Bumps in the road: The journey to decarbonisation in UK homes

NAPIT’s Chief Operating Officer, David Cowburn, responds to the current energy crisis and the BEIS Select Committee report on the Decarbonisation of Heat in UK Homes. The direction of travel set out by the Government is clear, and there were always going to be challenges to face when committing to overhauling the way all homes are heated. The latest reports from the BEIS Select Committee on the Decarbonisation of Heat in UK Homes and new data from the Social Market Foundation outline the bumps in the road that need to be flattened to deliver the ambitious targets set by the Government. A recent BEIS select committee report emphasised the urgent need for further policy change to successfully decarbonise heat in UK homes, following the proposals outlined in the Government's Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero Strategy. Combine this report with the recent energy ‘crisis’, the impact of growing political pressure from the public and wider industry regarding the rising cost of heating UK homes, and the current lack of consumer demand for seemingly expensive low-carbon heat pumps and it is clear to see that the current Government needs to make a drastic change to meet the long-term goal of decarbonising heat in homes. According to data from the Social Market Foundation, there are currently 147,800 plumbing, heating, and ventilation engineers in the UK, with 130,000 of these being Gas Safe registered. These statistics alone demonstrate the immense task of reskilling the workforce to install heat pumps. Furthermore, the report noted that while surveyed installers are generally supportive of phasing out fossil-fuel heating, they are wary of spending time reskilling and training because consumer demand for heat pump installations is currently low. What is often neglected is that many properties will need their electricity supply arrangements upgrading in order to accommodate heat pump technology, and all properties will need a suitably qualified contractor to engage with the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to obtain appropriate permissions and register the installation. Heap pump installers will need either to directly employ resource for this or use registered electrical contractors, in an area already anticipating a sharp increase in demand for their services due to the expansion of the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Consumer demand is necessary to drive demand for heat pumps and to stimulate installers to retrain to meet the Government’s target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. NAPIT responded to the result Government consultation concerning the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is set to replace the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in April and will provide grants worth between £5,000-£6,000 to homeowners for the installation of a heat pump or biomass boiler. However, with the average price of an air source heat pump estimated to be £6,000-£8,000 and up to £18,000 for a ground source heat pump, the Government’s current funding is unlikely to increase consumer demand sufficiently to incentivise installers to retrain or meet the installation targets necessary. For instance, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is only set to support the installation of around 30,000 low carbon heating technologies each year, for three years. In NAPIT's response to the consultation, it urged the Government to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible for installers to submit claims, as the scheme will be installer led. NAPIT needs installers to feel as comfortable and confident as possible in accessing grants and working with customers. It says that it will continue to represent its members through such consultation responses and will continue to provide vital information and updates to its installers as the policy progresses. Similarly, even with the assistance of a grant, low-income homeowners may struggle to install a heat pump at all. Charity bosses and poverty campaigners such as AgeUK and Save the Children have called for urgent support to assist in the installation of heat pumps for people on lower incomes. Furthermore, the current method for calculating the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of properties is based on energy consumption. There are fears that this may lead to the energy performance of a property receiving a lower rating following the installation of a low carbon technology, which could de-value homes. This is especially pertinent given the recent Government consultations on ‘Improving home energy performance through lenders’ and ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes’ both of which have restrictions imposed based on EPC ratings. NAPIT understands the Government is considering this challenge and ways to prevent EPCs from being a barrier to heat pump installations. However, NAPIT recognises that more can be done to assist low-income households, such as more substantial long-term grants and energy assistance. As an accredited Microgeneration Certification Scheme provider, NAPIT is preparing to deliver low-carbon heat training across its three NAPIT Training centres and continue to serve on numerous government and industry committees to support the ambition in this important area. NAPIT is supportive of the Select Committee's recommendations for the Government to introduce a low-carbon heating training programme, a national consumer awareness campaign and a heat technology road map by September 2022 and call on the Government to act now to give confidence and certainty to the sector. Although the Government's detailed long-term strategies provide a much needed and welcome overview, they do not provide enough detail or milestones to monitor progress effectively, in NAPITs opinion. Whilst the future remains uncertain, it is clear the Government is invested and is investing in decarbonising homes with heat pumps at the forefront of its approach. Whilst there is still a way to go, NAPIT will continue to support the industry through its representation on industry committees and our training and certification and play our part in helping the Government meet its targets.

