Midea UK announces partnership with City Plumbing

Midea Cooling & Heating UK, the UK division of Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea, supplying air conditioning, heat pumps, and HVAC systems, has announced a new, nationwide partnership with City Plumbing, a UK plumbing, heating, and electrical supplier. This collaboration is effective from 20 June 2025. Midea Cooling & Heating UK, part of the global Midea Group, is known for designing and delivering air-to-water heat pump products. City Plumbing, with a network of over 360 branches nationwide, is a player in the distribution of plumbing, heating, and renewable heating systems for the trade. Steve Robinson, Managing Director of Midea Cooling & Heating UK, says, “The heat pump market has evolved significantly in recent years. Throughout this change, we have remained focused on delivering a product that leads the industry in specification, reliability, warranty, and value. Our efforts have earned us a strong reputation among installers and customers alike. With the introduction of our three-year free service option – where installers are rewarded for taking care of our products – demand for the Midea brand has grown significantly. "Partnering with City Plumbing, a leading national merchant, who has a dedicated national renewables team across the UK, gives us a powerful platform to unlock the full potential of our offering. It ensures that wherever our customers are based, premium products and expert support are never more than a few miles away. "There is no substitute for our market offer and, by working together, we believe Midea and City Plumbing can support each other – and our customers – to grow stronger, win more profitable business, and accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heating across the UK.” Hemal Morjaria, Managing Director of Renewables, Electrical, and Site Temp at City Plumbing, adds, "We are delighted to welcome Midea into our renewable’s portfolio. Midea’s emphasis on installer support, product performance, and warranty assurance has made it a very compelling brand in the UK heat pump sector today. "We are committed to making sustainable heating accessible to every installer across the UK. This partnership allows us to offer an even stronger proposition in-store and online, ensuring that our customers have the tools, products, and service they need to deliver exceptional low-carbon solutions to homeowners across the UK.” The agreement was officially signed at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, where Midea is a global partner.

Sureserve and Kensa join forces for low-carbon heating

Sureserve, a social housing energy and compliance services provider, and Kensa, a British heat pump manufacturer, have announced a new partnership to help social housing providers and public bodies across the UK accelerate the decarbonisation of heating and reduce residents' energy bills. The partnership’s joint mission is 'to reduce fuel poverty for thousands of residents, cut carbon, and improve energy efficiency at scale across the UK.' The UK-based collaboration combines Kensa’s experience in Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps with Sureserve’s work in installations and maintenance to deliver low-carbon, affordable heating at scale, especially in flats and housing clusters where it makes the most significant impact. Kensa has manufactured close to 20,000 ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) - including the Shoebox model, which introduced GSHPs to flats via Networked GSHPs. Sureserve install over 6,000 renewable energy systems each year and maintain over 1.2 million heating systems. The partnership seeks to complement work with various UK housing associations and local authorities, including L&Q Group, Clarion, Southern Housing Group, Aberdeenshire Council, Haringey Council, Kensington and Chelsea, and Thurrock Council. Emma Nicklin, Commercial Director at Sureserve, comments, “Kensa has a strong reputation and unparalleled expertise in the ground source heat pump sector. This partnership will be a fantastic collaboration for Sureserve as we continue to drive forward our mission to be the trusted partner of choice to the social housing and related public sector in delivering essential and affordable heating, energy savings, and compliance solutions, playing a key and progressive role in decarbonisation. “In 2024, our Sureserve engineers installed more than 1,700 heat pumps across the UK, reinforcing our position as a national leader in decarbonisation and retrofit. This partnership will not only enhance those capabilities but allow us to deliver sustainable heating solutions further and faster, on a scale. “Together with Kensa, we’ll help create social housing which is both environmentally friendly and financially sustainable. We are proud of this partnership, which supports our aim to tackle climate change and champion for residents nationwide.” Tamsin Lishman, CEO at Kensa, adds, “Our mission is clear: take people out of fuel poverty, decarbonise heating, and give social housing providers the confidence to act. This partnership is about more than delivery, it’s about driving bold, credible change at scale. By combining our expertise, we’re not just making low carbon heating possible—we’re making it practical, affordable, and a scalable reality for the homes that need it most.” For more from Kensa, click here.

