Recolight announce record Membership growth for WEEE compliance

During 2021, a total of 19 companies joined the Recolight WEEE scheme. And from the beginning of 2022, another eight companies joined Recolight, five of which transferred from other schemes. The five companies transferring their compliance are TRILUX Lighting, C.U. Lighting, Urbis Schreder, OrangeTek, and Siteco UK. They also welcome Orluna LED Technologies, Koro Handels GMBH, and Target Sports as Members. “We are delighted that such important lighting brands have transferred their WEEE compliance to Recolight. We pride ourselves on giving the customers of all our Members the most comprehensive free lamp and luminaire collection and recycling service. We very much look forward to supporting our new Members and their customers as they transition towards a circular economy.” says Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO. Towards the end of 2021, the company launched new circular economy services to facilitate reuse of lighting equipment, and to avoid the unnecessary recycling of surplus new lighting. Recolight’s commitment to the circular economy and to protecting the environment are key drivers for our new Members: “For TRILUX, there can only be one answer to the global challenge of climate change: sustainable management and continuous improvement. Recolight share our vision and hence are our preferred WEEE partner,” comments Wissam Choucair, Commercial Director at TRILUX Lighting. “Sustainability is very important to CU Phosco Lighting. We are confident that working with Recolight will help us to further minimize our environmental impact,” comments Nicola Marques, Marketing Director at C.U. Lighting. “The environmental credentials of all our suppliers is important to Urbis Schreder, so one of the reasons we chose to move our WEEE compliance to Recolight was their public commitment to achieving net zero by 2030,” says Kate Pickard, Marketing Communications Manager at Urbis Schreder. “At OrangeTek we are working hard to implement circular economy principles, and being part of the Recolight scheme will help us achieve those goals,” comments Wilbur Tarn, Director at OrangeTek. “An increasing number of our customers request collection and recycling of waste lighting. Working with Recolight ensures our customers’ waste is treated efficiently and responsibly,” comments Paul Coggins, Director, Siteco UK. The Recolight WEEE scheme now has 198 producer members. They range from the world’s largest lighting companies, to small start-ups.

Record numbers of ground source heat pumps manufactured in the UK

Kensa Heat Pumps has broken production records recently, doubling its output over the past 18 months and working towards a further twofold increase in capacity by 2023.  Heat pumps are recognised as vitally important in helping the UK achieve its net carbon zero target, with the government aiming for 600,000 of them to be installed a year by 2028 – a significant increase in current market volumes. Every ground source heat pump installed is the equivalent of taking a combustion engine car off the road. To date over 1 million tonnes of carbon will be saved as a result of Kensa’s ground source heat pump installations across social housing, new build developments, private retrofit homes, and businesses in the UK. Kensa Group CEO, Simon Lomax, says: “Kensa has passionately advocated for a long time that ground source heat pumps are best placed to deliver low carbon heat to the UK. There is a particularly welcome focus from Government in ensuring a large proportion are manufactured here to boost our green economy.  “In response, we are committed to scaling up production to meet increased demand and fulfil the Government’s ambition to ‘build back greener’. Our mission is to connect thousands more people in homes and businesses across the country to cleaner, greener, affordable heat.” He continues: “Our teams have been working hard to deliver fantastic outcomes over the last few months. In the midst of the challenges of a stretched global supply chain, a labour shortage, and significantly increased volumes, Kensa celebrated the highest monthly turnover ever and continues to break records in UK heat pump production.” Kensa has been manufacturing award-winning ground source heat pumps from the heart of Cornwall since 1999 and pioneering the adoption of this environmentally-friendly technology for over two decades. With a product range designed for UK properties and specialist installation division working on large-scale multiple occupancy projects, market share has grown steadily over the years to 50%, bolstered by the Group’s partnership with Legal & General in 2020. To match this rapid growth, the manufacturer has added well over 60 jobs in the past year and is continually recruiting.  To facilitate the widespread roll-out of the technology, Kensa is urging Government to focus efforts on street-by-street installations of networked heat pumps, rather than replacing gas boilers on a house-by-house basis. This would enable whole communities to simply switch to their gas boilers to highly efficient ground source heat pumps when they are ready to transition, supported by a subsidy from the government. If entities such as utility companies and local authorities took ownership of this underground infrastructure, then consumers would simply pay a standing charge as they do in their gas bills for the supply to their boiler.

