AUDIO NEWS: New work drives construction output and 2024 becomes biggest year ever for heat pump installs
Posted: Monday, October 14th, 2024
A strong performance from the new work sector of the industry was behind the 0.4% upswing in construction output in August – that’s according to the latest government figures. The overall performance improvement disguised a 1% drop in repair and maintenance work. Clive Docwra, managing director of construction consultant McBains said the industry “will breathe a sigh of relief” that August’s figures showed an improvement. --- 2024 has become the biggest year ever for heat pump installations, claims MCS. By the start of October there had 42,000 certified installations, surpassing last year’s record-breaking total. The Boiler Upgrade scheme which subsidies installation costs for homeowners, has been credited with fuelling demand. In August alone nearly 3000 applications were received, more than double the figure for the same time last year. Bean Beanland, director of growth of external affairs, at the Heat Pump Federation said deployment rates for domestic heat pumps was a real cause for celebration. --- Science boffs have created a concrete alternative using simulated lunar soil, potato starch and salt. StarCrete is twice as strong as conventional concrete, and it’s hoped will eventually help building efforts on the moon and Mars. Researchers from the University of Manchester believe that just 55 pounds of dehydrated spuds could be used to produce nearly half a ton of StarCrete. --- To listen to the construction news, please click below
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