Heating installers split on whether to begin fitting heat pumps

The transition to low carbon heating is at a finely balanced tipping point, with installers split on whether they will be installing heat pumps in their customers’ homes. That’s the main finding of a new report from heat solutions provider, Baxi, which assesses what would encourage installers to take the leap to low carbon sources of heat. Baxi’s research with installers found that nearly a third (equivalent to about 37,000 of 130,000 of the UK’s heating engineers) are prepared to embrace heat pumps in the near future. By contrast, around 30% say they are extremely unlikely to install heat pumps. The government is targeting 600,000 heat pump installations every year by 2028. That is 10 times the current market and represents a transformation from early adoption to a mass market proposition. It would require an army of low carbon heating installers to be assisting homeowners and encouraging them to make the change. One of the main findings in the report ‘Heating Installers: Taking the Leap to a Low Carbon Future’ is that the government and the industry will need to address the important issues of training costs, ensuring there is enough demand from customers and reducing paperwork. On training costs – 39% of installers said they would be more likely to install heat pumps if they received help with training costs. Installers currently pay the full cost of training and forgo work in order to receive heat pump training. On customer demand – 56% of installers said customer demand needed to be addressed, and 38% of installers are concerned about lack of government support for the market. The current Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which pays a max £5,000 grant to support air source heat pump installations, ends in 2025. On paperwork – 44% of installers want support to reduce the burden of paperwork, for example, in applying for government assistance schemes. Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Baxi UK and Ireland, says: “Installers will play an important role as we decarbonise the nation’s heating and it will be vital that the government and industry supports them with the right information, incentives and training. “They will need to be advocates for low carbon sources of heat and recommend to the nation’s homeowners that they should make the leap to a heat pump. To achieve this, we will need to address their concerns, support them with training, and explain clearly the financial and non-financial benefits of these appliances.” Baxi’s report makes a series of recommendations, which include spelling out stronger government initiatives that will drive demand for heat pumps over the coming decade; support for training costs on a first come-first served basis; and an industry wide campaign to market the role of a low carbon heating installer to attract new entrants.

Millions of drivers can join the Octopus Electric Vehicles revolution

Octopus Electric Vehicles has launched an all-you-need EV package that provides drivers with their car, charger and energy tariff. The company has opened up its electric car offering to millions of new drivers in the UK and the US, where it is setting up a second country base. The new personal electric vehicle (EV) package follows the success of Octopus Electric Vehicles’ salary sacrifice scheme, which 1,500 businesses have signed up to in the last 15 months. It will guide customers through the whole experience, drawing on the service that has seen Octopus Electric Vehicles receive a five-star Trustpilot rating. EV experts will help drivers pick the right car, answer any questions and guide them through the entire process. The Octopus team has also pre-ordered popular EVs to help drivers beat long lead times. In the UK, customers’ monthly bills cover the car, tyres, servicing, repair and breakdown assistance from the AA - everything a driver needs to take to the road. The offer also includes the smartest, greenest and cheapest home charging solution, combining Octopus’s innovative Intelligent Octopus tariff and a free Ohme Home Pro charger. Intelligent Octopus is the UK’s first 100% flexible charging tariff, using Octopus’s energy flexibility platform (KrakenFlex) to charge when it is best for the grid. The green energy tariff has a low-cost window of six hours, during which the green electrons cost just 7.5p / kWh - between 23:30-05:30. Intelligent Octopus is available for the first time for all EVs with the Ohme Home Pro smart charger, which seamlessly works with KrakenFlex to optimise charging to keep costs low and help balance the grid at the same time. Drivers will also receive 5,000 free miles on the tariff. If they don’t have access to home charging, they will instead receive 5,000 free miles on Octopus’s public charging network, Electric Juice Network, with access to 250,000 chargers across Europe. Over the course of a three year lease period, the average UK driver on Intelligent Octopus with 5,000 free miles can save up to £3,775 on fuel costs when compared to an equivalent petrol car. The smart charging solution also brings the UK a step closer to a future energy system that matches usage to when renewable, clean energy is generated. Analysis by the Carbon Trust and Imperial College found that a fully flexible energy system could reduce costs for the UK by up to £16.7bn a year in 2050, while ensuring energy security. The launch of Octopus Electric Vehicles US comes one year after Octopus Energy US landed in Houston to provide affordable, renewable energy to Texan homes. Since then, its customer base has grown tenfold while the team has launched programs to reward customers who conserve energy and balance the grid when demand is high. Octopus Electric Vehicles has launched a personal leasing product, EV Concierge, to help accelerate EV adoption in Texas and the US.

