Grant Aerona heat pumps awarded ECO4 45% uplift

Through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme, installers who fit a Grant Aerona or Aerona 290 air source heat pump with an Aerona Smart Controller, which have been recognised as an ECO4 Substantial Innovation Measure by OFGEM, can now access a 45% innovation measure uplift. Through the Government’s ECO4 Scheme, funding is provided to eligible households to support the installation of energy efficiency measures into their homes with the aim of reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions. Within the scheme, Innovation Measures are recognised which can either be Standard or Substantial. Installers who fit products or technologies which are ECO4 Innovation Measures can subsequently access additional funding with uplifts. When a Grant heat pump is installed as an ECO4 Substantial Innovation Measure, Grant UK will support the set-up of the heat pump system with one of its in-house Technical Sales Support Engineers attending the site on the first installation. Grant UK will then carry out remote monitoring checks three months after installation, and again after 12 months, to ensure that the system is set up and operating correctly. The heat pump will be supported with a 12-year guarantee as well as 12 years’ worth of annual servicing (11 visits in total) carried out by a Grant UK Field Service Engineer. Neil Sawers, Commercial Technical Manager at Grant UK, comments, “We are very pleased that Grant heat pumps have been recognised as an ECO4 Substantial Innovation Measure. “Through the 45% uplift, installers can access additional ECO4 funding to help their customers move to a low carbon heat pump while also providing the end-user with a comprehensive 12-year heat pump guarantee and 12 years’ worth of annual servicing. Furthermore, the remote monitoring functionality of the Grant Aerona Smart Controller will allow our in-house Technical Team to access the heat pump system without being on-site, to provide support with diagnostics, system efficiency, and general maintenance, allowing the end-user to benefit from minimal disruption and increased comfort.”

InstallerSHOW signs sponsorship deal with Lewis Williams

Lyrical Communications (part of Nineteen Group), organiser of InstallerSHOW, has announced a partnership deal with Lewis Williams, reigning Commonwealth Games heavyweight gold medallist, who joins the InstallerSHOW stable ahead of the 2025 event. Lewis is signed to Queensbury Promotions, home to some of the country’s best heavyweight boxers, and showcased his power and skill by stopping his opponent in the second round of his first pro fight last November. Away from the ring, Lewis – who comes from Leamington Spa – has committed to being an ambassador to support the work of The Myton Hospices. Lewis’ father, a huge supporter of his boxing ambitions, was cared for by The Myton Hospices team from his own home towards the end of his life, and it became Lewis’s dream to raise £1m for the hospice during the course of his career. “They were brilliant with dad and couldn’t have made it any easier for us or him at was an incredibly difficult and emotional time,” says Lewis. “They provided real dignity and they have hearts of gold. I said at the time that if I generated a platform to spread the message about Myton Hospice and the great work they do then it would be an honour to do it.” Lewis will be making his InstallerSHOW debut at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 24 June, with appearances planned for all three halls of the event throughout the day and at the InstallerMERIT awards in the evening. Lewis comments, “I’m absolutely thrilled about this new partnership. I really appreciate the support of InstallerSHOW and can’t wait for the bell to ring on the opening day of the event.” Mike Costain, Managing Director at Lyrical Communications, adds, “Like Lewis, InstallerSHOW is a successful heavyweight with a bright future. Joining him on his journey to stardom was a unanimous decision and we’re delighted to be in his corner.” InstallerSHOW 2025 takes place from 24-26 June at the NEC Birmingham, with free parking for all visitors. For more from InstallerSHOW, click here.

