News Archive - February 2012
Award for women in the built environment
29 February 2012
SummitSkills is urging building services engineering employers to recognise the achievements of women working in the built environment
Improving boiler efficiency could save £400m
29 February 2012
UK businesses could save more than £400m a year by taking simple actions to improve the efficiency of their hot water boilers, according to new guidance published today (29 February) by the Carbon Trust.
Grafton raises almost £130,000 for charity
29 February 2012
Grafton Merchanting GB (GMGB) raised £129,339 for Macmillan Cancer Support during 2011, which was also the charity's centenary year.
Gas fitter prosecuted for Irlam blast
28 February 2012
A gas fitter from Warrington is being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an explosion in Irlam, Manchester, on 2 November 2010, which injured 15 people, including five children, and left one woman with severe burns.
Calor threatens legal action
27 February 2012
Calor Gas has warned that it will take legal action against those who post advice online as to how to tamper with its gas cylinders in order to make wood burners.
Job losses follow MJN Colston administration
24 February 2012
M&E contractor MJN Colston's fall into administration has led to the loss of 148 jobs, but administrator Deloitte hopes that a buyer can be found for the company.
BESNA is dead, HVCA confirms
24 February 2012
BESNA - the Building Engineering Services National Agreement - has been abandoned.
Judd comments on BESNA
24 February 2012
HVCA chief executive Blane Judd has released a statement about the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA). It reads as follows:
Vokera heat pump MCS accredited
23 February 2012
Boiler manufacturer Vokèra's AriaPRO air source heat pump has received Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation.
Plastic pipe group appoints new director
23 February 2012
The Plastics Pipes Group (PPG) of the British Plastics Federation has appointed Caroline Ayres as its new director following the retirement of Frank Jones at the end of 2012.
Major industry speakers lined up for NEMEX
23 February 2012
This year's National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX) opens at the NEC Birmingham in May, featuring a new second conference theatre to mark its 30th anniversary with a host of top-level keynote speakers who will be expanding the ideas and available advice for energy professionals.
UFW joins Flogas
23 February 2012
Oil and LPG business DCC Energy has acquired Leicester-based renewable energy technologies company UFW, which will sit alongside Flogas in its portfolio.
New group md for Nuaire
23 February 2012
Ventilation equipment manufacturer Nuaire has appointed Mark Huxtable as group managing director. He will be responsible for the management of the business and will oversee all core company functions including sales, marketing, finance, product development, procurement, and manufacturing.
Willkommen for Elta from Ziehl-Abegg
23 February 2012
A team from Elta Fans has spent three days in Germany as guests of Ziehl-Abegg as part of the new strategic alliance between the two businesses which will see a number of fans within the Elta range powered by Ziehl-Abegg motors and impellers.
Baxi's biomass boiler range achieves MCS
23 February 2012
The full range of Baxi biomass boilers now carries Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approval. Products that are MCS certified and fitted by MCS qualified installers ensure the householder qualifies for any grants and financial assistance that are available.
KSB takes over Danish pump manufacturer
23 February 2012
Pumps, valves and related systems manufacturer KSB has taken an 80 per cent share in Copenhagen-based T. Smedegaard A/S.
MJN Colston in administration
23 February 2012
Major m&e contractor MJN Colston has gone into administration placing the jobs of more than 500 directly employed staff and craftsmen at risk.
NG Bailey withdraws from BESNA
23 February 2012
NG Bailey has become the second major contractor to withdraw from the beleaguered Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA).
Technical product manager for Glen Dimplex
23 February 2012
Martin Jones has been appointed to the newly-created role of technical product manager at Glen Dimplex Boilers.
Government plans to take solar tariffs appeal to Supreme Court
22 February 2012
The Government has lodged an application with the Supreme Court seeking permission to appeal against two court decisions in December and January, which ruled that its plans to cut solar power subsidy payments were unlawful.
Glen Dimplex appoints technical products manager
22 February 2012
Glen Dimplex Boilers has appointed Martin Jones to the newly-created role of technical product manager. His appointment follows a period of accelerated growth by the company.
BESNA reps in talks with Unite
21 February 2012
HVCA chief executive Blane Judd and Martin Bailey of NG Bailey - one of the six companies still involved in the contentious BESNA (Building Engineering Services National Agreement) - are understood to be meeting Unite Union general secretary Len McCluskey today to discuss taking back the BESNA contracts and modernising payment terms for m&e workers.
Gas engineer left pub kitchen at risk
20 February 2012
A gas engineer from Ascot has been fined for work he carried out on a commercial catering gas installation in a local pub, despite not being registered for such work
EPCs set to boost energy efficiency investment, says Sabien
20 February 2012
Tightening of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scheme under the Energy Act 2011 is set to drive an increase in investment in energy efficiency, predicts Sabien Technology. Furthermore, those that fail to do so are in danger of failing the new, tougher energy standards, says the company.
Powrmatic enters air conditioner market
20 February 2012
Powrmatic is set to enter the UK commercial air conditioning market working with Midea Air Conditioning.