Ansell unveils new outdoor lighting

In time for the seasonal surge in demand for outdoor lighting, Ansell Lighting has unveiled the latest additions to its outdoor range. The first is Aries, a robust LED bollard fabricated from die-cast aluminium. Modern and edgy in its design, Aries is rectangular in shape and is available in a choice of textured finishes, including black, graphite and rust. Suitable for commercial applications, Aries is IP65 and IK08 rated; it stands at 900mm high and delivers a multi-directional, 360-degree beam of light. A choice of two different colour temperature models are available, 4000k Cool White and 3000K Warm White. Supplied with a c/w mounting kit for easy installation, the 20W luminaire also has a 50,000-hour lifetime and comes with a five-year warranty for added peace of mind. For those applications requiring a cylindrical bollard design, Avio is the second new addition to Ansell’s outdoor lighting range. Also suitable for commercial applications, Avio is manufactured from die-cast aluminium and is IP65 and IK08 rated. It is available in a choice of textured finishes, including black, graphite and rust, coming in a choice of two different colour temperature models, 4000k Cool White and 3000K Warm White. A half shield accessory is also available with Avio, making it highly versatile through the option of single direction as well as 360-degree lighting output. The fitting is 955mm in height and has an LED lifetime of 50,000 hours. Avio is also supplied with c/w expansion bolts for mounting and the 20W luminaire comes with a five-year warranty for added peace of mind. Aside from bollard lighting, Ansell has added a selection of new wall lights to its outdoor range. Available in directional and bi-directional models, Acero is a GU10 LED wall light suitable for residential applications. Made from 316L marine grade stainless steel, it is a robust fitting built to withstand the elements, even in coastal areas. Simplistic in design, Acero comes in stainless steel, copper and black finishes and is OCTO compatible. PIR options are also available for further operability. Delivering a more decorative effect is Ansell Lighting’s final new luminaire, Misano. Available in both square and curve design options, it is an architectural and modern bi-directional wall light, suitable for semi-commercial and residential applications. Manufactured from robust, die-cast aluminium, Misano has an IP rating of 65 and is available in graphite, black and rust finishes. A choice of two different colour temperature models are available, 4000k Cool White and 3000K Warm White. For added reassurance, Misano has a three-year warranty and an LED lifetime of 50,000 hours.

