Professional Builders Merchant

Italian boiler manufacturer Ferroli has been in heating appliance design and development for more than half a century and now operates in 14 countries throughout Europe and Asia. Manufactured in Verona, the company boasts that its range of domestic and commercial boilers and renewable energy products are as technologically advanced by today’s standards as they were in 1955 when the company was founded. PBM spoke to Managing Director Flavio Buccianti.

The solar PV market has recently been described as “chaotic” as consumers rush to get in before the Government’s reduced feed-in tariff (FiT) comes into force in mid-December.

The warning is a result of unprecedented short-term demand for solar PV installations as consumers attempt to install before the Government’s 12th December reference date, after which installations will only be eligible for the reduced 21p tariff.  Leading plumbing merchant PTS is reporting a huge surge in enquiries and sales in the last two weeks since the Government’s announcement and Group Manager for renewable technologies, Ian Stares, considers the ramifications on both the industry and customer confidence.

Knauf Insulation has joined calls for the Government to build on the current Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) proposals by aligning the plans with an ambition to insulate all lofts and cavity walls by 2015. However, Managing Director John Sinfield, is concerned that the scheme offers little incentive to home owners to take the necessary steps.

Detectagas inventor John Stones has renewed his call for more comprehensive testing of CO alarms after news that deaths from CO poisoning in the UK have tripled in the last year.
Expressing concern at the figures, contained in the Gas Safety Trust’s new report, Mr. Stones called on landlords, housing associations and homeowners to ensure they not only fitted alarms, but tested them properly.

To date, the inclusion of mechanical heat ventilation recovery in merchant branches has been limited with, for example, some stocking a range of accessories but not the actual units. However in light of recent and upcoming regulatory changes, John Kelly believes including MVHR in the product offering could bring further benefits to merchants.