APHC Delight For Trailblazing Renewables Pioneer, Andy Buchan

30th September 2011

Association of Plumbing & Heating (APHC) member Andy Buchan has received a national award as 'An individual who has made an Outstanding Contribution to the Renewable Energy Industry' at the recent Renewables Awards held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

This award is the latest in a list of Awards for Andy and his company A J Buchan in Gloucestershire. Andy has become something of a trailblazer in the renewable field and his expertise has been recognised by his inclusion on APHC's All-Party Parliamentary Sustainability Group where he has engaged with civil servants, MPs and Ministers in an effort to bring coherent sustainability policies to the UK.

Andy, who is also a member of APHC's Competent Persons Scheme, has been in business for 31 years but began down the renewable route in 2004, when he went on Worcester Bosch's first solar training course. Arriving as a sceptic, he left hooked.

He set up the Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre, which acts as a showroom and also a showcase for sustainable technology, with its working demonstrations of all the main renewable technologies. It has been visited by thousands of customers as well as schools, colleges, architects and MPs amongst others.

Andy commented, "I'm delighted and surprised to receive this Award. So much has happened in the seven years since I went on that solar course, and gradually sustainable technologies are becoming mainstream. Five or six years ago, the type of people who came to us wanted to save the planet; today, they want to save the money in their back pocket.

"Installers in their 20s, 30s and 40s are now well aware that they are facing a very different future and are going to have to come out of their comfort zones working in traditional fields, and embrace new technologies. The work is out there. We only work within a 50 mile radius but my staff of 23 have been busy all year - and we haven't installed a single gas or oil boiler."

 

 

Key government figures visit CEEC - October 2010

Paul Morrell OBE, the UK government's first Chief Construction Adviser visited the Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre in Cherington last week. Mr Morrell, who took up his newly-created post in November 2009, had a tour of CEEC's working showroom of efficient energy and renewable technologies.

Over the last year in his new role, Paul has been working to address the key issues facing the industry. The focus has been on the low carbon agenda and the changes required to ensure that the industry is 'fit for purpose' for delivering a low carbon future. Paul was also joined by Michael Ankers OBE, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association and a member of the 2016 Zero Carbon Task Group and Tony Mulcahy, Assistant Director, Low Carbon Construction Review. The Low Carbon Construction report, produced by the Innovation and Growth Team states "a substantial part of the challenge to produce zero carbon new  buildings, and to reduce the carbon emissions of existing ones, will need to come from a programme of delivering renewable energy."

Andy Buchan, MD, was delighted to show them around his showroom and to demonstrate full, working installations of all the latest efficient energy technologies. Andy also took the group to two recent CEEC customers that have had installations of solar thermal hot water systems, ground source heat pumps, rain harvesting systems, underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.

Paul and Michael both commented on the excellent facilities at CEEC. For more information visit www.cotswoldefficientenergy.com or ring 01285 841466.

CEEC shines at renewable industry awards

Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre (CEEC) recently picked up its second award in a month at the annual British Renewable Energy (BRE) Awards. The Awards were inaugurated in 2006 to honour achievements in the renewable energy industry and were hosted by BBC journalist Sarah Mukherjee.

The Renewable Energy Association's Chief Executive, Gaynor Hartnell, commented "These awards recognise outstanding achievement in the British renewable energy sector. They are a tribute to innovation and excellence. The exceptional quality of all the short listed entries serves to demonstrate the exacting standards, talent and originality within this industry."

CEEC came first in the 'installer' category, having only recently been awarded an H & V news award for 'renewable project of the year'. Andy Buchan, MD of CEEC, commented "We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award; we feel strongly about renewable energy and it is great to see such returns for our efforts."

For more information about CEEC, visit their website at www.cotswoldefficientenergy.com or ring 01285 841466.

 
CEEC WINS H&V NEWS AWARD 2010

Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre (CEEC) picked up the prize for Renewable Project of the Year at last week's H&V News Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The best of the Heating and Ventilation industry were recognised with a coveted H&V News Award at the glamorous awards held in London on Thursday 29 April 2010. The H&V News Awards are the most prestigious awards for the heating and ventilation industries, recognising companies for their skill and innovation.

