Power company helps victims of domestic abuse

Calls to domestic abuse helplines have dramatically surged during the pandemic and now a power company is offering victims a safe space and trained call centre staff to help make sure they get the support they need. UK Power Networks, which delivers electricity to 19 million people, has created a Safe Spaces button on the front page of its website and is training customer advisors to recognise signs of abuse when they talk to customers across London, the East and South East of England. The company’s website attracts over 400,000 views every month and anyone clicking on the Safe Spaces digital button will see national and locally tailored support. Very importantly, it does not leave a trace on the user’s internet history and victims can exit the page quickly if they feel in danger of being seen using it. The power company’s Suffolk-based call centre is staffed 24/7 and staff there are being trained by Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) to listen and identify victims of domestic violence and signpost them to national abuse helplines and local support services. More than a 250,000 domestic abuse-related offences were recorded between April and June last year during the first lockdown, according to the Office for National Statistics. UK Power Networks also enhanced its home safety and energy efficiency programmes for victims of domestic abuse in or at risk of fuel poverty, building on an existing partnership with the organisation Home Energy Efficiency Training (HEET). Michael Horwood from UK Power Networks’ Customer Services, who led the initiative, says: “We wanted to do more to support victims of domestic abuse, which is why we are proud to be the first electricity distribution network operator (DNO) to join the online Safe Spaces initiative. “We have taken a multi-faceted approach to help address such a key issue during the pandemic, from advanced staff training, embedding support on our website and delivering tailored support such as home safety and energy efficiency measures to victims of domestic abuse in fuel poverty.” Lesley Watson, from UK Power Networks’ customer service team, one of 35 to have already received the training, comments: “It was very interesting learning what kind of guidance to offer people without getting them in trouble and being aware of the danger they may be in. I think it was a very good idea to offer the training and to know what signals to look for with colleagues and people outside work as well.” Ellie Cox, AVA’s training administrator explains: "We're thrilled to have trained UK Power Networks and really impressed by their commitment to train their staff on domestic abuse, which goes above and beyond. "From the first conversation it was obvious how important this issue was to the organisation and we admire UK Power Networks choice to be active and help make change. “The opportunity to disclose experiences of abuse on a safe phone call which a perpetrator won't suspect, may be life changing for those trapped at home or with little agency to reach services. We look forward to continuing to see the progress of UK Power Networks."

McNally EV boosts vehicle charger workforce with BigChange mobile tech

McNally EV, installer of electric vehicle charging points is using mobile workforce management technology from BigChange to power paperless working and reduce unnecessary mileage. From lead management through to job completion reporting and invoicing, the cloud-based, five-in-one solution, provides a single source for all information needed to run the mobile workforce. Accessible from any internet-enabled device, BigChange is improving efficiency, boosting customer service and reducing the environmental impact of the business. “We are committed to making the world greener by providing the infrastructure to encourage and make accessible the use of electric vehicles, and BigChange is helping us on our journey,” comments Nicky McNally, Managing Director of McNally EV. “Using BigChange, we don’t need to produce unnecessary paper copies of work schedules and job completion reports and our installers and engineers are able to access relevant client records and technical documents, including photographs, through the mobile app. This makes them more efficient and is contributing to a reduction in mileage.” McNally EV is a Yorkshire-based, family run business which has been specialising in the installation of both commercial and home electric vehicle chargers for more than 10 years. Working independently and with national partners including the Shell group, McNally EV has installed over 9,000 electric vehicle charging points across the UK and is committed to improving EV infrastructure for all drivers. “We trialled a number of systems but BigChange is the solution that consistently works well for us,” McNally adds. “The BigChange CRM functionality allows us to keep track of customers past, present and future, meaning our customer interactions are always informed and up to date. Our engineers can also check and allocate stock remotely, which leads to further gains in efficiency and is improving communication within the business.” McNally EV uses the single platform CRM, Job Scheduling, Mobile App, Tracking and Customer Portal from BigChange to support all aspects of its business. Engineers working in the field can access work schedules, client records and stock levels, whilst back-office staff and management have complete visibility of the mobile operation 24/7 from any location, allowing them to react to changing circumstances and keep customers informed. “Being cloud-based is also an important factor for us,” concludes McNally. “As an essential business, we needed to operate as normal throughout the recent lockdowns, and BigChange allowed us to maintain business as usual. BigChange is also extremely adaptable to the needs of our business, allowing flexibility in the way things are organised.”