NICEIC announced as sponsor of EIC Training Platform

NICEIC, a certification and training body for the electrical industry in the UK, has announced its sponsorship of the Electrical Industries Charity’s (EIC) Learning Management Platform for 2025. The EIC has been working to create better workplaces and industry communities since 1905. Celebrating 120 years, the charity continues to offer services to those who work and have worked within the electrical and energy industries, ensuring no one faces life’s challenges alone. EIC's Learning Management Platform provides apprentices with free training programmes which aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate mental health challenges effectively. Prioritising mental wellbeing is a pressing issue for the electrical industry, with the ONS reporting in 2024 that risk of suicide for those working in the broader construction industry is 1.6 times higher than the national average. NICEIC says it recognises the importance of empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate mental health challenges effectively. The platform has already been used by over 20,000 apprentices and NICEIC’s sponsorship seeks to enhance EIC’s ability to deliver on its mission of improving mental health education for apprentices. "We are delighted to support EIC in their mission to provide essential mental health training,” comments Frances Barnes, NICEIC People Director. “NICEIC firmly believes that mental wellbeing is fundamental to personal and professional success. This sponsorship reflects our commitment to fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce. EIC’s platform has already proved to be a valuable tool for the next generation of electricians, and through this sponsorship we hope that it can become even more widely used." Jess Vailima, Managing Director at EIC, adds, "The NICEIC’s sponsorship of our learning management system will allow us to expand our reach and offer our training programmes to even more apprentices. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those navigating mental health challenges." Training courses are available via the EIC online learning platform and are designed to equip learners with essential skills for navigating mental health challenges. The platform offers the following resources: • Mental health awareness training — designed to raise awareness of mental health, identify signs of struggle, access support resources, and promote open conversations. • Mental health first aid — designed to equip learners with how to recognise common mental health issues, provide initial support, and guide individuals towards professional help. • Suicide first aid — which aims to empower participants to identify suicide warning signs, intervene effectively, and create a safe and supportive environment. • Access to wellbeing seminars — These monthly talks will feature expert speakers on diverse wellbeing topics, seeking to offer practical strategies to encourage self-care. For more from NICEIC, click here.

‘Stunning’ Kent views enhanced by UK Power Networks’ investment

Views across Kent's Stour Valley have been transformed by a power line undergrounding project. UK Power Networks, a distribution network operator for electricity covering South East England, the East of England, and London, has invested £485,000 to remove 2km of overhead cables and 27 poles from Kent Downs National Landscape at the historic, picturesque village of Wye. The power lines ran parallel with a country lane at the entrance to the village and passed through Grade II registered parkland in front of Olantigh House, in an area popular with walkers on the Stour Valley Walk and North Downs Way National Trail. The scheme was achieved through UK Power Networks’ power line undergrounding initiative to enhance the natural beauty of Britain’s National Landscapes and National Parks. Projects are chosen by environmental experts on a regional steering group chaired by Natural England, including Kent Downs National Landscape, which nominated the scheme. Carl Bennett, a Surveyor at UK Power Networks, comments, “Wye is a picturesque medieval village situated within the Kent Downs along the famous ‘Pilgrim’s Way’. The village is packed with history, full of distinctive character, and abuts the River Stour on its western side. The area is a magnet for walkers due to the beautiful landscape consisting of rolling hills, patchwork fields, and idyllic woodland trails meandering through the Kentish countryside. “UK Power Networks’ investment has enhanced the visual amenity and natural character of the area, opening up stunning vistas for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike. The removal of the electrical lines has made a positive impact on the local area which has enhanced people’s enjoyment of the Kent Downs.” James Loudon, Landowner, says, "UK Power Networks has done an excellent job in undergrounding overhead lines in the Kent Downs AONB near Wye. Its work has certainly improved the natural landscape in the area and has been carried out in a most efficient and timely fashion." Tim Owen, Senior National Landscape Manager at Kent Downs National Landscape, adds, “Whilst these projects take a while to come to fruition, it’s certainly well worth the wait. Seeing the unimpeded views across the Stour Valley and through the historic parkland is such an impressive change. This area of the National Landscape is rich in history and the landscape breathtaking. This investment in the landscape has definitely improved the area for everyone.” UK Power Networks planned and agreed the route for new underground cables and a substation with landowners before the new underground cables and equipment were installed, after which the overhead lines and poles were switched off and dismantled. In the last 10 years, UK Power Networks has invested approximately £7 million in 16 power line undergrounding schemes to remove 64km of overhead power lines from the country’s protected landscapes in the South East and East of England. For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

