Someone has to say it - Surprisingly forthright on the subject of Interbuild 2002, many of those who should have been there were explicit in condemning the B&Q motif. That is the long and short of it whether the organisers – or anyone else - like it or not. That is customer power in action and if an healthy line up is envisaged for 2004, action will be required. Although I felt obliged to attend Interbuild I pasted a small piece of white paper over the B&Q logo on my ID card and make no apologies for that. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) stand was occupied by two people from one of the two local EEAC’s or Energy Efficiency Advice Centres. The people concerned are also employed by the City Council where they have been undertaking a similar role previously and were on the day recruiting Installers. They informed me that enquiries to their EEAC are invariably about grant aid. I was not aware that grant aid was available to anyone for some energy efficiency measures such as cavity wall insulation, regardless of income status.
Benchmark was not represented this year (?) though I was advised they should be at Chelsea next month (see events).
Owing to a last minute crisis to which we responded for a customer, I attended Thursday rather than Wednesday but that proved to be a blessing as I met people I would not otherwise have met. I chanced to be engaged in conversation with CORGI when two of my heroes from United Utilities (UU) showed up and a mini conference ensued. United Utilities did not have a stand this year.
Corgi were clearly not aware of WIAPS in detail and enquired about Installers retaining that status. It was confirmed that aside from annual checks on public liability insurance, there is no further requirement. UU were under the impression that Corgi insisted on public liability also but of course they are not empowered to do so.
It was intimated that if voluntary take-up of WIAPS is not forthcoming, we can expect to see compulsory registration in four years time. I doubt that myself but recommend WIAPS to anyone who can prove entitlement to be on the scheme. It is quick, painless and negligible one-off cost.
Water Authorities are busy visiting ALL establishments other than single family dwellings and will be generating a lot of work.
It has to be said that PHEX is a must for new industry entrants given the range of quality and relevant exhibitors. The Chelsea show appears to boast the biggest line-up with 101 stands and that is next if you wish to register online and receive a free lunch.
As is my wont I will stick my neck out again. I have suggested to one or two boiler manufacturers that they consider making available a translucent boiler casing to reveal all the state of the art technology. Very impressive like translucent telephones and could encourage people to boast about their high efficiency boiler rather than try to disguise it. That could start a new fashion and bring energy efficiency to the fore ? There are other advantages.
Sally Pickersgill (Ravenheat) no doubt pioneered the flower powered casing so we’ll see if they take on board my techo powered casing. Grasp the nettle someone and raise the profile of energy efficiency. I promise to buy the first production condensing boiler with a translucent casing whatever the manufacturer.
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