The approach of the January 2009 deadline to possess Building Energy Rating Certificates (BER) for existing buildings means that renewable energy solutions are set to become an important area of business growth for trade customers, according to heating and plumbing supplier Heat Merchants.

This is because those looking to sell or rent will be legally required to produce a BER Certificate and a poor rating can adversely affect the property value and may necessitate significant changes to the heating system and a considerable increase in the level of insulation in order to get an acceptable energy rating.

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With this in mind, Heat Merchants has just opened Renewable Energy Centres inside six branches around the country. They are Kilkenny, Athlone, Tralee, Sligo, Galway and Fonthill in Liffey Valley, Dublin - and Heat Merchants and plans to have Centres inside the majority of its 50 branches by year end.

The Centres will be the first-ever ‘one-stop’ shop for all renewable and sustainable building products, including air source pumps, ground source pumps, solar panels, vacuum tubes and biomass boilers. Staff will also be able to advise customers regarding Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) and underfloor heating. All the products are registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland and are eligible for grant assistance. Heat Merchants is also offering a no-obligation free design service including site visits, where necessary, for all renewable energy applications.

Macartan McCague, Heat Merchants director with responsibility for renewable energy, said: "The one-stop shop aspect of our new Centres is a huge step forward as up until now, anyone working on renewable energy installations had to source product predominantly from different suppliers outside the country."

(CL)