Smart, new lighting solution for Romania’s largest industrial building

In cooperation with Mercury Lighting, TRILUX has provided the lighting for the BUW 17 project. Within three months, it has installed more than 12km of its sustainable and smart C-Line continuous LED solution. BUW 17 is an impressive complex known as the largest industrial building in Romania, with approximately 139,000 sqm of gross leasable area (GLA). BUW 17 is part of the flagship project CTPark Bucharest West (Romania), which comprises many large-scale buildings. CTP is a leading premium industrial park owner, developer and manager in Romania and Continental Europe. Valentin Rosu, Construction Director, CTP Romania, explains: “At CTP, we don’t just build buildings. We build the sustainable business ecosystems of the future. Our industrial and logistics parks are high-tech, full-service, award-winning, and move-in ready.” Over the years, CTP has won several awards for its overall concept and individual projects, including the ‘Best Warehouse Developer’ at the 2021 CIJ Awards Romania. BUW 17 is one of CTP’s latest projects. This logistic warehouse consists of an impressive building and a large outdoor area comprising a concrete platform, heavy traffic area, parking, light traffic road, docking area, and bicycle track. BUW 17 has been developed for the joint venture between IB Cargo and Maersk. They service Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and Turkey and are handling their entire logistical process from CTPark Bucharest West. In cooperation with Mercury Lighting, TRILUX has provided the BUW 17 building and its surrounding areas with smart indoor and outdoor lighting solutions, which are developed to withstand the rough conditions in industry and logistics. C-Line continuous LED and intelligent light management Providing an industry and logistics building with a smart lighting solution requires a thoughtful approach. The lighting needs to be robust, and maintenance and energy costs should be as low as possible. For a building of this magnitude, the dimension of the luminaires is also important. Sorin Ionita, Sales Manager Romania, Greece & Cyprus at TRILUX, explains, “We have chosen the C-Line LED for the BUW 17 project because this luminaire perfectly meets all the client´s technical requirements. The C-Line LED has a very effective ‘XT’, elliptical-narrow optic, and the modules are 1720 mm long. “As a result, fewer luminaires are installed, as smaller quantities are required. This results in lower procurement costs for our client. The biggest challenges during this project were the delivery terms, as we were on a tight schedule. But we could realise the entire installation, including integrated DALI (digital addressable lighting interface), which can be used for intelligent lighting management, on time. We installed more than 12km of C-Line LED within only three months. We are very proud of this achievement.” High quality and sustainable lighting solutions “The main reason for choosing TRILUX’s lighting solutions is the recognised high quality of their products and services, as well as the fair price”, says Valentin Rosu, Construction Director CTP Romania. He continues: “TRILUX has been a trusted partner for many years, which gave us the confidence to involve them in this demanding project. The main challenge in delivering BUW 17 was the tight deadline, with a 25% shorter delivery time compared to the average project of such magnitude. However, we completed everything within the set timeframe and budget, and we, as well as our client, are very satisfied with the result.” Teamwork and customer satisfaction TRILUX and CTP Romania both deeply value teamwork and customer satisfaction. Focusing on these two factors throughout the entire process was key to success. “The greatest achievement in developing BUW 17 was the fact that we have been able to satisfy our client. We always strive for a high level of customer satisfaction, and thankfully, everything went according to plan. Our client received its space in time according to all the set requirements. The BUW 17 project was a great team effort, and the unconditional support from our partners, including TRILUX, made everything possible. They say, ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Therefore, I would like to thank the TRILUX team for their high level of commitment and professionalism”, concludes Valentin Rosu, Construction Director CTP Romania. https://youtu.be/HGahVuzX5XY

Working as a tradesperson can burn more calories than a session at the gym

A study by Selco Builders Warehouse has calculated the calorie demand for common tasks performed by tradespeople in their day-to-day jobs to see how these compare to other physical activities such as running, team sports or gym routines. How does an hour of manual labour compare to a gym session? The most physically demanding task that most tradespeople perform in a day-to-day job is carrying heavy loads, which burns an average of 661kcals per hour. This is the equivalent of an hour-long basketball game, or a 60-minute high-intensity calisthenics workout (which generally includes exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks). The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (such as running) a week, meaning many tradespeople could already have done their recommended amount of weekly physical activity before they've even had an 11am brew! Heavy effort carpentry is the second most energy-demanding task, burning around 578kcal on average, this is equivalent of an hour of jogging, and 39% more intense than medium-effort resistance training (which burns 413kcal per hour on average). Following closely are the tasks of planting by hand and shovelling, typically performed by gardeners or landscapers, which burn 496 and 479kcals per hour respectively, both comparable to an hour of cardio training (496kcals per hour). When compared to a lower effort exercise such as power yoga, which burns around 330kcals per hour, these outdoor jobs are around 47% more intense respectively, burning almost 150kcals more each. Tasks performed by painters and decorators can be very physically demanding too. In fact, an hour of painting the outside of a house is exactly comparable to an hour of resistance training, which generally involves squats, lunges and deadlifts - these both burn 413kcal on average. According to Selco’s analysis, even the least calorie-demanding task that some tradespeople will commonly do (fixing appliances) burns more calories than an hour of low effort exercise, such as hatha (slow-paced) yoga (+20%, 248kcal vs 206kcal on average). The most physically demanding trade tasks Carrying heavy loads: 661kcals, the equivalent of an hour-long basketball game Carpentry: 578kcal per hour, the equivalent of 60 min of jogging Planting by hand: 496kcal per hour, comparable to a 60-minute cardio workout (e.g. jumping jacks, burpees) Shovelling: 479kcal per hour, comparable to a 60-minute cardio workout Painting houses: 413kcal per hour, comparable to a 60 min medium-effort resistance training workout (e.g. squats, lunges, deadlifts) Masonry: 355kcal per hour, comparable to 60 mins of curling The combination of long working weeks and high physical demand can expose tradespeople to health risks, including injuries. According to data on injuries at work from the HSE, 18% of the 441,000 non-fatal injuries sustained by UK workers in 2020/21 were from handling, lifting and carrying objects.

