Intelligence
A single skills card would offer big benefits
Changing regulations and new technologies are leading to greater demand for qualifications in the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning industry.
Educating young people is vital to industry’s future
An ageing workforce and growing population of retirees mean that huge numbers of highly experienced and qualified professionals are leaving the sector. We must ensure enough young people are undertaking the right qualifications to replace them.
Steri-Spray finds way to the top
Too often we hear of these innovations being sold on or lost altogether through a lack of support and funding. The example of Ian Helmore and the Steri-Spray product is therefore all the more encouraging.
Breathing new life into building ventilation design
After gaining an undergraduate degree in engineering at Cambridge University, Shaun Fitzgerald turned to the subject of energy in the early 1990s, obtaining a PhD in geothermal power.
Directive sets new standards for fan efficiency
In 2013, as part of the European Union’s Energy-related Products (ErP) directive, new efficiency standards for fans come into force that will mean around 30 per cent of existing fan types have to be taken off the market.
Keeping a step ahead of compliancy issues
On top of the raft of regulations covering gas, electricity and water, the HVAC sector is coming to terms with the various requirements of delivering renewable energy safely and effectively.
The Bribery Act: what if adequate procedures fail?
The Bribery Act came into force on 1 July 2011. This article does not explain the new law but instead considers the factors companies should have in mind if they identify that bribery has occurred.
The Green Deal must avoid extra bureaucracy
With the recent furore surrounding delays to the Renewable Heat Incentive and proposed cuts to Feed-in Tariffs, the development of the proposed Green Deal programme may have slipped many people’s attention.
The demand for instant hot water on the up
Instant boiling water systems have been rising in popularity for a number of years now. Despite the downturn and people looking to save money as opposed to spending it, the instant boiling water market is continuing to grow.
Position yourself for heat pump opportunities
Heating professionals are recognising that their skills are transferable to renewable technology and are gaining new opportunities in the heat pump sector.
Warm outlook for underfloor technology
While renewable energy has continued to hog the headlines due to government schemes and the subsequent changes to incentives such as FiTs, underfloor heating has had a quieter press than that of other technologies, such as solar and heat pumps.
Which technologies will prosper in the year ahead?
The driving factors that will be the keys to success for certain technologies include the economic climate, legislation and rising energy costs, say industry experts.
Offices
The first half of last year saw the office sector fail to respond positively to the improving economic conditions, looser monetary policy and recovering financial sector.
Gas engineer lied over industry registration
An illegal gas engineer lied to a householder about being registered to the industry body.
