HVCA Press Centre
The HVCA press office has been designed to offer assistance to writers and journalists covering the building services and construction industries.
Its content is regularly updated to include all news releases issued by the Association, either on its own behalf or on behalf of affiliated organisations.
The photographs file contains downloadable shots of the HVCA's presidential team, along with a selection of pictures relevant to different sectors of the hvacr industry, all of which are freely available for publication. For further photographs, contact gjones@hvca.org.uk.
The key issues document provides a summary of the principal issues currently being progressed by the Association.
If you require further information on specific aspects of the HVCA or its activities, click the contacts link and email your query to the relevant member of the HVCA team.
For general press enquiries, contact jmcdavid@hvca.org.uk or bfaubert@hvca.org.uk.
Trade releases
| 25 February 2010 | HVCA President Elect joins DSL management team HVCA president elect Martin Burton has joined Maidstone-based Delron Services Ltd (DSL) as contracts manager with special responsibility for developing the company’s commercial contracting arm. Download |
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| 23 February 2010 | ADCAS and HVCA commit to co-operative working The HVCA Ductwork Group (DWG) and the Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS) have published a revised edition of Working Together, which is designed to promote greater understanding between mechanical services contractors and the ductwork specialists that are routinely engaged by them as sub-contractors. Download |
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| 15 January 2010 | HVCA joins safety schemes in procurement forum The rigour of its independent member inspection and assessment regime has allowed the HVCA to achieve membership of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Forum. Download |
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| 15 January 2010 | Strategic plan addresses core aims and objectives Over the past six months, the officers, members of Council and senior staff of the Association have been engaged in a wide-ranging exercise designed to update the HVCA Strategic Plan – in particular, to take into account the greatly changed economic circumstances in which members are now operating, and in which they are likely to continue to operate for some time to come. Download |
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| 19 November 2009 | Hascom agreement provides All HVCA members with free health and safety advisory services
HVCA has finalised an agreement with health and safety consultancy Hascom Network Ltd, whereby all Association members now have free access to a range of health and safety advisory services. Download |
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| 22 October 2009 | Operative wage rates are frozen until October 2010 Agreement has been reached with the operatives’ trade union Unite on the terms of a wage agreement, effective 5 October 2009. Download |
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| 20 October 2009 | Peter Hoyle elected President of european body HVCA past president Peter Hoyle has been elected president of GCI-UICP, the European umbrella body for the mechanical services and plumbing industries). Download |
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| 13 October 2009 | HVCA Ductwork group pledges support for Adcas campaign to counter ‘information overload’ An initiative designed to tackle wasteful “information overload” in the construction tendering process, originally developed by the Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services (ADCAS), has won the collaborative support of the HVCA Ductwork Group (DWG). Download |
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| 12 October 2009 | HVCA adopts Trade Association Code of Practice HVCA has signed up to a Code of Practice which has been developed by the Confederation of British Industry’s Trade Association Forum to promote best practice amongst its members, and so raise their overall quality and effectiveness. Download |
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| 8 October 2009 | ‘Clean Sweep’ for Ventilation Hygiene Chairman Gary Nicholls, chairman of the Ventilation Hygiene Branch of the HVCA Service and Facilities Group, is celebrating his company’s achievement of a “full house” of international quality accreditations. Download |
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| 2 October 2009 | HVCA warns against ‘Premature’ HFC phase-out A position paper on the phase-out of the use of refrigerants containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – which can, potentially, contribute to global warming – has been developed by the HVCA Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Group, and endorsed by the Council of the Association. Download |
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| 11 September 2009 | ‘Non-compliance culture’ is jeopardising achievement of carbon reduction targets Widespread non-compliance with legislation designed to address the twin challenges of sustainability and carbon reduction is already jeopardising the nation’s ability to meet its long-term environmental targets, according to HVCA president Graham Manly. Download |
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| 24 July 2009 | Carbon reduction delivers both opportunities and threats for building services engineering The building services engineering sector has a great deal to gain from the increasing global commitment to carbon reduction and energy conservation, according to HVCA president Graham Manly. Download |
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| 23 July 2009 | Graham Manly succeeds to HVCA Presidency Graham Manly has been elected president of the HVCA for 2009/10. Following his completion of a Higher National Diploma in environmental engineering at the National College of Heating, Ventilating, Refrigeration and Fan Engineering (now part of London South Bank University), Mr Manly began his career in building services engineering with J Jeffreys, where he became a senior design engineer. Download |