Screwfix Live 2022 is back in Farnborough!

Screwfix Live is back in Farnborough! After two years of bringing the largest trade and DIY exhibition to its customers’ fingertips virtually, Screwfix is delighted to welcome its customers back in person to this hugely popular event. Participants who register and visit the event will have the chance to put their hands on exclusive deals and a free goody bag. The free-to-enter show is returning to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre (from Friday 23rd September to Sunday 25th September 2022) with all the best brands, loved by tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. With more than 170 brands under one roof, customers and families will be able to enjoy live product demonstrations, competitions, giveaways and so much more. Screwfix Live will also host the final of Screwfix Top Tradesperson. The annual competition will see 10 skilled trade finalists go head-to-head from across the UK and Republic of Ireland to be crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022. Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, comments: ‘We are delighted to be back at Farnborough for what is going to be our biggest annual event. Screwfix Live offers exclusive deals from top brands and brings customers, colleagues, and suppliers together, under one roof. We can't wait to throw open the doors and welcome you back in September’’. Registrations are now open on the Screwfix website, with goody bags available to collect from the event for everyone who pre-registers. Keep an eye on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit the Screwfix website for regular updates on Screwfix Live.

Fuuse partner with EV Comply to support installers

Fuuse have partnered with installation management app EV Comply to collectively champion the UK’s EV charging installer community. The new partnership sees the aligned brands working together to bring additional value and end-to-end support for EV installers. Fuuse has become a popular platform amongst installers experiencing rapid growth onto their installer partner program. EV Comply have been helping charge point manufacturers and the EV installer community streamline their installation operations since 2019 and now support over 750 installation partners. Recently voted a ‘best in class’ software product by installers, the company has gone from strength to strength and shows no sign of slowing that growth any time soon. The two brands will be working together to engage and educate the installer community, adding value to installers as many take on more complex workplace charging projects following the end of the Homecharge grant. Tom Collins, Head of Partnerships for Fuuse says: “As firm champions of the installer community we see great synergy between ourselves, and EV Comply. We both share a purpose to empower installers and help the UK make a smooth and efficient transition to electric vehicles. We’re delighted to be working closely with our friends to shine a spotlight on the key role they play in the UK’s transition to EVs.” James Chapman, Partnerships Director for EV Comply adds: “We’re proud to boast the biggest network of installers in the UK and are delighted to be able to work alongside Fuuse to enhance the offering to both of our users bases. By partnering with Fuuse we can now go even further in smoothing out the pain points of charger installation processes and take an even more prominent role in fast charging the UK’s road towards net zero.”