CityFibre makes key appointment as work gets underway on Lincoln’s full fibre rollout

CityFibre has announced its city manager for Lincoln as it starts work on a £21m project that will see almost every home and business benefit from access to a full fibre broadband network. Lincoln has been chosen as one of the latest cities to benefit from CityFibre’s £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme, which will bring next generation, gigabit-speed broadband to nearly every home and business in the city, and to up to 8 million premises nationwide. Neal Wright has been appointed by CityFibre to spearhead delivery of the Lincoln project. As city manager, Neal will be responsible for ensuring a state-of-the-art full fibre network is rolled out with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community. Neal will be overseeing work on Saxilby Road, a main access route to the city centre which will see some initial work commence today, with further works due to start on Greetwell Road on 28th February. The work in Saxilby Road is planned to take around two days, while the rollout in Greetwell Road is scheduled for completion on 11 March, with traffic management systems to help minimise disruption. Works will then progress onto Monks Road, Cannon and Winn Street. With over 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry, Neal is passionate about technology, digital infrastructure, and the benefits of full fibre connectivity. He joined CityFibre in 2017 having previously worked in wholesale for 10 years, where he was responsible for signing on internet service providers as partners and selling private circuits and complex WAN solutions. Neal is also currently responsible for overseeing CityFibre’s £21m full fibre rollout in Worcester, having previously led projects in Derby and Nottingham. Building on his wealth of experience, his new role with CityFibre will position Neal as the lead point-of-contact for all of Lincoln’s stakeholders. He will also be a key advocate of the benefits that a full fibre network will bring to city’s residents and businesses. He says: “A state-of-the-art digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in growing and protecting local economies and I’m delighted to be leading such works in Lincoln, which will transform the city’s digital capabilities for decades to come. “While the benefits of full fibre broadband are undeniable, we completely understand that this project is a major undertaking for the community – particularly when we need to install the network in busy arteries such as Saxilby Road and Greetwell Road. We’d like to reassure Lincoln residents that we are doing everything we can to manage disruption as much as possible, and thank them for their support and patience.” He continues: “As we roll out the new network, we will abide by all council processes and keep residents updated. Once construction is complete, households in Lincoln will be among the growing number of UK communities with access to full fibre broadband, unlocking a new world of digital opportunity.” Construction of the full fibre network is being delivered by Trust Utility Management on behalf of CityFibre. The team is using a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Lincoln City and County Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while managing potential disruption. As work is completed in each neighbourhood, CityFibre will designate the homes ‘ready for service’, which means residents can choose to connect to full fibre-enabled broadband services when they go live in their area. In Lincoln, services are not yet available, however, as soon as they go live, customers will be able to access full fibre enabled services via CityFibre’s UK launch partner, Vodafone, on selected Vodafone Pro Broadband plans, with Talk Talk, IDNet and other providers expected to join the network soon.

BCL’s multipurpose T and HBT Range boxes with lids

BCL Enclosures’ T and HBT Range of small multipurpose boxes with lids are moulded in ABS for maximum strength, yet can easily be punched or drilled to suit different applications. These high-quality, professional-looking box enclosures are available from stock in three standard colours - black, white or light grey - plus a large range of other RAL colours that can be supplied on request. The T1-26, HBT3 and HBT4 boxes are matt finish in all three colours, whereas the T2, T3 and T4 models have a polished finish. There are six different multipurpose boxes in the T and HBT range: T1-26 measures 40mm x 28mm x 18mm with a nominal wall thickness of 1.0mm; HBT3 is 73.5mm x 51mm x 25.5mm with nominal wall thickness of 1.75mm; T2 measures 75mm x 56mm x 25mm with a nominal wall thickness of 1.5mm; T3 is 75mm x 51mm x 27mm with a nominal wall thickness of 1.5mm; T4 is 111mm x 57mm x 22mm with a nominal wall thickness of 2.0mm; HBT4 measures 113mm x 59mm x 24mm with a nominal wall thickness of 1.75mm. Lids are securely retained by four countersunk, self-tapping screws. Spare self-tapping screws can be ordered in packs of 100 pieces in sizes to suit each model and are either black passivated countersunk posidrive screws for black boxes or zinc plated countersunk posidrive screws for white boxes. BCL’s customisation services include drilling or punching of custom cut-outs to suit individual applications and screen printing, plus most of BCL’s enclosures can also be moulded in different materials if required. Advice on specification and customisation is readily available from experienced staff in the company’s UK offices.