Stelrad appoints new marketing director
17 February 2012
Stelrad Radiators has appointed Anna Burns as marketing director. She joined the company late in 2011 after several years in senior marketing roles at Twyford Bathrooms, including time as executive vice president for Twyford's parent company Sanitec in Sweden.
Twitter sign-off
17 February 2012
Specflue appoints training manager
17 February 2012
Chimney and flue specialist Specflue has appointed Jed Smith as its new training manager. His appointment forms part of a wider objective by Specflue to look at areas of growth and skill sets within the solid fuel and renewable technology industries.
Logic Certification welcomes new business development manager
17 February 2012
Logic Certification has appointed Tracy Harker as its new business development manager. Her experience in the training sector includes business development manager for a QCF Awarding Organisation and national training manager for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at AEA Technology.
New md for BES
16 February 2012
Jerry Witherstone has been appointed managing director of mail order plumbing and gas supplies merchant BES in Birmingham.
Wilo launches app
16 February 2012
Pump specialist Wilo has made pump technology accessible on the mobile Apple devices of specialist technicians and specialist consultants for technical building equipment.
Plumb and Parts Centers raise £105,000 for charity
16 February 2012
Plumb Center and Parts Center have raised £105,000 was raised for Action for Children.
Spirax Sarco offers expertise on new boiler guidance
16 February 2012
Spirax Sarco has launched a new online compliance webpage to help customers with the arrival of both the Guidance on Safe Operation of Boilers (BG01) and Management of Industrial and Hot Water Boilers (INDG436) guidance notes (
www.spiraxsarco.com/uk/bg01).
Renewable heating supplier Dimplex has dismissed rumours that DECC is planning to 'rein in' subsidies for heat pumps as part of the £860 million Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, in order to avoid running into the type of financial troubles that have hit the Feed in Tariff in recent months.
Calor issues safety warning
16 February 2012
A safety alert has been issued by Calor Gas warning people of the dangers of attempting to construct wood burners from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
Messenger joins S&P's sales team
16 February 2012
Ventilation specialist Soler & Palau (S&P) has appointed Chris Messenger as area sales manager for the South West of England. Having spent over 35 years in the industry (including 12 years with S&P previously), Mr Messenger brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Domestic RHI plans welcomed
16 February 2012
The plans for a domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) over the next year have taken a giant leap forward, according to Kelly Butler, marketing director of BEAMA. He said: "There has been some negative 'hot air' in the media about the potential for a RHI, but the reality is that Ministers and officials remain committed to renewable heat.
Public sector commits to carbon reductions
14 February 2012
A survey of the public, private and third sectors by The Guardian has revealed that the public sector is the most committed to reducing carbon emissions.
Almost 90% of workers now signed up to BESNA
14 February 2012
The latest update concerning the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA) is that 88 per cent of those workers who were asked to sign and return their contracts have done so.
Danfoss relaunches website
14 February 2012
Heating controls manufacturer Danfoss has given its web site a new look with what it says are fast track navigation to pages tailored to the needs of either the heating trade and building professionals or domestic heating consumers.
HEVAR attracts top industry experts
14 February 2012
Top industry experts will be giving their views in the seminars at the forthcoming HEVAR Show 2012, which takes place in the HEVAR seminar theatre at the NEC from 22-24th May.
Teamsters wade into BESNA debate
14 February 2012
US union the Teamsters has called upon Balfour Beatty's (BBES) boss to intervene in what its general president, James Hoffa, called an "employer offensive against construction workers".
BSRIA looks into BREEAM
10 February 2012
BSRIA is undertaking a study to determine how valuable BREEAM is to clients and to the industry - both in economic terms and social and environmental terms. This is being done with the support of BRE but it is an entirely independent survey.
BSRIA Cert launches first ever certification scheme for weather louvres
10 February 2012
BSRIA Cert has launched a new certification scheme designed to benefit manufacturers and specifiers of weather louvres.
Bradford gas fitter sentenced for illegal work
09 February 2012
A Bradford gas fitter has been prosecuted for putting an elderly woman at risk when he fitted a new boiler at her home.
Ed Davey launches Energy Efficiency Deployment Office
09 February 2012
New Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Davey officially launched the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO), a dedicated team within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), at the John Lewis Partnership's Peter Jones store in Sloane Square, London, yesterday (8 February).
Government unveils plans to improve FITs scheme
09 February 2012
Plans were announced today (9 February) by the Government to improve the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme and make it more predictable. Transparency, longevity and certainty are key to the new, improved system, the Government says.
Lord Lawson attacks 'yoking together' of energy and climate change
08 February 2012
Former Chancellor Nigel Lawson has launched an attack on the Government's policy of bringing together energy and climate change into a single department.
BEAMA welcomes IAQ report
07 February 2012
BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) has welcomed the Zero Carbon Hub VIAQ (Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality) Task Group Interim Report, which acknowledges the increasing trend towards specifying mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems in new homes.