CEEC, based in Cherington, was awarded this prestigious prize for the installation it carried out at the famous Rectory Hotel in Crudwell.  Andy Buchan, MD of CEEC, designed the system installed four solar panels, six hot water cylinders and a wood pellet boiler at the hotel.

One of the owners of the hotel commented "Now we have improved water pressure, no risk of running out of hot water, reduced utility bills along with the knowledge that we are helping the environment - win win! We were also impressed that the cost of installing this system was not dramatically more than the cost of replacing the oil boiler like for like."

The installation was a bespoke system that is radiant controlled, with the oil-fired condensing boiler backing up the new wood pellet boiler, using old kitchen oil. CEEC estimates that 80% of the hotel's demand will be met by the wood pellet boiler and 20% being met by the oil condensing boiler. 

This project was a great showcase for renewable energy in period properties and CEEC are delighted to have won this award. For more information visit www.cotswoldefficientenergy.com or www.handvawards.com

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Andy Completes Tour of UK

Andy has just completed a tour of the whole of the UK for Installer Connect.  He has been giving his advice to plumbers across the country on how to switch to renewables.

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Renewable at Top of the Agenda  - October 2009

The Government's latest target to reduce UK carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 puts renewable energy at the top of the agenda. This subject has been of interest to a local MP for a while - which is why David Drew recently visited the Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre (CEEC) in Cherington.

Although the showroom is technically not in David's constituency, he recognises the important role that Andy Buchan, MD of CEEC, has in educating householders and schools in Gloucestershire about efficient energy. With a full, working showroom to demonstrate how the renewable technologies work, Andy is able to help many customers choose the right solution for their homes and businesses.

Recent studies have shown that heat pumps reduce fuel poverty - and David does not need convincing that renewable energy is the way forward: "CEEC offer exciting and innovative ways to heat houses efficiently and cut energy bills. I look forward to seeing a lot more of their installations in place locally."

The showroom now has a working installation of Biomass - for more information, call 01285 841466 or visit www.cotswoldefficientenergy.com.

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FREE TALKS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS - July 2009

Andy Buchan of Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre (CEEC) in Cherington feels so strongly about the environment that he is offering free talks to school children in the Gloucestershire District. His 40 minute talk will focus on how we can reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the earth's resources. 

Andy plans to educate the children on how we have free resources to use - with the sun for solar and photovoltaic systems, and heat from the air or ground for heat pump systems. He will explain what zero carbon and low carbon technologies mean.

He hopes that by planting seeds with these children, their choices as adults will be much better informed. This talk is aimed at Year 6 and above - if you want to make an appointment before receiving your invitation please ring 01285 841466.

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  Backing Energy Efficiency - May 2009

David Drew, MP, recently visited some of Stroud District Council's properties that have been fitted with air to air heat pumps. These all-in-one heating and cooling systems were fitted by the Cotswold Efficient Energy Centre (CEEC).

Andy Buchan, the MD, explained "They were an ideal choice for these flats in Dursley as they do not need much space."

The heat pump converts the energy from the air outside into heat and then circulates warm air internally. The pumps can also be used as air coolers during the summer months - with a built-in pollen filter to help allergy sufferers. The tenants have been delighted with the results so far.

David and Andy also visited a property in the local area that was nominated 'renewable project of the year' in the H & V News Awards. 

David commented "I welcomed the chance I had recently to see the partnership of CEEC and Worcester Bosch in action.  I was shown examples of installations in some smaller local housing and also saw a top of the range installation featuring solar panels, rainwater harvesting and ground source heat pumps. 

In all cases, they offered exciting and innovative ways to heat houses efficiently and cut energy bills. I look forward to seeing a lot more of their installations in place locally."

Andy would like to see more homes with energy efficient solutions and welcomes all to visit his full working showroom in Cherington. For more information, ring 01285 841466 or visit www.cotswoldefficientenergy.com.

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Here is Andy Buchan receiving awards for their quality installations: