Green Deal Communities funding increased

Posted on by Posted in Home improvement

greendealcommunityLocal Authorities across the country are to receive a share of £88 million to help deliver the government’s Green Deal home energy efficiency improvement programme.

The scheme will be rolled out on a street-by-street basis and will attempt to help around 32,000 households install energy efficiency home improvements such as solid wall insulation and new heating systems so that people can have warm, more energy efficient homes and have much better control of their energy bills.

Minister for Energy, Greg Barker said:

“Properties across the country are leaking hundreds of pounds every year through faulty boilers, draughty windows and insufficient insulation. By installing energy saving improvements we can help thousands of hard pressed consumers save energy and lower their bills.

“This is why we’ve quadrupled the Green Deal Communities funding, so that Local Authorities can help many more people benefit from these improvements.”

A total of 24 Local Authorities will be offered a share of £88 million under the Green Deal Communities scheme.

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

New Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive

Posted on by Posted in Renewable Energy

drhi-banner-web

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) is a government financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat. Switching to heating systems that use naturally replenished energy can help the UK reduce its carbon emissions.

People who join the scheme and stick to its rules, receive quarterly payments for seven years for the amount of clean, green renewable heat their system produces.

The scheme’s open to anyone who can meet the joining requirements. It’s for households both off and on the gas grid. People off mains gas have the most potential to save on fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.

The Renewable Heat Incentive has two schemes – Domestic and Non-Domestic. They have separate tariffs, joining conditions, rules and application processes. We administer both. Each application can only be to one of the schemes. To decide which, consider the below information, alongside our factsheet ‘The Renewable Heat Incentive – Domestic or Non-Domestic?’ in the publications and updates section at the bottom of this page.

Before applying to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) you’ll need to check your heating system is accepted and that you meet the scheme’s property criteria. This page explains what you’ll need to show you can meet as a homeowner.

For a summary overview, you should also see our Domestic RHI general eligibility checklist.

If you installed your heating system early (before the scheme opened on 9 April 2014), there are some differences that apply to you. See these at Installed before Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive opened?

Four types of eligible heating systems

There are four eligible renewable heating system types. See these and find out about their requirements at Eligible heating systems in the Domestic RHI.

Heating system requirements

Microgeneration Certification Scheme certification

The heating system must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified. All heating systems must have an MCS certificate and be installed by an MCS certified installer. For local accredited installers, see the MCS website.

The heating system must have been installed from 15 July 2009 onwards

This is the date the scheme was announced. If your heating system has a commissioning date before this (check the date on your MCS certificate), you can’t apply. It’s when your installer tested and signed off the system.

No part of the system used to produce heat must have been used before the first commissioning date

No relevant equipment can be second hand. To find out which parts they are, see Relevant parts.

You must apply within 12 months of the commissioning date

After your heating system is installed you have 12 months to apply, starting from the commissioning date on your MCS certificate. If you installed before the scheme opened (9 April 2014), you must apply in the first year, before 9 April 2015.

You must contribute to the cost of the heating system or its installation

If your heating system was paid for entirely by a grant or other funding that you don’t have to repay, you won’t be able to apply for the Domestic RHI. A loan is counted as your own resources, as you’re liable for payments.

If you did not pay for your heating system or its installation due to funding, please see Making a financial contribution.

Other property eligibility criteria

Ownership

You must either own or occupy the property the heating system is in.

Timing of commissioning of the heating system

The heating system must be installed after the property is first occupied, unless the property is an ‘eligible new-build’.

Eligible new-build (self-build)

A new-build property is any property that had a renewable heating system installed as its first heating system, before it was first occupied. Systems installed in new-build properties will mostly not be eligible for the Domestic RHI. They’re only eligible when the property was built using the labour or resources of the first owner. The first and all subsequent owners (and part-owners) must be individuals not organisations. That means if you’re a property developer or a social landlord, you can’t apply for properties you’ve built incorporating a renewable heating system. To find out more, see  Eligible new-build.

Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Importance of specific controls for healthcare facilities

Posted on by Posted in Official Product Review, Sanitaryware, Useful Resources

delabie

Why consider specific controls for healthcare facilities?

TO CONTROL BACTERIAL DEVELOPMENT
Contamination of mixers and taps by Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs mainly at the terminal, i.e. inside the
spout and around its outlet. As a result, this part of the mixer/tap should be the subject of special attention in
order to limit bacterial growth. To this end, DELABIE have designed specialist controls that facilitate preventive
action and, if necessary, curative action if contamination occurs.