Four in five UK tradespeople could recycle more of their waste 

More than four in five (83%) UK tradespeople say they could recycle more of their work waste, but don’t because they aren’t confident on the rules and regulations, new research has found. The study by IronmongeryDirect found that almost nine in 10 (87%) tradespeople feel uncertain about waste management laws. In fact, the vast majority (80%) of workers don’t know where their local recycling facilities are located. However, there is a strong appetite to address the issue. Almost a quarter (24%) of tradespeople say they are actively trying to reduce the amount of excess they send to landfill, and a similar number (28%) would like more support from local authorities to be able to recycle more. Furthermore, a fifth (20%) try to reuse any materials leftover from jobs and almost one in six (16%) donate spare parts to good causes. Perhaps due to the nature of their work, some trades are more likely to recycle their waste than others. Plumbers recycle the most often, with almost three-quarters (73%) saying they do so either always or most of the time. This could be because they are the most knowledgeable about waste management regulations (23%), suggesting education is key. Interestingly, young tradespeople are far more likely to send waste to landfill than their older counterparts. Almost a third (31%) of millennials (25-34) say their excess materials go straight to the tip, which is more than double the figure for 45-55-year-olds and over 55s (both 12%). However, millennials are also the most vocal about wanting support to recycle more (36%), showing an eagerness to be more environmentally friendly. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, says: “Tradespeople are naturally going to produce waste in their line of work, and while more could be recycled, it’s clear that there’s a real willingness to be as green as possible. "The figures around young workers in particular point to a clear opportunity to educate and train the next generation of tradespeople in more sustainable practices. “That’s why we’ve partnered with waste management experts to explain the rules tradespeople need to follow and give advice on how to dispose of each material.”

Electricians need to be prepared for rocky ‘road’ ahead

fuelGenie is aiming to help electricians prepare for a challenging road ahead with lower cost fuel, consolidated payments and easy to manage invoicing. It follows news that road tax changes are likely to hit electricians and SMEs hard. fuelGenie cannot impact government legislation or change, but the fuel card provider is experienced in helping organisations make time and money efficiencies and more effectively manage payment receipts. Scrutiny, understandably, increased recently over how fuel and roads are likely to be paid for during the next decade, as the landscape shifts and alters significantly. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) brings new types of challenges, both in terms of returns on fuel duty and road tax. The government speculated that there could be a gap of c£35billion in lost revenue that needs to be recouped. However, proposed changes to road tax, which could potentially see a pay per mile road pricing system introduced on UK roads for all vehicles, are controversial as according to the Transport Select Committee, they would subject drivers to "double taxation". This could potentially occur in the future if electricians are forced to pay a national road pricing scheme and city-wide Clean Air Zone rates at the same time. While this may still be some time off, it is important electricians are prepared to be able to consolidate existing fuel receipts and payments, to make any future changes more manageable if and when they happen. It’s also vitally important to support them in finding the lowest cost fuel available. Prices at the pump have also crept up to an eye-watering 148.40p a litre for petrol, while diesel reached 151.90p a litre, according to the RAC. Electricians faced with increased fuel costs and administration are also facing difficult decisions about fleet renewal and investment at the same time. Fuel cards are an effective way for electricians to help reduce motoring costs and start to create a more efficient business model, especially if utilising fuelGenie which promotes cost-effective supermarket fuel. fuelGenie Managing Director Robert Pieczka comments: “Smaller businesses may be using pay and reclaim and many have substantial administration and receipt processing costs, not reclaiming all VAT because of misplaced receipts, or simply not be aware of the benefits of fuel cards – all of these factors impacting overall operating costs. “With the right advice and support from an established fuel card provider, SMEs can be better prepared for the road ahead, whatever bumps may occur along the way.”

