Founded in 1906, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry.

The CIPHE has a membership of around 12,000, made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds such as consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, training centres, trainees and practitioners.

The CIPHE will soon be launching its GreenPlumb initiative to help consumers find plumbing and heating engineers who are qualified and have experience in installing renewable technologies. The institute believes that consumer confidence in these new technologies will increase as a result of successful specification and installation.

CIPHE has introduced a new free scheme which will make it easier for consumers to pick a professional when considering integrating renewable / sustainable technologies and solutions within their homes.Under the GreenPlumb scheme, members of CIPHE that have embraced these technologies and committed to training and Continuing Professional Development, will be equipped with the tools to deliver a green service, with the ability to advise members of the public with regards to the integration of green solutions, and their ongoing maintenance.

GreenPlumb is not just a membership scheme and a brand, but also an ongoing 'green' campaign committed to meeting the Government's Carbon reduction commitments, but primarily to protect consumers against non-professional installers with inadequate knowledge and understanding of sustainable / green technologies. GreenPlumb is open to those members of the CIPHE who are practising in the plumbing and heating industry at the level of Member or Fellow.

The CIPHE believes that the key is to help consumers become more aware of the ways they can directly reduce water consumption through choosing and correctly installing water efficient appliances, carrying out regular maintenance and embracing renewable technologies.

Installing more meters alone will not tackle the root problem. Paying for the water we waste isn't the issue and penalises those on a low income.

Badly fitted appliances and leaky pipes are easily fixed by regular maintenance, and professional installation of water conserving devices will lead to the public using less water instead of just having to pay for using more.

The initial requirements to be a GreenPlumb member are to be a Corporate member at MCIPHE or FCIPHE level who has undertaken the following:

  • Energy Efficiency Certificate
  • Water Regulations Certificate

Plus at least one of the following accredited (where applicable) courses:

  • Solar Thermal
  • Ground Source Heat Pumps
  • Air Source Heat Pumps
  • Grey Water Harvesting / RecyclingRain Water Harvesting / Recycling
  • Biomass
  • Water Efficiency