Electrical Contracting News (ECN) August 2016 | Page 34

SPECIAL FEATURE

HVAC

HOT TOPIC
Chris Stammers at Dimplex explores the latest changes in energy policy, legislation and trends
– and how they might impact electrical contractors when installing electric heating systems.

H

eating accounts
for approximately
60 per cent of
energy used in
the home so it’s
clear to see why
it’s so important
for homeowners
to make the right choice in a bid to keep
costs down. For more than two million
electrically heated homes in the UK,

this often means relying on electrical
contractors to specify the right system.
Any contractor installing an electric
heating system must ensure it is cost
effective, energy efficient and meets
the specific requirements of the
property and its occupants in terms of
heat load, comfort and controllability.
However, there is another critical factor
that must be increasingly considered;
energy policy.

Strict (and ambitious) carbon reduction
commitments are already leading to
some drastic changes to the way in
which energy is generated, distributed
and stored in the UK, all of which
could impact the future of any electrical
contractor’s business model. New and
updated government incentive schemes
are also having an effect on demand, but
with so many constant changes it’s not
easy to keep up.

Here is a summary of some of the
biggest issues – and how they could
impact your business.

Brexit
The energy sector, like many other of
course, is facing a period of uncertainty
since the nation voted to leave the
EU on 23rd June. The Conservative
government has already gone back on

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