CIPHE - Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering News

The Heating Installer Awards 2025 has arrived marking a remarkable decade celebrating hardworking installers across the UK. Entries are opening to installers on Tuesday 8th October, with lots of exciting awards to be won. Now entering its 10th anniversary, the Heating Installer Awards holds a search for the best installers in the nation. The competition builds a positive conversation in the industry and promotes excellent heating installers and their work, which can often go unrecognized. Sele...

After a highly competitive, multi-stage judging process, the Heating Installer Awards 2024 winners have been announced. National Heating Installer 2024 Nick Irlam of Irlam UK in Bolton-le-Sands has been crowned winner and awarded the coveted title of National Heating Installer 2024. Having been recognized as a regional winner for the North West two years in a row, Nick has scooped the top spot this year after impressing the judges with his professionalism, problem-solving, and commitment to c...

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) has announced six recipients of its bursary to help kick-start their careers in the plumbing industry. The winners are from colleges across the country, including Dundee and Angus Kingsway College, Borders College, St Helens Green Energy Centre, Windsor Forest - Langley Campus, South Lanarkshire College, and Kendal College. professional-grade tools Each winner will receive £1,000 in vouchers for tools and equipment from Monument Tools, a de...

With the deadline fast approaching, heating installers across the UK have less than a month left to enter the highly esteemed Heating Installer Awards 2024. Free entry After a remarkably successful eighth year, the competition is set to close entries on February 26th, offering installers the chance to compete for the prestigious title of National Heating Installer of the Year. Supported by industry leaders including The IPG, Polypipe, Refresh PR, Samsung Climate Solutions, CIPHE, an...

Paul Marsden, Technical Specification Manager at Baxi, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Society of Public Health Engineers’ Industry Working Group. Society of Public Health Engineers - SoPHE aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), as well as within the building services industry. Extensive industry experience Paul Marsden’s entire career has been centered on commercial h...

Worldwide demand for sustainable cooling and ventilation solutions continue to grow, and government policy is starting to reflect the societal movement towards reducing the impact of industrialization on the planet. The cooling industry is no exception, and it continues to be challenged to find more efficient solutions, that deliver reduced emissions, reduced energy consumption and reduced waste, without compromising on performance. This article highlights how taking a systems approach to chill...

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) says trained installers can have a vital and effective role in improving the efficiency of heat to help reduce energy bills. CIHPE said the expertise of heat engineers and plumbers will be needed to build understanding about how to more effectively heat properties and other buildings as energy prices are expected to continue to rise significantly this year. The comments have been made as the government committed...

The race to net-zero heating is on. If the UK Government is to meet its legally binding net zero emissions target by 2050, installation supply chains for low carbon heating are going to have to be much stronger than they are now. Progressing the housing stock, which consists of some of the oldest and thermally leakiest homes in Europe, to net-zero carbon emissions is a significant challenge. Homes currently account for around a third of current UK carbon emissions and the Climate Change Committ...

The Housing Minister, Chris Pincher, announces a series of ambitious new targets for a green building revolution. Designed to lower energy consumption and help protect the environment, the new standards will affect all homes and businesses – existing and new build. The new targets include measures to ensure: All new buildings are constructed to be highly energy efficient. Building work in existing buildings must meet new standards. Measures to tackle overheating in existing homes to...

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has announced the launch of its manifesto, calling on the new parliament and new parliamentarians to understand the huge role that the engineering community will play in the future success of the United Kingdom.  CIPHE manifesto Covering major issues, such as the safety, health and welfare of the public, the environment, education, regulation and licensing, the CIPHE’s manifesto places the plumbing and heating indus...

The moment Rishi Sunak, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, stepped up to make his budget speech, the entire nation collectively held its breath. While much had been already revealed on the extended furlough scheme and the expansion of the self-employment income support scheme, the UK Chancellor had reserved some announcements for the day. UK budget offers plumbing, heating incentives The budget covered several issues of particular interest to the plumbing and heating industry, including: Exten...

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, professional plumbers across the land will be celebrated on World Plumbing Day. While this year may look a little different, the critical worker status of plumbing and heating engineers has changed the way that many now view the industry. In the face of a global pandemic, it is those in the trade who have manned the frontlines, risking contact with COVID-19 virus, in a bid to keep the public safe and warm in their homes. World Plumbing Day Initiated by the World P...

With weather warnings in place across the country, a lot of people will be experiencing the type of freezing conditions ripe for plumbing disasters. When the temperatures drop below freezing, the water within exposed or un-insulated pipework can freeze. Boiler damage and burst pipes In plumbing systems, this can limit water supplies to taps, showers and toilet cisterns. In heating systems, this can limit water supplies to the boiler or heat source. As an added complication, water expands when...

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers is yet again opening applications for its tools and equipment Bursary scheme. Bursaries are for student plumbers who would benefit from financial assistance as a direct result of progressing to S/NVQ Level 3 MES (Plumbing) or equivalent. In England, this is following the completion of a Level 2 qualification. The Company offers Bursaries of up to £1000 to assist students to buy costly tools and equipment. This is awarded in vouchers for tools and equipm...

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen both the Government’s and the public’s interpretation of what makes a key worker redefined. On 28 April, in the daily coronavirus briefing, Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, not only recognized the vital role emergency plumbers are playing but rolled out further testing for those in the construction and plumbing industry. Access to testing In his speech, Mr. Hancock said, “So from now we’re making testing availab...