Legislation to change so that rented properties are fit for habitation

It has recently been announced that the legislation, Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will change, effective from 15th July 2022. The new regulations are designed to ensure that private rented properties in Wales are fit for human habitation, including the provision of an adequate Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarm system. Section 91 of the Act places an obligation on the landlord to ensure that their property is fit for human habitation from the beginning of the tenancy and throughout. The requirements of the legislation are within The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022. The updates significantly affect the requirements for Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms within rental properties. Under The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, all private landlords in Wales must ensure that there is a working Smoke alarm on every storey of a property, e.g. hallway and landing; in addition, all Smoke alarms must be mains powered and interconnected with other Smoke alarms in the property. Landlords should refer to BS 5839-6:2013 for the recommended installation of the required Smoke alarms, however Aico would encourage landlords to reference BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020. The manufacturer’s replacement date should also be noted to ensure the alarms remain fully operational. Additional Smoke alarms can be installed in the property at the landlord’s discretion, for example, a larger property would benefit from additional Smoke alarms for greater protection and coverage. A landlord may also consider installing a Heat alarm in the kitchen. The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 also requires landlords to ensure that a Carbon Monoxide alarm is present in any room which has a gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance installed. Aico’s National Technical Manager, Andy Speake, comments “The updated legislation is a great step towards ensuring there is adequate fire safety in rented properties in Wales, as previously there were no obligations for landlords regarding Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms. The enforcement of The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 is a positive move in the right direction and will ensure greater levels of protection for private tenants in Wales.” In total, there are 29 matters and circumstances set out in the Act which determine whether a rental property is fit for human habitation, examples including damp and mould growth, fire, Carbon Monoxide, excess cold and heat and electrical hazards.

myenergi shortlisted in national technology awards

Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of eco-smart tech pioneer myenergi, has been announced as a finalist in the ‘entrepreneur’ category at this year’s FDM everywoman in Technology Awards. The winners will be announced at the Westminster Park Plaza in London on 9 March 2022. Aiming to shine a spotlight on the sector’s most exceptional talent, the awards celebrate women at every stage of their career journey. Recognising their ambition, innovative thinking and commitment to making a positive impact, each finalist has been chosen for their relentless drive to inspire others. A true industry disruptor, the judges were impressed by Jordan’s pivotal role in the international growth of myenergi – a company best known for developing the world’s first eco-smart electric vehicle (EV) charging device. The business has grown to staff numbers in excess of 300, with more than 3,000 approved installers and subsidiaries worldwide. During the past year alone, profitability has increased by more than 2,000%. Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO at myenergi, comments: “When we founded myenergi, the vision was simple – create a positive impact, push the boundaries of possibility and change the world through pioneering green technology. As society transitions away from fossil fuels and towards the zero carbon world of tomorrow, we want to provide the technologies to make eco-smart home management simple and achievable. Our innovative products are built on a commitment to circularity and a vision of sustainability for generations to come. “Being shortlisted in the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards is a real honour. I’m looking forward to telling my story, sharing myenergi’s vision and using the opportunity as a platform to inspire more women to take up roles in the tech industry.”

Schneider Electric is giving away five prizes of £1,000 for business support

Schneider Electric is giving away five prizes of £1,000 to randomly selected winners who log into mySchneider between 1st February and 30th April 2022. New and existing users from the UK and Ireland are eligible to enter the giveaway, which is designed to assist electricians with growing their business – whether that’s through a new website, van wrapping, workwear or other marketing materials. Winners are free to choose how they would like to spend the prize money, as long as it is used towards business support. The first winner will be announced at the end of February, the next at the end of March, and the remaining three at the end of April. mySchneider provides the electrical community with one-stop-shop access to product information, tools, business advice and chat support to help set up, promote and grow an electrical business – as well as exclusive discounts and promotions. Nico Van Der Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution for UK and Ireland at Schneider Electric, says “We are delighted to continue our support of the electrical community here in the UK. mySchneider electricians are the backbone of the electrical industry and we are constantly thinking of new ways we can champion them throughout their journey. I really hope this prize money makes a difference.” 