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| 21 Jiuly 2009 | Alliance provides platform for positive action The Building Services Engineering Employment Agency Alliance is providing a valuable forum for the review of key workforce issues – and an effective platform for the initiation of positive action – jointly by contractors and their principal manpower providers. Download |
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| 30 June 2009 | Heating helpline promotes energy efficiency HVCA has launched the Heating Helpline in order to promote energy efficiency in the home and to raise the profile of its members active in the residential marketplace. Download |
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| 26 May 2009 | HVCA Specialist Groups celebrate young talent Guest speaker Carol Thatcher presented awards to this year's top apprentices during the 2009 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the HVCA specialist groups, which took place at Trinity House on London's Tower Hill on Tuesday 19 May. Download |
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| 1 May 2009 | HVCA Welcomes breakdown in discussions on review of European Working Time Directive HVCA has welcomed the recent breakdown of discussions on a review of the European Working Time Directive which, had they continued, could have resulted in the abolition of the UK "opt-out". Download |
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| 27 February 2009 | HVCA Scotland Promotes Energy-Saving Measures HVCA Scotland has distributed a pack of “mini-posters” to almost 3,000 public sector buildings north of the border, in a bid to promote the wider introduction of basic energy-saving measures. Download |
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| 16 January 2009 | Outstanding Service Awards for Hunt and Lyon John Hunt, formerly of Axima Building Services, and Stuart Lyon of MITIE Engineering Services (Scotland) have received HVCA Outstanding Service Awards. Download |
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| 14 November 2008 | Pettigrew appointed Deputy Chief Executive Roderick Pettigrew has been appointed to the new position of HVCA deputy chief executive, with effect from 1 December 2008. Download |
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| 30 October 2008 | Members to press Clients on 'Mandelson Rule'
In an effort to improve payment security throughout the construction industry, HVCA members are being urged to seek an undertaking from their public sector clients that they will pay their suppliers within the ten-day period stipulated by Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Download |
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| 22 October 2008 | HVCA Joins Carbon Monoxide awareness campaign HVCA has joined a major campaign, organised by the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA), aimed at raising awareness among consumers of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). Download |
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| 14 October 2008 | HVCA Mediation Service For Dispute Resolution The HVCA now provides an in-house mediation service that is designed to resolve disputes quickly and inexpensively. Download |
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| 10 October 2008 | HVCA Members Sign Up To Inside Track Newsletter HVCA members are to receive a free subscription – worth up to 300.00 per year to eInsideTrack, a monthly electronic newsletter designed to provide the critical information required to operate a successful business within building services engineering. Download |
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| 15 September 2008 | Martin Burton Elected Vice President Of HVCA Martin Burton, commercial director of Canterbury-based H W Sladden Commercial Ltd, was elected HVCA vice president for 2008/09 at a special general meeting of the Association held on Thursday 11 September 2008. Download |
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| 12 September 2008 | President Calls For Positive Action On Reform A ground-breaking report on the construction sector is providing an “agenda for action” that could help Government to improve its procurement procedures – and the industry to ensure that its working practices are truly world-class. Download |
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| 11 July 2008 | President Welcomes "The Age Of The Engineer" The time is right for HVCA members to emphasise the very positive contribution they make to life in the first decade of the 21st century, according to Gareth Vaughan, president of the Association for 2008/09. Download |
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| 10 July 2008 | Gareth Vaughan Succeeds To HVCA Presidency Gareth Vaughan has been elected president of the HVCA for 2008/09. Download |
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| 18 May 2008 | HVCA Specialist Groups Elect New Chairmen New chairmen have been elected by three of the HVCA's four specialist groups. Download |
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| 12 May 2008 | ECA and HVCA Launch Joint Grand Dinner And Ball The first ever Grand Dinner and Ball organised jointly by the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) will take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2, on the evening of Friday 3 October 2008. Download |
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| 15 April 2008 | HVCA Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Quality Accreditation HVCA has achieved ISO 9001:2000 quality assurance certification in respect of its membership handling and review processes. Download |
| 14 March 2008 | HVCA Council Confirms Member Support
for Development of Convergence Model Following a member consultation exercise, the HVCA Council has pledged its support to the development of a model of a single organisation to represent mechanical and electrical contractors – brought about by the convergence of the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA). Download |
