Margaret Major | Oil Installer

Kensa charity initiative supports fuel poverty action

Kensa employees target 6000km – symbolising the 6 million plus living in fuel poverty.

Freddie Ljungberg joins NIBE to inspire energy efficiency focus

The sporting legend will inspire homeowners to ‘take the step’ towards sustainability.

Grant UK donates £10k to Air Ambulance following 2024 fundraising

Ongoing fundraising efforts contribute funds to support vital charity work.

Grant expands sales team to support property transition

Grant UK has created a dedicated New Build and Social Housing Specification Team.

Free OFTEC webinars support technicians navigating industry transition

The exclusive webinars are available for free and cover a range of essential topics.

Grant UK offers installers a new route to certified heat pump installs

Grant UK has partnered with the Heat Pump Go MCS umbrella scheme to offer its G1 Installers MCS certification on their customer’s Aerona heat pump installations. Run by Abode Heat, the Heat Pump Go umbrella scheme helps installers who are not MCS accredited to fulfil the requirements for achieving MCS certified installations. With increasing numbers of consumers either seeking Government funding through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or simply specifying that their heat pump is installed to the standards set by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme this will assist the installation companies who are looking to meet this demand. The new partnership gives access to the MCS umbrella scheme at a discounted rate for G1 Installers who fulfil the eligibility requirements. Abode Heat will support installers with the design of an MCS compliant heat pump system, with a Grant UK in-house field service engineer completing the MCS compliance for commissioning and customer handover. In addition to achieving MCS certification on their Aerona installations, the partnership gives G1 Installers access to many other benefits: For G1 Installers who are not MCS accredited themselves, this new offering provides an additional level of installer support from Grant UK. Making it easy “This partnership delivers many advantages to our installers,” comments Neil Sawers, Commercial Technical Manager at Grant UK. “It will not only allow G1 Installers to access additional business opportunities in the marketplace but it will also provide both installers and their customers with the peace of mind of an on-site customer handover with a member of Grant UK’s Field Service Engineers Team. “Furthermore, G1 Installers can access this service at a discounted rate providing more value for money for their customers.” “Making the move to heat pumps as easy as possible for installers and homeowners is so important,” says Ben Hodges, Business Development Director for Heat Pump Go. “This partnership is a significant step forward in removing the administrative burden of MCS compliance for many installers and homeowners.” Image supplied by Grant UK

2024 SkillPLUMB UK Champion named after final showcases ‘unprecedented excellence’

The SkillPLUMB 2024 UK Champion and gold medal winner has been named as 19-year old David Bateman-Smith of South West College NI and Ashley McFarland Plumbing & Heating. This year’s competition, held at Oldham College as part of the WorldSkills UK National Finals, introduced a low carbon knowledge element for the first time. It turned out to be an extremely close event, with the eventual champion, David, closely followed by three jointly tied second place competitors and another three joint third place competitors. Silver medals were awarded to Shaun Wilcox of Moray College UHI and Moray Council, Elliot Julian of Cornwall College and Nicholls Plumbing & Heating, and Jackson Gill of New College Durham and CGE Yorkshire Ltd. Tied for third place and each receiving a bronze medal were Jack Fenton (Belfast Metropolitan College / Ian Reid Heating), Samuel Page (Suffolk New College / Whitwell Services) and Dillon Newton (Cornwall College / Justin Eyre Plumbing & Heating). New this year Gold medal winner David had already competed in the 2023 SkillPLUMB final and received a Highly Commended mention; he returned this year to win the Northern Ireland heat and ultimately take the top spot at the UK final last week. Across two and a half days, competitors had to tackle a complex plumbing installation task and, in a first for this year, demonstrate low carbon knowledge in a new heat pump task developed in collaboration with Ideal Heating. SkillPLUMB is organised by industry charity BPEC, and is part of the WorldSkills UK competition framework. Ideal Heating is headline sponsor and other sponsors include Muller Europe, DeWalt, APHC, JIB-PMES, SNIPEF, Monument Tools, Water Safe and CIPHE. Neil Collishaw, CEO of BPEC, said: “This year at the final we saw an unprecedented standard of excellence, with competitors demonstrating remarkable skill and dedication. It was great to see so many visitors to the competition and we are very grateful for the support from our sponsors; in particular I’d like to thank our headline sponsor Ideal Heating for incorporating a brand new heat pump module at the UK finals. “We are very proud of all eight SkillPLUMB finalists, they all performed superbly and are great role models and ambassadors for our industry.” Great interest in heat pumps Andrew Johnson, Training Director of Ideal Heating, added: “This competition is the pinnacle event for the industry. It showcases skills, encourages competitors to be the best they can be and drives up standards back in the workplace. Across our training centres currently we are witnessing great interest in heat pumps – around 70% of our training activity is heat pump related. So we were delighted to work with SkillPLUMB and BPEC this year to introduce these concepts to competitors and start raising awareness of this growing element of the industry.” SkillPLUMB is open to plumbing apprentices and Level 2 or 3 plumbing students. Next year’s competition will open in March 2025. To find out more visit www.bpec.org.uk/skillplumb Image provided by BPEC