New cable junction box enclosure provides fire protection for tunnels

Spelsberg has released a new version of its fire protection enclosures for use in tunnels and similar environments. The new WKE 6 T cable connection and junction box has been designed to withstand forces specific to tunnel environments. Like other enclosures in Spelsberg’s WKE Lifeline range, they also ensure functional integrity for up to 90 minutes in the event of a fire. The enclosures can connect cables with up to 16mm2 cross sections. The new WKE 6 T cable junction box meets standards E30 to E90 that ensure functional integrity is sustained in a fire from 30 to 90 minutes. The enclosure is intended for tunnel applications and is able to withstand high tunnel suction and pressure forces. It’s also well suited to use in buildings to ensure the reliability of emergency systems in the event of a fire. This includes maintaining the operation of alarms, emergency lighting, smoke and heat extraction systems, and fire extinguishers. The halogen-free enclosure is constructed from special thermoplastic that provides flame and heat retardance. Inside, the terminals are made from a high-temperature-resistant special ceramic that helps protect wiring and components. Protection is also provided by an IP66 rating, which ensures that the enclosure is both dust tight and can withstand high pressure water jets. The box is also IK08 impact resistant, one of the highest ratings of industrial durability. The new WKE 6 T enclosure, finished in the WKE range’s distinctive orange colour to signify its fire retardant capabilities, comes in four variants. Available as five-pole connection boxes or three, four or five pole junction boxes, the enclosures can accommodate cables from 1.5mm2 up to 16mm2 widths. Externally, all four variants measure 200mm x 250mm x 120mm. The boxes are easy to install and are available with flexible assembly features typical to the Spelsberg range of enclosures. The terminal bracket can be positioned in 90° steps, and quick installation is thanks to an external stainless steel fixing lug. Flexible cabling is achieved with three optional knock-out membranes per side, 12 in total. The box is also supplied with accessories including cable glands and seals, including seals for accidentally opened push-out membranes. The enclosure is certified to the commonly required EN 60670 and IEC 62208 standards and is also UL-EU and VDE certified. WKE 6 T provides Protection Class II and is rated up to 450 V AC. “Regulations on fire protection in tunnels and buildings is very stringent, both in the UK and EU. Enclosures have to match the standards for the environment achieved by the rest of the durable electrical infrastructure, meaning that the design has to be extremely resilient to a variety of heat, flame, pressure and suction conditions,” says Chris Lloyd, Managing Director, Spelsberg UK. “The new WKE 6 T enclosures are designed specifically to protect vital safety systems under fire and high suction and are designed to ensure safe and controlled management of emergency situations.”

