News Archive - January 2012
Plumb Center joins Micropower Council
31 January 2012
Heating products supplier Plumb Center is joining the Micropower Council.
Sales trio for Humidity Solutions
31 January 2012
Humidity Solutions has recruited three new sales staff.
Six big-name sponsors confirm support for ACR Show
31 January 2012
With just over a month before doors open, six major sponsors have confirmed their backing for the forthcoming Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show, which takes place at the NEC, 13-15 March 2012.
Renewables firm offers solar subsidy
31 January 2012
A renewable energy firm says it is guaranteeing customers the highest rate of return on solar PV installations "in a bid to end the confusion which currently exists in the market".
Uni develops system to regulate building temperatures in extreme climates
31 January 2012
Researchers at Nottingham Trent University have developed a system designed to regulate the temperature inside buildings in extreme climates.
Downgrading vocational qualifications in schools 'threatens skills'
31 January 2012
The specialist awarding organisation for industry qualifications, EAL, has condemned the cull of vocational qualifications from school league tables.
S&P launches quiet revolution
30 January 2012
Soler & Palau (S&P) claims to be the first fan manufacturer in the UK to be awarded the Quiet Mark, a mark of approval from the Noise Abatement Society.
Continue to invest in energy efficiency, warns Sabien
30 January 2012
Despite the recent cut in energy prices the overall trend is upwards so organisations should not be deterred from investing in energy efficiency measures, warns Sabien Technology. The company particularly recommends investigating relatively low cost/fast payback measures that are available using proven retrofit technologies.
KSB pumps up sales revenue
30 January 2012
Pumps and valves manufacturer KSB Group increased its sales revenue by 7.2 per cent in 2011, exceeding the two billion euros mark for the first time. The total sales revenue was €2,079.1 million, representing growth in its three market segments (pumps, valves and service) as well as in all four sales regions.
Split opens in renewables sector as Solarcentury resigns from BPVA
27 January 2012
Solarcentury has resigned from the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) over its stance on Feed-in tariffs.
Ecoenergy adds to commercial team
27 January 2012
Econergy has made two additions to its commercial team.
Danfoss launches MIS 3005 training
27 January 2012
Danfoss Heat Pumps UK has introduced a bespoke training course designed to help approved installers with the understanding and interpretation of the new version of the MIS 3005 standard, which is essential for compliance to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Buderus £1.5m training academy opens
27 January 2012
Buderus has opened a new £1.5 million training and assessment facility at its headquarters in Worcester.
Alpha launches courses for heating engineers
27 January 2012
Alpha has launched two new training courses for 2012 and expanded the length of its training season.
Johnson Controls makes senior EMEA appointment
27 January 2012
Johnson Controls has appointed Richard van Bergen as vice president and general manager, Energy Solutions Europe and Africa.
Supreme Court FiT judgment 'will make incentive pot stretch further'
27 January 2012
The limited funds available to stimulate the renewables industry will last longer as a result of the Government's decision to take its appeal to the Supreme Court, according to Paul Roche, director of sustainability and renewables at Grafton Group.
Government solar subsidy appeal fails
25 January 2012
The Government has failed to overturn a High Court decision made in December which ruled that its plans to cut solar power subsidy payments were illegal.
Viessmann appoints renewable sales manager
25 January 2012
Heating systems manufacturer Viessmann has appointed Colin Bland to the new position of sales manager for renewable energy systems. Mr Bland heads a team of six area business managers covering the entire UK, which is tasked with growing the company's renewable energy business.
System Hygienics wins US floating vote
24 January 2012
When a US warship in Croatia needed ductwork to be cleaned in just six days, System Hygienics was able to help.
Monodraught appoints business development director
24 January 2012
Natural ventilation and daylighting specialist Monodraught has appointed Robbert Alsem as business development director.
Judgment on Whitehall solar appeal expected tomorrow morning
24 January 2012
The Court of Appeal is expected to rule at 10am tomorrow on the Government's appeal against last month's High Court ruling that its plans to cut solar subsidy payments were illegal.
