{"id":8151,"date":"2024-03-20T15:06:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/?p=8151"},"modified":"2024-03-20T15:07:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:07:20","slug":"select-warns-that-the-competence-of-installers-is-paramount-as-the-scottish-government-seeks-to-introduce-new-heat-in-buildings-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/?p=8151","title":{"rendered":"SELECT warns that the competence of installers is paramount as the Scottish Government seeks to introduce new Heat in Buildings standards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scotland\u2019s largest construction trade body, SELECT,<\/a> says the Scottish Government needs to set minimum standards of competence for installers as well as installations as it seeks to implement new domestic heating standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campaigning electrical association also says that any new plans also have to take into account the capacity of the energy network as the demand for more electrically-driven technologies and basic infrastructure grows.<\/p>\n\n\n

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SELECT\u2019s warnings came as it responded to a recent Scottish Government consultation into proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill,<\/a> which plans to introduce a law requiring homeowners to ensure their homes meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2033.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body said that while it agrees in general with the proposal to prohibit the use of polluting heating systems in all buildings by 2045, care was needed that advantage was not taken of vulnerable people and that the increased cost of energy was taken into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its response, SELECT said: \u201cWe have seen several  government projects run  into problems as they often leave the door open for unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the government’s own messaging as a way of convincing people that work is required when often it is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny demands for work  needs to be set in the context of availability of energy supply, material supply and labour. Added to that is the increased cost of energy \u2013 the differential between gas and electric costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The association added: \u201cIt is also vital that the Scottish Government legislates to ensure installations are only undertaken by properly qualified, trained and competent persons. This is as important as any other measure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECT also warned that poorer households may be less likely to install new low-carbon heating technology, since the cost of undertaking such work will be significant, particularly when the age of Scotland’s housing stock is taken into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its response noted: \u201cTo get by, homeowners may take \u2018sticking plaster\u2019 actions. For instance, if a house is in a city centre, a flat or in a conservation area, then owners may take easy solutions and not, perhaps, the best solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECT is now recommending that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n