| By :
Martin Hofschroer
Plumbers can reap the rewards of taking green energy courses due to the potential profits in the renewable sector, according to plumbing company Micaul Solar. Mike Dowell, co-owner of the Welsh plumbing firm, told Heating & Plumbing Monthly that his business is benefiting from increased trade since it become qualified to install renewable heat technology. An increasing number of people are interested in green technology such as air and ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar-thermal water heaters and combined heat and power plants. Mr Dowell and his brother-in-law Paul Hoddinott initially took plumbing courses in order to create a new business but realised it was vital to learn from green energy courses as more people would be keen on environmentally-friendly equipment. Micaul Solar became the first plumbing company in Wales to be Microgeneration Accredited and Mike Dowell feels this gave them a crucial advantage over their local competitors. He told Heating & Plumbing Monthly: "Back in 2005 we started to look at renewables seriously and we did probably the complete opposite to everyone else and spent a lot of time studying. "We ... started undertaking product training and doing all of the things we felt necessary to support the market - our investment and efforts have paid off and we are now extremely busy." Mr Dowell is now advising plumbers and people taking plumbing courses to follow his lead and update their skills by enrolling on green energy courses. Between 2007 and 2008 business increased dramatically for Micaul Solar and they now have a workforce of 20 people including fully qualified heating engineers who have completed the appropriate gas training courses, plumbing courses and green energy courses. Mike Dowell explained that his decision to change career and take plumbing courses in order to become a qualified tradesperson has resulted in great success and lead to many benefits. Green energy courses may increase in demand as government plans for loans that will enable householders to fund energy efficiency measures such as insulation and renewable technology were revealed recently. The Pay As You Save (PAYS) scheme, which ties the financing to property rather than people, forms a key part of the government's Household Energy Management (HEMS) strategy, Warm Homes, Greener Homes, which aims to reduce carbon emissions. Pilot schemes are already being tested in Birmingham, Sussex, Surrey, Sutton and Stroud; however, legislation will need to be introduced before PAYS can be implemented.
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