TESP reports surge in electrical apprenticeships

Electrotechnical apprenticeships for 2021/2022 has got off to a positive start with nearly 4000 new apprentices recruited across England in the first three months of the academic year, The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) has reported. Figures from The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education show that the intake of electrical apprentices remained strong throughout the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrating the value employers place on apprenticeships as the preferred route for training. Currently there are around 28,000 apprentices in training in England, with nearly 17,000 of these under the age of 19. Over 80% of these apprentices are employed by non-levy paying companies, highlighting the strong industry tradition of apprentice recruitment amongst small employers. For those who cannot get an apprenticeship and don’t have a Level 3 qualification, the Government’s ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ is currently funding the industry Level 3 Technical Diploma* or, for those with work experience, the Level 3 NVQ** which includes AM2. Both qualifications form part of TESP’s industry approved training routes to becoming fully qualified. Since the launch of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, hundreds of adults have taken advantage of the funding for industry recognised electrical training and benefitted from upskilling. From April this year, any adult in England who is earning under £18,525 annually, or is unemployed, can also access one of these free qualifications – even if they already have a Level 3 qualification or higher. The popularity of electrical apprenticeships and the Level 3 courses are also reflected in a growing number of people accessing the Electrical Careers website for information and guidance. From 2020 to 2021 the site not only doubled its number of visitors, but also received triple the amount of page views on the previous year. “The current apprenticeship intake figures are extremely encouraging, but demand for apprenticeships continues to outstrip supply and we need more employers to get involved if we are to address the skills shortage,” says Ruth Devine, Chair of TESP and Managing Director of SJD Electrical. “There are no short cuts to becoming a qualified electrician, so it’s excellent to see there is interest in not only apprenticeships, but also Level 3 qualifications that are backed by the industry and form part of the approved, quality training routes. “As well as encouraging businesses to do more, it’s also important to improve the training provider infrastructure so learners and employers receive a quality training experience. Our work will continue into 2022 and beyond to support this.”

Toolstation targets Trade Account customers with 5% off all orders

Toolstation has launched a new initiative that means all customers with a Trade Account will get a 5% discount on all of their orders. To access the offer customers just need to show their Trade Account number at every purchase in branch or be logged on to it online. The move makes it easier and more accessible for trade professionals to source the best tools and products at the best prices. It is open to new and existing Trade Account customers and applies to all Toolstation purchases on top of any existing savings. Toolstation’s Trade Account also offers added support with more efficient financial management, with up to 60 days interest free credit, no minimum spend, flexible credit limits and online account management.  Signing up for a Trade Account means customers can buy now and pay later and get the tools and supplies they need for larger jobs. Toolstation’s Managing Director James Mackenzie  says: “We are continuously committed to providing our customers not just with the tools they need to get the job done, but looking at more ways we can improve their experience. Our Trade Account has proven really popular and this new initiative means they can now access the best prices on tools and products.” The discount is automatically applied at the checkout for customers who have a Trade Account. Business only. Conditions apply.

