News

Meet the heating firm with a social conscience

James Hunt is turning the profits from his new business into a lifeline for poor, vulnerable and hungry people: the ex-soldier has set up Cafgas, a heating company that has a social conscience.

The community interest company (CIC) will pump money into good causes across North Wales and Cheshire, including feeding homeless people, reaching the lonely and disabled and helping service veterans.

All profits from installing, repairing and servicing boilers, carrying out gas safety checks, and fitting bathrooms will pay for outreach work by in-house community organisation Nanny Biscuit. Nanny Biscuit was set up in 2018 in memory of James’s grandmothers Jean Simmonds and Else Hunt, who used to give him biscuits when he was growing up.

James, from Shotton, says: “The vision is to become one of the biggest plumbing and heating companies in the North-west and North Wales within five years, with all of its profits helping the most vulnerable in our community: the homeless, the elderly, armed service veterans and hungry families.”

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nanny Biscuit and its 50 volunteers have helped thousands of people. They have provided food parcels from the community centre warehouse, made buddy phone calls, provided 30,000 meals for homeless people and organised socially distanced care home music concerts.

James says: “We’ve helped people whose food cupboards were completely bare during lockdown, including a man who hadn’t eaten in three days. That’s why we want to futureproof the good work that Nanny Biscuit does for years and decades to come by funding it through Cafgas CIC profits.

“When someone gets Cafgas to fix a leaky boiler or fit a new washing machine, that customer is giving something back to their local community because their bill helps pay for the wide range of brilliant outreach work that Nanny Biscuit does seven days a week, without a cost to them.”

WRAS separates into

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has separated its subscriptions and approvals activities into two separate businesses: Water Regs UK and the Water Regulations Approvals Scheme (WRAS).

The move follows an internal review and a series of in-depth surveys of members, stakeholders and subscribers.

These findings prompted the launch of the Water Regs UK and the Water Regulations Approvals Scheme businesses and clarify their services.

Water Regs UK is focusing on promoting compliance with the Water Fitting Regulations and Bylaws across the UK to protect customers. The new business is funded mainly by water companies and enables collaboration between them, as well as sharing industry learning, experience and good practice. It also acts as a hub to communicate information about the water regulations.

Water Regs UK is responsible for running the Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme (WIAPS) on behalf of 14 water suppliers in England and Wales.

The new Water Regulations Approvals Scheme business

two new businesses Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch boilers are being used in the UK’s is funded by manufacturers first public demonstration of a and applicants and is responsible 100 per cent hydrogen home. The for approving plumbing project aims to demonstrate the products and materials, and use of hydrogen appliances in a maintaining a directory of real-world setting for heating, hot more than 9,000 products water and cooking in UK homes. and 3,000 materials. The semi-detached properties Julie Spinks, managing director have been built in partnership with of the Water Regs UK, says: Northern Gas Networks and “The launch of the new dedicated Cadent at NGN’s Low Thornley Water Regs UK business means site, near Gateshead. Alongside we can further improve the the hydrogen boilers, prototypes of support we provide to subscribers. hydrogen-fuelled fires, cookers It’s an opportunity to increase our and hobs are installed by partners profile among stakeholders and working with BEIS on Hy4Heat. consumers, which will further build This real-world demonstration awareness and understanding of of the technology marks a the water regulations and why step-change for the boiler they should be followed.” manufacturers’ progression of Ian Hughes, approvals hydrogen from lab to field, as more manager for the Water Regulations appliances are installed in trial Approvals Scheme, says: “Our projects across the UK and vision is to be the most trusted Europe. independent UK certification body for plumbing products and materials, helping business and consumers choose compliant products that keep water safe. “The launch of Approvals as a dedicated business allows us to focus exclusively on that goal and offer one route to demonstrate compliance with the regulations.”

