REX INGRAM RE-ELECTED AS UHMA CHAIRMAN

Rex Ingram has been re-elected at Chairman of The Underfloor Heating Manufacturers' Association (UHMA).

He will serve for one year; according to UHMA practice the newly elected Vice-Chairman Chris Ingram (no relation) will then take over the Chair.

The AGM also saw the re-election of Martin Coates as Treasurer and Brian Sensecall as UHMA Secretary.

Over the past twelve years Rex Ingram has seen UHMA grow from an exploratory meeting in London into a widely respected Trade Association capable of leading its new industry into the 21st Century.

"But of all that dozen years," said the new Chairman, "there's no doubt that 2007 has been the most significant.

It was the year in which UHMA came of age.

Membership numbers have risen dramatically - UHMA now represents nearly forty individual organisations. Even more important is the way that the talent and experience of our Members is impacting at every level.

In the past twelve months we have created a new look website and established effective technical and marketing committees. Our education committee has played a key role in setting up the industry's first independent underfloor heating course.

Because UHMA is now a recognised body, our representatives are engaged in decisions that shape the face of our industry - in liaison with CIBSE, BSRIA, BRE, The Heat Pump Association and, of course, Central Government. We speak for our industry and our voice is now heard in the corridors of power"

More efficient

There's little doubt that UHMA's major initiative in 2007 was to drive home the message that underfloor heating is more energy efficient than radiators.

The Association was instrumental in bringing the facts revealed by a major European report on comparative energy efficiency to the attention of BRE.

BRE has now considered the Eu-Ray study results – which compared mathematical models of buildings and heating systems in different geographic zones of Europe. As a consequence, when the revised version of SAP, is published it will show underfloor heating in a new and more favourable light.

For the first time, buildings that have UFH installed are likely to get better SAP ratings than they would if radiators were fitted.

Much to be done

UHMA has notched up a year of significant achievement, but 2008 will be no time to rest on its laurels. Rex Ingram is in no doubt that much remains to be done.

"The Eu-Ray report has done much to promote the cause of underfloor heating for the domestic market. anomalies in the SBEM software used in designing commercial buildings and also on the software used in HIP assessments.

We need to work even more closely with the heat pump specialists who now provide the energy source for so many systems. There are technical issues such as use of buffer systems that must be resolved.

We will also redouble our efforts to attract more electric underfloor heating specialists into UHMA.

2007 was a good year for UHMA but it's just a milestone on the long road to greatness. We now have the ability to make sure that underfloor heating takes its rightful place at the heart of Britain's low carbon economy.

As the poet said - "You ain't seen nothing yet!"

Issued on behalf of: The Underfloor Heating Manufacturers’ Association

Press enquiries: Scribes Public Relations

Telephone/Fax: 01932 82 1985

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