Pump industry lobbying has forced a U-turn by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) with circulator pumps set to be finally included in the Green Deal. Circulator pumps were initially excluded from the list of approved technologies for the Green Deal, due to the use of inaccurate SAP ratings, which failed to take into account the advances in circulator, pump technology and efficiency made over the last decade. However, the British Pump Manufacturer’s Association (BPMA) was told last month that circulator pumps were due to be added to the Green Deal options. Gary Wilde, of Xylem Water Solutions UK, who sits on the BPMA’s circulator pump group and has been at the forefront of the lobbying efforts, believes the decision is a victory for pump manufacturers, installers and homeowners. “As an industry we have made strenuous efforts to convince the BRE of the merits of including circulator pumps within the Green Deal. For a long time it looked as if our efforts would continue to be blocked, but it is clear that, over time, the weight of our arguments have won the day,” said Gary. Approximately one million domestic circulator pumps are sold in the UK annual, both stand-alone and those which are integrated within boilers by the original equipment manufacturer sector. Gary believes modern circulator pumps could save homeowners between £63 and £89 a year. “With the seemingly endless rise in energy prices we are convinced that replacement of inefficient circulator pumps could help insulate homeowners from price increases,” said Gary. “A traditional fixed three-speed circulator with an induction motor would require 65W of power. However, modern circulator pumps follow the system curve much more efficiently. A new electronic circulator does not put power into the motor to rotate the shaft and can, therefore, reduce the maximum power to between four and 35W.” Gary believes that the inclusion of circulator pumps is recognition by the BRE of the vital role that circulators can play in a modern central heating system. “The exclusion of circulator pumps left a gaping hole in the Green Deal programme,” he said. “Without circulator pumps a complete system approach to home energy efficiency, including boiler, heating controls and insulation, is impossible. We believe their inclusion will make a significant contribution to the upgrading of the UK’s housing stock and the government’s carbon dioxide targets.” FROM THE EDITOR What a year 2014 is going to be for installers - if the news pages in this issue of HPM are anything to go by. The headline story reveals that there has been nine months of successive growth for the boiler market, meaning that the 1.15 million installed last year is likely to be surpassed in the next 12 months. Then we learn that the Solar Trade Association wants to see one million solar roofs across the UK by 2015 - that’s 200,000 solar PV systems every year - making the domestic solar sector the largest sub-sector of the solar market. Next up, is news that, thanks to a government U-turn that actually helps the industry for once, condensing boilers will be eligible for the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, when it launches in the spring. As Plumb and Parts Center’s Simon Allan admitted: “This move provides great business opportunities for installers.” And finally, a survey carried out by ADEY shows that just 55% of homeowners have an annual boiler service, 45% need their boiler changing as it is between ten and 15-years-old, a third have a problem with their central heating system and one in ten have noisy pipework. The sample quizzed was just 1,300, so imagine the figures when every home in the country is taken into consideration. It’s kerching all the way. After an extremely difficult five years, is 2014 finally going to be the year when smiles are finally back on faces? Talking of smiles. Can I draw your attention to HPM’s Christmas Competition where once again one lucky reader can win a dozen prizes? See the double page spread at the front for details of what prizes are offered where. As usual, a personal thank you to every company who donated a prize - your generosity is much appreciated. All that remains is for the HPM team to thank every reader and writer for your valuable support during 2013 and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Tim Wood, Editor HPM twood@unity-media.com Circulator pumps finally in Green Deal NEWSDESK Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com “is 2014 the year when smiles are back on faces?” WWW.HPMMAG.COM Follow us on: @HPMMAG 2014 Brochure Out Now www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk Call us on 01342 302250 or visit our website for your new 2014 Brochure HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY DECEMBER 2013 7 enquiry number 302
HPM December 2013
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