Jewson helps Sheffield builders go green

Builders merchant chain Jewson held a ‘green’ training and awareness day at its Sheffield Parkway branch.

Builders, architects and developers were invited to the special sustainability day where experts from Jewson and suppliers talked about the sustainable products that are available to help builders reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings and how to take advantage of government funding to boost the installation of such products.

The first session covered air and ground source heat pumps, while two further presentations looked at solar panels, covering both solar thermal units and photovoltaic (PV) panels, which turn sunlight into electricity.

With the government’s new Feed-In Tariff for micro-electricity generation just being introduced Jewson are expecting a significant increase in demand for PV panels in 2010 as more and more people see the benefits of making their own electricity for use in the home or for selling it back to their electricity company. PV panels are now available as roof tiles.

Another presentation covered rainwater harvesting. Using rainwater harvesting reduces demand on the mains water supply, saving users both water and money, and complies to new legislation designed to use water more efficiently and reduce flooding.

Finally, there was a presentation from Jewson’s specialist Greenworks training academy.

Branch manager Lee Whitehead said he was thrilled with the level of attendance: “I am so pleased that so many of our customers have come along today. It shows how important green issues are to the building industry today.

“Anyone involved in our industry needs to have a full understanding of the sustainable solutions that are available on the market and how these solutions can help builders reach the various levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. It has been great to be able to help and provide so much information – and of course free bacon butties!”