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4 March 2008 | HVCA Endorses LSC Research Findings On Commercial Benefits Of Training Recent research findings published by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which confirm that participation in new-entrant training provides positive commercial benefits for employers, has been endorsed by HVCA president elect Gareth Vaughan. Download |
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| 22 February 2008 | JMCG site audit confirms ongoing Support for ecs and Engineering Services SKILLcard A third site audit conducted by the members of the ECA/HVCA Joint Major Contractors’ Group (JMCG) has revealed a continuing high level of membership of the building services engineering sector’s two principal personnel registration schemes. Download |
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| 25 January 2008 | President Reports Excellent Progress On Combined M&E Working Rule Agreement HVCA president John Miller has re-stated his Association’s commitment to reforming and reshaping the industrial relations culture across building services engineering – and to the work currently being undertaken to harmonise employment terms and conditions across the mechanical and electrical sectors. Download |
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| 18 January 2008 | Derrick East Wins Outstanding Service Award Derrick East of Accolade Building Services has become the latest recipient of an HVCA Outstanding Service Award. Download |
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| 18 January 2008 | BESCA Approved to Accredit Energy Assessor HVCA subsidiary Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation Ltd (BESCA) has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government to operate an accreditation scheme for energy assessors. Download |
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| 14 September 2007 | President Urges Government to Enforce Part L Provisions HVCA president John Miller has challenged the Government to enforce important changes introduced last year to Part L of the Building Regulations. Download |
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| 12 September 2007 | SFG Celebrates 25 Years of Raising Standards The HVCA Service and Facilities Group (SFG) marked the 25th anniversary of its foundation with a celebratory luncheon hosted by chairman Peter Excell at the Royal Automobile Club, London W1. Download |
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| 28 July 2007 | HVCA in Partnership Deal with Exor HVCA has finalised a partnership arrangement with Exor Management Services Ltd, which is designed to provide Association members with additional business opportunities in the public sector. Download |
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| 27 July 2007 | Contractors risk missing out on sustainable profits The chairman of M&E Sustainability, a pan-industry campaign, has warned specialist contractors that they will miss out on valuable business opportunities unless they revolutionise the way they do business. Download |
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| 12 July 2007 | John Miller Commits to "Open Door" Presidency The six key areas of action for the Association and the industry over the next three years have been identified by newly-elected HVCA president John Miller. Download |
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| 12 July 2007 | John Miller is HVCA President for 2007/08 John Miller has been elected president of the HVCA for 2007/08. Download |
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| 5 July 2007 | Sarah Wicks Appointed HVCA Head of Education and Training Sarah Wicks has been appointed HVCA head of education and training, with effect from 1 August 2007. Download |
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| 4 July 2007 | Tony Thomas Appointed Visiting Professor at LSBU Tony Thomas, head of education and training at the HVCA for the past 15 years, has been appointed visiting professor of work-based learning at London South Bank University (LSBU). Download |
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| 31 May 2007 | ECA and HVCA Commit to Joint Working on Sustainability The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) have agreed to work together fully in the critically important area of sustainability. Download |
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| 15 May 2007 | Peter Excell is Chairman of HVCA Services and Facilities Group Peter Excell, managing director of Platinum Facilities and Maintenance Services has been elected chairman of the HVCA Service and Facilities Group, in succession to Malcolm Linsley, formerly of Bailey Maintenance Services. Download |
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| 4 May 2007 | Gold Award for Ken Livingstone Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is this year's winner of the HVCA-sponsored Gold Award for outstanding services to the construction industry and the built environment. Download |
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| 13 March 2007 | All Party Group Condemns "Irresponsible" Behaviour Video clips showing various incidents of horseplay on construction sites - which are being displayed on the Youtube website and elsewhere on the internet - were the subject of a debate by the All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group at its meeting on 13 March 2007. Download |
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| 3 Feburary 2007 | Industry Bodies Co-operate on Health and Safety In the run-up to the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, the Construction Confederation and the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group have signed a "statement of intent" to work together to further improve health and safety on site. Download |