The Waterfront Bar maximises energy savings with SolarEdge Rooftop PV System

The Waterfront Pub & Bar, located at the picturesque Barton Marina in Staffordshire, is on track to significantly reduce its energy bill and cut its annual carbon emissions by approximately 10 tonnes following the installation of a SolarEdge rooftop solar PV system. Originally, a six year return on investment (ROI) period had been forecast for this project. However, based on the performance of the system, this has since been reduced to five years. Further, the owners have taken the decision to install additional SolarEdge solutions on the Marina Office & Café. Built in 2007 using largely reclaimed materials, The Waterfront Pub & Bar resembles a Victorian canal-side warehouse and is designed to accommodate up to three hundred customers for al fresco dining. Powered 100% by electricity, the site’s high energy usage was exacerbated by increasing energy prices. The owners needed a PV system that would contribute the greatest savings to their electricity costs and remain visually pleasing to visitors. Solar PV installer, Kembla, designed a 40.5kWp system to make the most of the available roof space and deliver the maximum output and energy savings. The system comprises ninety 450W solar modules, upgraded to smart modules with SolarEdge Power Optimizers, and a SolarEdge 33.3kW Three Phase Inverter. Declan Adams, Managing Director, Kembla Limited, says: “In pubs, hotels and restaurants, outdoor spaces are key to the customer experience. So, when a location demands maximum output power from a PV system in a setting that needs to retain the visual impact of the building’s exterior, module placement roof space utilisation becomes a priority. The SolarEdge system maximises energy generation throughout its lifetime for increased savings, and with greater flexibility in PV layout, systems can be designed to be more in keeping with the style and shape of the roof.” SolarEdge Power Optimizers are installed underneath each pair of modules to maximise the performance of each module in the system individually. This ensures that, unlike traditional string inverter systems, should the performance of some modules be impaired, for example due to shading or soiling, the rest of the system will continue to produce the maximum amount of energy. The SolarEdge solution also enables much greater flexibility when it comes to laying out the roof space. In a traditional string inverter system, module placement is limited by the need for equal string lengths, as well as maintaining the same tilt of each module. In the SolarEdge system, no such restrictions apply, allowing the layout of the modules to adapt optimally to the roof shape and design to generate more power. With the owners of The Waterfront keen to minimise operation and maintenance costs, a SolarEdge energy meter was added to the system to provide full visibility of the PV performance. Kembla is able to monitor the system remotely via the SolarEdge Monitoring Platform. With fault detection right down to module level and with system alerts set up, the installer can pin-point accurately any issues and resolve them quickly to minimise its time on site and maximise system uptime. Ensuring the safety of customers and staff was another crucial consideration for the owners of The Waterfront. The SolarEdge solution includes several advanced built-in safety features such as SafeDC™ and arc fault detection. SolarEdge SafeDC is designed to automatically power down the solar array to a touch-safe 1V whenever the inverter or grid is shut down, protecting the property as well as installers, electricians and emergency responders. Arc fault detection and interruption are not required by UK regulations but are commonly requested by insurance companies. SolarEdge inverters include this safeguard which is designed to mitigate the effects of some arcing faults that may pose a fire risk. Steve Rainsford, Barton Marina’s Site Manager, concludes: “Our focus was very much on achieving long-term cost savings while also retaining the aesthetics of the pub. We are very pleased to be taking another step forward to making the site more sustainable with a PV system that makes the most of our roof space and allows us to see exactly how much energy we are generating and using every day, month and year.”

Children urged to stay safe at half-term

With half-term fast approaching, UK Power Networks is urging parents to remind their children about the dangers of playing near high voltage electricity. The UK’s biggest electricity distributor wants youngsters to enjoy themselves out in the fresh air, but never treat substations as potential play areas and always be careful near overhead power lines. The company, which distributes electricity to 8.3 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, has a range of safety advice and videos on its website. The main concern is children climbing over substation fences, to retrieve a ball for example, and people are also advised to ‘Look Out and Look Up’ if flying kites or climbing trees near overhead power lines as contact with electricity can be fatal. Debbie Chachulski, safety advisor says: “We would always encourage parents to consider their children’s electrical safety and take the time to understand and pass on the risks. “You should never enter a substation site to retrieve anything, be it a ball or even something more valuable like a dropped phone, because nothing is more costly than serious injury or even death. “Children may also be tempted to use a substation site as a hiding place or den when the fact is they are not a place for some half-term fun. “We also want people to be aware of their surroundings when kite flying or tree climbing as there is also the risks posed by overhead power lines. Power lines can carry anything from 230 volts to 132,000 volts and even coming into contact with the lowest voltage cables can be fatal.”