CEDIA To Become ‘Grow with Google’ Education Partner

CEDIA is offering prospective and current members free access to Grow with Google courses in a range of subjects to complement its industry-leading curriculum. Accessed via CEDIA Academy online, the curated collection of courses from Google explores topics such as the "Fundamentals of Online Marketing," "Design Thinking for the Entrepreneur," "Attract More Customers Online Using Digital Tools and the Black-Owned Business Attribute," and more. The first 10 topics will be posted in May, with new topics posted at the beginning of each month following. "Our industry is full of small business owners who share a passion for smart home technology and how technology can enhance homeowners' lives. Yet to be successful and stand out from the crowd, integrators must develop more than just technical skills and become masters at business," says Giles Sutton, CEDIA Interim Co-CEO and SVP Member Success and Sales. "That's why we're excited to partner with Grow with Google. We've supplemented CEDIA's high-quality education with courses and content that equips integrators with the tools they need to level up their businesses and to help them go from strength to strength." "We are excited to share Grow with Google's free training resources to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in CEDIA's network gain valuable digital skills and grow their businesses," says Aisha Taylor, Community Engagement Lead for Grow with Google. The latest on Google learning relating to smart home connectivity and other business growth opportunities with Google's Nest Pro programme will also be detailed on Wednesday 19th May at the Nest Pro Virtual Summit. Google leadership and product managers will walk-through Nest's investment in the professional trades and upcoming new products and updates to the Nest Pro programme geared to help you expand your business.

Growing importance of efficient building management promises

A diverse, stimulating and profitable career is the potential reward for anybody looking to pursue one of the many professions available in the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) industry, according to the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), which has made 2021 its “Year of Training”. BCIA President Terry Sharp, says, “Whenever an impressive new building appears on our landscape, whether it’s a stadium, tower or a new shopping centre, it is usually the architects who grab the headlines. But buildings are a lot more complex than just empty shells and a lot of the more interesting technology can be found behind the exterior walls. Modern legislation and environmental targets have made good building management a necessity, meaning that building controls engineers have a vital role to play in making our buildings energy efficient and sustainable.” The BCIA offers a full suite of training courses which are designed for those wishing to upskill or start their journey as a Building Controls Engineer. The courses include BCM01: Fundamentals of HVAC and Building Technology, BCM02: Measuring and Control Technology, and BCM03: Hydraulics in Building Systems. BCM01 gives an overview of the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) industry and the systems and technologies used in the control of heating, ventilating and air conditioning. BCM02 offers comprehensive training on the theory of measuring and control technology and is designed for engineers and technicians who have some knowledge and field experience with a minimum period of one year within the industry. BCM03 involves the main water circuits and systems used within the building services controls environment. This course includes the necessary mechanical knowledge needed to understand applications and covers all aspects of valve sizing and control. Anybody who completes these three courses will be awarded a BCIA Technical Certificate. They will also become eligible for the Building Controls Integrator ECS card provided the applicant also holds a formal BS7671 qualification in the current edition of the wiring regulations (currently BS7671: 2008, 18th edition) as well as a current (up to date) Health & Safety Certificate or recognised ECS H&S exemption. The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is the sole ID and competence card scheme for electrotechnical operatives in the UK. ECS cards are issued by the Joint Industry Board (JIB) as a way to recognise and verify the competency of electrotechnical operatives working in the UK. The Building Controls Integrator ECS card is designed to meet the need for the growing body of controls engineers to gain appropriate recognition for the skills they have acquired. Terry Sharp concludes: “Whether it’s new builds or retrofit projects the controls industry has a huge number of exciting projects to offer. The next generation of engineers will be the key drivers in evolving technologies to create a more environmentally friendly building landscape for tomorrow. The training courses mentioned here could be the first step on the way to a long and exciting career.”