New heat pump technology from Hewer

Hewer, a family-run heating, mechanical, electrical, and renewable energy business, has launched Heat Saviour, a technology that aims to simplify heat pump installations and maintenance. As part of its Net Zero plan, the Government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, with gas boilers banned in new homes from 2027. Yet, according to the Heat Pump Association, heat pump sales fell short last year, barely hitting 100,000. In response, the Government has pledged to double the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to £295 million and launched a public awareness campaign to spotlight the £7,500 heat pump grant. Stuart Hesk, Director at Hewer, says, “Installing and retrofitting heat pumps can be complex, costly, and disruptive. They are often designed with non-universal parts, requiring entire heating systems to be ripped out – systems that could have years of use left in them. “Heat Saviour is a much smarter and cheaper way for engineers to install and maintain a heat pump, making property management easier and improving residential satisfaction. We saw the huge amounts of unnecessary waste, cost, and downtime that installing and retrofitting heat pumps was causing, and so, as a customer-first business, we set about inventing a solution to tackle these issues.” Heat Saviour is a pre-assembled unit which sits underneath a standard hot water cylinder, transferring the heat fed from the heat pump through a plate exchanger, which indirectly powers the central heating system. Unlike traditional heat pump systems which, due to their singular loop design, tie households into specific manufacturers’ components, Heat Saviour enables the use of off-the-shelf components. Operating on a dual-circuit loop, the heat pump runs independently of the existing central heating, aiming to eliminate the need for system overhauls. This intends to minimise disruption and downtime, cut labour costs by up to 20%, and deliver homeowners savings of up to £2,000 per installation. With glycol only in the heat pump circuit, it cuts glycol use by 80%. The unit also has a built-in backup heating element, which can either be switched on manually or controlled remotely using a Vericon Systems connected solution. This avoids downtime during maintenance or pump failure and reduces how often engineers need to enter the property. Stuart continues, “There [have] been no post-installation call-backs on the social housing installations since we implemented Heat Saviour. One of the reasons for this is due to the central heating circuit being separate from the heat pump. This helps to prevent sludge from older systems - often still present even after cleaning - from reaching the heat pump filters, which can reduce performance and affect reliability. “Our mission was to design a cost-effective, durable, and sustainable solution with lower upfront costs and simple servicing, which makes the Government heat pump grant go further. A design which simplifies installations from new builds to even older properties which aren’t conducive to heat pump systems, meeting the needs of all homeowners, landlords, and tenants, including social housing providers. “A compact unit which fits into a standard 600mm by 600mm cupboard, Heat Saviour works with all major heat pump brands and comes with a lifetime guarantee on its parts. It ensures that the heat pump runs more efficiently, cutting energy waste and enhancing the system’s overall effectiveness. The shelf-life of the heat pump also improves as there’s no relying on manufacturers’ own parts, which can go out of production, while less glycol in the system dramatically reduces the system's impact on the environment.” Daniel McNally, Director of heat pump installation firm EcoHeat Plumbing, Heating and Renewables, comments, “Heat Saviour has now become a standard part of our toolkit for every suitable heat pump installation. It delivers on every front, lower installation costs, simpler maintenance, and enhanced homeowner satisfaction. For us, it’s more than a product, it enables better service and advances system design.” Stuart adds, “If the Government succeeds in its goal of installing heat pumps in 600,000 UK homes a year, and each property is fitted with a Heat Saviour, that’s an annual saving of £1.2 billion for the economy. Our unit empowers more communities to adopt greener heating methods and, most importantly, offers peace of mind – delivering reliability without the fear of premature failure.”

New WEEE regulations published today

New regulations that will require online marketplaces to finance recycling of electrical waste were published today. The new waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations laid before Parliament close a crucial loophole that has allowed non-compliant product to be sold via online marketplaces. Commenting on the news, Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey says, “For over a decade, online marketplaces have facilitated the sale of WEEE non-compliant products on an industrial scale. The consequences have been very damaging for legitimate UK businesses. The sellers of non-compliant products have gained an unfair advantage because they do not pay their share of recycling costs. But to add insult to injury, that has in turn meant that WEEE costs to compliant businesses have been higher than needed.” The new regulations mean that online marketplaces must report all household electricals within the scope of the existing WEEE regulations from non-UK suppliers. As a consequence, online marketplaces will incur some additional WEEE costs in 2026, with full costs being allocated from 2027. The lighting industry has been particularly impacted by the scale of freeriding on online marketplaces. A survey by the UK WEEE Scheme Forum showed that 76% of LED lamps offered for sale on a major marketplace were not registered for WEEE. Nigel adds, “This is a great day for many companies in the UK lighting industry. At last, the end is in sight for this unfair competition. Recolight has pushed long and hard for this change on behalf of our 220 members. “The mechanism that the government has chosen to implement the change is particularly efficient: rather than requiring many tens of thousands of non-UK companies to register for WEEE, they have instead placed that obligation on the small number of online marketplaces. That makes enforcement by the UK environment agencies much more straightforward.” The regulations will need to pass through both Houses of Parliament. For more from Recolight, click here.

