7 minute read
Gas Safe News
FROM THE EDITOR
Comment
It seems as though energy and how we heat our homes has never been such a hot topic.
While we all adjust to living with far higher energy bills, the government has released its Energy Security Strategy, which sets out a future where energy will come from numerous sources: nuclear, wind, solar – and while the ambition is to reduce the amount of gas we use, there will be more production in the short term. There’s a doubling of hydrogen production capacity too.
There’s no doubt that the Ukraine crisis has also highlighted the need for the UK to have greater energy independence and, as the Prime Minister has stated, to wean ourselves off expensive fossil fuels.
But inside this issue we look at two recent industry surveys, both of which find that what people really want is choice. They understand the need to reduce their carbon emissions but they don’t want the government to dictate the technologies they must use to stay warm. And in many cases they say they can’t afford the proposed direction of travel towards the electrification of heat.
It’s a balancing act that’s going to cause headaches for years to come.
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
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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
As the energy price crisis bites, more than one-third of homeowners are switching off their heating earlier than usual this year to save on bills. New research from Gas Safe Register has found that nearly 8 million households may be braving the cold at home because of money worries.
As well as switching off earlier than usual, nearly one-third of households (31 per cent) will skip booking their annual gas safety check this year, due to the cost-of-living crisis. This is despite a majority (77 per cent) being aware that regular servicing can help gas appliances run more efficiently and, in turn, save money on household bills.
Gas Safe Register has teamed up with meteorologist and TV weather presenter Clare Nasir to launch a new national campaign, Switch Off/Check On, warning homeowners of the false
economy and safety implications of not getting their gas boilers serviced and safety checked. It also reminds them of the benefits of getting this done before many are retired for the spring and summer months.
Checkatrade.com estimates the average cost of having a gas appliance safety checked is £80 a year, which can help to avoid unexpected and potentially more serious issues occurring. In contrast, if a boiler breaks down, each call-out could cost up to £200 – and replacing a boiler can cost thousands of pounds. Not getting regular safety checks could also invalidate the boiler’s warranty or the conditions of insurance policies.
Clare Nasir says: “Spring weather can often be deceptive – especially with colder mornings, which can take many by surprise.
Don’t skip on safety
“When planning to turn off the heating for the months ahead, it’s imperative that homeowners are prioritising gas safety and ensuring they do not skip their annual gas safety checks.
“Although homeowners, understandably, are concerned about the increased cost of living – there are real risks to health, wealth and safety linked to not servicing and safety checking their gas appliances, such as gas boilers.”
Bob Kerr, Gas Services Director at Gas Safe Register, adds: “Many engineers get busier in the autumn and winter months when the central heating is turned on, and at a time when badly maintained boilers throw up problems.
“That’s why we want to encourage homeowners to adopt a Switch Off/Check On approach to gas safety this spring, and ensure they have peace of mind by considering booking their annual boiler service with a Gas Safe registered engineer.”
Correction
In last month’s Legislative, Normative and Informative Documents List, we incorrectly referred to DW172 as a standard for kitchen ventilation systems.
We would like to clarify that DW172 is a specification not a standard and is not a normative document.
The politics of gas safety
An unexpected visitor arrived while Gas Safe Register’s Chris Robinson was carrying out a gas safety audit at Beta Group. Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer was visting the company’s headquarters in Rossendale Valley, Lancashire, at the same time. Naturally, they all said a quick hello and grabbed a photo.
We hope Sir Keir took some time to read the latest copy of Registered Gas Engineer on the table next to him to make sure he knows all about Gas Safe Register’s updates and the latest gas safety and technical information.
L-R: Gas Safe Register business relationship manager Chris Robinson, Beta Group managing director Martin Lewis and Sir Kier Starmer
Spring clean your registration admin
It can be hard to find the time to keep on top of admin when you’re busy working in your customers’ homes. But a quick check that all your Gas Safe registration details are up to date can help to prevent frustration and potential misunderstandings.
We know that, for many gas engineers, the expiry dates for your qualifications align with your registration renewal date. But if your qualifications expire outside your renewal period or if you join a new company – or take on an engineer – it’s important to make sure that the ID card shows up-to-date information, which may mean renewing it.
Not having up-to-date qualifications on your ID card can cause confusion for your customers. And when they check your details on Gas Safe’s website, it may indicate that you’re not qualified to carry out certain types of work.
Gas Safe Register’s Customer First Lead Alistair Pearson says: “Your Gas Safe ID card shows your customers that you’re legally qualified to carry out gas work in their home, so it’s really important to make sure that all the details are correct.”
It’s also a good idea to check all your contact information too. Have you moved home, changed your telephone number or your email address? Making sure that these are correct means you won’t miss any important communications from Gas Safe Register – and that you’ll always receive this magazine too.
You can update all your Gas Safe Register details quickly and easily when you log into your online account at www.
gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
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