CU Phosco delivers high mast lighting for Farnborough Airport

CU Phosco, a UK designer and manufacturer of exterior lighting equipment, in collaboration with ATG Airports, a manufacturer and installation projects company for airfield ground lighting, has successfully installed a high mast lighting system at Farnborough Airport. This project, part of Farnborough Airport's commitment to maintaining high operational standards and sustainability, involved the installation of 13 high masts equipped with FL800D luminaires. The lighting system aims to ensure good visibility on the new apron and to support the airport's sustainability milestones. Farnborough Airport, the birthplace of British aviation and Europe's number one business aviation airport, has long been a symbol of excellence in aviation infrastructure. It handles around 31,000 aircraft movements annually. With the opening of Domus III last year, a 175,000 ft² hangar facility, Farnborough Airport continues to demonstrate progression in aviation innovation and sustainability. The Domus III project was overseen by McLaughlin and Harvey as the Principal Contractor. CU Phosco, acting as a sub-contractor, was responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive high mast lighting system that met the specified standards. The company has also been involved in various projects at the airport for several years. The project was designed to support Farnborough Airport's environmental goals, minimising energy consumption while using more energy-efficient lighting, and follows a series of milestones in recent years at the airport. In 2024, Farnborough Airport was awarded Level 4+ carbon accreditation status by the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme, one of only five UK airports and the only business aviation airport to achieve the recognition. Last year, Farnborough Airport also completed one of the largest light-weight solar installations in the South East, enabling the airport to generate 25% of its own power. For the airport's new apron, a total of 13 high masts, manufactured at CU Phosco's Bradford facility, were equipped with 50 FL800D luminaires. Each high mast features CU Phosco's Raise and Lower System, which seeks to enable safe and efficient maintenance without the need to close large areas of the apron. This system lowers the luminaire carriage to ground level in one operation, aiming to reduce disruption to airport operations and enhance safety. The FL800D luminaires are equipped with Samsung CSP LEDs and the AeroFlow Cooling System. This combination of optics and construction was chosen so that the lighting system meets the stringent requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Farnborough Airport. Gary Stone, Project Manager at ATG Airports, comments, "The high mast lighting system installation was seamless thanks to CU Phosco's robust design and efficient team. The quality of the finish and ease of maintenance provide a safe and reliable lighting solution that aligns perfectly with Farnborough Airport's high standards." Stephanie Bishop, Head of Infrastructure at Farnborough Airport, adds, “CU Phosco is a well-known and reputable supplier at Farnborough Airport, consistently delivering high-quality products for several years. Recently, they played a crucial role in the Domus III project, managed by Principal Contractors McLaughlin and Harvey, by providing 13 high mast lights of exceptional quality.” For more from CU Phosco, click here.

Baxi reacts to Government's Spending Review

Following the Government’s Spending Review, Jeff House, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Baxi, a heating and hot water systems manufacturer, comments on the key points of interest for the heating industry:   “It is great news to see confirmation of the full £13.2 billion funding earmarked for the Warm Homes Plan, which will see vital investment in the rollout of heat pumps and other measures to improve efficiency in homes, lower bills, and reduce emissions from heat. The industry remains committed to playing its part in the decarbonisation of buildings and homes, and Baxi will continue to prioritise delivering the solutions, training, and support services to help heating engineers and their customers make the switch.   “Whilst we await the full detail of the Warm Homes Plan later this year, we understand that the headline funding figure will support an extension and increase of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme out to 2030, additional funding for the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, and significant funding to deliver heat network schemes.   “Making a success of delivering low carbon heating and hot water into the future means developing the skilled workforce capable of meeting demand. We know a key part of this is encouraging the next generation of engineers and installers into the industry, so it is promising to see £1.2 billion of investment in the wider skills system to support over one million young people into high-quality training and apprenticeships. We await with interest the upcoming strategy for Post-16 Education & Skills to provide more detail.   “Our last annual Skills Survey found, much like in previous years, some reticence to take up heat pump training from those installers nearing retirement – a demographic that makes up a significant proportion of the workforce. A perceived lack of practical training, complex government incentives, and lack of consumer demand were the key barriers cited by respondents. As newly-qualified installers enter the industry, we expect to see more embrace the latest technologies. The government and industry, however, must collaborate further to address these barriers to training and make a career in heating more attractive to build the workforce needed to make a success of the energy transition.   “The government has continued its focus on prioritising funding for affordable and social housing through the £39 billion earmarked to support the sector with reaching housebuilding targets over the next 10 years. The funding for local authorities, private developers, and housing associations joins the £2 billion for the development of 18,000 new affordable homes announced in March – half of which is allocated for social housing – and the existing 'Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund' already in place to retrofit existing social housing and improve energy efficiency.   “With our expertise and experience in partnering with the education sector on delivering efficient heating and hot water, it is promising to see the government commitment to the Schools Rebuilding Programme, providing around £2.4 billion per year over the next four years, to rebuild over 500 schools. A further increase in annual maintenance investment will see additional funding to improve the condition of the school estate.   “There are, however, wider challenges in this space that must be addressed to support contractors, specifiers and school estates managers with delivering efficient, low-carbon heat. Research presented in our recent report, Decarbonising heat in schools: challenges and opportunities, uncovered that while the majority of schools strongly support heating decarbonisation, more than a third of UK schools continued to grapple with key challenges in achieving it.   “The survey of 200 state school estates managers, consultant engineers, and M&E contractors uncovered that technical difficulty and electrical capacity requirements were the top barriers to installing low carbon heating. The study also showed a slight preference for hybrid heat pump systems over standalone heat pump solutions. 80% of engineers and contractors surveyed stated they would be likely to recommend a hybrid system, while 93% of estate managers confirmed that they would likely consider installing a hybrid heating system.   “As part of the report, and now as part of our response to the latest wave of funding, Baxi is calling for four clear steps that we believe the Government must take to ramp up the decarbonisation of schools: 1. Include heating system upgrades for schools within existing public sector support schemes. 2. Include hybrid heating systems more openly within existing support schemes. 3. Address the imbalance in price between gas and electricity. 4. Address the skills gap to help deliver clean energy projects.   “These steps will be vital to remove any barriers preventing the installation of hybrid heating systems within public buildings, while also making the best use of funding available to deliver schools that are both efficient and fit for the future.”   For more from Baxi, click here.