NICEIC expands Experienced Worker Assessment provision

NICEIC, a certification and training body for the electrical industry in the UK, has announced an expansion of its Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) provision. This includes the introduction of a new EWA route for Domestic Electricians and the launch of the EAL Electrical Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Test, designed to give experienced professionals without a Level 2 qualification access to the EWA pathway. This expansion comes in response to increasing demand from electricians seeking formal recognition of their skills. The introduction of the EWA Domestic Electrician route aims to enable more experienced electricians to gain a recognised Level 3 qualification and unlock new career opportunities. In addition, the Electrical Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding Test, launching in June 2025, offers a new pathway for electricians who typically have over 10 years of experience and want to undertake the EWA, but lack a Level 2 qualification. The first exam window will open in July 2025, with NICEIC being the first approved centre to deliver this new test. The EWA is tailored for electricians who have not completed a traditional apprenticeship or equivalent Level 3 vocational qualification but have extensive industry experience. Two routes are available: · Installation Electrician · Domestic Electrician Both routes are benchmarked against the same standards as formal apprenticeships, ensuring candidates are assessed to Level 3 competency. The EWA process is built around real-world evidence, allowing candidates to demonstrate their skills through practical assessment. Eligibility requirements include: · A Level 2 electrical qualification (or equivalent knowledge via the new test). · Minimum of 3 years’ experience for the Domestic Electrician route. · Minimum of 5 years’ experience for the Installation Electrician route. “NICEIC is committed to raising standards and supporting the professional development of electricians,” says Alex Robinson, Head of Product Development at NICEIC. “We’ve seen a significant increase in demand from experienced electricians who want to formalise their skills and stay competitive in a changing industry. By expanding our EWA provision to include the Domestic route and the new entry exam, we’re helping more professionals upskill, gain the recognition they deserve, and contribute to a safer, more competent workforce across the sector.” For more from NICEIC, click here.

UK Power Networks secures ‘Discovery’ funding

A project exploring the use of excess heat from data centres to warm people’s homes in the future is among four new initiatives to receive support, thanks to the Strategic Innovation Fund. Each project will use this early-stage support from OFGEM to tackle some of the energy sector’s most urgent challenges — from strengthening resilience in rural communities and improving rail infrastructure to unlocking hidden energy reserves and capturing waste heat from data centres. The projects from UK Power Networks - a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that manages the electricity distribution network across London, the South East, and East of England - receiving discovery phase funding are: · Hot Chips – Heat recovery from data centres: This project explores how waste heat from data centres can be repurposed to support low-carbon, flexible heating. It will assess how surplus heat can be used to improve the performance of heat pumps in nearby homes, use low-temperature heat networks, store heat for later use, and test flexible pricing for heat pumps — helping to cut carbon from heating and manage demand on the electricity grid. · SHARED (Smart Hydrogen and Resilient Energy Delivery) – Hydrogen backup to improve resilience for rural communities: This project explores the use of low-cost hydrogen production and storage to improve energy resilience in rural communities. By producing hydrogen during periods of low electricity demand, the project aims to support both residential energy needs and critical infrastructure like water pumping stations. · Conductor – Flexible operation of bulk supply points on the rail network: This project explores how under-used electricity substations could provide power to electric trains and reduce the need for unnecessary network upgrades. By installing third-party-owned, large-scale battery storage at traction Bulk Supply Points, the initiative aims to reduce peak loads on the electricity network and export surplus solar energy — helping integrate more renewable energy. · Super DuPPR (Dual Purpose Power Reserves) – Unlocking backup power as a flexible resource: This project explores how backup power stored by operators such as BT can be safely shared with the electricity grid without destabilising the system. By working with customers to unlock this untapped resource, the project helps when there's less renewable energy available and shows how using backup power in a smarter way can support the whole energy system. Luca Grella, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, says, "Securing funding for all four of our Discovery Phase projects is a huge milestone for us, and a testament to the strength of our innovative approach to tackling some of the UK’s most pressing energy challenges. “These projects will build on our existing efforts to enable the transition to a low-carbon, more flexible energy system. We’re excited to move forward with these initiatives, knowing they will not only support our nationwide commitment to Net Zero but also deliver practical, scalable solutions that benefit both our customers and the wider energy network." Rich Marsh, Responsible Business Director at BT Group, comments, “Collaboration across organisations and sectors is vital to tackle the sustainability challenges facing the UK. Working alongside UK Power Networks will give us the opportunity to find smarter ways to support the energy system and help pave the way to a greener and more resilient future.” For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

