By Gillian Allder, Director, Grant Aided Heating Installers Network

Over the last year millions more households have become fuel poor as a result of energy price increases. The Government has pledged to improve energy efficiency in this sector. It recognises that whilst insulation plays a vital role in achieving maximum energy efficiency, an efficient heating system is the key source of energy/carbon saving in a building. Heating is a crucial element in achieving the Government’s ambitious target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016.

For example, if a boiler is more than 15 years old it is probably only about 60% efficient – putting its energy rating at about G. In real terms this means that for every £1 spent on heating 40p is wasted. A modern high-efficiency boiler is 90% more energy efficient. To encourage more energy saving measures in the home, grants for central heating and equipment for home owners and private tenants are available. The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network (GAIN) members are installers of heating systems and equipment serving the grants market and work closely with all those involved in the repair and maintenance/refurbishment industry.

Energy suppliers also provide grants for the installation of energy efficient boilers under the Government’s former Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) Scheme. The Scheme, now renamed CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) is formulated to partly fund £2.8 billion of domestic energy efficiency work over the three years to 2011. Suppliers must encourage and assist their customers to make energy savings, through installing measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation and energy efficient boilers, appliances and light bulbs. As well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the CERT is also designed to cut fuel poverty: at least 50% of the energy savings must be focussed on low-income households. Offers can be taken up from any of the energy companies, regardless of who supplies the gas and electricity.

It is vital to benefit from the services of a heating contractor with professional experience and quality status to advise and carry out the work. Members of the Grant Aided Heating Installers Network (GAIN) are such organisations. The Association works with heating installers to upgrade the professionalism of this industry and promote this to Government, grants agencies, Registered Social Landlords, and the general public, in order to deliver cost effective and energy efficiency heating solutions throughout the UK. Included in the criteria for membership heating installers need to be Corgi and/or NICEIC registered (as appropriate); to hold Public and Employers Liability Insurance cover of at least 2M; and to abide by the Association’s new Code of Conduct.

Promoting higher standards has created an increased demand for professionally trained heating installers. GAIN members are not restricted to grant work and are fast moving into the commercial field, where their expertise can be utilised for significantly improving energy efficiency. The optimum balance between heating and insulation can be achieved with the cost offsets from an insulation package arising form the ability to use a smaller capacity heating system, with slightly reduced sizes or number of radiators, or reduced demand for warm air circulation. This is reflected in the capacity of the boiler, with reduced running costs, a smaller capital outlay, less long-term repair costs and longer life for the system.

The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network currently has contractor members throughout England and Wales and invites all professional heating installers throughout the UK to join. The Association is also sponsored and funded by many suppliers to the heating industry and welcomes such approaches in order to further the interest of the total industry.

The Grant Aided Heating Installers Network currently has contractor members throughout England and Wales and covering N. Ireland. Contact GAIN for your nearest installer at P O Box 12, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3AH; tel: 01428 654011; e-mail: gainassociation@aol.com;

www.gainassociation.org.uk