 

DELABIE’s BIOSAFE specialist controls help to COMBAT BACTERIAL PROLIFERATION

• Removable Controls
The BIOCLIP range of mixers and taps can be fitted with specialist spouts and the whole interior can
be cleaned – the only way to eliminate biofilm completely – helping to fight effectively against the
development of bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa:

Mixers with removable spouts
Supplied with two brass spouts. The second spout ensures continuous use while the first is being cleaned.
Alternative options are:
– 15 disposable spouts: each spout must be replaced periodically depending on the level of risk.
– 10 BIOFIL filtration spouts which deliver bacteria-free water.

Mixers that can be fully removed from their bases
These BIOCLIP mixers and taps enable curative and preventive action to take place in healthcare facilities:

– Curative action: bacteriological monitoring in healthcare environments often requires the implementation
of remedial action. If contamination by pathogenic bacteria occurs, the mixers and taps can be easily
removed by maintenance personnel to enable the interior to be completely cleaned.

– Preventive action: to minimise the risk of bacterial proliferation in mixers and taps, we recommend
concentrating on preventive measures. BIOCLIP mixers and taps allow healthcare facilities to establish
regular cleaning protocols (approximately every 2 years depending on the type of facility) to eliminate
biofilm.

 

• Mixers and taps with low volumes of stagnant water

The new generation of DELABIE mixers and taps have specially designed interiors which reduce the volume
of water in the body. These internal passages have no recesses and help accelerate the water flow,
thus preventing the development of the biofilm. The risk of bacteria developing is considerably
reduced.

• Mixers and taps with smooth interiors
Most mixers available in the market have spouts and bodies which are rough inside, and which provide
niches where bacteria can adhere.
To limit bacterial proliferation in mixers and taps, the new generation of DELABIE mixers are designed with
spouts and/or bodies that are completely smooth.

delabie2

 

 

Mixers and taps with smooth bodies have Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination levels 14 times lower than those with rough bodies.(Study conducted in June 2010 by the BioPI laboratory and the Department for Biological studies at Jules Verne University, Amiens).

 
• Electronic controls with automatic duty flush
Stagnant water is one of the leading causes of bacterial growth in water systems. To prevent water
stagnation in mixers and taps that are under-utilised (not used for more than 24 hours), all DELABIE’s
electronic controls are programmed with a periodic duty flush to prevent bacterial proliferation. An
automatic flush takes place for approximately 45 seconds every 24 hours after the last use, thus
preventing the bacteria from developing.

DELABIE offers BIOSAFE solutions tailored to each constraint and to control the proliferation of
bacteria in mixers and taps. These solutions can be combined to prevent the development of
pathogenic bacteria.

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Works with renewable systems

Posted on by Posted in Heating

workswithrenewablesGloucester based Apollo Radiators is a supplier of central heating radiators, towel warmers, heated towel rails and accessories. Among its wide selection is the Monza (pictured), a modern contemporary design of column radiator available in over 80 sizes, both vertical and horizontal.

This model is suited to low temperature renewable systems incorporating heat pumps and underfloor heating. Unlike some aluminium radiators, this one relies on waterways to conduct heat using patented technology. It is also suited to high pressure systems.

The Monza is less than half the weight of steel column radiators and is available at a similar price. There are 46 colour options available within seven days, the standard colour being RAL white, which can be delivered to a merchant in three days.

For more information on the wide selection of radiators and towel warmers from Apollo, visit the website www.apolloradiators.co.uk

Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Two year pay deal for BMF

Posted on by Posted in Home improvement

PiggyBankConstructionThe Building & Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has agreed a two year pay deal following the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Unite the Union.

The deal involves variable wage rises for the standard wage rates averaging 2.5%, to come into effect from 30 June 2014, with a further set of rises averaging 3% to come into effect from 29 June 2015. In addition, it has been agreed that the annual holiday entitlement will increase by one day, as of 29 June 2015, from 21 days to 22 days, making a total of 30 days including public holidays.

In recognition of the industry’s need to attract and retain young talent, young adult operatives and all apprentices and trainees will benefit from a 3% rise in hourly wages as of 30 June 2014, followed by a further 3% rise in June 2015. Hourly skills rates, as set by Working Rule 1C, will also rise by 3% for each year of the deal.

This deal reflects the cautious optimism and the desire for long term stability now present in the industry. The construction sector is finally seeing consistent growth for the first time in five years. Yet, this growth is from a very low base and remains relatively constrained for many of our members,” said Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB.

“The FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey showed growth in workloads and new enquiries slowed during the last three months of 2013, output in domestic repair and maintenance sector, in which the majority of FMB members work, fell during 2013 and we are still seeing upward pressure on output prices driven by rising materials costs.

“However, our members are now looking to the future with expectations of growing workloads. Therefore, it is right that, after some difficult years, this agreement recognises this with a significant pay increase for hard-working employees. The two year nature of the deal will provide certainty and reassurance for employers and employees alike.”

Tagged with: , , , ,
Top