Cavell: the healthcare bedhead for optimal patient rest and observation

Comfortable bedhead lighting by day and night. Intended for installation above medical beds in hospitals, care homes, and hospices, Cavell is Thorn Lighting's easy to use and custom-designed bedhead luminaire. Thorn Lighting is pleased to introduce the new Cavell luminaire, which provides low glare and soft lighting for patients, bedded areas, bedrooms, and wards. General lighting areas in healthcare environments need to offer suitable light for nursing procedures while also providing a pleasant, relaxing environment for patients to recover. Cavell does just that. Downlight, uplight, and dual light modes The downlight function provides comfortable lighting for patients throughout the day and night and makes examination and observational checks by healthcare professionals easier. Cavell’s optical design ensures that direct glare onto the patient is minimal to promote rest and recovery. Due to its tailored beam angle, the bedhead will not disturb any patients directly opposite. The uplight ensures that patients, doctors, nurses, and other care staff can safely move around the ward or bedroom. An important feature is that Cavell has been designed with twin drivers to control the up and downlight separately. This dual control can be operated from a nursing station and the patient’s bedside switch. Reading light On and around the pillow area, the patient’s reading light should provide a minimum of 300 lux. To improve sleep in hospital wards, the indirect or room lighting source is typically turned off during hours of rest. Any patient who wishes to read or use a personal electronic device can use the bedhead’s downlight in its low-level, dimmed ‘reading mode.’ Observation light This maintained illumination mode at and around the bedhead position allows caregivers to continuously monitor a patient’s progress during crucial periods, including post-operative care and critical illness. Design and build Cavell provides good uniformity and low glare across various bed layouts, considering the patient and those in the surrounding area. The uplight is angled to throw light forward into the room, using reflection from the ceiling to enhance the uplight effect, creating a nice ambience in the room. Cavell was designed to ensure that the highest quality cleaning procedures required in healthcare environments can be easily carried out. The steel body and two opal diffuser panels are seamless, with no gaps, crevices, or exposed screws for germs, dust, and dirt to accumulate. The luminaire’s flat surfaces promote a straightforward wipe-clean routine, and the pure white paint finish highlights any dirt. Quick and easy to install Cavell has been designed with the installer in mind. A five-pin plug-and-play terminal is provided for easy wiring of both the downlight and uplight, enabling fast connection to the in-built twin drivers, while a lightweight backplate has been designed to be secured to the wall first keeping things simple. In addition, the main body can be safely attached to the backplate using dog-clips to ensure the product cannot be dropped during assembly or removal for maintenance. Jon Lim, Product Manager UK & Ireland, comments, “The Cavell bedhead luminaire was designed with patient comfort and hygiene as a priority. The optical design combines the latest LED technology with the innovative use of reflectors and diffusers. This offers the correct lux levels with a very low glare making the patients’ lighting experience on the ward/suite as comfortable as possible. The steel body and opal diffusers are designed specifically with no hidden dust or bacteria trap, making it easy to clean and therefore maintaining the highest hygiene standards.” Mark Mattimoe, Thorn’s Head of Application for Education, Office, Healthcare, and Retail, adds, “The Cavell bedhead luminaire marks one of the key cornerstones of a renewed strategy surrounding the Health & Care Application for Thorn Lighting. With its design centred around compliance to SLL Lighting Guide 2: Lighting for Healthcare Premises (2019), Thorn now has a strong offering for bedded areas and wards for hospitals, care homes, and hospices that is tailored to provide comfortable and controllable lighting for patients and healthcare staff to assist in treatment and recovery.”

