Heat strategy report is ‘misguided’ says heat pump manufacturer Published:  16 September, 2016 Renewable heating manaufacturer, NIBE, reacts to the Policy Exchange report published last week, calling on policymakers to develop a new strategy for decarbonising domestic heating. The report identifies weaknesses in the policy approach of the last government, particularly its focus on electric heat pumps. Phil Hurley, managing director at NIBE, has labelled some of the report’s recommendations as ‘misguided’ – but has spoken out in support of its stance on demand-side reduction. “The crux of Policy Exchange’s ‘Too Hot to Handle?’ report is undeniably gas-centric – and this is unsurprising, given it has been commissioned by key stakeholders in the gas industry,” said Mr Hurley. “While some of the views outlined in the report are inevitably at odds with what we at NIBE, and the wider heat pump industry, believe, it raises one point in particular that we agree with wholeheartedly. This is the importance of reducing heat demand by improving energy efficiency in domestic buildings, as part of a national infrastructure project. “The fact is, if we don’t address our leaky building stock now, we will never see a reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions on the desired scale – irrespective of what types of heating technologies are fitted in our homes. Implementing heat-loss prevention measures, such as loft and wall insulation, nationally should be the first step in any government decarbonisation strategy. This also forms a crucial part of NIBE’s own vision to make sure more homes are fit to accommodate heat pumps: and we firmly believe the widespread rollout of heat pump technology is central for the UK to meet its long-term carbon reduction targets. “For this reason, we can’t support the report’s recommendation to reduce the proposed number of heat pump installations. The alternative approach it puts forward – to improve the efficiency of gas appliances, and place more emphasis on using greener forms of gas – certainly has its place as part of the mix. But at NIBE, we feel it is misguided and short-sighted to suggest that this could be more effective, and result in greater carbon reductions, than a strategy that centres on renewable heat. The truth is, renewables are the only real energy-secure, futureproof solution to the UK’s carbon crisis, and the lasting financial and environmental savings they deliver are unparalleled.   “That’s why we’re urging the government to develop a refreshed decarbonisation strategy that levels the playing field between traditional fossil fuel-based systems and heat pumps. For this to work, we need an approach that marries up ‘quick-win’ schemes like the Renewable Heat Incentive with a robust, long-term policy vision for making renewable heat mainstream – something that’s missing from current legislation and from Policy Exchange’s report. As an industry leader and avid believer in the unrealised potential of heat pumps in the UK, we at NIBE will continue to do all we can to make this a reality.” Source link

24 August 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal G4S FM has appointed Deanne Le Gresley as managing director of overall business operations for Jersey and Guernsey.      As managing director, Le Gresley will lead the senior leadership team and manage Channel Islands hard FM services, Channel Islands health and safety and Ports of Guernsey, working across the public and commercial sectors.   She is responsible for the main business processes, as well as the continuing development of the service delivery model in the Channel Islands. Le Gresley has been with G4S FM for two years and was most recently managing director of the Guernsey business, and reports to Mike Jones, the UK FM national customer services director.   Jones said: “Deanne’s industry and regional experience is a real asset to G4S. Her challenge is to continue to grow our business in the public sector, financial services and tourism industries in Jersey and Guernsey, as well as develop our workforce.”   Le Gresley has a financial background in both the public and private sectors including the States of Jersey Treasury and Jersey Telecom. Her previous responsibilities include capital expenditure for public property, building service procurement, and profitability management as part of her accountancy background. Source link

New research from sales and lettings firm KIS has shown that proximity to a good school might add as much as £100 a month to the cost of renting a North East property. The news comes the week 11% of children missed out on a place at their first choice of primary school – rising to 14% in Newcastle – with close to 4000 schools around the country reported as full or above capacity. Wanting to live in the catchment area of a good school  is the number of priority  for renters, with 70% of those surveyed listing it as a key characteristic of the home they want  – compared to just 50% listing ‘being close to work’. According to the report, the average monthly rent in the region now stands at £552 – suggesting that £99.36 a month could be the regional rental value of closeness to the right school. Analysis of the North East-based firm’s monthly Metro Map of Tyne and Wear’s property hotspots also reveals that all of the most expensive six stations to rent by on the Tyne-Wear Metro map – Jesmond, Tynemouth, West Jesmond, Gateshead, South Gosforth and Ilford Road – have at least two outstanding or good schools within a mile. Other key priorities for rental location in the survey, carried out on behalf of PropertyLetBuyUs included being close to friends and family (69%), low crime rate (38%) and closeness to shops and amenities (30%). Ajay Jagota, Managing Director of KIS, said: “It goes without saying that people will do anything for their children, but it’s fascinating to see that in Tyne and Wear that might mean paying an extra £1200 year in rent for a place at the right school. Those costs are likely to include a rental deposit in the region of £1800 too – another strain on family budgets. It would be preposterous to see good quality schools as the only driver for rental values – not least since our Metro-based analysis is focused on renting properties which by their very nature have good public transport links –but it’s nonetheless conspicuous that Tyne and Wear’s property hotspots are all areas close to outstanding or good state schools, and given the competition for places at those schools it’s unlikely that that is nothing more than coincidence.   All of which proves the true value of lettings professionals who know on a street-to-street level the best places to buy for landlords and the best value places to rent for tenants.” Source link