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| 2 Feburary 2007 | Project Bank Account Could Mean Savings The use of project bank accounts could bring about significant cost savings across construction, according to a survey of companies operating within the specialist engineering sector. Download |
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| 23 January 2007 | ECA and HVCA Introduce Energy-Saving Measures The HVCA and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) are implementing a series of energy-saving initiatives designed to improve the carbon footprint of Esca House, their jointly-owned head office in Bayswater, West London. Download |
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| 18 December 2006 | HVCA signs Construction Commitments Charter The HVCA has become a signatory to the Construction Commitments charter developed by the Strategic Forum for Construction in relation to the 2012 Olympic Games. Download |
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| 15 December 2006 | HVCA Launches Agenda for Action on Sustainability An Agenda for Action on Sustainability has been launched by the HVCA, following endorsement of the initiative by the Council of the Association at its meeting on 7 December 2006. Download |
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| 16 November 2006 | Iain Coates Wins HVCA Outstanding Service Award Iain Coates is the recipient of this year's HVCA Outstanding Service Award. Download |
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| 23 October 2006 | HVCA and Amicus Conclude Three-Year Deal Agreement has been reached between the HVCA and the trade union Amicus on a third three-year operative pay deal. Download |
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| 18 September 2006 | HVCA Inspection and Assessment Regime is "Second to None' An independent accreditation body has described the integrity and rigour of the Association’s third-party member inspection and assessment regime as 'second to none'. Download |
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| 22 August 2006 | Lord O'Neill Appointed SEC Group President Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan has been appointed president of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, with effect from 24 August 2006. Download |
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| 16 August 2006 | HVCA and ECA Stage Health and Safety Event The HVCA and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) have joined together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to deliver a half-day health and safety conference aimed at building engineering services contractors of all sizes and specialisms. |
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| 24 July 2006 | SKILLcard Marks 50,000 Milestone at House of Commons Event Engineering Services SKILLcard – the personnel registration scheme for the mechanical sector – has passed an important milestone with the issue of its 50,000th card. Download |
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| 17 July 2006 | Scottish Enterprise Funding for HVCA Members HVCA has finalised a ground-breaking funding agreement with Scottish Enterprise which will help members active in Scotland to enhance the skills of their workforce. Download |
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| 13 July 2006 | HVCA President Commits to Cultural Reform HVCA president Mike McCloskey has summed up the Association's key goals as "a better construction industry, a better built environment, a better deal for members, and a better outcome for the client". Download |
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| 13 July 2006 | Mike McCloskey Succeeds to HVCA Presidency Mike McCloskey has been elected president of the HVCA for 2006/07. Download |
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| 7 July 2006 | Billy Wilgar is Chairman of HVCA Heating and Plumbing Services Group Billy Wilgar of A C Wilgar Ltd of Orpington, Kent, has been elected chairman of the HVCA Heating and Plumbing Services (HAPS) Group, and Robert Smith of RJS Heating, Plumbing and Mechanical Services of Coulsdon, Surrey, has been elected vice chairman. Download |
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| 6 July 2006 | All Party Building Services Engineering Group Established An All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group was established at Westminster on Tuesday 13 June 2006. Download |
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| 5 July 2006 | HVCA Revises DW/144 Specification The HVCA Ductwork Group's Technical Committee is in the process of revising the Association’s authoritative Specification for Sheet Metal Ductwork (DW/144). Download |
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| 21 April 2006 | CHAS Registration Opens to HVCA Members All HVCA members are now to be automatically registered with the Contractor Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS). |
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| 10 February 2006 | HVCA and BIFM Become Partners in Excellence The HVCA Service and Facilities Group and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) have signed a formal agreement entitled Partners in FM Excellence. Download |
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| 20 January 2006 | DVD Will Help Installers to Educate Their Customers A DVD designed to help educate consumers about high-efficiency boilers – and to cut out the “cowboy” installer – has been developed by the HVCA, in collaboration with a number of industry partners. Download |
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| 1 January 2006 | Robert Higgs Awarded OBE in New Year Honours HVCA director Robert Higgs has been appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Years Honours list, in recognition of his services to the environment. Download | |
| 16 December 2005 | HVCA Outstanding Service Awards for Moxom and Mitchell Former Council members Derek Moxom and Norman Mitchell have become the latest recipients of HVCA Outstanding Service Awards. Download | |
| 15 December 2005 | Gary Shepherd Named Outstanding Apprentice Gary Shepherd took top place at the recent Scottish HVACR Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Download | |