Vent-Axia champions cleaner indoor air on Clean Air Day

British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is supporting Clean Air Day today (Thursday, 19 June 2025). This year’s campaign highlights how air pollution affects us from before our first breath until our last, and encourages people to understand the health risks as well as urge MPs to support stronger air quality laws in the UK so we can all breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives. Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, led by Global Action Plan, a UK environmental charity, with the support of Health Equals. The campaign aims to raise public understanding of the harmful effects of air pollution, inspiring the public to take action to clean up the air. Awareness of the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ) has grown significantly since the pandemic, but concern has deepened in recent years following the death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, caused by a mouldy home. As a result, from October, Awaab’s Law, part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, is set to impose strict legal requirements on social landlords to investigate and resolve mould issues. Consequently, households are becoming more aware of the risks associated with poor IAQ and condensation and mould. But IAQ issues affect more than just social homes. Research from the University of Birmingham recently found that people may be exposed to unhealthy levels of airborne pollutants inside their homes, even if outdoor air quality is good. The research found significant differences in particulate matter (PM) levels between three houses that were studied over a two-week period, with one home exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) 24-hour PM2.5 limit on nine days. Factors that influenced particle levels in the study included household location, ventilation, and occupancy, illustrating the complexity of indoor air quality. As well as PM2.5, indoor air can contain over 900 chemicals, particulates, biological materials, viruses, and bacteria. Each of us breathes 9,000 litres of air a day, so poor IAQ can affect the health of everyone in the home. Even naturally occurring CO2 can have an impact on our health, with high levels of 2,000-5,000 PPM causing headaches, sleepiness, poor concentration, increased heart rate, and slight nausea. “At Vent-Axia, we are committed to tackling indoor air pollution and helping people create healthier homes; we are therefore supporting Clean Air Day since we know how air pollution affects us from before our first breath until our last,” says Katie Mairs, Channel Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia. “This Clean Air Day we are therefore encouraging households to take three main actions: Reduce the number of pollutants introduced into the air, dilute the pollutants in the air by ensuring there is adequate ventilation introducing fresh clean air, and purify by adding an air purifier to remove the remaining pollutants from the air.” It is vital to combat air pollution to protect health and wellbeing. By making some simple changes, households can protect themselves and others by ventilating and purifying their home to improve the air they breathe. For more from Vent-Axia, click here.