Rural properties: The hidden potential of heat batteries in the transition from oil to renewables

In many rural areas, where homes have long depended on oil-fired heating systems, there is a growing awareness of the need to transition to renewable alternatives. However, for some, this shift is often seen as more of a threat than an opportunity. The familiarity and reliability of oil boilers can make homeowners wary of new technologies. Yet we are seeing an increasing number of oil-fired customers seeking renewable solutions that work effectively in rural environments. This presents a valuable opportunity particularly for OFTEC installers to broaden their offering and continue serving their customers and growing their business. As the market for renewable energy expands, rural homeowners and installers are beginning to recognise the potential for innovative solutions, such as heat batteries, to bridge the gap between traditional systems and the new, greener technologies. By presenting renewable tech, like tepeo’s ZEB, as a practical and accessible opportunity rather than a disruptive change, the renewable transition can become less of a challenge and more of a benefit.Rural homes have specific heating needs. Many properties are older and often more difficult to insulate effectively. With no access to the gas grid, many rural homeowners rely on oil boilers, which have long been considered a dependable option for these homes. Yet, the concern of fluctuating and rising fuel costs, coupled with growing environmental concerns, is pushing more people towards renewable alternatives. A low-disruption solution However, not all renewable solutions are a perfect fit for rural properties. Heat pumps, for example, are often touted as the go-to choice for renewable heating. But for many rural homes, heat pumps present challenges. They require considerable outdoor space, which some properties may not have, and they work best in homes that are well-insulated and airtight. This isn’t always feasible for older, less insulated buildings. Moreover, the initial installation cost of heat pumps can be significant, making them a less attractive option for homeowners looking for both cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This is where heat battery boilers, like the ZEB, come into play. Offering an alternative to both oil and traditional heat pumps, heat batteries provide a simple, efficient, and low-disruption solution. Unlike heat pumps, heat batteries can work seamlessly with existing heating systems, such as radiators and underfloor heating, meaning that homeowners don’t have to invest in major infrastructure changes. For rural properties, the benefits of heat batteries are clear. They offer the ability to store electricity as heat, which can then be released as and when needed to meet the property’s heating demand, providing the same high temperature heat as a traditional boiler. This flexibility is particularly valuable in areas where grid reliability might be inconsistent or where electricity is more expensive during peak times. By using electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind or solar power, heat batteries also help reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, the compact nature of heat batteries makes them a strong option for homes with limited outdoor space. While heat pumps often require large external units, heat batteries are much more discreet and installed indoors. This makes them particularly suitable for rural homes that lack the space needed for other renewable systems. Opportunity For OFTEC installers, the shift towards renewables offers more than just an environmental advantage—it’s a business opportunity. As more oil-fired customers begin exploring alternative heating solutions, installers who can offer these options will be well-positioned to remain relevant and competitive in an evolving market. Heat batteries, in particular, represent an attractive option for installers because they are straightforward to install, often requiring minimal changes to existing heating infrastructure. This makes them an easy add-on for technicians familiar with traditional systems, providing a way to guide their customers through the renewable transition without the need for significant overhauls. Moreover, by offering heat batteries as a solution, installers can ensure their business stays ahead of the curve, capturing a growing segment of the market that is actively seeking low-carbon alternatives. This shift doesn’t just future-proof the technician’s business—it also strengthens the trust and loyalty they have built with their customers by offering them practical, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly choices. The conversation around renewable heating in rural properties is often framed as a challenge, particularly for homeowners who have relied on oil-fired systems for decades. However, by presenting renewable technologies like heat batteries as an opportunity—rather than a threat—this transition can become a positive step forward.For rural homeowners, heat batteries offer an accessible, efficient, and cost-effective way to transition to renewable heating without the need for significant infrastructure changes. For installers, these systems represent a valuable chance to broaden their offerings and continue serving their customers, no matter what direction the future of heating takes. Leading the way As rural communities increasingly seek out low-carbon solutions, heat batteries like the ZEB are proving themselves to be a powerful, flexible option that bridges the gap between traditional systems and the renewable future. By positioning themselves as leaders in this new heating landscape, technicians and installers can help guide their customers through this transition, ensuring that rural properties remain warm, sustainable, and future-ready. Find out more about this opportunity here. Image credit: tepeo