National Grid starts work on new substation

National Grid, the UK's largest electricity distribution network, is starting work on its new Uxbridge Moor substation in Buckinghamshire which will connect over a dozen new data centres to its network. The new site forms part of National Grid’s upgrade to its transmission network to meet growing demand for electricity, ensuring it can continue to support the growth of new sectors such as data centres as well as the economic and employment benefits they can bring. The site will feature two substations – one 400kV and one 132kV – both of which will be indoor gas-insulated facilities (GIS), reducing the footprint of the development by around 70% and minimising its impact on the environment. Uxbridge Moor will be among the first GIS substations in the country to be free of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a commonly used electrical insulator that is also a potent greenhouse gas. Using an alternative insulating gas means the project marks another key step towards National Grid’s ambition to reduce SF6 emissions from its network by 50% by 2030. Principal contractor Murphy will build the Uxbridge Moor substation, as well as delivering ancillary facilities, underground cabling, and associated work to connect the 400kV substation to the nearby overhead transmission line. National Grid is planning £35 billion of investment between 2026 to 2031 to connect both large sources of demand (such as data centres and gigafactories) and new sources of electricity generation (such as wind and solar). The requests from data centres to connect at Uxbridge Moor will require around 1.8GW of new capacity, equivalent to adding a mid-sized city to the grid on the outskirts of London. When built, it will be the largest new substation on National Grid’s network by gigawatt capacity. The new substation site borders National Grid’s existing Iver 400kV substation in Buckinghamshire, which has reached capacity and cannot be expanded to meet the demand from data centres and other customers for connections in the area. Energy Minister Michael Shanks says, “Upgrades to the electricity network like this are at the heart of building the industries of our future and support our Plan for Change to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs across the UK. “It comes as we progress our reforms to the grid connections queue that will speed up the time it takes to get high-growth firms, like data centres and AI hubs, plugged into the grid, while also fast-tracking projects that will scale up clean, homegrown power by 2030.” Laura Mulcahy, Project Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, comments, “Our new Uxbridge Moor substation will provide vital access to power for data centres that are at the heart of Britain’s innovation and economic growth. It will enable new jobs and investment in Buckinghamshire, and will support the UK's digital future. “Alongside these significant benefits, we are working to keep the substations’ environmental impact to a minimum. By using the latest SF6-free, gas-insulated switchgear, we’re reducing the size of this crucial site by around 70% and ensuring its technology is sustainable and resilient long into the future.” Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, states, “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” For more from National Grid, click here.

Entries officially open for ECN Awards 2025!

With the ECN Awards returning for 2025 – and the event promising to be even bigger and better than before – we are extremely excited to announce that as of today, 2 June, entries for the ECN Awards 2025 are officially open! Now in their third year, the ECN Awards were created to celebrate the very best of the electrical contracting industry in style. This year’s Awards takes place on 27 November 2025 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry. The event will be a wonderful celebration of our industry, with delicious food and drink, entertainment, and a fabulous after-party! Leading the charge in innovation, companies in the electrical contracting industry are dedicated to enhancing safety, efficiency and sustainability across all sectors, and it is vital to acknowledge their remarkable efforts and accomplishments. If you believe your product, company or project is worthy of an ECN Award, we encourage you to enter today! For a comprehensive list of categories for this year's Awards – including all of the awards within the Products, Sustainable Products, Projects, Training, and Companies categories – click below for this year's list in its entirety: https://electricalcontractingnews.com/awards-entries/ If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Simon at simon@allthingsmedialtd.com, or Kelly at kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com