www.wrasapprovals.co.uk www.waterregsuk.co.uk

First 100% hydrogen boilers to go on public show Karen Boswell, managing director at Baxi Heating UK and Ireland, says: “We are hugely proud to be a part of another ground-breaking hydrogen heating project and remain at the forefront of low-carbon development.” Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, adds: “The Hydrogen House project will help spearhead the safe implementation of hydrogen gas into the gas network and ultimately our homes. The trials under way there are an important step towards a zero-carbon future and we’re proud that our hydrogen boiler prototype is playing a pivotal part.” Stella Matthews, business development manager at Northern Gas Networks, says: “The boilers look and feel just like those we use today with one key difference – they don’t create carbon when used.” No more single-use plastics for Wolseley Wolseley Plumb & Parts is aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in all areas of its business. Customers will be offered cardboard boxes and paper bags in all branches where possible, not only reducing the dependency on plastic but also so that the packaging can be recycled easily afterwards. Where paper bags are not suitable, the company will be introducing reusable bags at its trade counters. Environmental manager Helen Holly says: “We are proud to lead the charge in encouraging the adoption of new processes and an industry-wide shift away from single-use plastics.”

Fake fitter pressured vulnerable customer for more money

An illegal gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence after he falsely claimed to be registered, carried out unsafe gas work and pressured a vulnerable customer into making additional payments.

Luton Crown Court heard that Sam Buggins, from Letchworth Garden City, trading as Infinity Heating and Plumbing, had come to the attention of Central Bedfordshire Trading Standards in 2018, following several complaints by residents.

Trading Standards, prosecuting, said its investigation found that Mr Buggins had claimed falsely to a number of people in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, that he was Gas Safe registered. In fact, he had been removed from the Register. He had installed a gas fire in Dunstable in an unsafe manner, with the standard of workmanship falling below fair and reasonable expectations.

The gas fireplace opening was greater than the dimensions given by the manufacturer’s instructions, and so the fireplace opening was not fully sealed, nor had the pipework been sealed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Additionally, the gas pipework in the catchment space had not been protected, combustible wood was found within the fireplace opening, and the top of the fire was screwed to the wood.

Mr Buggins had also taken money to install a premium boiler, but instead fitted a cheaper one of lower quality.

As the investigation progressed, the Trading Standards team was contacted by Hertfordshire County Council to also investigate complaints from Hertfordshire residents.

The court heard that Mr Buggins had undertaken aggressive commercial practices and had pressured a disabled, vulnerable customer into making additional payments beyond what had been agreed, and then failed to do any of the work. The customer had to find an additional £1,200 from their disability benefits to pay another trader to complete the work.

Alex Buggins, 33, of the Rundels, Letchworth Garden City, pleaded guilty to five counts of Misleading Actions and one Count of Aggressive Commercial Practices under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, 20 days’ rehabilitation activity and a three-month curfew between 5am and 8pm. He was ordered to pay £1,200 compensation to his victims.

Executive member for Community Services, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, said after the case: “We are committed to disrupting rogue trader activity and protecting our communities. Our officers will conduct robust investigations where there is evidence of wrongdoing. Carrying out gas safety work when you are not registered as competent to do so is extremely serious and this could have endangered lives. Luckily, in this instance no one was hurt, and we were pleased to be able to obtain justice for all of his victims, both in Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.”

Engineer forged employer’s details on kebab shop record

A gas engineer who faked the registration details on a gas safety certificate for a takeaway business has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Exeter Crown Court heard that, on 16 March 2019, Peter Strudwick carried out a commercial gas safety check at a kebab takeaway business in Bitten Road, Teignmouth. He was working illegally and used his employer’s Gas Safe registration number on the paperwork. His employer, a major commercial gas catering company, was unaware of his work.

Concerns had been raised when an officer from Teignbridge District Council attended the takeaway regarding gas safety issues and found irregularities. The takeaway was issued with an Improvement Order. Subsequent visits by qualified and registered gas engineers found numerous concerns with the appliances, including gas escapes, which were classified as Immediately Dangerous.

The HSE, investigating, found that Mr Strudwick had been Gas Safe registered some years previously but was not at that time registered or competent to carry out the gas safety check at the takeaway and did not have his own registration number.

Peter Strudwick of Palk Close, Shaldon, Teignmouth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended and Section 33(1)(l) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison for each offence, suspended for 12 months.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Simon Jones said: “Mr Strudwick falsely used his employer’s Gas Safe Register details to deceive people into believing his work was legitimate.”

To report illegal gas work please call 0800 408 5577 or go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/reportillegal

Lapsed engineer terminated boiler chimney in loft

A lapsed gas engineer who carried out gas work that was Immediately Dangerous has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard that John Atherton, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, had fitted a new gas boiler and central heating system at a domestic property in St Helens, Merseyside, in November 2018. He fitted the boiler and left the chimney/flue terminating in the loft, which meant that products of combustion could enter the property, and resulted in the boiler being left in an Immediately Dangerous condition.