HVCA re-branding decision 'not taken lightly'
23 January 2012
The decision to re-brand the HVCA from March as the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) was not taken lightly, according to the Association's president Bob Shelley.
New administrator for S&P
23 January 2012
Charlotte Heywood has joined ventilation specialist S&P in the role of administrator following the retirement of Alizon Clarke.
HVCA appoints Scottish legal adviser
23 January 2012
Law firm Brodies has been appointed the sole legal adviser in Scotland to the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA).
Most workers sign up to BESNA
23 January 2012
More than 70 per cent of the workers who were asked to sign up to the Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA) have so far returned signed contracts to their employers.
Daikin identified as global innovator
23 January 2012
Daikin Industries is included among the leaders in the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators for 2011. The award is given to companies considered top innovators based on an objective and scientific analysis of global patent information.
Whitehall presses ahead with FiT reduction plan
19 January 2012
The Government has laid before Parliament draft licence modifications which, subject to the Parliamentary process set out in the Energy Act 2008, makes provision for a reduced tariff rate (from 1 April, 2012 onwards) for new solar PV installations with an eligibility date on or after 3 March, 2012 under the Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FiTs).
Dulas deliver National Trust's largest solar installation
18 January 2012
Dulas claims to have delivered the largest solar PV array in the UK for the National Trust at its Grade I listed Llanerchaeron property in Wales.
UKERC warns of 'alarming omissions' in Green Deal consultation
18 January 2012
Key omissions and and inconsistencies in the Green Deal are alleged by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) in its response to the Department of Energy and Climate Change's consultation on the deal.
Small engineering consultants 'wait 76 days for payment'
18 January 2012
During 2011 small consultant engineering companies reported that they faced an average collection period on payments due from clients of 76 days. One fifth of small firms participating in ACE's Benchmarking Lite reported debtors amounting to more than 100 days' sales.
Baxi responds to Green Deal consultation
18 January 2012
There is a significant overlap between installer and product accreditation under Green Deal and existing MCS schemes so establishing parity would avoid unnecessary duplication, according to heating giant Baxi.
BSRIA launches weather louvre spec guide
18 January 2012
A specification guide to weather louvres has been published by research organisation BSRIA in a bid to help system designers and specifiers of weather louvres to achieve optimum performance.
BSRIA makes two senior appointments
18 January 2012
Steve Cadd joins research organisation BSRIA as business manager in charge of the Testing and MicroClimate group. He has previously been involved with both nuclear and pressure vessel applications and aims to use these skills "to create new, robust and efficient services from his group".
BRE issues guidance on energy management
17 January 2012
Building research organisation BRE has published a new report, "Energy management in the built environment" with assistance from the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA).
Logic4training partners with Barking & Dagenham College
17 January 2012
Logic4training has formed a public and private sector partnership with Barking & Dagenham College to deliver ACS gas training and assessment to learners and installers in the local area.
Urban design expert to head CoRE
17 January 2012
Architect, planner and urban designer, Jonathan Davis has taken the reins as chief executive at CoRE, the national Centre of Refurbishment Excellence.
Minister promotes skills for the Green Deal
17 January 2012
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has launched a partnership in a bid to ensure the UK has the right skills to implement the Green Deal, the Government's policy to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
ADEY has designs on product development
17 January 2012
Magnetic filtration company ADEY Professional Heating Solutions says it has demonstrated its commitment to innovative product creation with another promotion in its in-house R&D team.
Unregistered gas installer had two previous convictions
17 January 2012
A Cheltenham gas engineer has been sentenced after installing a gas cooker without being registered to do so - his third gas safety conviction in four years.
Tenby landlord sentenced for gas safety failings
17 January 2012
A Tenby landlord has been fined for failing to maintain a gas fire safely within one of his properties.