Toolstation launches bucket hat for Macmillan Cancer Support

Ahead of Glastonbury, Toolstation has launched a bucket hat for tradespeople and DIYers. The limited-edition merch from the UK supplier of tools, accessories, and building supplies will see proceeds from the sale going to its charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support. Fitting for on-site days and sunny jobs, the design — which includes Toolstation’s distinctive blue and yellow colour scheme, with its logo stitched in the middle — aims to 'definitely maybe' keep the sun off your head. Retailing at £9.98, £1 from every sale will go directly to Macmillan Cancer Support where the funds will allow the charity to continue to provide support to those affected by cancer across the UK. 2025 marks the fifth year of support for Macmillan Cancer Support by Toolstation. The retailer has raised a total of £3 million for the charity. Hannah Phillips, Category Manager for Workwear at Toolstation, comments, “With Glastonbury and the Oasis Reunion Tour just around the corner, the Toolstation Bucket Hat is definitely maybe this year’s must-have fashion accessory for sparkies, chippies, and DIY warriors. It means our customers can protect themselves from the sun, and help a great cause at the same time.” For more from Toolstation, click here.

Data reveals another record month for small-scale renewables

MCS, the UK's Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which provides quality assurance and certification for renewable energy technologies and installers, has released its latest data showing that there has been another record month for certified small-scale renewables. Reacting to this news, Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments, “Last month was the best May for small-scale renewables in MCS history, with almost 30,000 certified installations across the UK, following on from the best April on record. “Figures from the MCS Data Dashboard show that there were over 5,100 certified heat pump installations in May, as consumers continue to make the transition to low-carbon heating, driven by initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). We also reached the milestone of 300,000 all-time heat pump installations last month. “Solar PV saw over 21,100 certified installations in May - a 30% increase on May 2024 - taking us past 100,000 total installations in the year so far. May 2025 was also the best month on record for battery storage, beating the previous record set in March this year, with almost 3,400 certified installations. This is a 112% increase on May 2024. “It's great to see us reaching crucial milestones in 2025 in the small-scale renewables sector, a positive sign that consumer confidence in home-grown energy is continuing to grow. While this momentum continues and we look to transition to the redeveloped MCS, our priority is to ensure that installations are delivered to a high standard and that consumers have the best possible experience when investing in renewable energy.” For more from MCS, click here.

JTL celebrates talent at 2025 National Apprenticeship Awards

JTL, a UK apprenticeship provider in the building services engineering sector, has announced the winners of its 2025 National Apprenticeship Awards at a ceremony held at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, where top apprentices, employers, tutors, and training officers from across England and Wales were recognised for their exceptional contributions. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements apprentices, employers, and training staff from across England and Wales, highlighting their contributions to the future of the building services industry - from electrical and plumbing excellence to mentorship and employer partnership. Taking home the top accolade of JTL National Apprentice of the Year was Stephanie Hitch, a plumbing apprentice from Redditch, who completed her training while employed by Arcus FM. Stephanie impressed judges with her technical ability, dedication, and inspirational progress, and is now a qualified professional making her mark in the industry. Other apprentice winners included: • Daniel Brown from Brentwood, winner of the Paul McNaughton Electrical Apprentice of the Year Award, who completed his apprenticeship with T-Clarke and earned top recognition for his technical performance and professionalism. • Kit Swerdlow of West Bridgford, named MES (Mechanical Engineering Services) Apprentice of the Year, recognised for excellence in plumbing while undertaking his apprenticeship with PHD Plumbing. • Dominic Walton from Retford, who received the inaugural Rising Star of the Year award, reflecting his early career promise and passion for renewable energy technologies while working with Wright Renewable Heating. JTL also introduced two new categories to spotlight behind-the-scenes excellence: • Wayne Bailey, based at JTL’s Carlisle training centre, was named Tutor of the Year for his inspiring mentorship and learner support across the North West. • Pablo Parra, based in South Yorkshire, received the inaugural Training Officer of the Year award for his dedicated work in guiding apprentices and collaborating closely with employers. The ceremony additionally recognised the crucial role employers play in apprenticeship success, awarding Employer Recognition Awards to a diverse group of partners: • J & R Electrical (Halifax) • Chris Bowker • Lowe & Oliver • Cromer Electrical • Cardinal Electrical • Quartzelec (Wrexham) These businesses, according to JTL, have demonstrated exceptional commitment to nurturing emerging talent and supporting apprentices in both technical development and professional growth. Chris Claydon, Chief Executive of JTL, comments, “Our awards showcase the extraordinary talent and dedication found throughout the apprenticeship journey - from learners achieving personal and professional milestones, to the training teams and employers who support them every step of the way. This year’s winners are shaping the future of the sector, and we’re proud to celebrate their success.” For more from JTL, click here.