Higher costs, lower employment expected for engineering services sector

The rising costs of labour and materials stand out as major concerns from the latest survey of UK electrotechnical and engineering services firms. This is expected to have a negative impact on profits and employment. Significant uncertainty has led to a quarter of businesses (24%) employing fewer apprentices in Q2. A third (34%) of respondents added that they would need less agency and sub-contracted labour this quarter. Similarly, nearly eight in ten (78%) believed labour costs in Q2 would remain stable or rise, with just 20 per cent anticipating a fall. More than one in five (22%) expect to employ less direct labour in Q2 compared to the last quarter. Andrew Eldred, ECA Director of Employment and Skills, says: “Employment and apprenticeships are still at risk. Behind the headline growth figures, conditions remain challenging for many engineering services employers and employees.” Some firms expressed cautious optimism about turnover recovery in the latter half of the year, though this was set against the current backdrop of rising material costs resulting in squeezed margins Two thirds of businesses (37%) expect the cost of materials to escalate in Q2, while 45% expect them to stay stable. Nine in 10 businesses (90%) expect the cost of tendering to stay the same or increase in Q2 2021, while only 9% anticipated this would fall. Rob Driscoll, ECA Director of Legal and Business, comments: “Uncertainty of demand post-pandemic, a backlog of potential COVID disputes, implementation of Reverse VAT, IR35, continuing H&S restrictions due to COVID, sharply escalating materials, along with costs, delays and shortages – are compounding in the first half of 2021 to create one of the most hostile business landscapes in recent memory. “When demand rockets, in an environment of restricted supply and price remains low margins are squeezed to breaking-point. "By extension the pressure this brings on employment and training is historically undeniable.” Paula Samuels, BESA Head of Employment Affairs says: “Although the sector has remained active throughout the pandemic delivering essential services, the outlook appears uncertain. The impact of the materials crisis, reduced profitability and the future employment landscape are of real concern.” Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, adds: “It is clear that the industry still faces many challenges, and it is concerning to see the ongoing apprehension about delays, shortages and the rising costs of materials that are available. It is therefore vital for businesses to plan ahead, order well in advance and factor in for potential disruption to the supply chain.” Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, concludes: “The industry certainly has a lot of challenges at the moment and they look set to stay for some time. Our Members are now starting to feel the dual effects of the pandemic and Brexit with rising prices, product shortages and longer lead times. “The reduction in the number of apprenticeships is of particular concern given the skills shortages already in our industry and this can only exacerbate the problem for the future. This could lead to hindrance when meeting the governments net zero ambitions."

New standards for energy smart appliances will lay the foundations for a flexible low carbon energy system

The UK has great potential to develop a marketplace for energy smart appliances, and this will be critical to meeting the UK’s net zero target. Innovation in the manufacturing of smart appliances and controls has already delivered huge steps forward. BEAMA has announced and supports the publication of two new standards, PAS 1878:2021 Energy smart appliances – Functionality and system architecture – Specification and PAS 1879:2021 Energy Smart Appliances – Demand side response operation – code of practice. These standards set the basis for how full integration and interoperability of energy smart appliances can support a market for flexible energy services. They complement and develop further the European standards that BEAMA and its members have contributed to in recent years. BEAMA says that it will continue to work with its members to inform further development of UK and international regulation, working closely with the UK Government on the appropriate implementation of supporting policy and regulation. PAS 1878 sets out requirements for an appliance to be classified as an Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) and outlines the functional requirements and system architecture of an ESA to enable Demand Side Response. BEIS may look at the possibility for future certification requirements, and BEAMA will continue to work closely with the UK Government and its membership to ensure appropriate market wide application and suitability. Currently this PAS is voluntary, and BEAMA is encouraging its membership to take it into consideration as the basis for the design and architecture of manufactured ESAs. Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA CEO and chairman of the Strategic Advisory Group overseeing the development of these standards, states, “These specifications will play a significant role in the future of flexibility markets in the UK energy system. The specifications, developed over the last two years, have taken on board expert views from across industry, consumer groups, Government and BSI and now form the basis for considering interoperable solutions for consumers and businesses. “BEAMA members across the wide scope of energy smart appliances we cover will find these specifications useful, in particular as the UK Government are planning regulations that will adopt all or part of these PASs. “Understanding these PASs is vital for the integration of heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points in buildings and energy networks and to realise the value of smart metering infrastructure.”

