Heat batteries to join Boiler Upgrade Scheme in boost for consumer choice
The decision acknowledges that “a one size fits all approach does not work” when it comes to decarbonising home heating.
Low-carbon heating set to become growing revenue stream for installers, says Nesta
New survey finds that low-carbon heating is becoming central to how heating engineers make a living.
An update on the Renewable Heat Obligation (Ireland)
A breakdown of the implications of the plans of the Irish Government to introduce ‘The Renewable Heating Obligation’ mandating all energy suppliers to have a certain percentage of renewable fuel in their heating fuels.
Liquid fuel heating technicians urged to respond to consultation shaping future of rural heating
Oil installers and technicians must respond to ensure customers’ needs are not overlooked.
OFTEC’s Malcolm Farrow brings us up to date with heat policy developments
It’s been a relatively quiet summer for heat policy developments, but things are about to hot up, writes Malcolm Farrow, OFTEC’s head of public affairs.
Heat for today, hope for tomorrow: Firebird’s role in Ireland’s low-carbon journey
The Renewable Heat Obligation bill sets a course for a cleaner, more sustainable Ireland. But reaching that destination will require more than ambitious targets – Firebird is delivering solutions that work now.
Ireland greenlights a Renewable Heating Obligation
The Government in Ireland had proposed to introduce a renewable heating obligation (RHO) in 2026 for the heating sector.
Heat decarbonisation a step closer as Ireland greenlights Renewable Heat Obligation
The approval of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 is a major step to decarbonisation and a paradigm shift for Ireland’s heat market.
A new face for Warmflow as Darryl Hedges joins to support the South-West
Darryl Hedges joins as the new Area Sales Manager for South-West England.
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
A ‘grand’ reward is up for grabs in Navien’s autumn promo for installers
New and existing installer members set to benefit from loyalty scheme boost.
OFTEC Conference highlights an industry primed for renewable liquid fuel rollout
The renewable liquid fuel industry is primed to deliver once new government gives the green light.
Grant UK to showcase installer support at InstallerSHOW 2024
Installer support to be showcased by Grant UK at InstallerSHOW.
OFTEC issues guidance over household heating cutback concerns
New winter heating guidance issued by OFTEC in response to concern households are putting health at risk.
England Lioness teams up with Worcester Bosch to support local football club
‘Warming Your Community’ initiative delivers a much-needed result for Coppull United F.C.