| 25 November 2005 | Book Now for HVCA Scotland Annual Dinner Friday 31 March has been chosen as the date for next year's HVCA Scotland Annual Dinner. Download | |
| 23 November 2005 | Adult Training Programme Addresses Skills A total of 14 unemployed adults adults are currently being introduced to the complexities of h&v engineering at Leeds College of Building. Download | |
| 22 November 2005 | McQuay Hosts RAC Group Autumn Conference Rome provided the location for the 2005 Autumn Conference of the Association's Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Group, which was attended by a total of 25 delegates and their partners. Download | |
| 20 November 2005 | SKILLcard Window to Close on 31 January Service and facilities personnel are reminded that, if they apply for an Engineering Services SKILLcard after 31 January 2006, they may find the conditions they must satisfy significantly tougher than at present. Download | |
| 17 November 2005 | Nominations Sought for Industry Awards Nominations are being sought for a number of industry awards managed by the HVCA . Download | |
| 11 November 2005 | HVCA Appointed a Trustmark Scheme Operator HVCA has become one of the first bodies to be appointed a scheme operator under the Government-inspired TrustMark initiative. Download | |
| 10 October 2005 | HVCA and ECA make Joint Commitment to Safety A commitment to maximise joint working on health and safety has been signed by the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). Download | |
| 17 July 2005 | President Commits to Agenda for Positive Change The HVCA agenda for positive change is both long and complex, according to Geoffrey Robinson, the Association's newly-elected president. Download | |
| 13 July 2005 | Geoffrey Robinson Succeeds to HVCA Presidency Geoffrey Robinson has been elected president of the HVCA for 2004/2005. Download | |
Consumer releases
| March 2010 | FREE BOOKLET FROM THE HEATING HELPLINE COULD HELP HOMEOWNERS REDUCE ENERGY BILLS As winter 2010 proves to be one of the coldest in the last 50 years homeowners are facing much higher bills for gas and electricity – but there are many ways homeowners can reduce this expenditure and a free booklet from the Heating Helpline is a good starting point. Download |
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| Febuary 2010 | LANDLORDS RISK SEVERE PENALTIES FOR IGNORING GAS SAFETY LEGISLATION Buy-to-let landlords that flout gas safety legislation to save money face heavy fines and potentially far more serious penalties if poorly maintained gas appliances cause CO poisoning. Timely advice to landlords and tenants comes from the Heating Helpline. Download |
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| Febuary 2010 | SAFETY IN THE HOME Changes to Building Regulations are heavily focused on energy efficiency but safety in the home must not be compromised. In light of the changes to Building Regulations Part G, the Heating Helpline explains the importance of having your hot water system regularly maintained and serviced. Download |
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| January 2010 | HARD WORK REWARDED FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES Recognition for hardworking young apprentices at the recent London and South East BEST (Building Engineering Services Training) Training Awards. Download |
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| January 2010 | THE OVERWORKED BOILER With the extreme weather conditions of winter 2010, household boilers will have been in near constant use but too many of them are old and inefficient – converting as little as 60% of the fuel they burn into useful heat compared to around 90% for a modern condensing boiler. Timely, money saving advice on upgrading comes from the Heating Helpline. Download |
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| January 2010 | TEN SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE ENERGY BILLS Some timely energy saving advice to organisations and establishments in the public sector from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA). Download |
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| December 2009 | THE SILENT KILLER The Heating Helpline issues some sound advice to keep homeowners safe throughout the winter. Download |
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| December 2009 | CLIMB ABOARD FOR A REWARDING CAREER In a drive to make young people more aware of apprenticeships and better prepared for work, Poole, Dorset, based Bourne BG Ltd has embarked on a groundbreaking new initiative that has rapidly caught the imagination of schools and young students. Download |
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| December 2009 | NORTH EAST CONTRACTORS SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY Tough trading conditions didn’t stop the North East members of the HVCA from attending their annual dinner dance, recently held at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham. As well as enjoying excellent food and entertainment, the 200 members and guests bought raffle tickets in support of this year’s chosen charity, the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. Download |
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| December 2009 | HEATING HEALTH CHECK Sensible advice from the Heating Helpline on the importance of boiler maintenance and what homeowners should expect from a reputable heating engineer.Download |
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| November 2009 | HOW TO AVOID THE COWBOYS THIS WINTER Sensible advice for homeowners on how to avoid using unqualified, bogus installers for any work required this winter on household heating systems. Download |
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| October 2009 | FREE GUIDE TO HEATING THAT COULD HELP HOMEOWNERS MAKE BIG ENERGY SAVINGS As winter approaches homeowners can request a completely free booklet called ‘Your Guide to Home Heating’ – available from the Heating Helpline, it’s a comprehensive look at every aspect of energy-efficient heating including ways to reduce utility bills. Download |