UK businesses set to invest almost £16bn in EVs this year

UK businesses are planning to spend almost £16bn on electric vehicles (EVs) this financial year – up 50% on last year’s spending, writes Syntegra Group’s Sarah Gibbons. A new survey from Centrica Business Solutions polled 200 UK businesses that operate fleets and showed two-thirds of those companies said that they are on track to switch to a fully electric fleet by the time the Government’s ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles comes into effect in 2030. About 40% of the companies said they had added more EVs to their last year, despite the effects of the COVID lockdowns. Just 10% had downsized their EV fleet during the 12-month period. Centrica Business Solutions scaled these findings to cover the entirety of the UK’s private sector, finding that UK firms’ total EV spend in 2020-21 was £10.5bn, and that this figure should exceed £15.8bn for 2021-22. The figure covers pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. The survey also asked businesses about what was motivating their EV transition. The need to meet corporate sustainability targets was the most common answer. Some businesses were also motivated by the implementation of low and zero emission zones across key routes and by the lower maintenance costs associated with EVs. “Despite the disruption of the past year, it’s encouraging to see investment in EVs remain a key priority for many businesses,” Centrica Business Solutions’ managing director Greg McKenna said. “The fact that firms are planning to increase their spending so dramatically over the next 12 months is proof that more businesses are recognising the advantages of adopting low-emission vehicles, especially as they recover from coronavirus and seek to create sustainable growth. “Now that 2030 is set in stone as the end of new petrol and diesel sales we need to ensure three things to help get us there: sufficient electric vehicles to meet demand, reliable charging infrastructure that’s available to all and a flexible energy system that can deliver green power where it’s needed.” The findings identified in the UK by Centrica Business Solutions echo those recorded on a more global basis by the Climate Group’s EV100 scheme whose latest annual report revealed that participating businesses collectively rolled out more than 89,000 EVs in 2020.  The Climate Group has forecasted that, if all members fulfil their commitments, they will have a joint roll out of more than 4.8 million EVs by the end of the decade. Syntegra MD Alan King says: “This is very encouraging news. Changing your fleet to EVs or hybrid technology has a positive impact on a company’s sustainability credentials – it can be implemented without a major overhaul of business practices and infrastructure adaptations.

83% of Brits are redecorating their homes ready to impress guests indoors

With Brits being able to welcome people into their homes and gardens from the 17 May, new research from Checkatrade has found that a huge 83% of Brits are planning a home refresh over the next 12 months. Findings from Checkatrade’s Home Pride Index report, which looks at the value British homeowners place on their home, has found the top renovations UK homeowners are planning to make in the future are redecorating a living room, bedroom or bathroom (30%), followed by a garden revamp (23%). Top renovations UK homeowners are planning to make in the future: 1. Redecoration of living room/bedroom/bathroom – 30% 2. Garden revamp – 23% 3. Replacing flooring – 22% 4. A new kitchen – 19% 5. Replacing windows – 15% 6. New external doors – 13% 7. Building a shed – 10% 8. Knocking walls through/building walls – 8% 9. Installing a conservatory – 7% 10. Creating a home office – 6% The new study also reveals that eco upgrades are on the agenda, with one fifth (19%) of Brits keen to make environmentally friendly improvements like installing insulation or solar panels. Meanwhile, when it comes to home inspiration, most homeowners are influenced by TV shows (21%) and magazines (19%). While social media was also cited by many as a source of inspiration, including Pinterest (12%), Instagram (11%), and Facebook (9%). In fact, not only has the past year driven a growing wish list of home improvement goals, but it has also seen a rise in interiors and home renovation social media accounts, with 34% of Brits saying they have turned – or would turn – their home renovations into social media followings. Checkatrade’s research also revealed that the most popular reasons for starting a home interiors/renovation social media account were to share advice and recommendations with others (40%), to give themselves something to do during lockdown (35%) and to inspire others (34%). Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade, comments: “The past year has inspired many of us to invest in our homes and as a result, we’re seeing incredible demand as homeowners seek to make their dreams a reality. In fact, contacts to our Checkatrade members were up 154% year-on-year this past March, so we are not surprised to find that eight in 10 people are planning to refresh their homes over the next 12 months.” "No matter where your inspiration may come from, when planning your next home project, make sure you use a reputable and checked professional to help bring those ideas to life.’’

