft awareness campaign by providing practical help - in the form of high-quality security products - to tradespeople who are victims of burglary, as swiftly as possible to help protect not only their essential tools but also their livelihoods.”

New Modular Contactors added to Elucian consumer unit range

Scolmore continues to expand its Elucian consumer unit range to provide electricians with the broadest possible range of units and protective devices to cater for all installation requirements. New to Elucian is a range of two pole (20A) or four pole (25A, 40A and 63A) Modular Contactors in a variety of normally-open or normally-closed contact configurations, compatible with the Elucian range of consumer units. A contactor is an electrically controlled switch similar to a relay - essentially a low voltage circuit component used for switching a higher current electrical power circuit (more than 15A or a few kw). It can be connected directly to devices with a high load, as it has rapid opening and closing features, designed to control and suppress the electrical arc, discharged when a heavy motor current is interrupted. It is not, however, designed as a circuit breaker to interrupt a short circuit current. A contactor is made up of three components: the enclosure, the electromagnet or coil, and the contacts/number of poles. The electromagnet or coil provides the driving force which closes the contacts and consists of a static core and a moving core. The contacts are the current-carrying components and can include power and auxiliary contacts and contact springs. When a current is passed through the coil, it produces a magnetic field that attracts the contactor's moving core. This moving core propels the moving contact by electromagnetic force towards the fixed contacts and holds them closed together. When power to the coil is turned off, the moving core is returned to its initial position, either by a contact spring or by gravity, and the contacts reopen. A normally-open (NO) contact pair is open (in a non-conductive state) when it, or the device operating it, is in a de-energised or relaxed state. A normally-closed (NC) contact pair is closed (in a conductive state) when it, or the device operating it, is in a de-energised or relaxed state. The new Elucian two pole 20A Modular Contactors are 18mm width and will take up one space/way inside a consumer unit. The Elucian four pole 25A Modular Contactors are 36mm width and will take up two spaces/ways inside a consumer unit. The Elucian four pole 40A and 63A Modular Contactors are 54mm width and will take up three spaces/ways inside a consumer unit.

Power upgrade for Wylfa nuclear plant shutdown

UK Power Networks Services has been commissioned to install a state-of-the-art electrical distribution system at the Wylfa nuclear site in Anglesey, North Wales, to enable the continued decommissioning works of the former power station. The infrastructure specialists have been awarded the 16-month project by Magnox, a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Magnox is responsible for the safe, secure, and sustainable clean-up of 12 nuclear sites across the UK, and the operation of one hydro-electric plant. The first step of the project will be to gain design approval before installation works can begin. The new electrical overlay system, consisting of cables and substations, will meet modern safety standards and be more cost efficient for Magnox as it continues its long-term work at the site. Currently, the station is connected to an outdated grid supply which is no longer required after the plant stopped generating electricity in 2015. When the new system is installed, Magnox can deactivate most of the existing electrical infrastructure at the site and begin decommissioning work on the main turbine hall. The system will also be flexible, allowing Magnox to reconfigure its network as it continues to downscale the plant. Throughout the project, UK Power Networks Services will provide the design, manufacture, supply, build, testing, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the new system, as well as its supporting civil infrastructure. Work is scheduled to start in summer 2022 and finish in late 2023. Wylfa nuclear power station was first commissioned in 1971. It is one of 17 nuclear sites across the UK being safely and securely managed as part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s long-term decommissioning strategy. In the future, Magnox will dismantle and clear the site to release it for new use. David Mitchell, Director at UK Power Networks Services, says: “Nuclear sites involve complex engineering and highly skilled expertise. We’ve had that experience from our work at nuclear sites and on other critical national infrastructure across the UK, so we’re excited to be bringing our knowledge to make sure the project is a success.” Stuart Law, Wylfa Site Director, adds: “Installing the new electrical distribution system is the first of a number of critical steps we are taking to support the demolition of Wylfa’s turbine hall. Work to cleanse this half mile long superstructure of asbestos is well underway and plans to isolate the building of all cabling and pipework are progressing well. We will then be able to remove all the redundant equipment inside before demolishing the building and achieving a significant milestone in the Magnox decommissioning mission.”

SurgeX brings trio of innovative power management solutions to EI Live!

SurgeX will showcase its UPS solutions, Squid product line and Axess ELITE Power Management technology at EI Live! (Invision Stand 53, 14-15 September 2022, Farnborough Exhibition Centre). It will be the first time SurgeX has attended the show since it appointed Invision as its exclusive partner in the UK and Ireland. “Custom integrators spend thousands of pounds on AV equipment on behalf of their customers, and it is vital to protect these investments with high quality power protection,” says Justin Peyton, Director of Sales EMEA and APAC. “With SurgeX solutions, it’s possible to safeguard against power issues that can cause malfunction and downtime, ensuring a better experience, delivering cost benefits, reducing service callouts and providing peace of mind for everyone. We’re looking forward to returning to EI Live! to continue the discussion about the importance of power in residential AV.” SurgeX will display its latest UPS products including its online Double Conversion UPS range. On show will be the 17010-50R UPS which delivers clean continuous power - via online double conversion technology - to ensure the safe shutdown of equipment in the event of an outage. All incoming power is converted from AC to DC and then back to AC. If the main power is interrupted, the batteries are still holding up the incoming DC supply to the inverter, so the load continues to be supplied with absolutely no interruption whatsoever. The zero-transfer time guarantees mission critical equipment remains up and running. Combining surge protection technology with remote analytics and management, the multi-functional Squid power management device from SurgeX will also be demonstrated at the show. Squid is an all-in-one solution that includes AC/DC power protection, boxed network control, and analytical software in one chassis. The Squid includes multi-stage surge protection, power conditioning, power management and analytical software in an extremely compact form factor. As a professional, intelligent and versatile power foundation, Squid is easy to install and significantly optimises reliability and performance on home cinema and whole house technology projects. Also on show is SurgeX Axess ELITE Power Management which provides remote insight and control of the electrical power consumed by an underlying device. It includes Advanced Series Mode surge protection technology that eliminates surge energy up to 6000 volts. To find out more, visit SurgeX at EI Live! where the SurgeX team will be available to meet with integrators and help them navigate and resolve their most common power issues.