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| September 2009 | SUNDERLAND APPRENTICE MAKES FINAL OF PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION Michael Smith, from Millfield near Sunderland, has made it through to the final of the national SkillPIPE competition. Michael is undertaking his apprenticeship with Lorne Stewart Plc at their Hartlepool premises. To reach the finals Michael has already taken part in eliminating rounds competing against dozens of other young apprentices. The competition, sponsored by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), was introduced to promote standards and skills across the commercial heating pipe-fitting industry. Download |
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| September 2009 | CAMBRIDGE APPRENTICE MAKES FINAL OF PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION Carl Donovan, who lives in Cambridge, has made it through to the final of the national SkillPIPE competition. Carl is undertaking his apprenticeship with Cambridge based Munro Mechanical Services. To reach the finals Carl has already taken part in eliminating rounds competing against dozens of other young apprentices. The competition, sponsored by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), was introduced to promote standards and skills across the commercial heating pipe-fitting industry. Download |
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| September 2009 | ALTRINCHAM APPRENTICE MAKES FINAL OF PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION Nick Lester, from Timperley near Altrincham, has made it through to the final of the national SkillPIPE competition. Nick is undertaking his apprenticeship with SES Ltd at their Manchester branch. To reach the finals Nick has already taken part in eliminating rounds competing against dozens of other young apprentices. The competition, sponsored by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), was introduced to promote standards and skills across the commercial heating pipe-fitting industry. Download |
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| September 2009 | NEW HEATING HELPLINE GETS UNDERWAY The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association announces the launch of the new Heating Helpline – a free impartial advice service for homeowners and tenants on all aspects of energy efficient heating. Download |
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| August 2009 | NEW F GAS LEGISLATION AFFECTS ALL COMMERCIAL USERS OF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT Commercial and industrial ‘end users’ of refrigeration equipment must now comply with the F Gas Regulations that came into force from July 2007. The latest addition to this legislation means that it is now a legal requirement that businesses which carry out work with refrigeration equipment must hold a ‘Company Certificate’ and must only use appropriately qualified engineers or personnel. Download |
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| August 2009 | TRUST A TRUSTMARK TRADESMAN TrustMark, the only Government endorsed scheme that helps homeowners and consumers find reputable tradesmen, goes from strength to strength with new figures released showing very high levels of satisfaction with work provided by TrustMark registered companies. Download |
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| July 2009 | GRAHAM MANLY SUCCEEDS TO HVCA PRESIDENCY Graham Manly has been elected president of the HVCA for 2009/10. Download |
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| June 2009 | STILL LEADING THE WAY Six years on from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association’s ground breaking decision to make it mandatory for its members to undergo third party inspection and assessment, this demanding membership criterion enters its third cycle. Download |
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| May 2009 | ROGUE TRADERS ON THE LOOSE With more and more home owners adopting the mantra “don’t move, improve” they will be tempted by exceptional deals for home improvement works – but as with most things if it looks too good to be true it almost certainly is. Download |
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| April 2009 | NEW GAS SAFETY SCHEME AIMS TO DRIVE OUT COWBOY INSTALLERS The CORGI gas installer registration scheme has been replaced by the Gas Safe Register – a new scheme and a new brand – and the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association welcomes its stated aim to drive out the thousands of rogue installers operating in the UK. Download |
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| April 2009 | NEW BOILER NEEDED? HOW TO AVOID THE EXPENSIVE OPTION Research by consumer watchdog Which? reveals that independent heating installers are better value for money and home owners could be wasting large sums by opting for British Gas. Download |
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| March 2009 | TOO MANY ROGUE INSTALLERS OUT THERE New figures released by Consumer Direct show a huge increase in the number of complaints about central heating installations in the last two years – sound advice comes from the HVCA on how consumers can steer clear of rogue installers. Download |
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| March 2009 | TRAINEES’ HARD WORK REWARDED Recognition for nine hardworking trainees and apprentices at the recent North West Region Training Awards, facilitated by the HVCA. Download |
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| March 2009 | HVCA SCOTLAND PROMOTES ENERGY-SAVING MEASURES HVCA Scotland has distributed a pack of “mini-posters” to almost 3,000 public sector buildings north of the border, in a bid to promote the wider introduction of basic energy-saving measures. Download |
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| February 2009 | HEATING ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES THE GAS SAFE REGISTER UK households that have become familiar with CORGI will need to get used to a new gas safety brand but it’s a change that is welcomed by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association. Download |
