5 minute read
Survey
Have your say on the future of heat
HHIC and the government are asking for your help with a survey to understand the challenges facing gas engineers as the UK aims to become a net-zero economy.
The UK was the first major economy to set a legally binding target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Heat in buildings is one of the biggest challenges to reaching this target, accounting for 22 per cent of our greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s one of the most difficult areas to tackle.
Major changes are needed to the heating industry. It is clear that fossil fuels cannot continue to be used to heat homes (except in a very few exceptions), and there is a range of options facing consumers about how their homes will be heated in future. Heat pumps will play an increasingly important role.
The government’s aim is to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. And it’s clear that gas engineers are likely to play the biggest role in engaging with householders and installing the technologies.
Delivering this target will require rapid development of a skilled workforce: more than 30,000 heat pump installers will be needed by 2028, according to estimates. As well as heat pumps, demand for skills in low-temperature heating systems, smart controls and boiler efficiency will also increase.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that heat pumps deliver warmth differently from the 23 million gas boilers currently in the UK’s homes. A number of reports have reflected consumer dissatisfaction with heat pumps, including the findings of the Energy Saving Trust field trials. Experience from phases one and two of the trials led EST to conclude that “both phases of the trial have shown that the best-performing systems were those deemed to be properly designed and installed”.
Heat pumps are sensitive to design and commissioning, and performance improvement is linked to both the technical and behavioural aspects of how they are used. Certain minimum standards must be applied in order to protect the consumer, the product, the technology, the heating industry – and the ambition to decarbonise heat.
People also need to understand how operate their heat pump properly if they’re going to be able to get the best from their heating system. n
www.hhic.org.uk
Please take part in the survey
In 2019, HHIC helped the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with a survey of heating system engineers that looked at factors such as age, company size and confidence in working with different technologies.
Now more than ever, the industry and government need to really understand the individual challenges. A new survey aims to look specifically at heat pump installation and training.
By focusing on heat pumps only, engineers can share their views on a range of issues, including: • Working and installation habits • The organisations with which they work • Training and skills • Different technologies • Engaging with customers • The transition to low-carbon heating.
This new survey will help the industry understand the challenges facing the rollout of heat pumps, and plan for their mitigation. The survey closes on 11 August 2021 – please have your say at:
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HeatingSystemInstallerSurvey
What will be done with the results?
The results will be analysed and made freely available by Gemserv. They will enable the industry to assess business models and approaches to decarbonising buildings based on a better understanding of the views of the heating workforce. The government and industry will also be able to better understand how ready heating engineers are to engage in the work needed to decarbonise buildings, and develop policies to help those who want to take up the opportunity.
You can see the results of the 2019 survey at: www.gshp.
org.uk/pdf/Heating_Installer_Skills_Survey_Summary.pdf
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DIXONS CARPHONE IS HIRING GAS ENGINEERS, NATIONWIDE.
With demand increasing fast, the retailer is growing its team. Across the country, the Dixons Carphone (DC) team visits over 4 million homes a year.
Gas cookers and ranges are a key product line for the company’s Currys brand and, with demand rising, it’s hiring more Gas Engineers, nationwide, to help install customers’ new appliances. However, there is much more to this role than your typical gas fi tter job.
INSIDE THE OPPORTUNITY
The majority of DC’s delivery team are Driver-Installers. However, the business is focused on helping everyone enjoy amazing technology and, thanks to their specialist skills, Gas Engineers play a really important part in their delivery and installation operation.
What DC does diff erently is upskill its gas specialists to install other types of technology as well, like the latest smart washing machines and 4K TVs. As a DC Engineer, you get to meet diff erent customers every day. You also enjoy the variety of performing a wide range of installation jobs. And, because customers are often excited to get their new products up and running, you earn plenty of thanks for a job well done too.
GETTING YOU ON THE ROAD
DC provides new joiners with an immersive induction programme covering all areas of health and safety, plus added installation and hardwiring training. These are skills of real practical use in your job and outside it. Then, you are out on the road, with all your tools provided, and paired up in a team with a Driver-Installer. As new products are launched, you’ll also receive top-up training.
Getting so many diff erent customers set up with their tech off ers genuine job satisfaction. DC also off ers a range of benefi ts, including a quarterly bonus, competitive pension scheme, store discounts and 6 weeks of annual leave (inclusive of bank holiday entitlement).
In terms of hours, shifts operate on a 5 day in 8 rotation. There are also overtime opportunities or the potential to arrange part-time hours. Positions are available in over 19 locations, nationwide.
TYRONE, GAS ENGINEER
Dixons Carphone are currently recruiting for Gas Engineers nationwide. To fi nd out more, visit careers.dixonscarphone.com/go/ Gas-Engineers/5051901/
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