December/January 2021 by PHAM News

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 | VOLUME 58 | ISSUE 10

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!ŋŽķù ķÖóĴ ŋĕ ŨŽÖķĢƩāù ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ùāũÖĢķ óÖũðŋł ũāùŽóŶĢŋł ťķāùėāŭ̎ Recent pledges from Downing Street to instigate a ‘green industrial revolution’ could come unstuck without investment in installers and infrastructure – industry experts warn Prime Minister Boris Johnson has followed up his ˚˙-point plan for a green industrial revolution with an ambitious pledge to reduce carbon emissions by ˟ˡ% by ˛˙˜˙ (compared to ˚ˢˢ˙ levels) up from the previous target of ˞ˡ%, as part of the government’s longer-term commitment of achieving net zero by ˛˙˞˙. The new target, announced ahead of the UK co-hosting the latest Climate Ambition Summit, is said to commit the country to cutting emissions at the fastest rate of any major economy. Reducing

āťŋũŶ ũāƑāÖķŭ ŶƘťĢóÖķ óŋŭŶ ŋĕ ðŋĢķāũ ũāťÖĢũŭ A new study undertaken by the consumer research magazine ‘Which?’ has highlighted the top four parts that fail in a condensing gas boiler – the diverter valve, auto air vent, pressure relief valve and printed circuit board – and the cost of the four most common

emissions from domestic heating is a core part of the strategy. An installation target of ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ heat pumps every year by ˛˙˛ˡ has been set with the aim of reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, but there are also plans to support hydrogen production, with the first town to be heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade. While many of the government’s announcements – which includes an extension of the recently introduced Green Homes Grant by another year – have been

broadly welcomed by the heating sector, there are concerns that decision makers might have underestimated the investment needed to ensure that there are enough qualified installers to undertake the installation work. “Support and investment in installers and infrastructure will be crucial,” says Mark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs at Vaillant Group. “The fact remains that to install the required ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ heat pumps, we will need heating installers to upskill. There are approximately ˚˙˙˙ installers currently MCS accredited and installing heat pumps. To reach this milestone, around ˛˞̇˙˙˙ installers will be needed. This is compared to the ˚˜˙̇˙˙˙ registered engineers currently fitting natural gas and oil boilers.” Wilkins argues that financial incentives will be needed to attract installers who are likely to be required to sign up to expensive and potentially onerous accreditation schemes.

Environmental campaigner and installer, Peter Thom of Cambridge-based Green Heat, is sceptical about the prospects of success. “My view is, while MCS and TrustMark registration are requirements, plus all the other red tape, it’s never going to happen. The small installer isn’t going to want to know. They’re not going to want to pay thousands for accreditation and all the bureaucracy that goes with it.” Rather than setting unrealistic heat pump installation targets, Thom argues that the government should prioritise the replacement of inefficient products such as noncondensing boilers. “This is the fruit that’s laying on the ground. They should also mandate the installation of flue gas heat recovery units with all combi boilers. It’s such an easy fix to get an extra ˝% efficiency of every boiler that goes in. So let’s get the big gains now, and the even bigger gains further down the road.” See page ˚˙ for more industry comment.

repairs range from an average of ͎ˢˡ to ͎˛˟ˡ. The publication asked ˚˞˜ of its Trusted Traders heating engineers how much they would charge for parts and labour to fix the most common boiler faults and which parts are most likely to fail in a gas boiler. Although prices will obviously vary depending on the make of boiler and location, the survey found that the average cost of replacing a diverter valve was ͎˚ˡˠ, an automatic air vent will set the householder back £ˢˡ and

a pressure relief valve £˚˙˚, while the most costly replacement part is a PCB, with an average bill of £˛˟ˡ. A related report into common boiler problems suggests that the three most common faults should not need a replacement part or a visit from an engineer. These are: frozen boiler condensate pipe, pressure loss, and water leakage. ‘Which?’ advises that learning how to defrost a condensate pipe can help to avoid a costly call out charge, while most users should be able to repressurise their system. However, water leaking from a

boiler is usually the result of old and corroded washers which will need a qualified heating engineer to open up the boiler and replace them. The magazine also highlights the importance of ensuring that a boiler is serviced annually, with readers advised that the average cost of a service is about £ˠ˙. Earlier this year, ‘Which?’ asked ˠ˞˙˙ of its members about their experience of boiler repairs. Four in ten people responded that their boiler had needed a repair within ŶĞā ƩũŭŶ ŭĢƗ ƘāÖũŭ ŋĕ ŋťāũÖŶĢŋł̍

Inside this issue Competition Free membership to Checkatrade See page ˚˝

Step-by-Step FŽĢùā Ŷŋ ƩŶŶĢłė FũÖłŶ ƪāƗ DN See page ˜ˡ

Product News Radiators for heat pump systems See page ˜ˢ

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Inside this issue 5 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021 VOLUME 58 ISSUE 10