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| February 2009 | HARD WORK REWARDED FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES Recognition for young apprentices at the recent Scottish HVACR Awards. Download |
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| February 2009 | HARD WORK REWARDED FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES Recognition for six hardworking young apprentices at the recent HVCA North East Region Awards. Download |
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| February 2009 | WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION FOR HARD WORKING YOUNG TRAINEES The Yorkshire Region of the HVCA took advantage of their Annual Ball to present awards to twelve young trainees in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Download |
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| November 2008 | TOP 10 TIPS TO KEEP ENERGY BILLS DOWN Some timely energy saving advice to homeowners from the HVCA, the officially recognised organisation representing central heating contractors. Download |
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| October 2008 | WORTH GETTING IT CHECKED The trade association for heating engineers issues some sound safety advice for anyone who manages or lives in a flat or apartment that has a gas boiler located on an internal wall. Download |
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| September 2008 | FORGOTTEN BOILER It may not have had too much use during the summer months but will be pressed into near constant use during the coming colder ones yet older boilers in the home are simply inefficient – and potentially lethal. Download |
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| September 2008 | TRAIN TO GAIN SUCCESS FOR SOUTH WEST BUILDING SERVICES COMPANY Eight employees of Exeter based MITIE Engineering Services South West Ltd achieve a nationally recognised qualification through the Government backed Train to Gain initiative. Download |
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| September 2008 | COMPLYING WITH F GAS REGULATIONS For smaller food stores and other outlets that might not know how to comply with the F Gas Regulations now in force, help and advice is available from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association. Download |
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| July 2008 | GARETH VAUGHAN, OF COLWYN BAY BASED E POPPLETON & SON LTD, TAKES ON HIGH PROFILE PRESIDENCY Gareth Vaughan, Managing Director of Colwyn Bay based E Poppleton & Son Ltd, has been elected president of high profile trade organisation the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA) for 2008/09. Download |
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| July 2008 | BEWARE THE SOLAR COWBOYS The arrival of low cost solar heating panels from the far east combined with ever rising home energy bills means homeowners will be tempted but the trade association for professional heating contractors warns homeowners about rogue installers. Download |
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| July 2008 | TIME TO GET YOUR HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTED Why wait until the winter months, when heating engineers are rushed off their feet, to get your boiler serviced or replaced? Download |
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| June 2008 | YORKSHIRE REGION OF HVCA AIDS SAILING CHARITY The Yorkshire region of high profile trade association the HVCA raised £6000 to fund the purchase of a specially adapted sailing dinghy to be used at Otley Sailing Club to give sailing experiences to disabled youngsters Download |
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| June 2008 | BOILER IN YOUR HOLIDAY COTTAGE SAFE TO USE? With more British families opting to forgo an overseas holiday this summer it could prove a bumper year for the UK holiday accommodation sector – but many of the flats and cottages being used for holiday lets will have older gas fired boilers; the Trade Association for professional heating engineers warns that they should be safety checked by a qualified expert. Download |
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| May 2008 | KEEP CLEAR OF THE COWBOYS With astonishingly high levels of consumer complaints recorded by Consumer Direct it makes more sense than ever for homeowners to use TrustMark registered companies. Download |
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| May 2008 | THE SILENT KILLER The Trade Association for professional heating engineers reminds home owners that poorly maintained or old boilers put their lives at risk and continue to damage the environment. Download |
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| April 2008 | WHAT LIES BENEATH – ASBESTOS STILL KILLS HVCA has welcomed the HSE’s new campaign to warn plumbers, heating & ventilation engineers and electricians about the continuing dangers of asbestos. Download |
| March 2008 | TRADE ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR ONE SCHEME ONLY TO HELP CONSUMERS FIND REPUTABLE TRADES PEOPLE The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association wants Trading Standards and Local Authorities to scrap their 'Buy with Confidence' schemes and instead support the Government backed national TrustMark initiative. Download |
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| February 2008 | TOP TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY – AND KEEP BILLS DOWN HVCA, the organisation that drives energy efficiency in the built environment, gives some timely energy saving advice to homeowners. Download |
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| February 2008 | HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR YOUNG TRAINEES The Yorkshire Region of the HVCA took advantage of their Annual Ball to present awards to nine young trainees in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Download | |
