APHCI
AMALGAMATED PLUMBING AND HEATING CONTRACTORS OF IRELAND, WHICH HOSTED A STAND AT THE RECENT PLUMBEX DUBLIN TRADE SHOW, OFFERS ITS LATEST UPDATE ON KEY ISSUES AND EVENTS… Update: A focus on climate change, global warming and energy conservation
As winter approaches, the phones are hopping in members’ pockets countrywide as the dropping temperatures turn customers’ minds to heating and the system that has remained unused and undisturbed since spring. While it is always great to get the calls, a little forward planning by the valued customers would improve matters for both themselves and the service technician. It was great to speak with those who stopped by our stand at PLUMBEX last month. We had a very busy two days and were delighted with the engagement and feedback from all members of the trade on their common concerns. Climate change, global warming and energy conservation were the main topics of discussion. Our trade is central to progress in this major area. Attendees in the main see heat pump systems as the most promising energy source of the future, but not the only solution. With the necessary retrofit costs beyond the means of many, even with grant aid and older buildings that will never be suitable for this technology, they feel that other options need to be explored in the short term at least. Central to these are hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and BioLPG, which are now becoming widely available across the country. Existing systems can be converted to run on these fuels at little cost, removing most of the errant emissions with immediate effect. The issues of poor-quality materials are another issue, with many installers becoming exasperated due to the
number of callbacks caused by materials failure. Examples range from poor-quality plastics components in sanitary wear to circulating and booster pumps. The general feeling is that, as there are standards for the various components, many manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and merchants need to up their game in this regard. Apprenticeships in trade also raised its head, with a sense of exasperation in the delay with the off-the-job phases, well over two years in some cases. This is not fair on either the apprentice or employer and cannot be accepted into the future. Apprentice renumeration is also a topical item at the moment. Do not lose sight of the fact that apprentices receive a ‘training allowance’ rather
than pay. A conscientious employer invests a lot of time and effort in training an apprentice, particularly in the first two years. Once a qualified tradesperson has a skill for life, the earning potential can equal or better a high-cost university degree. That said, the onus is on the employer to provide the proper training and respect the apprentice. The next major event on the APHCI calendar is the first trade evening of the year in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork. Keep an eye out for further details. For further information, contact APHCI Administrator Crozier Deane: T: +353 (0)85 803 5082 E: info@aphci.ie / crozier@aphci.ie www.aphci.ie
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