C-TEC launches new series of CPD training events

C-TEC is rolling out another series of free CPD training events. Ideal for anyone working in the fire safety, housing, consulting or risk assessment sectors, the events are designed to boost your knowledge of the latest legislation, technology and trends. Worth four hours of Continuing Professional Development time, they will be held at seven locations across the UK from September to November 2022 and feature the following highly informative seminars: Integrated Fire Alarm Solutions for High Rise Residential Buildings A Guide to BS 8629-2019 Evacuation Alert Systems Reducing false alarms - how the type, location and settings of different fire detectors can significantly reduce the incidence of unwanted alarms Hearing Assistance Solutions: the route to Equality Act compliance Each seminar will run from 10am to 3pm with registration starting at 9.30am. Refreshments and lunch will also be provided. Andy Green, C-TEC’s Marketing Manager, says: “We are delighted to be launching another series of CPD events which are designed to be of interest to anyone involved in the specification and installation of life safety systems, particularly housing professionals, fire engineers and consultants. Demand is expected to be high so we would advise anyone who is interested to register their interest quickly.” Locations for the seminars include Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Wigan, Bradford, Belfast and Birmingham.

South London students get skills boost

12 young people from under-represented backgrounds in South London are getting the chance to develop their employability skills through a new training programme by UK Power Networks. The students, 16 to 18 years old, participating through youth empowerment charity Urban Synergy, are spending a month at the energy firm completing the DREAM programme, developing skills they could use for future employment. This is part of Urban Synergy’s e-mentoring programme. The group is working across various departments in the company, including asset management, employee engagement, communications and procurement. Upon completion, trainees will be rewarded with certificates and receive further mentorship to boost their job prospects and confidence. Justin Adekunle, 18, from Bromley has been offering help to colleagues and says: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to be able to network, build my CV and learn new skills, which will help me in the world of work in the future. This is a great opportunity and I’m thankful to Urban Synergy and UK Power Networks for the opportunity.” Jazz Chaggar, Talent Acquisition Manager at UK Power Networks, comments: “This four-week internship programme will allow these young students the opportunity to build their skills in the areas they choose, as well as learning how to cope in a fast-paced environment. Working in teams and collaborating with employees will enable them to experience real life working situations.” “We are always working hard to do more and our relationship with Urban Synergy is a perfect example of this. All companies have a responsibility to ensure equal opportunities for all and we think that a vibrant workforce, from diverse backgrounds, enables a whole range of fresh ideas and perspectives to emerge, reflecting the community we serve.” Leila Thomas, CEO and Founder of Urban Synergy, adds: “We prepare young people with the skills and mindset they need for the workplace, but opportunities like this DREAM programme, offered by UK Power Networks, are essential for young people to understand how to navigate the world of work, discover what they enjoy, and help them to decide their future career pathways.” UK Power Networks signed up to Levelling Up to promote opportunities, and also runs an apprenticeship programme to bring in new talent for its future workforce. The company is set to employ 14 new apprentices next month (September) to help deliver electricity across London, the South East and East of England to 8.4 million customers. They will be a part of the company’s operational teams that deliver safe and reliable power supplies, enabling electric vehicles and electric heating for a low carbon future.

Rako takes a fresh approach at EI Live!

Rako will be showcasing the capabilities of its refreshed app on Stand 23 at EI Live! on 14-15 September at Farnborough Exhibition Centre. The refresh now allows users to control colour temperature and light intensity with a touch slider. It means clients can adjust their lighting to suit their needs for a particular task or set scenes to link the lighting with their individual circadian rhythms. The app can control all Rako systems, both wired and wireless, allowing easy hand-held control of lighting, curtains and blinds. Connecting via a hub, the app allows programming and storing of new scene levels and offers colour wheel control for RGB and RGBW fittings. “We are delighted to be bringing our refreshed app to EI Live!” explains Paul Wafer, Director at Rako. “Tuneable colour temperature and its perceived benefits have been growing in popularity recently. For obvious reasons, homeowners are interested in the sleep and health benefits of circadian lighting, and we have definitely seen an increase in requests for tuneable lighting as a result. So, it is great to come to the show and demonstrate the new capabilities of our app. We are looking forward to showing visitors the app in action.” Also on display will be Rako’s Modular keypads. Capable of accommodating up to 12 push buttons in a variety of lighting, shading and audio control configurations, the Modular range offers unrivalled customisation and a premium finish to suit varying application requirements. To register for EI Live! click here.