July 2007
Don't be a Drip
“Don’t be a Drip – just save it!” – Local school pupil wins Nationwide Environmental Poster Competition.
Pupils at Hacton Primary School in Hornchurch, Essex took part in the 2007 IPHE nationwide environmental poster competition for primary school children to win some great prizes for their school, their teacher & their family.
The competition was organised by the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) and sponsored by Plumb Center and Yellow Pages to help encourage the child of today to think about the resources of tomorrow, in particular, water and the environment in which we live.
Sally Cleary (10), designed the winning poster, which had catchy quotes and imaginative artwork on how to save energy and resources. Sally and her teacher, Mr Ryan, were stunned when the result of the competition was announced at a special school assembly on Friday 20th July. Blane Judd, chief executive of the IPHE presented the prizes.
Sally has won an overnight stay at Alton Towers Hotel with a two-day family pass for the Theme and Water Park for her family. Mr Ryan received £250 of high street vouchers and the school received a cheque for £500, which can be used towards an environmental project of their choice.
The Headmaster, Mr Emes said: “This money will go towards developing the environmental area that we are creating for the children. Sally should be proud of herself for designing such a wonderful poster.”
IPHE hope that by running competitions of this nature it will encourage children to really consider the environment and the future generations who will use them when they use our precious resources. For further information on the IPHE please refer to www.iphe.org.uk.
ENDS (277 WORDS)
JULY 2007
Getting it right
The Environment Agency launched its consultation document ‘Developing our water resources strategy for England and Wales’ on Wednesday of this week. Blane Judd, chief executive of The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE), opened the debate by pointing out that many opportunities to encourage a change in the mindset of the industrial and commercial consumer to think about water conservation are missed.
The IPHE estimates that its members have two million contacts with consumers per year and their advice is sought when it comes to making a decision relating to product purchases. The IPHE is working with its members through its Industrial Associate network to provide them with product knowledge allowing them to assist consumers to reduce their energy and water consumption.
“This type of support coming from qualified professionals who have already committed to a code of professional standards and who commit to professional development is invaluable in getting the right message across”, said Blane.
“The more the consumer gets to know and trust the advice from qualified professionals the less risk that they will be drawn into purchases that do not contribute to carbon reduction. We must find ways to protect the environment from those who are practicing plumbing and heating engineering but who have not made the same commitment to protecting the public and environment.”
ENDS (222 WORDS)
JULY 2007
Beware the 'Enviro-rogue'!
Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton has announced that around 40,000 households will be taking part in energy saving trials, in a bid to cut household bills and help in the fight against climate change.
The trials, which will be carried out by EDF Energy, E.ON UK, Scottish and Southern Energy, and Scottish Powerwill, will include around 15,000 households receiving state of the art smart meters and 8,000 more receiving clip on real time display units for their existing meters.
Blane Judd, IPHE chief executive, said this was good news. “The ability to see exactly how much energy appliances are using will help consumers to reduce energy waste and therefore costs. The present system isn’t user-friendly as the unit price does not easily equate to pounds and pence. However, there will be a need to provide equivalent metering for gas and water consumption in the same understandable units to really make a difference.”
There is still a lot more that can be done to switch consumers onto the need to adopt a different life culture. That is why the IPHE is working with its members, manufacturers and supply companies to increase energy and water efficiency knowledge through professional development programmes.
“Our members need to be in a position to offer informed advice on renewable products to stop consumers making choices that cause more harm than good,” explained Blane.
“We have already seen the emergence of the enviro-rogue who attempts to profit by miss-selling green solutions. Consumers need to be sure that the advice they are getting when trying to change their carbon footprint comes from a reliable and ethical source.”
ENDS (275 WORDS)
JULY 2007