Ansell Lighting launches S18 catalogue

Leading lighting designer and manufacturer, Ansell Lighting, has unveiled its S18 product catalogue, showcasing a host of new lighting innovations, customer services, and expanded support tools for electrical wholesalers and contractors. Key highlights of S18 include nine new product innovations and 212 new SKUs. Featured product launches include: · Tornado EVO: A relaunch of one of Ansell’s most popular industrial battens, the revamped Tornado EVO features a range of new features designed to improve performance and ease of installation. Now rated IP66 and IK10, it offers better protection against dust, water jets, and impact. Installation is faster and more flexible thanks to three side conduit entries, a moveable terminal block with three positions, and a disassembled base and diffuser. It will be available in 2ft, 4ft, 5ft, and 6ft sizes and backed by a seven-year warranty. · Foliar Connect: The collection includes three spike-mounted luminaires - Planter Spike, Mini Flood Spike, and Spot Light Spike - each designed to blend into landscaping while highlighting outdoor features. Available in black or natural green finishes, the range is controlled via a central hub, allowing users to add, remove, or reposition lights without additional electrical work. Offers CCT selection (3000K–4000K) and optional OCTO smart functionality. · LuxMed: A bedhead luminaire designed specifically for healthcare environments such as hospital wards. It features a single-piece body for easy cleaning and hygiene and independent control of up and down lighting to meet LG2 requirements. It comes dimmable as standard and includes a first-fix back plate for quick installation. S18 also includes details of Ansell’s bespoke LED Strip Cutting Service which aims to deliver pre-cut, pre-soldered strips tailored to customer specifications within 72 hours and including a five-year warranty. Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Ansell Lighting, comments, “S18 is more than a product catalogue - it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to innovation, service, and support. From new product launches to expanded services like our Bespoke LED cutting and OnSite Survey, we’re proud to offer solutions that make life easier for our customers.” For more from Ansell Lighting, click here.

Signify launches Interact emergency lighting system

Signify, a leader in lighting, has launched a new wireless emergency lighting portfolio and monitoring system, enabling building managers to control, monitor, and test emergency lighting and produce compliance reports through a cloud-based dashboard. Powered by Signify’s Interact connected lighting system developed for intelligent buildings, the new system adds to the testing process by automating function and duration tests, while delivering data insights and health status alerts. Interact Building Manager enables building operators to monitor and manage both general and emergency lighting through a cloud-based dashboard. This aims to support multiple testing schedules and deliver reports for regulatory documentation and reporting, as well as to simplify maintenance and to support compliance with emergency lighting standards as per local regulations. Greg Nelson, Executive Vice President, Systems & Services at Signify, says, “For building managers and maintenance teams alike, regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting is crucial, but can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Signify’s new wireless emergency lighting portfolio and Interact Building Manager provides visibility and control over your emergency lighting with regular proof of performance to ensure compliance with relevant standards while reducing operational complexity and cost.” There are four key configurations which intend to meet the varying needs of buildings: general lighting fixtures with built-in emergency capabilities, wireless DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) extenders and sensors, wireless exit signs, and emergency lights. Everything can be commissioned and deployed under one contract and one dashboard, designed to enable cost savings and efficient maintenance and monitoring of an entire lighting system. Alternatively, emergency lighting can be installed and commissioned on its own to achieve mandatory building compliance. Greg continues, “With our connected wireless emergency lighting portfolio, building operators can find tailor-made solutions while also reducing cost, streamlining operations, and meeting essential compliance standards. Signify’s expertise in both general and emergency lighting means we can act as a single trusted partner for a wide range of customer needs.” The new wireless emergency lighting solution is being first made available in Australia and New Zealand, through the Pierlite portfolio, with it being made available in Europe in early September. For more from Signify, click here.