EWS | DIGEST IN BRIEF Watchdog investigates hydrogen boiler claims Damp and mould issues for 55% of UK homeowners A new survey shows that more than half (55%) of UK homeowners have experienced serious problems with indoor air quality and poor ventilation, leading to condensation, mould and damp. The poll, carried out by builders merchants Jewson, also reveals that 44% of homeowners have reported health-related side effects, including allergies, respiratory infections, poor sleep, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. Publication of the survey comes as the Building Engineering Services Association and Mitsubishi Electric launch a new guide to tackling damp and mould in existing UK homes. CMA looks into marketing practices of boiler maker Worcester Bosch The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether Worcester Bosch has misled shoppers with confusing or inaccurate claims in the advertising and labelling of its boiler products. The consumer watchdogs probe will look at several marketing practices, including the use of labels or text stating that Worcester Boschs boilers can run on a blend of 20% hydrogen and natural gas. This may give the impression that this is a special feature, despite all boilers in the UK being legally required to operate in this way since the mid-1990s. The CMA will also look at information and messaging on the use of hydrogen for home heating in the UK, even though its introduction is, potentially, years away and dependent on Building rms should do more to hit net zero targets Half of construction project managers believe their company is not doing enough to support the UKs 2050 net zero targets, according to a new survey. The survey, by the Association for Project Management, shows that 50% feel their company is doing too little to support the governments 2050 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Another 23% said their company was doing enough and 26% said their firm was doing too much. In addition, 74% of construction project managers said their company incorporates net zero carbon emissions planning into their projects. future government decisions. Descriptions and information about the environmental benefits of hydrogen-blend ready boilers will also be investigated. The CMA has written to 12 other businesses that sell hydrogen-blend boilers after reviewing their marketing, to warn them that they could be breaching consumer protection law and to remind them of their legal obligations. George Lusty, senior director, consumer protection, at the CMA, said: We set out our concerns earlier this year about businesses marketing boilers as hydrogen-blend. We will now scrutinise green claims from Worcester Bosch to see if they mislead shoppers. Last month, Sky News broadcast an investigation that accused boiler companies of making confusing and potentially misleading marketing claims about the hydrogen compatibility of their products. Construction output likely to fall 6.8% Energy efficiency projects are one of the few areas of growth The Construction Product Associations (CPAs) autumn forecasts predict construction output in 2023 will be down by 6.8%. A further fall of 0.3% is expected in 2024, down from a 0.7% growth forecast predicted in its summer publication. The CPA also expects the UK economy to flatline in 2024 because of high interest rates. Mortgage rate increases have led to housebuilders reporting a 30-40% fall in demand, and this has remained weak throughout summer and early autumn, it added. Completions are expected to fall 19% this year and be flat in 2024, while private housing repair, maintenance and improvement is forecast to fall 11% this year. Energy efficiency projects remain strong, but there are questions for the delivery of government programmes such as ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, said the CPA. It added that infrastructure growth would be flat for the next two years. Helping Heat Networks deliver their promise Accountability through design, commissioning and verification, handover and ongoing use. www.energiraven.com 8 November 2023 www.cibsejournal.com