 Martindale Electric launches PAT Testing Quiz on new area of website

Do you know a PASS from a FAIL when it comes to Portable Appliance Testing? Can you recall the recommended pass limit for an earth bond continuity test? Martindale Electric has put together a fun online quiz that tests your knowledge on PAT Testing and helps gauge where there may be gaps in your understanding. Don’t worry if you get any incorrect, as along with the quiz Martindale has also launched a dedicated ‘Essential Guide to PAT Testing’ area of its website crammed with useful information, hints, tips and an overview of its popular HPAT series of PAT Testers to help top up your knowledge and point you in the right direction. “According to the Health and Safety Executive, 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances,” explains Steve Dunning. “From these figures, it is clear that a large number of incidents and injuries could be prevented with proper electrical checks, inspections and safety tests. That is part of the reason we wanted to put together an easy to access info hub for any competent person carrying out PAT Testing. Hopefully it’s a great reference area that users can come back to time and again.” When it comes to testing portable appliances, Martindale’s HPAT Series of portable appliance testers enables both contractors and competent in-house personnel to quickly and safely verify the electrical safety of all types of appliances. Designed to perform safety checks in accordance with the IET Code of Practice, these lightweight rechargeable handheld testers are designed for ease of use, with one button automatic testing and clear connection details shown on the tester. The small lightweight design and one button operation make the HPATs ideal for testing in all locations, be it under a desk or behind a monitor. The bright backlit display provides a clear pass / fail indication. For more demanding PAT applications, other more sophisticated testers are available which incorporate a greater range of tests and have the ability to store the test results for later recall on-screen, such as the HPAT600. For downloading results to a PC in order to manage assets and re-test requirements, Martindale offer the MPAT Plus with MPATSUITE software.

New ECA video calls on electricians to “Plan, Test, Isolate!”

ECA has launched a new video as part of its campaign to reduce the number of injuries caused by incorrect isolation of low-voltage circuits (up to 1,000V AC or 1,500V DC). According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 14 people died from exposure to a live electrical circuit in 2020 alone. Since 2015, an average of 7 people a year are killed because of contact with a live electric current, and many more are injured. ECA’s new video, called Don’t Cut Corners: Plan, Test, Isolate! highlighting the importance of safe isolation and outlining 10 key steps to planning, testing and isolating LV circuits before beginning work. Gary Parker, ECA Senior Technical Manager, says: “You wouldn’t drink and drive… so why would you work on a circuit without isolating it? “If contractors are prepared, the likelihood of an accident is significantly reduced. Following these simple steps in our new video, will help installers plan ahead, work safely, and avoid accidents.” Gary Parker has written a blog detailing the hazards of not isolating safety and outlining the employer’s role in making sure their staff work safely. You can read it here. [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFPz8xjlSuU[/embed] All electrotechnical professionals involved in the installation and maintenance of LV electrical installations should follow the advice in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, Electricity at work: Safe working practices (HSG85), Guidance Note GS38 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, as well as following the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS7671:2018) and ESF’s Safe Isolation Guide.

Brand new Travis Perkins branch creates 20 new jobs in Aintree

Travis Perkins is set to open a brand-new branch in Aintree, Liverpool on the 1st of March. The branch is situated on Bridle Road and is an impressive 2.2 acres in size. The site will boast electric forklift trucks and electric charging points. These innovations will help to deliver on Travis Perkins' ambition of decarbonizing its fleet and becoming a net-zero carbon producer. As a result of the opening, 20 new jobs have been created, with five being filled by women, in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sector. The new branch will include Travis Perkins’ trusted Hire Service, where customers can hire tools, plant, and equipment on-site plus get all their building supplies in one go. Its yard will also boast an expansive range of products including bricks, blocks, timber, lintels, drainage, and landscaping. Customers will be given the choice to trade in-branch and online by using the Travis Perkins App – an industry-leading App and collaborative effort created with customers to help them not only work smarter but save time by allowing them to check stock on the go from their local branch and order them instantly at their personal trade prices, either for 1hr Click & Collect or for delivery. Branch Manager John Dempsey comments on the opening, “We’re really excited to give the trade professionals of Liverpool a place to access everything they need for their projects. The fact that 20 new jobs have been created because of the branch opening is a huge bonus too. It means we’ll be able to serve the community with expert knowledge and advice and support them at every step and offer a fantastic delivery and collection service that won’t compromise them on time or cost a fortune.” Its new Delivery Management Service also aims to give customers the best possible delivery notifications without having to make a telephone call too. Travis Perkins Aintree is located at Bridle Road, Netherton, Bootle Liverpool L30 1PG and opens on the 1st March at 7:00am.