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Paice visits green plumbing business in Ely
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 in Ely today.
The MP went to his local branch of 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 only 5 “Go Green” showrooms in the company’s UK network.
During the afternoon, hosted by Ian Golden, Regional Director, Jim met the staff and was shown around the premises and learned how Plumbase has responded to to the tough trading times over the past 18 months.
Noting the success of Mr Golden and his staff, Jim Paice MP said, “I was delighted with the chance to see visit this thriving branch of Plumbase within my constituency. Not only are they managing to survive in these 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 - one that 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’. This warms the lower part of both rooms and humans, providing warmth where it is needed most - the lower body & limbs, rather than the head.
Jim 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.
Jim remarked that the Government is interested in ways to use natural resources more efficiently saying:
“Carbon dioxide emissions from the housing sector have risen by more than five per cent since 1997, and currently account for 27 per cent 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 stock. For this reason, the coalition Government has already agreed to implement a full programme of measures – known as the ‘Green Deal’”
The Coalition Government’s ‘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”.
“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 (inc. apprentices) to drive my 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. One project is Ministry of Defence married couples’ quarters in the region.