Gas Safe news

FROM THE EDITOR

Comment

Updates to Part L of the Building Regulations take effect this month, aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of the heating systems in our homes and minimising heat loss.

Many are focused on new-build but there are changes that affect you when you install or replace a gas boiler, including making sure that heating systems are designed to operate at a maximum flow temperature of 55°C or lower, insulating hot water pipework, and fitting thermostatic radiator valves.

And as summer finally arrives, we take an in-depth look at the specialist field of gas safety in mobile catering. What’s really going on behind the scenes when you buy hot food at a street market, or a delicious burger at a festival?

We’ve been finding out what local authorities and Gas Safe Register do to keep people safe, and about the very real dangers, both hidden and visible.

Finally, we’re focusing on heat pumps: now that they could be cheaper to run than gas boilers because of high gas prices (according to one manufacturer), could this be the boost that the industry has been waiting for?

Nicki Shearer, editor

Gas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB.

Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Carl Banister, Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Palmer Production: Mark Turpin Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk

Additional print subscriptions £25 per year email: wgardiner@circdata.com, Tel 01635 869 868

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009.

Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ

CIRCULATION: Jan-Dec 2021 80,070

Free marketing tools to help your business

Countdown is on for Gas Safety Week 2022

Gas Safety Week 2022 is just three months away – and you can now sign up to pledge your support for the industry’s biggest national gas safety event. When you become a supporter, you’ll receive a toolkit from Gas Safe Register full of easy-to-use and eye-catching materials to help you raise awareness of gas safety throughout the week.

This year will see messaging for consumers about the importance of having an annual gas safety check by a qualified registered engineer, tips to stay safe – such as not blocking vents – and knowing how to spot the signs of an unsafe gas appliance.

New for this year is more animation and video – you’ve told Gas Safe that you want these to use on social media. The toolkit will also include leaflets and posters, logos, articles, images, social media updates and web banners.

The full toolkit is being finalised now: just sign up and you’ll automatically receive one nearer the time.

You can support Gas Safety Week at: bit.ly/GSW22RGE

12-18 September 2022

Free marketing tools to help your business

Did you know you can access a whole range of marketing materials to help promote your business – and they’re all free as part of your Gas Safe registration?

It can be hard to find time to find new customers when you’re busy working. But there’s a whole range of materials that Gas Safe Register has created to help you promote your business easily and show your customers that you’re a qualified and competent gas engineer.

When you log into your Gas Safe online account, choose the Resource Hub and then Marketing Toolkit: here you’ll see all the different advertising and marketing tools that are specially created for you to use on your website and on social media.

Banners, leaflets, posters

You can download banners for your own site that link to Gas Safe Register, so your customers can find out more and can easily verify that you are registered. There’s prewritten copy that you can use too: just cut and paste whatever you need.

You can print your own leaflets and posters, designed so that you can include your own business information. You can also order new free gas safety leaflets and posters.

When it comes to social media, you can build your presence with information, videos and images from Gas Safe Register. And if you’re stuck for words, why not try some of the pre-written updates and images on your Twitter and Facebook profile to give your customers and potential customers important gas safety advice and promote your business along the way.

There’s also a step-by-step guide on how you can upload videos from Gas Safe Register’s YouTube channel to use on your own social media updates and website.

Good news spreads about good deeds

Social media plays an important role in gas engineer Jack Bellingham’s business. His Plymouth company GasJack Plumbing & Heating gets a lot of work via word of mouth and through recommendations on local Facebook groups. “Everyone recommends us, it’s great,” he says.

But his company really came to people’s attention when Jack came helped an NHS nurse in the early part of the Covid pandemic. She had appealed for help to fix her boiler and Jack supplied and fitted a new boiler free. “I just felt it was a good thing to do,” he told Registered Gas Engineer.

“When I’d finished, I took a photo and put it on social media.” And as the news of his generosity spread online, the company picked up more and more work.

Jack says local papers got in touch with him to share his story, resulting in even more work, particularly from NHS workers, to whom he gave a 20 per cent discount on work during the pandemic.

But his growing reputation benefited the wider community too: other local companies followed his lead and also gave discounts to vital key workers. Gas Safe Register’s new gas safety leaflets and posters are now available in English and Welsh. With an eye-catching refreshed design, you can use these free marketing materials for a range of different audiences – whether you’re talking to your customers, tenants, holidaymakers or students.

The leaflets and posters have been designed with accessibility in mind, paying special attention to colour contrast, text size and style, and layout. Posters also include a QR code that links to further information on Gas Safe’s website.

The addition of Welsh language literature underlines Gas Safe’s commitment to Welsh citizens, helping to keep them safe from the dangers of gas.

You can order free leaflets and posters at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/leaflets

When it comes to service, we go for the gold. When it comes to service, we go for the gold.

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