Building Commissioning Association’s Post

Please respond to this consultation if you think that installing heat pumps should be made legal in the UK. Short form: ----- - DESNZ allowed MCS to write the rules on Permitted Development (MCS 20) - MCS have written it into their standard that heat pumps MUST be installed by MCS contractors; along with all the other MCS requirements that have nothing to do with noise; in order to be legal - This makes it illegal for anybody to install a heat pump without having to pay for planning permission ----- Long form: ----- DESNZ wanted MCS to write "a noise standard" and - if the heat pumps were small enough and quiet* enough - they could be installed under Permitted Development. Unfortunately MCS under Ian Rippin is hell bent on making sure that they are the ONLY standard in town and ONLY MCS members are allowed to install heat pumps. They have cheekily written extra requirements into the noise standard that mean only MCS installers can use Permitted Development. This is wrong. Planning Permission is about visual / noise amenity. It doesn't matter who laid the bricks. It just matters how they look. The Planning Rules for heat pumps should be the same. MCS should remove the "accidental" requirement that means ONLY MCS members can use Permitted Development. Please put this in the response to the consultation so that they either "correct the accidental mistake" or make it very clear to government that they are DELIBERATELY preventing heat pumps from being installed by anybody other than members of their unions. Of course ... you can't use the MCS consultation form to provide this response because they aren't really consulting on the whole thing. Instead you need to email them and ask for confirmation that your response is counted. That will then be enough evidence for government to call them into order about it because to make a mistake on purpose is no longer a mistake; and to abuse the permission to write the rules bestowed on them by government. ----- Useful comments to include in the public response: ----- - MCS020 mandates the use of a single service provider (MCS) and adds irrelevant requirements to follow other MCS rules thereby eliminating the potential for normal market activity and competition - The lack of any denial* by MCS that MCS020 didn't intentionally impose non noise-related requirements and/or mandate the use of MCS members for installation creates a distinct appearance of impropriety - Comments by Ian Rippin on the public record to the effect that his intention is there is one standard for heat pump installation and that MCS is that standard; combined with the very carefully limited scope of the "public consultation" on MCS020 further adds to a public perception of unseemly behaviour on the part of MCS ----- (*Your silence does neither you nor MCS any favours whatsoever Mr Rippin)

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Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Restrictions on the Use of HFCs Under the AIM Act in Variable Refrigerant Flow Air Conditioning Subsector; Reopening the Comment Period On June 26, 2024, EPA published a proposed rule titled, Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Restrictions on the Use of Hydrofluorocarbons under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act in Variable Refrigerant Flow Air Conditioning Subsector, to allow one additional year for the installation of certain residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump variable refrigerant flow systems. The proposed rule did not include notice that the Agency would hold a public hearing if one were requested. This notice reopens the comment period specifically to provide an opportunity to request a public hearing on this rulemaking if one is desired. https://lnkd.in/gf9FCWUv

How can you avoid the “Lottery” of public sector low carbon heat funding? Join us on 20th March to hear from independent experts, the Royal Northern College of Music and Hysopt about how to: 👉  Solve the low carbon heat trilemma and avoid costly energy performance gaps, using an evidence-based approach based on hvac-system digital twin modelling;   👉  What the RNCM learned from adopting this alternative approach to optimise their recently installed heat pump system and enhance their subsequent PSDS3c application;   👉  Uncover and rectify performance gaps in existing PSDS heat pumps installations;   👉  Leverage LCSF to incorporate hvac-system digital twin modelling to develop robust, science-based technical evidence and ensure the best possible PSDS phase 4 application;   👉  Access an alternative funding stream available to prepare robust, science-based technical evidence for future capital funding schemes (including PSDS4);   👉  Increase your chances of funding application success with compliant and value-added services from Hysopt and Twelvetrees Consulting; 👉 Click here to register -> https://bit.ly/3T5uqmk   #psds #lowcarbonheat #heatpumps #performancegap #webinar #carbonemissions #netzero #salix

The concept of IAQ (indoor air quality) has gone mainstream. Manufacturers discussed the IAQ/energy efficiency paradigm, including adapting products to meet these standards or getting rid of products that don’t, at the AHR Expo in Chicago. Manufacturers also showcased some product offerings that meet the current needs (and standards and regulations) of IAQ in the HVAC industry and real-world applications. #Veris #VerisIndustries #HVAC #hvaccontrols #buildingautomation #energymanagement #ASHRAE

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems are emerging as the key backup power source for critical building systems. The latest @cibsejournal webinar, available on demand, explores the growing importance of UPS systems. https://buff.ly/4ehu5p7

📢 '𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱' 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Air source heat pumps are a key focus of the UK’s strategy to decarbonise heating and hot water generation as the country strives towards achieving net zero. In this article by NBS' Technical Author, Jason Dobson, in collaboration with Quiet Mark, explores some of the critical considerations when including air source heat pumps in your specifications ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4bQAwxi

Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day - discover how a Vancouver hospital minimized energy consumption and won an award for engineering excellence by using EZ Plate® Storage water heaters in its upgraded system. Read more: https://ow.ly/sSTH50QoXI9 #EZPlate #PVI #Watts150 #CutYourEnergyCostsDay

BPA's National Home Performance Conference is one of the biggest events of the year for high performance, building-science-oriented contractors. ⚡️ This year's conference was no exception, and for the contractors and industry leaders across the country who traveled to Minneapolis to attend, there was plenty to talk about. 🏡 In this webinar highlight, Energy Circle founder and CEO Peter Troast will share his thoughts on what made 2024 one of the most memorable NHPC events in recent memory. 🙌 Topics include insulation contractors adding heat pump installation services, "old school" marketing tactics like door-to-door and direct mail making a comeback, rising interest in contractor peer groups, the latest on Inflation Reduction Act home energy rebate program rollouts, and more! 👏 Watch the full webinar here: https://bit.ly/4aSTG5J #webinar #webinarwednesday #nhpc24 #nhpc #nationalhomeperformanceconference #energycircle #petertroast #marketing #hvac #homeperformance #contractor #insulation #weatherization #heatpump

Did you miss our #webinar last week? Or would you like to see it again? 🖥️ If you are interested in the changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (#EPBD) or if you would like to discover our CLIMAVER® solution which helps limit the carbon impact of your buildings, click here 🔗 to watch the replay: https://loom.ly/YKezo-c