Compared – Green Engineer Certification – What’s Needed

Can you imagine yourself working in an exciting new industry that’s pushing environmental boundaries? Gain professional qualifications in ‘green skills’ and such a career can be yours. In just a few short months from now, you could be helping people in the UK or abroad to reduce the amount of CO2 they consume, and cut their energy bills considerably.

The world can’t continue to consume oil and gas at current levels. We all know we should be lowering our carbon footprint. Political leaders are striving to guide people towards greater energy efficiency by promoting and incentivising replenishable alternatives. Grants are available in the UK to replace inefficient boilers and utilise more ‘green’ forms of energy. As well as being good for the planet, this is also very good news for domestic installers with the right certifications and expertise. And so if you’re keen to learn how to be a plumber or an electrician, don’t overlook the opportunities in the renewable energy market. Any experienced electricians or plumbers can take short courses in renewable energy solutions.

Planet earth provides us with a rich source of renewables from which to extract more energy for our own use. By harnessing the energy from the sun, the wind or the tides we can create alternative sources of power. We’ve used wind and water for many years, but it’s the sun that provides energy for many newer replenishable systems. Consequently there’s a growing demand for green engineering work.

Domestic hot water pipes can be connected to solar water heaters to provide free heat to the system. We’ve had solar thermal systems in Britain since the seventies, so today’s models are now very well developed. A UK family could expect to get most of their hot water from a modern solar system from June to September. This lessens their impact on the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by something like 400 to 750 kg a year. Collection equipment comes in the form of the more efficient evacuated tubes, or the perhaps more visually attractive solid flat plates. Both are easy to install and maintain, and ideally should be fitted to a south facing roof.

Another means of harnessing solar energy is through the use of photovoltaic cells which can convert sunlight into electricity. Again, PV panels are designed to be attached to a roof or wall that is preferably south facing. As sunlight shines onto the panels an electric field is created that goes to an inverter inside the roof. This solar PV electricity can be used for lighting and for various appliances. Users of solar electricity will not only reduce their carbon footprint, they’ll also cut their electricity bills by over a third. The Grid will also automatically be fed any unused PV electricity, so if householders go away for two weeks, their solar power won’t be wasted. In the UK energy companies by law have to pay agreed rates to householders per kilowatt hour of electricity, but this can vary depending on the tariff they’re on. Planning permission isn’t usually needed to install PV cells, although listed buildings and houses in conservation areas should check with their local authorities.

Ground Source Heat Pumps create heat sources from solar energy that naturally exists in the earth. Heat pumps are connected to great lengths of underground geothermal piping that contains a non freezable substance. The fluid becomes warm as it circulates inside the pipes and thus heat is transported to the pump. The most efficient way to use this heat is in underfloor heating systems, but it can also be used for heating water in radiators. Ground source heat pumps will lower household fuel bills. They need a small amount of electricity to run them, but can produce four or five times as much as they consume.

When you train to work in the green installations industry, you’ll pick up a variety of worthwhile skills. Look for a course that will take you through all the domestic essentials, including health & safety, laws and regulations and if relevant guidance on starting your own business. As solar energy and heat pumps will give you the most work, you’d be sensible to focus on those. Courses in domestic green skills and qualifications are developing fast, to keep up with the increased demand caused by government incentives. If you have a special interest in water recycling, look for options that include rainwater and grey water harvesting.

Each time a domestic UK property changes hands, the new householders must be shown an Energy Performance Certificate. This illustrates how energy efficient the house is, and how it could be improved. Often more modern or alternative equipment can lower running costs significantly. Plus there are financial incentives in the UK for homeowners to upgrade their energy efficiency, providing systems are fitted by installers with appropriate certifications. Let’s look to the near future though. Within the next six years, all new homes must generate at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources to be legally compliant. We can no longer close our eyes to the need for safer, sustainable power. For that reason, those who become skilled and qualified now will find themselves in the right place at the right time.

(C) 2009 – S. Edwards. Go to workmap.com or HERE.