Over 45 plumbers and heating engineers from East Anglia were at Lowestoft College on 28 October for a seminar run by the Norfolk branch of national educational charity, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

The seminar, themed ‘Sustainability’, featured presentations on water conservation, plus the latest technology for home heating and its controls.

East Anglia is one of the driest regions in the country and with a growing population, water conservation is becoming increasingly important. Paul Millard, Water Supply Regulations Manager at Anglian Water was on hand to speak of what the company is doing to meet the challenge while at the same time underlining the importance of efficient plumbing systems.

Charlie Lamb, Low Carbon Manager at leading boiler manufacturer Baxi stayed with the conservation subject but this time covering carbon emissions. He explained in depth the technology of Micro-Combined Heat and Power where a domestic gas or oil boiler can be used not only to provide heat but also to create electricity which can be used either in the home or diverted to the National Grid. Already established in Europe, this technology is now being trialled in the UK and is likely to become widespread in the coming years.

An efficient domestic heat source is no good unless it is managed properly and Rob Simon, Regional Manager for controls manufacturer Honeywell stressed the importance of modern thermostats, thermostatic radiator valves and central heating programmers. With the average home using over 80 percent of its total energy consumption on space and water heating, many people can make enormous savings simply by having their controls updated.

Commenting on the event, CIPHE Branch Chairman Roger Willis said, “This is the second seminar the Branch has organised in East Anglia and we have been delighted with the response. The support from Lowestoft College, our presenters and PTS Plumbing Trade Supplies in Lowestoft has been invaluable, allowing us to provide a free event to a wide range of delegates, not just CIPHE members. The feedback we received was extremely positive and hopefully we will be able run something similar next year.”

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering is an educational charity, established in 1906. It has some 12,000 members and is supported by more than 250 leading manufacturers and service providers. It received its Chartered status in 2008. There are 50 Branches across the UK, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Essex. The Norfolk Branch has around 200 members.

More information is at www.ciphe.org.uk