According to the Construction Insurance Risk Engineers Group (CIREG), insurance claims for the escape of water occurrences have increased substantially, both in their frequency and severity, since 2015. Even more worryingly, the body states that large losses from the escape of water are prevalent, if not more so than fire-related incidents. Managing Escape of Water Risk The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has contributed towards the publication of CIREG’s...

On 11 March, professional plumbers across the land will be celebrated on World Plumbing Day. Initiated by the World Plumbing Council (WPC) - of which the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is a member - World Plumbing Day promotes awareness of the importance of plumbing and plumbers in protecting public health and improving amenity. Advances in modern plumbing mean that it is included in the daily routines of most people in the UK, with barely a moment’s thoug...

Since 1886, the Register of Plumbers has been helping to protect the public from poor plumbing work. It has reached a very special milestone with the 70,000th Registered Plumber (RP), Sam Demeza, from Newmarket, welcomed into its revered ranks. Registered Plumber Designation Introduced and maintained to help raise plumbing industry standards in the public interest, the RP designation has been a means by which consumers have been able to identify highly skilled practitioners ever since.&nb...

Pre-coronavirus lockdown on 2nd March 2020, Keith Robert Walklate EngTech MCIPHE RP, Andrew John Mensley EngTech MCIPHE RP, and James G.S. Hendry EngTech FCIPHE RP were awarded their Certificates by the Livery Companies Skill Council (LCSC), at a ceremony held at Mansion House in London.  Certificates on the day were awarded by The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell, with the customary handshake replaced by touching elbows.  Awarding skilled professionals The Master Pl...

The Met Office has officially declared January the coldest on record since 2010 as average temperatures failed to rise above 2.2oC. For those who battled against the elements this news may come as no surprise, but the freezing weather conditions can be ripe for plumbing disasters? When the temperatures drop below freezing, the water within exposed or uninsulated pipework can freeze. In plumbing systems this can limit water supplies to taps, showers and toilet cisterns. In heating systems this c...

COVID-19 has caused an economic climate that is ripe for rogue trainers and fast-track courses. For those who have been made redundant or those whose priorities have changed post-pandemic, seeking to re-train in a new sector is an attractive prospect.  Demand for training On paper, it seems that learning a trade is a good option. Construction can offer a skill for life, is a key industry, with the potential to be one’s own boss and gain more control of the work/life balance. Profes...

Those brave enough to undertake building works during the pandemic will be familiar with hold-ups due to supply issues. Stockpiling for Brexit and coronavirus lockdowns have played havoc with supplies running through to manufacturers and merchants. So, with the EU transition period set to cease on 31st December, many will be wondering what will happen to their dream home ambitions merchants should run dangerously low on stock. Knock-on effect The Guardian newspaper recently reported that sinc...

With the EU transition period set to cease on 31st December, attention has fallen onto the role of British ports in the supply chain. Those in the construction industry have been feeling the pinch of coronavirus-related supply issues through 2020, so with January looming, will the supply chain collapse as merchants run dangerously low on stock? The Guardian newspaper recently reported that since September, the port of Felixstowe has seen demand rise by 30%, due to ‘businesses rushing to r...

There’s been a flurry of activity on the drive to hit Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Government’s recently announced ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’ has pledged to implement the ‘Future Home Standard’ in the shortest possible timeline, extend the ‘Green Homes Grant’ for another year and aims to set out the ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ in 2021. However, confusion reigned, when due to a clerical error, a promi...

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is offering stark warnings to both the Government and house holders on the National Burn Awareness Day, as the number of contact burns from heating appliances skyrocketed by 25% and scalding incidents from taps rise by 9%. The NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics for England 2019-2020 shows: Admissions for burn injuries caused via contact with heating appliances, radiators and pipes rose by 25%, from 797 (2018-2019) to 99...

Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his summer statement, announcing a number of interventions to help stimulate the economic recovery from Coronavirus. With measures tackling issues raised in the CIPHE’s manifesto for the plumbing and heating industry - such as education and energy efficiency - this mini budget is set to have a particular impact on the sector. The outlook for young people has been top of the agenda in recent weeks, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson enthusiastic about the co...

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is warning that COVID-19 has caused an economic climate ripe for rogue trainers and rogue training courses. For those who have been made redundant, or those whose priorities have changed post-pandemic, seeking to re-train in a new sector is an attractive prospect. As one of the few industries operational during coronavirus, and vital to the UK’s economic recovery, construction has weathered the storm better than many othe...

In the now seemingly distant days before the COVID-19 curbs were enacted across the nation, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s (CIPHE) ‘Dinner with the President’ was held on World Plumbing Day, 11 March.  43 guests joined National President, Christopher Northey, at the Innholders' Hall, London, for a special dinner celebrating his year in the Institute’s most coveted position. The theme of the Dinner Industry collaboration, public healt...

With people stockpiling toilet paper in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and a subsequent shortage on supermarket shelves, there will inevitably be those who are left without something that everyone’s come to assume will be there, whenever it is required. As a consequence, it will be tempting to reach for the wet wipes, paper kitchen towel, or cotton wool in desperation, but it is important to be aware that these items should never be flushed down the toilet. Avoiding plum...

On Thursday, October 31, 2019, the Institute of Domestic Heating & Environmental Engineers (IDHEE) was incorporated with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), in a move that will provide heightened professional and technical support to members throughout the plumbing and heating industry. Founded in 1964, the Institute of Domestic Heating & Environmental Engineers has been serving both domestic heating engineers and environmental engineers for 55 years. Wi...