Installation Opportunities With Green Engineer Training

Would you enjoy helping others to save money and look after the environment? Qualifying as an installer with 'green' certifications will allow you to do that. 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. Gas and oil consumption can't go on as it is. Carbon emissions will have to be reduced. Western leaders are keen to encourage citizens to strive for greener alternatives to the more traditional methods.

In the UK, householders with the oldest and lowest rated boilers can apply for grants to cover some of the costs of replacement. Moves such as these mean the demand for appropriately certified fitters and installers continues to increase. 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.And if you're already a qualified tradesman or woman, you might think about bolt-on green courses to add to your portfolio.

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Naturally Replenishable Resources

Planet earth provides us with a rich source of renewables from which to extract more energy for our own use. The sun, the wind and the rain can all be utilised by green technology.

Clearly windmills have been in use for centuries, as have waterwheels - but neither are very practical for most domestic homes. Equipment that captures energy from the sun however can be perfect for most houses. Consequently there's a growing demand for green engineering work.

Energy From The Sun

Energy radiated from the sun can be converted into hot water through solar thermal systems. Systems have been on sale in the UK for several decades, and the technology is now well understood. They are used in conjunction with conventional boilers or heating systems, and can provide most of the hot water for a UK family throughout the summer months. Year round, something in the region of 50 per cent of the hot water could be met by solar energy. There are two forms of collectors - namely evacuated tubes and flat plates. They should be fitted to roofs that are ideally facing towards the south.

Photovoltaic cells or panels also absorb the sun's energy, but this time electricity is produced. As with solar collectors that heat water, these cells need to be exposed to the most light and sun possible, so a south-facing roof is ideal.

They also need an inverter to convert the direct current electricity to alternating current. The inverter is then linked up to the power distribution point in the house to provide electricity for certain appliances and lighting. Users of solar electricity will not only reduce their carbon footprint, they'll also cut their electricity bills by over a third. Any solar electricity that isn't used up can either be stored in batteries for a cloudy day, or sold back to the National Grid. This year (2010) the government has stepped in to increase the amount of money energy companies have to pay for this recycled electricity. Some European governments have fixed 'feed-in tariffs' for many years, which has led to an increase in the number of systems purchased, and a reduction in the amount they cost.

Naturally Stored Heat

Geothermal heat is the term used for the ground source heat that is stored naturally under the ground. Plastic pipes are buried under the surface and filled with a soluble solution that won't damage the environment. This collects the heat as it circulates, and transports it to the heat pump.

Homes with underfloor heating will notice the biggest benefits that heat pumps can bring. If consumers choose a ground source heat pump system to replace electric radiators, they'll find the new system much more efficient.

Continually Developing

As you go through a study programme, your knowledge of replenishable energy sources and new technology will grow. You can expect to study and qualify in certain essential electrical and plumbing skills, and gain newer certifications that cover green energy. As solar energy and heat pumps will give you the most work, you'd be sensible to focus on those. However, as technology and the law on environmental construction evolves, so too will training in this sector. The green market is growing fast, and opportunities are increasing in existing domestic properties, new builds and social housing.

Working With Future Trends...

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. Many assessments show huge savings could be made over a period of time if improved systems were installed.

What's more, when householders employ properly accredited installers, they can benefit from generous government grants to help cover the costs of having new systems fitted. In real terms though, that's only the beginning.

In ten years' time the British government aims to be on target for 15 percent of the nation's energy coming from renewables. 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.