Specialist contractors group fears 'double dip' recession
07 February 2012
The order books of specialist contractors are continuing to shrink according to the latest State of Trade Survey from the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC).
Colman Moducel fined after man's fingertip sliced off in Stoke factory
07 February 2012
An air conditioning manufacturer has been fined after a man's fingertip was cut off by a circular saw at the company's factory in Stoke-on-Trent.
New BSS commercial director appointed
07 February 2012
Heating and pipeline distributor BSS Industrial has promoted Andy Raine to commercial director after a senior management restructure by Travis Perkins Group.
Act fast for latest Salix grants, says Sabien
06 February 2012
Public sector organisations intending to take advantage of the latest tranche of Salix loans for energy efficiency projects need to act fast and ensure they are proposing the use of proven technologies, says Sabien Technology.
George Birchall Service bolsters commitment to school leavers
06 February 2012
Staffordshire building services maintenance company George Birchall Service has bolstered its support for local school leavers through its latest apprenticeships.
Trustmark welcomes Davey to DECC
06 February 2012
New Energy Secretary Ed Davey has been welcomed as Chris Huhne's replacement at the Department of Energy and Climate Change by TrustMark, the Government endorsed not-for-profit quality mark for tradesmen,
Davey commits to green growth and jobs
06 February 2012
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey will today join Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in sending a clear signal that green growth and green jobs will remain at the heart of the Coalition's strategy for economic recovery.
Unregistered gas engineer left householders in danger
06 February 2012
An illegal gas engineer lied to a householder about being registered to the industry body and left one property at risk of explosion after carrying out work at premises in Cheltenham.
Applied Energy changes name
06 February 2012
Applied Energy Products, part of Glen Dimplex, manufacturer of brands Redring, Creda, Xpelair and Galaxy, is changing its name to the Redring Xpelair Group.
Most youngsters 'have no place to go' for training, warns JTL
06 February 2012
As the UK celebrates Apprenticeship Week, JTL, the training charity for the building services engineering sector, has warned that a lack of bank support is preventing employers from taking on apprentices.
New guides to help you win work
06 February 2012
The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies has produced two guides designed to help building services contractors compete more effectively. The complete support portfolio for completing a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and Tendering - an overview are available to purchase from the Skills Academy's website.
Scottish craft apprentice of the year named
06 February 2012
Julius Garrett was named Scottish Craft Apprentice of the Year during the presentation of the HVACR Awards for Outstanding Achievement in a ceremony held at the headquarters of HVCA Scotland.
Elta Fans and Ziehl-Abegg join forces
03 February 2012
Elta Fans has announced a strategic alliance with Ziehl-Abegg to use the German fan giant's motors and impellers.
Huhne to face charges
03 February 2012
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has resigned his job after news emerged that he is to be charged with perverting the course of justice over claims that his wife accepted speeding penalty points on his behalf in 2003.
Apprenticeship Week - SummitSkills appeals for employer help find the best
03 February 2012
The fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week takes place on 6-10 February and SummitSkills is encouraging employers to mark the week by helping to identify the best of the best apprentices in the building services engineering sector through its Skill M&E competitions.
JCT updates Standard Building Contract
03 February 2012
New optional provisions in JCT's Standard Building Contract enable employers to name individual specialists as domestic sub-contractors for identified parts of the works by appropriate entry in the Contract Particulars.
New operations director for Heatrae Sadia
03 February 2012
Heatrae Sadia has appointed Jonathan Madden as operations director. He will be responsible for quality, manufacturing, purchasing, engineering and maintenance, plus the safety and environmental requirements of the company.
Water controls guide launched
03 February 2012
Water controls specialist Honeywell has launched an updated Water Controls Guide for installers.
Plumber gets six months for illegal gas work
02 February 2012
A plumber from Lowestoft in Suffolk has been sentenced to six months in jail for carrying out illegal work on domestic gas appliances.
Vent-Axia gains quiet recognition
02 February 2012
Vent-Axia's new Silent Fan has been awarded the Quiet Mark 2012 by the Noise Abatement Society and appears on the new online Quiet Mark Directory launched on 1 February.
HVCA updates commercial and legal contracts
02 February 2012
HVCA Publications, the publishing division of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association, has launched three updated commercial and legal contracts - CL21 Conditions of Trading, CL70 Maintenance Agreement and CC8/11 Conditions of Sub-Sub-Contract.
Cash injection for wood-burning boiler firm
01 February 2012
A North East firm specialising in wood-burning boilers has received a £150,000 cash injection from venture capitalist Northstar Ventures.
Renewable Heat Incentive conference launched
01 February 2012
RenEnergy is hosting its first Renewable Heat Incentive Conference on 29 February at Dunston Hall in Norwich.
Green media bans rogue traders
01 February 2012
BusinessGreen has joined forces with four other leading green media companies, ClickGreen, GreenWise, Renewable Energy Installer and YouGen, to implement a voluntary three-month ‘blackout’ on rogue solar pv companies trying to exploit consumers who are confused about the Feed-in Tariff.