The HSE investigation found that Mr Atherton implied that he was Gas Safe registered but, in fact, his registration when working for a former employer had lapsed the previous month. Because his registration had lapsed, he was working illegally.

John Atherton of Hallcroft, Skelmersdale, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(3) and 26(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended. He was sentenced to 26 months in prison, suspended for one year, ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service, and pay costs of £2,000.

Could microwaves heat our homes?

Microwaves could be one way for the UK’s boilers to go green, says energy tech company Heat Wayv, which has unveiled its plans for a microwave boiler that it says could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 24 per cent.

The boilers are in engineering design now and are not available yet but the company is aiming to have them ready for installation before 2025, the year in which fitting gas boilers in new homes will be banned in England.

Heat Wayv says the appliances heat water using the same microwave technology that is already used in more than 90 per cent of homes. With a similar overall size, cost and throughput to current gas boilers, it’s aimed to be a plumb-in replacement for existing appliances.

“The end of the gas boiler is inevitable and scheduled,” says co-founder Phil Stevens. “But the proposed replacement technologies do not work for consumers as they are either too expensive to install or too expensive to run. We looked for a clean technology where the boiler would cost the consumer the same to buy, install and run as a gas boiler.

“The answer is the microwave boiler as it is a trusted technology in our homes already and one that can be brought to market before the 2025 gas boiler shut-down begins.”

The boilers are designed to be networked into an IoT (Internet of Things) configuration, where they could be used collectively as a national battery at times of oversupply from renewable energy such as wind, and where excess electrical energy could be stored as hot water for later use.

The microwave boiler uses technology similar to that found in kitchen microwave ovens: the boiler uses a specific frequency to transfer energy to individual water molecules and so heat the water.

A combination of sequential pulse-width modulation and specialist materials provide what is effectively continuous heating that uses less power.

A multi-blade assembly heats the water through a proprietary system where flow rates are determined by sensors and AI-based controllers, ensuring consistent temperature. Where energy is inevitably lost to the surroundings, a turbo charge approach recycles this energy back into heating the water. The boiler claims an overall energy efficiency of 96 per cent.

www.heatwayv.com

Heat pump takes centre stage in Vaillant TV ads

Vaillant has unveiled the second instalment of its TV ads, with the aroTHERM plus heat pump in a starring role. The homeowner awareness campaign focuses on heat pumps as a sustainable heating technology.

The latest ‘Why Wait’ TV ad is airing on on-demand platforms All 4 and Sky AdSmart over the coming months.

It will continue to play an important role in raising consumer awareness of how a heat pump can help heat homes efficiently and effectively, says Vaillant, and how it is an existing and proven technology from which homeowners can benefit today.

Marketing director Alice Woolley says: “With a clear direction towards a low-carbon future for our industry, at Vaillant we remain committed to supporting installers through our range of sustainable heating solutions, whether that’s an energy efficient boiler or heat pump.”

Esi acquired by Addtech Group

Esi Controls Ltd has been bought by Addtech Power Solutions, part of the Swedish Addtech Group. Buckingham-based Esi Controls designs and delivers energy efficient electronic controls for heating and smart building applications.

“We’re delighted with the news that we are joining the Addtech Group and it’s great to know we will have the strength and expertise that the group offers, supporting us as we strive to build this business even further than we have to date,” says new MD Tristan James.

Esi recently launched its latest 6 series Wi-Fi programmable room thermostat, providing heating control for homes and commercial premises.

Baxi to support Kickstart

Baxi says it will be taking part in the government’s Kickstart work placement scheme for young people. Successful applicants will receive customer service training and coaching and will then work as part of the customer service team, providing support for gas engineers, and enhanced aftercare for customers.

Following the initial six-month placement, the young people will be able to continue working at Baxi if they wish, choosing a career in marketing, IT, sales, engineering or R&D.

Customer service director Louise Murton says: “Baxi is committed to supporting young people into employment and through this scheme we hope to discover and nurture new talent.

“This will not only help to address the skills gap and increase workforce diversity, but ensure that our valued installers have even more support from our Baxi customer service teams.”

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