J S Wright secures £7.25m deal for Hounslow development

Mechanical and electrical building services provider J S Wright has secured a £7.25 million-plus contract for a new housing development in Hounslow. The company, which has its headquarters in Birmingham and an office in London, will upgrade existing heating systems and equip 260 new apartments within the first stage of Lampton Parkside, a development being delivered in joint venture by Notting Hill Genesis and Hill Group. Leading housing provider NHG and award-winning housebuilder Hill are transforming the site formerly occupied by an old civic centre into a development of more than 900 energy efficient and carbon neutral homes for a mix of private sale, shared ownership, and affordable rent. The mechanical works will involve upgrading an existing energy centre, built in Phase One for the entire development, with new gas-fired condensing boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) units to maximise energy efficiencies, along with a new underground district heating system serving the remainder of the development. J S Wright will also provide each apartment with low pressure hot water to feed an underfloor heating system via a heat interface unit connected to an on-site district heating network. It will also provide a boosted cold-water service for landlord areas and water sprinkler systems for residential areas. The company will also use its in-house prefabrication facility to supply the heat interface units within the utility cupboards, reducing the number of trades on site. J S Wright will equip the apartments with mechanical heat recovery ventilation to reduce energy costs. It will also supply and install sanitaryware, above ground drainage, and dry risers for fire protection. The company is to begin work on site this month with completion scheduled for July 2023. Phil Leech, Managing Director of J S Wright, comments: "We are delighted that our expertise and experience as providers of energy efficient M&E building services has been reflected in this commission for such a major development." Established in Birmingham in 1890, J S Wright designs, manufactures and installs mechanical and electrical services for the hotel, residential, social housing, student accommodation, leisure and commercial sectors. Its facilities management company, Wright Maintenance, provides planned preventative maintenance cover for commercial landlords, property agents and homeowners. The company was voted one of the UK's Top Ten Specialist Contractors to Work For in the 2016 Construction Enquirer Awards and was named Construction Services Employer of the Year in the 2020 BAME Apprenticeship Awards.

SELECT and Aico launch Alarm Ambassadors campaign to install alarms

As new heat and smoke alarm regulations come into effect, SELECT has launched a goodwill initiative that will see its Members install free domestic alarm systems for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people. Sponsored by Aico, the Alarm Ambassadors campaign will see qualified electrical professionals fit heat, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in selected homes across Scotland to ensure they comply with the new rules. The recipients will be vulnerable older and disabled people who have been identified by Care and Repair Scotland, the charity which helps householders improve or adapt a home which is no longer suitable. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, says: “We are delighted to be launching this Alarm Ambassadors campaign, sponsored by Aico and supported by Care and Repair, which will help the people in Scotland who need it most and reinforce the importance of domestic fire safety. “We were also delighted that so many SELECT members volunteered to give up their time and install alarms free of charge, demonstrating their commitment to keeping people safe and ensuring work is carried out to the highest standard at all times. “The campaign is designed to help those in genuine need – and remind the public of the importance of using compliant products, installed by qualified electricians where possible, to meet the new legislation which came into effect on February 1.” The first Alarm Ambassadors installation was carried out in Biggar, Lanarkshire by electrician Chris Liddell of SELECT Member business 2 Core Electrics. Also in attendance was SELECT President Donald W Orr and Tony Boyle, Relationships Manager from Aico. Similar installations will now take place across Scotland, with electricians from SELECT member firms installing tamper-proof long-life lithium battery Aico alarms that are sealed, wireless and interlinked in line with the regulations. A completion certificate will also be issued once the work has been completed. Mr Boyle says: “We were only too happy to sponsor this deserving campaign and help people protect their homes and families with high-quality alarm systems, installed by qualified electrical professionals. “It is vital that we get the message across in Scotland that homeowners must act now to become compliant, and this campaign will help raise awareness of the type of products that should be fitted.” The new government standard requires that all homes in Scotland must have a smoke alarm on every storey including hallways and landings, a smoke alarm in the most frequented part of the house, such as the lounge, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is a fuel burning appliance. Mr Orr said that it was vital that action is taken to meet the requirements sooner rather than later, and that a qualified electrician should be employed to install any hard-wired interlinked systems. He says: “The Scottish Government has said that any necessary work should be done within ‘a reasonable period’ after February 1, taking into account individual circumstances. “However, while homeowners do still have this time to become compliant, now is the moment to consult with a properly qualified electrician and plan any additions or alterations which may be needed. “Householders can quickly find their nearest electrical contractor on the SELECT website and members will be able to advise on design, installation and commissioning, as well as providing required certification.” SELECT has produced a range of guidance about the new standard on a dedicated section of its website, including downloadable guides, technical manuals and an easy-to-follow animation.