Transforming the construction sector in Scotland

Building on the significant achievements of its Recovery Plan, the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) is now turning its focus towards a comprehensive and durable transformation of the sector for the benefit of all its stakeholders. While continuing close relationships between the industry, the Scottish Government and a wide range of other agencies, the next phase will establish a transformation plan for the sector which will secure its future as the economy transitions to net zero. The CLF was established in March 2019 and has developed and implemented a Recovery Plan of actions aligned with Government policies and the Construction Scotland Industry Strategy. Its achievements include: A pipeline forecast tool giving visibility of £11 billion of future public sector projects developed by the Scottish Futures Trust. A data dashboard for better-informed business decisions and impact insights. A digital funding guides and a new skills directory – all developed by BE-ST. Work to improve key areas such as procurement, quality, skills, manufacturing and diversity and inclusion. Valued partners from Construction Scotland and CICV have ensured all working groups having made good progress on delivery. Accepting that whilst market conditions remain challenging, recovery from COVID-19 is well underway, the CLF is now turning its attention to transformation. The first step in that process, the Construction Accord an agreement between the public sector and the construction industry, as recommended by the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) is underway with a detailed transformation plan to follow. CLF is keen to involve the whole sector and interested stakeholders in developing the Accord. A draft of the accord and details on how to provide feedback are now available on the CLF website until 29th July. The Construction Accord aims to strengthen collaboration between the public and construction sectors to deliver improved outcomes for and from the industry whilst meeting the evolving infrastructure needs of Scotland as a country. Business Minister Ivan McKee says: “The Construction Leadership Forum took on the challenge of supporting recovery of the industry at a time when the outlook was unpredictable and what it has achieved over the past two years is quite remarkable. “Through collaboration with the sector, the Scottish Government has led in building strong foundations for industry transformation and strengthening resilience in what is a key commercial activity for the country in creating a sustainable economy. “This accord will help accelerate progress towards meeting net zero targets in construction. I look forward to working more closely with the CLF in creating a more sustainable, productive, innovative and diverse industry.” Peter Reekie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and Chair of the Executive Group of the CLF, says: “The CLF set itself tough targets and has achieved unprecedented results. Sincere thanks are due to the organisations and individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty to participate in a remarkable collaborative effort which has proved once and for all that we are better when we are working together. “As we transform the industry, even greater opportunities will arise. There is crucial work to be done and we ask that all stakeholders in the future of the industry engage positively with the Scottish Construction Accord. Please get involved, have your say and make a contribution. We need a diverse range of voices, and you will be warmly welcomed.” Ron Fraser, Chair of Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group, adds: “The CLF was originally set up as a vehicle for dialogue between industry and government on the key issues impacting on the construction sector in Scotland. It proved its worth during COVID-19, when many in industry, government and the public sector collaborated, first on the production of site operating guidance and a re-start plan to get the sector back to work, and then on a Recovery Plan to assist a return to ‘normal’. “As we move into the ‘transformation’ phase, representatives of all parts of the sector should be encouraged to comment on the aims, objectives and outcomes envisaged for the proposed accord and to participate fully in the dialogue and action process that will lead to a more profitable future.”

LEDVANCE revamps outdoor lighting options with new ENDURA range

LEDVANCE is launching a new range of stylish, robust outdoor luminaires. With a multitude of design and mounting options, the ENDURA range offers exciting illuminations for outdoor projects and garden installations, ideal for creating a relaxing night-time atmosphere or security conscious space. The range includes a selection of contemporary LED lanterns based on high-quality aluminium, with high energy efficiency. One option, the ENDURA STYLE Lantern Modern, provides a wall-mounted luminaire and bollard lantern available in two heights, and IP44 protection class makes these luminaires fully protected from splashes. The range also offers mobile wall and bollard luminaires for spot lighting solutions. The EN-DURA STYLE Midi Spot is a flexible outdoor wall LED spotlight with adjustable luminaire heads, allowing for choice between single or dual-lamp spotlights. In addition, ENDURA STYLE Mini Spots are flexible miniatures that light up a balcony, wall or terrace with warm white lighting. They can be rotated full 340 degrees on their own axis for full design creativity. Frosted or clear glass hemispheres, with 180-degree swivel, provide further options. Stainless steel luminaires in the range include the ENDURA STYLE Mini Cylinder, a stylish and elegant fixture for indirect pathway lighting. These are also available as elegant wall and bollard luminaires. The range also features an exciting choice of decorative luminaires. For example, the ENDURA Wall, with a luminance of up to 2,000 lux, can be adjusted to daylight and motion detection with an optional sensor, detecting motion within three to six metres. In addition, the ENDURA STYLE Wall Square and Wall Round are characterised by minimalist design and high light intensity. They can be installed with programmable sensors to come on when someone approaches to provide an alert for security purposes and enabling visitors to see when dark. The exquisite ENDURA Wall Loop with brushed aluminium casing and unusual light ring is an elegant, round luminaire with a sensor that can also be programmed with ease. For outdoor designs with limited space, the ENDURA STYLE Ball offers an impressive light intensity of 1,030 lumens. Its simple and low-key design blends harmoniously with any architecture and, with a daylight and motion sensor, only radiates its full power when needed. Additional products in the range include Surface that radiates uniform white light when needed, Up Down that casts light in two directions, Ellipse with an exceptional shape and chic design, Ring and Square offering a trendy white or dark grey modern look, and Wall Wide sensor luminaires with DIP switch to select both the threshold and holding time of the light, for a flexible welcoming wall illumination. LEDVANCE lighting solutions come in environmentally friendly cardboard packaging with all relevant product information immediately visible on the outside of the box.