tado° raises €38 million and announces a partnership with noventic

tado° has announced a new investment of €38 million, raised from noventic and existing shareholders. tado° and noventic will enter a strategic partnership to develop and distribute new energy-efficient proptech solutions for the commercial housing market. The investment will also be used to drive technologies for sustainable heat generation, OEM solutions for heating and cooling manufacturers, and for expanding into new markets. The commercial housing market is set for digitisation and consists of over 50m homes in Europe, which are managed by real estate companies and municipalities. The European Green Deal is putting political pressure on the sector to digitally transform and to manage its energy consumption significantly more efficiently through new technology. Real estate companies are adopting innovation faster than ever. 81% of real estate organisations plan to use new digital technologies in traditional business processes and spending on tech and software is continuously growing. With its intelligent home climate management, tado° provides solutions for consumers and businesses. This includes smart thermostats for heating and air conditioning systems, mobile consumer applications, as well as SaaS products for energy utilities and heating service companies. Today tado° partners with the majority of the top 20 utilities across Europe to help transform them from being an energy commodity supplier to becoming strongly positioned as energy service providers. The commercial housing market shall become a new market segment on the company’s mission to digitise the vast majority of buildings. “The partnership with noventic will kickstart new proptech solutions for the commercial housing market and we’re thrilled to be partnering with noventic who have a wealth of experience in this sector,” says tado° CEO Toon Bouten. “As a leader in intelligent home climate management, tado° is in an excellent position to bring our energy-efficient solutions to this rapidly-transforming market.” “Against the background of the European climate targets, we want to bring together consumption data with smart consumption control to provide even better support to the professional housing industry in the implementation of their energy saving strategies in residential quarters,” says noventic Managing Director Dirk Then. noventic CFO Stephan Bause adds: “With this strategic investment, we are expanding our solution portfolio together with tado° to include a market- leading home climate control technology.” Through the partnership, tado° and noventic will offer new and better energy efficiency and digitalisation solutions to a huge new market of multi-family homes and commercial buildings. At the same time tado° will continue to drive its consumer business, and solutions business for utilities and heating service companies.

Commercial building professionals urged to consider ultrasound technology

With water damage proving to be one of the most frequently reported insurance claims in buildings, the latest in ultrasound technology offers a promising solution to avoid costly damage in vulnerable commercial buildings. According to ABI, insurers pay out £1.8 million for residential water damage every day. Causes can relate to a number of issues such as corrosion, limescale and frost compromising old pipes, as well as accidental drilling of new systems, all of which can have disastrous effects in commercial buildings. According to an expert from AXA, particularly vulnerable buildings include those that have just been built, vacant, or reduced occupancy – as are many buildings currently due to the pandemic. The message comes from polymer company, REHAU which has recently unveiled a pioneering smart water control system using the latest in ultrasound technology – RE.GUARD. With most drip-based leaks usually going unnoticed, and burst pipes then leading to severe damage, REHAU is encouraging specifiers, contractors and facilities managers to take advantage of this new prevention technology. REHAU’s RE.GUARD smart control water system monitors the water flow rate assessing it in real time due to integrated software. The innovative new system is comprised of four main components: a smart water controller, water sensors, a hub gateway and an app. Water damage issues pose increased risk in commercial buildings such as offices as they generally have more water features than residential homes, including more toilet facilities, air conditioning, water coolers, and coffee machines connected to the mains. The RE.GUARD smart water controller helps to detect burst pipes and drip leaks by shutting off the water supply to mitigate damage. It is installed after the water meter which allows it to also measure water consumption, and has the ability to be manually turned on and off. The controller is supported by RE.GUARD water sensors which detect leaking water in critical areas even faster by being positioned throughout the building. It connects to the RE.GUARD smart water controller via the Z-Wave radio standard and includes an extension cable for places that are particularly difficult to reach. All devices are connected to the Internet via the RE.HUB gateway which can easily be connected to a building’s router. Essential information is then available to the property manager at a glance which also helps to identify sustainable ways to save on water consumption. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions says: “Not only is water damage an expensive problem to face for building owners, it can also result in the formation of mould within just 24 hours of moisture penetrating a building structure, which is harmful to health and requires extensive remediation work. The unfortunate reality is that many property owners don’t find out until it’s too late. “With smart technology now embedded into most of our daily lives, we just knew there should be a better solution to this issue. We monitor the health of our bodies, so why shouldn’t we monitor the health of our buildings? It really is an exciting new gadget which we believe can help building professionals by providing a cost-effective safety net.”