Two sales appointments at Lochinvar
17 January 2012
Alistair Nejad has been appointed national accounts manager for boiler and water heating manufacturer Lochinvar. He is also joined by Steve McDonald as area sales manager for South West England.
European sales director for Fläkt Woods
13 January 2012
Fläkt Woods has appointed Trevor Young as sales director Europe in which role he will oversee the development of sales of ventilation and air conditioning products across Europe.
Search engine offers live access to new construction projects
13 January 2012
A new UK planning application search engine and free alerting service is now able to report on all brand new construction projects within hours.
Suspended prison sentences for illegal gas fitters
13 January 2012
Two men who operated a Harrogate-based plumbing firm have been handed suspended prison terms for falsely claiming to be Gas Safe registered engineers and leaving one local family in "immediate danger".
Radical changes in home heating needed to meet carbon targets, says Academy
12 January 2012
There is no possibility that the UK can meet its 2050 target for CO2 emissions without a fundamental change to the way our homes are heated, according to a report published today (12 January) by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Even with the most modern gas boilers and state-of-the art insulation, we cannot continue to heat so many homes by natural gas and still achieve an 80 per cent cut in emissions as laid down in the Climate Change Act 2008.
BBES makes Midlands and South West appointment
12 January 2012
Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) has appointed Gary Heitmann as regional director for the Midlands and South West. He will head up this region and report to Alex Currie, divisional managing director for Building Services South.
Basnett to drive UK sales at Advanced Air
11 January 2012
Air distribution systems manufacturer Advanced Air has appointed Alan Basnett to head up its UK sales.
Baxi extends five-year warranty offer
11 January 2012
Baxi has extended its five-year parts and labour warranty on its GA boilers until the end of March. The offer has been available since September 2011.
Energos expands with acquisition of BioGen Power
11 January 2012
UK clean energy recovery from waste business Energos Holdings, part of the ENER-G group, has acquired waste to energy business BioGen Power through a share swap arrangement.
FG Eurofred stregthens distribution
11 January 2012
In a move designed to strengthen its commitment to its nationwide network of distributors, FG Eurofred has moved three sales personnel from direct sales to become distribution regional sales managers.
New product manager for Heatrae Sadia
11 January 2012
John Forster is the new product manager at Heatrae Sadia. He takes responsibility for the market development of new technologies including unvented hot water and renewable products. Before joining Heatrae Sadia, he was sales and marketing director for Keston Boilers.
Call to make renewables easier to access and understand
11 January 2012
Too little is being done by the renewable industry to collectively promote the benefits that the technologies can offer and too much emphasis is placed on futuristic products that may be years away from the market, according to Mitsubishi Electric.
MARC seeks greater visibility with website launch
11 January 2012
The Manufacturers' Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) is launching a new website in a bid to raise its visibility as an industry body.
Race is on to find UK's heat pump champions
11 January 2012
Leading manufacturers, consultants, contractors, training providers and end users are being invited to compete for top honours in the forthcoming National Heat Pump Awards 2012 to be held at the ICC, Birmingham on 31 May.
WEMS International doubles sales to £11.9m
11 January 2012
WEMS International, the Stockport-based manufacturer and installer of wireless energy management systems, posted operating profits of £700,000 for the year to July 31 on turnover of £11.9 million. In the previous 12 months the firm made losses of £100,000 on sales of £5.7m. It last made a profit in 2007.
SummitSkills seeks views on apprenticeships
11 January 2012
SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building services engineering, is seeking the views of organisations and individuals in the building services engineering sector to help inform a government review of apprenticeships.
Plumber put lives at risk with illegal gas work
10 January 2012
A Milton Keynes plumber who put a householder at risk by illegally installing and working on a gas boiler has been sentenced.
Gas fitter imprisoned for safety breaches
09 January 2012
A North Wales man, who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer, has been sentenced to eight months' imprisonment after dangerously installing a gas boiler at an address in Rhyl.