| January 2008 | LARGE DONATION TO GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE The magnificent sum of £2250 was raised for a local charity at the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), North East Region’s Annual Dinner with a cheque subsequently presented to the Great North Air Ambulance. Download | |
| November 2007 | HOUSEHOLDS IN THE DARK ABOUT GRANTS FOR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY Trade Association for home heating says grants to help households install energy efficiency measures or renewable technologies actually do exist but too little is known about them and much more publicity is needed to make households aware of who is eligible and how they can apply for grants. Download |
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| November 2007 | HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES Recognition for seven young apprentices at the recent HVCA North East Region Awards. Download |
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| November 2007 | 1 IN 3 CONSTRUCTION SITES PUT THE LIVES OF WORKERS AT RISK Trade Association issues reminder that builders and contractors working on small construction sites must use competent workers to avoid both adding to the alarming increase in fatalities and prosecution for flouting Health and Safety legislation. Download | |
| October 2007 | KEEPING REFRIGERATION COSTS DOWN Useful advice and top tips from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association for smaller food stores faced with the high energy consumption of their refrigeration cabinets and equipment. Download |
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| October 2007 | GREEN HEATING – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE SUN Trade Association for home heating engineers gives some timely and topical advice on solar heating. Download |
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| October 2007 | LEAVE IT ANOTHER YEAR? It's too easy for homeowners or landlords to let their old or inefficient boilers soldier on for another winter but it’s a decision they might come to regret. Homeowners are advised not to take risks with older gas fired boilers and to get them checked by a qualified expert.. Download |
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| August 2007 | TRADE ASSOCIATION WARNS THAT MORE MUST BE DONE TO COMBAT LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE Yet another unfortunate death from Legionnaires' disease indicates that poor maintenance regimes or complacency are still too prevalent in Britain's air conditioned buildings and workplaces. Download |
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| August 2007 | HOW NOT TO FALL PREY TO ROGUE TRADERS With unscrupulous rogue traders targeting flood affected households, leading trade association, the HVCA, issues a 10 point guide to help households steer clear of the "cowboys". Download |
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| July 2007 | DOOR OPEN TO HVCA'S NEW PRESIDENT John Miller takes over as the new President of the HVCA and vows to operate an "open door" policy – accessible to his fellow members and determined to act only in their interests and fulfil their wishes. Download |
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| July 2007 | HOUSEHOLDERS SAY GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY FOR HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS YouGov survey on behalf of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) reveals that homeowners think home energy assessments are important but say the Government should pay for them. Download |
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| June 2007 | THE RIGHT THING TO DO 3 years on from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association's remarkable decision to make it mandatory for its members to undergo a third party inspection and assessment, this demanding regime of membership criteria enters its second cycle. Download |
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| June 2007 | TOP ENERGY SAVING TIPS HVCA, the organisation that promotes sustainability in the built environment, gives some really useful energy saving advice to homeowners. Download |
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Photographs
Presidential team
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| President Graham Manly Download picture |
President elect Martin Burton Download picture |
Vice president Bob Shelley Download picture |
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| Immediate past president Gareth Vaughan Download picture |
Chief executive Robert Higgs OBE Download picture |
Deputy chief executive Roderick Pettigrew Download picture |
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CV HVCA President 2009/10 Graham Manly | 84KB |
Air conditioning
Chemical dosing of a water tank Download picture
Air conditioning equipment located in a rooftop plantroom Download picture
Testing pressure on a gas boiler Download picture
Ductwork
Ductwork system as part of a co-ordinated building services installation Download picture
Heating and plumbing
Adjusting a domestic boiler Download picture
Testing a gas fire for spillage Download picture
Hanging a radiator Download picture
Service and facilities
Using a multimeter to check electrical systems Download picture
Setting controls on a building management system Download picture
Checking a printed circuit board Download picture
Key issues
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HVCA Key Issues | 84KB |
Contacts
- Commercial and Legal: Roderick Pettigrew rpettigrew@hvca.org.uk
- Communications and Public Affairs: Jack McDavid jmcdavid@hvca.org.uk
- Education and Training: Sarah Wicks swicks@hvca.org.uk
- Employment Affairs: Peter Rimmer primmer@hvca.org.uk
- HVCA Scotland: Bob Dyer bdyer@hvca.org.uk
- Membership Services: Val O'Reilly voreilly@hvca.org.uk
- Publications: Rachel Davidson hvcapublications@welplan.co.uk
- Specialist Group Services Gareth Keller gkeller@hvca.org.uk
- Technical and Safety: Bob Towse btowse@hvca.org.uk