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Ecological Statement
Artisan Plumbers providing Customers with Environmental Choices
Artisan Plumbers recognises that the Plumbing and Heating Engineering Sector, as a result of climate change and commitments under the Kyoto Agreement, will be subject to a series of regulatory changes over the next decade; introducing requirements for the integration of sustainable technologies into new buildings.
The Code
for Sustainable Homes already sets requirements for water consumption
and energy efficiency, and changes to the Building Regulations in 2009
(Part G), will introduce per person water consumption limits (maximum
125 litres per person per day), and amendments to Part L from 2010 onwards
will introduce
requirements for energy efficiency best practice, and the incorporation
of renewable technology.
Plumbing
and the Environment
It is a startling
and sobering fact that just 0.08% of all the water on earth is suitable
for human use.
When plumbing began with the Romans construction of the first aqueducts, the human population was less than 3% of what it is today. We still have the same amount of water but there are many more people with much higher health and lifestyle aspirations. Plumbing technology has also changed dramatically since Roman times, and the work carried out by plumbers and plumbing designers has expanded beyond water supply and sanitation to encompass the safe supply of gas for heating and cooking and in some countries, air conditioning and refrigeration.
At the start of the 21st Century, the international inequity of access to water is staggering. More than 31 countries currently grapple with a "chronic" water shortage. Another 17 nations are considered likely to be added to the list over the next 25 years. Most of these will be developing nations whose resources are already deeply committed.
Poor water and energy management can lead to environmental damage, poverty, poor public health, local or even international conflict.
The international community has begun to realise the scale of the water challenges and much positive action is being taken. The World Water Council was formed in 1996, the first World Water Forum was held in 2000 and UNESCO's Water and Sanitation Program is under way - see www.worldwater.org
There are now several innovative global organisations and projects tacking water issues in all parts of the world such as the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council's WASH program - see www.wsscc.org
The 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development saw a significant emphasis on the complex and significant nature of the water and energy challenges ahead. Following the Johannesburg Summit the World Plumbing Council issued a communiqué "People, Plumbing and Progress" - the highlights of which can be found under "WPC News" on www.worldplumbing.org
Historically the work undertaken by plumbers has had a significant and positive effect on the relationship between human society and the environment. Plumbing work today and into the future must continue and extend this tradition for the future of human civilisation. There is an increasing global focus on water conservation and sustainability which has led to intense research into water re-use and greywater recycling.
The critical areas of water and energy conservation, greenhouse gas emissions and public health are important opportunities for the international plumbing community to make a positive contribution. As such they present opportunities for the World Plumbing Council to represent plumbing views and expertise. Plumbing professionals must be prepared to embrace these changes and challenges as they occur, and ensure they play an active part in determining the direction of the change process for the benefit of the environment, the public, industry and, ultimately, mankind in general.
The last few years have seen huge changes in the way Plumbing & Heating companies conduct business. Increasingly the need to offer sustainable and ethical solutions has become clear. The sustainable management of an asset is now the key to future success and growth.
Artisan Plumbers believe that by offering intelligent and innovative solutions we help both our business and the environment and offer an Ecologically acceptable installation to our clients who then become members of the Eco friendly community.
The concept of an ethically minded company offering sustainable solutions in today's challenging business environment has underpinned Artisan Plumbers recent business decisions in a number of areas, some of which are critical to our future development which includes maintaining our environmental credibility through continuous improvement.
Artisan Plumbers have delivered comprehensive installation and maintenance solutions to clients within traditional contract arrangements. This remains part of our core business, but we want to go beyond this, offering a service which is delivered in a truly ethical and sustainable way.
With the environment becoming an ever more important part of our business thinking, it provides the perfect opportunity to satisfy our responsibilities to our customers as part of our on-going commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Artisan Plumbers are already Ecologically managed pretty well but needed to modify and quantify the way in which this was achieved. Most of our existing standards and procedures already lend themselves towards sustainability and an ethical approach to business.
Eco-Viable Heating
If you want to have an Economic and Ecologicaly friendly heating and hot water system, then Artisan Plumbers can help you to achieve both goals.
What you are hoping to save on running costs and to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere can be acheived by upgrading your existing form of central heating management system, if you have one at all.
The options available include changing your boiler for a more efficient one, preferably the condensing model, have a fully functional thermostatic and time programmable central heating system incorporating zone control valves, boiler interlock, room and cylinder thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves. Consider loft and cavity insulation.
In reality, by the time fossil fuel is reaching its predicted depletion levels, some bright spark would have thought of using Ethanol as a form of fuel for domestic central heating which would only mean changing the current type of fuel burner on the existing boilers to accept the new fuel concept. Ethanol Fuel will be developed for the car in Europe soon enough as it is in Brazil. Existing oil tanks will remain to take the new fuel.
Artisan Plumbers can help you with those options by offering you the more cost effective approach to acheive your goal. Upgrade your existing system with Heating Controls or a new Condensing Boiler or Solar Thermal Heating.
For more info on upgrading your controls please go to our Controls page.
Artisan Plumbers undertake Oil Tank installations, maintenance and inspection in compliance with the relevant OFTEC 600A Regulations covering Pollution Control and Building Bye-Law regulations for the installation of Oil Tanks.
Artisan Plumbers 'credentials' are explained on our Home page.