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Defra Minister Visits National Plumbing & heating Business

DEFRA MINISTER VISITS NATIONAL PLUMBING & HEATING BUSINESS 

JIM PAICE MP SEES HOW CONSTITUENTS CAN SAVE MONEY

Low- or zero-carbon solutions to help constituents save money on energy & water - and choose a greener way of life - were the focus of a visit by Jim Paice MP in Ely last Friday.

The MP for South East Cambridgeshire went to his local branch of Plumbase, one of the UK’s largest plumbing & heating merchants, to see how the trade helps voters make choices to get carbon out of their homes. Mr Paice toured one of 5 “Go Green” showrooms in the company’s branch network.

During the afternoon, hosted by Ian Golden, Regional Director, Jim Paice MP:

“I was delighted with the chance to visit this thriving branch of Plumbase in my constituency. Not only are they managing to survive in this tough economic climate, but they show that ‘going green’ is not only good for our environment, but can also be good for our economy as well.”

In the “Go Green” showroom, Ian Golden showed the MP some of the renewable energy products on the market - which is growing due to rising media interest and public demand. Solar thermal and heat pumps are popular examples. The energy they capture is transferred to applications like underfloor heating or thermal skirting boards that were on display. Heat from below is evenly spread around rooms, eliminating ‘hot spots’, thereby improving efficiency.

Mr Paice also saw a full-size, above-ground rainwater harvesting system made by Halsted Rain. Managing Director, Graham Cross, illustrated how it works, adding that Building Regulations are changing to reduce mains water use and attenuate rainwater runoff to help prevent local flooding. Aimed at retrofitting to urban houses, the integrated system stores water and supplies it for toilet flushing and irrigation purposes.

Mr Paice remarked that the Government is interested in ways to use natural resources more efficiently, saying: “Carbon emissions from housing have risen by more than 5% since 1997, and currently account for 27% of the UK’s carbon footprint. As a nation, we rate the worst in Europe for wasting energy. One of the most urgent challenges in reducing carbon emissions from housing is to improve dramatically the energy efficiency of existing housing For this reason, the Coalition Government has already agreed to implement a full programme of measures - known as the ‘Green Deal’”.

The ‘Green Deal’ policy capitalises on the public’s enthusiasm by making it easier for new sources of finance to enter the market. Homeowners will be offered £6,500 as part of package to install energy-saving measures. Loans will be taken out against the property - not the inhabitants - and paid back over a 25-year period like normal mortgages. This means the savings on running costs start when the completed work is operational.

Plumbase’s Operations Director, Chris Maityard, outlined some of the thinking behind the ‘Go Green’ showrooms’ venture: “Investing in existing housing to improve the condition and fitting energy & water-saving devices are central to our business. Plumbase is diversifying into new areas and stocking sustainable product lines. Specialist branches, like Ely, showcase modern low- or zero-carbon solutions to help homeowners choose a greener way of life. We are committed to increase the number of “Go Green” showrooms to showcase the opportunities to more people. “Plumbase is thinking ahead to year 2020 and the carbon reduction targets that will apply then. We are already looking at planned investments, branch expansion and career, training & recruitment prospects to drive our company forward during the decade ahead”.

The MP was not the only one to benefit from the visit. Dennis Carter, of Stretham, near Ely, was the lucky winner of a brand new Trianco air source heat pump. Jim Paice MP presented the prize and heard how Mr Carter, a qualified energy assessor, fits them in a variety of housing types.

 

The afternoon was part of the Builders Merchants Federation’s industry & parliamentary programme. Visit organiser and Head of Policy at the BMF, Brett Amphlett, explained:

“Constituency visits, like Mr Paice’s here in Ely today, bring MPs together with the building materials’ supply chain to gain insight & understanding of each others’ world. We think our industry has a good tale to tell and believe the RMI market - repair, maintenance & improvement - can be the motor to help get out of recession.

“Merchants have been around for hundreds of years. We are the most efficient route-to-market for construction products. Successful businesses, like Plumbase, are typical of a trade that stands ready to respond to signals from politicians like Jim Paice MP to move Britain towards a low-carbon future. For example: we helped introduce the £50m Boiler Scrappage Scheme earlier this year that is generally seen as a success”.

Brett Amphlett reminded the MP that winter 2009/10 was the most severe one endured for 30 years. “The position and topography of East Anglia - a very rural part of England - meant residents suffered Arctic winds bringing sub-zero temperatures for weeks”, remarked Mr Amphlett. “We need to explain and help Jim Paice’s constituents to carry out energy-saving work. With longer, hotter, sunnier & drier summers predicted, efforts on water conservation and energy efficiency to combat the temperature extremes - and save money on utility bills - are incontrovertible”.

The public have very few places to see low- or zero-carbon solutions. “BMF members, like Plumbase Ely, are often the only place in rural areas where buyers can see demonstrations or working models like we have today”. Mr Amphlett added that merchants’ staff possess a good knowledge of products and are well-placed to give impartial advice on what works best.