Panasonic hits the road with Aquarea heat pump
09 January 2012
Panasonic has unveiled its latest sales initiative to raise awareness of its Aquarea heat pump range. The Panasonic Aquarea mobile display trailer is available to Panasonic's accredited distributors and contractors to professionally demonstrate the benefits of installing an Aquarea heat pump into the home.
Branson joins fight to stop renewable subsidies cut
06 January 2012
Billionaire businessman and Virgin founder Richard Branson has backed campaigners fighting the Government over cuts to renewable subsidies.
First two RHI systems accredited
06 January 2012
An umbrella supplier and a group of holiday cottages in East Yorkshire have made history by becoming the first in the UK to get the Government's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
FiT scheme 'already in the red'
06 January 2012
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has warned that the Government's Feed-in Tariff scheme is in the red and is likely to remain so should he fail in his bid to reverse a High Court ruling on FiTs.
Hilson Moran directors stage MBO
05 January 2012
Engineering and environmental consultancy Hilson Moran has become independent following a management buyout.
ACR Show and Awards prove to be a hot ticket
05 January 2012
More than 100 exhibitors have now signed up to the ACR Show including the most recent editions of FSW and Reflok, Rothenburger, Quidos, KR Associates, VRF Services and Refcom.
Plans afoot to clamp down on metal theft
05 January 2012
The UK's £5 billion-a-year scrap industry is facing tougher regulation as part of a government crackdown on metal theft, including copper pipes and cabling.
Water controls guide helps contractors tackle legislative changes
05 January 2012
Honeywell has published an updated Water Controls Guide for contractors and specifiers.
National Skills Academy appoints executive director
05 January 2012
The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies has appointed Dr Cathryn Hickey as its executive director. She will be responsible for providing strategic management and leadership to drive the Skills Academy forward in its objective to deliver high quality, accredited environmental technologies training.
FoE slams 'damaging' Government appeal over solar power
04 January 2012
A planned Government appeal against a High Court ruling that its solar power cuts are illegal would waste of taxpayers' money, according to Friends of the Earth (FoE).
CO awareness programme deadline extended
04 January 2012
The deadline for organisations to register their interest in becoming local partners for a national carbon monoxide awareness programme has been extended until the end of the month.
New ductwork standard 'ends confusion'
04 January 2012
A new British Standard for cleanliness levels in newly installed ductwork marks the end of a potentially damaging source of confusion within the industry, according to ductwork specialist Systems Hygienics.
Manly awarded OBE
03 January 2012
Graham Manly, business development director at Gratte Brothers, has been awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to the building services sector.
Renewables set to create jobs, says Whitehall
03 January 2012
Around 12,000 jobs will be created through renewables investment announced in 2011, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Birmingham heating contractor warned over delays
03 January 2012
A heating contractor said to have kept more than 1,000 Birmingham council tenants waiting for boiler repairs has been told it has until the end of January to improve its performance.
Tesco offers opportunities for gas engineers
03 January 2012
Tesco has announced it is opening up its installer network to a wider list of approved Gas Safe engineers following the launch of a new gas boiler replacement and heating installation service.
J&E Hall appoints new southern sales manager
03 January 2012
Ellis Spencer has been appointed J&E Hall's new southern area sales manager. He joins the company from Coldkit UK. In his new role, Mr Spencer will cover an area across the south stretching from south Wales to East Anglia.
Marketing and communications manager for Geberit
03 January 2012
Geberit has appointed Sara Johnston as marketing and communications manager.
Website shows live heat pump performance
03 January 2012
Mitsubishi Electric has launched a website to promote the effectiveness of domestic air source heat pumps in the UK by showing real data gathered from properties around the country that are using its Ecodan system.
Contractor helps Johnson Controls expansion
03 January 2012
Johnson Controls has expanded its UK Industrial Refrigeration Division by joining forces with refrigeration, mechanical and electrical contractor Danston Technical Services located near Portsmouth.