Editor’s Viewpoint by Chris Jones

Better times ahead As the curtains close and ˛˙˛˙ takes a bow, there can’t be too many people who will be calling for an encore. The last ˚˛ months have been as tough a time as most of us can remember, but as we look to the year ahead there is some solace in the thought that surely things can only get better. It’s not always been easy, but the heating and plumbing industry can be proud of how it has adapted to challenging and changing circumstances. Most installers have taken all the necessary measures to keep customers safe, and manufacturers and suppliers have been able to ensure that products have been available for purchase. Our Training & Education feature in this month’s issue also ũāƪ āóŶŭ ŶĞā ĕÖóŶ ŶĞÖŶ óŋĿťÖłĢāŭ ĞÖƑā łŋŶ ðāāł ŭķŋƒ Ŷŋ ũāŭťŋłù Ŷŋ ŶĞā łāāù Ŷŋ Ʃ łù łāƒ ƒÖƘŭ Ŷŋ Ĵāāť óŋŽũŭāŭ Öłù ťũŋùŽóŶ demonstrations up and running. An online presentation may never be a perfect substitute for hands-on experience, but advances in digital communications technology has enabled training sessions to remain fully engaging and interactive. Over the coming years, it is likely that ongoing training is going to play an even bigger part in the working life of an installer, with the need to learn about new low carbon heating technologies and installation methods. Although ambitious targets for heat pump installations may ultimately fall short of the mark, it seems highly probable that demand will very soon outstrip supply – presenting an opportunity for those installers who want to help close that skills gap. Although recent events have taught us not to take anything for granted, it is hoped that some semblance of normality will soon return and we can once again start planning for a better – and less polluted – future. Here’s to better times ahead!

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

News Review

Gas safety concerns for hard working boilers New research published by the Gas Safe Register has revealed that ˛˞% of UK households have gas appliances which are overdue a service, while computer modelling predicts that boiler usage will rise by ˞˟% this winter. With ˜˞% of the working population based at home (compared to just ˞% this time last year), it has been estimated that domestic boilers will be racking up an extra ˞˙˝ hours per system on average over the next four months. Yet, worryingly, a quarter of adults using gas appliances haven’t had a gas safety check for over a year or are unsure of the last time they had an engineer visit to inspect their gas appliances. ¦Ğā Ʃ łùĢłėŭ ƒāũā ũāķāÖŭāù Öŭ ťÖũŶ of a new public awareness campaign – ‘Safety Starts at Home’ – on how to stay gas safe in homes, including knowing the signs to look out for when gas appliances are not working properly. Gas Safe is urging householders to get their boilers serviced to ensure they are safe for

use, help reduce costs, and minimise the chances of a breakdown. Bob Kerr, gas services director at Gas Safe Register, says: “Even during a ‘normal’ year, absolutely nobody wants to risk a faulty boiler – they are an integral part of our home lives and somewhat under-appreciated in the context of important things to consider and maintain. As householders are now beginning to turn on their heating and use their gas appliances more frequently, it is vital that they ensure they are gas ŭÖĕā̧̍

New app for busy plumbers The company behind Gas App Uk is set to launch Plumb App Uk, a new platform that focuses on the plumbing sector. From ˝ January ˛˙˛˚, installers can download the new app for free and benefit from a range of features including: downloadable manuals, video tutorials, a water hardness calculator, Öłù Öł ŋƧ óā ŭāóŶĢŋł ĕŋũ āÖŭĢāũ ŨŽŋŶĢłė Öłù ĢłƑŋĢóĢłė̍ Users can also enter competitions to win prizes, chat with others in the industry, and get exclusive deals from leading industry partners. There’s also a Newsroom that rounds up the latest industry news, a Live Lounge where users can ask manufacturers questions, and a Fault Finding section where users can get live assistance from experienced plumbers to guide them through the challenges of a job. “We hope the app will help independent plumbers and SME businesses to build their networks, share their expertise and get easier access to manufacturers. But more than anything we hope it will ėāłŽĢłāķƘ ĿÖĴā ƒŋũĴĢłė ķĢĕā āÖŭĢāũ̇ Ŀŋũā óŋŭŶ āƦ āóŶĢƑā Öłù Ŀŋũā āłıŋƘÖðķā̧̇ ŭÖƘŭ ŶĞā Öťť̪ŭ ĕŋŽłùāũ łŶ ũŋƑÖł̍ Download Plumb App Uk for free from ˝ January on iOS and Android.

House to demonstrate hydrogen hopes Boiler manufacturers Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch have installed hydrogen burning boilers in specially built demonstration houses at a specialist test site at Spadeadam in Northumberland. The site has been used to complete over ˛˙˙ tests, with the objective of proving the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen. The project is part of H˛˚, a Network Innovation Competition project sponsored by Ofgem. H˛˚ is demonstrating how existing natural gas networks can be repurposed to safely carry ˚˙˙% hydrogen. For the Ʃ ũŭŶ ùāĿŋłŭŶũÖŶĢŋł̇ ðŋŶĞ ÂŋũóāŭŶāũ Bosch and Baxi Heating have installed combi boilers into the houses on HyStreet. Since around ˡ˞% of UK homes currently rely on natural gas for heating and hot water, supporters of the project argue that repurposing the natural gas grid for use with hydrogen would mean a low-

disruption option for householders to decarbonise their heating without the need for extensive changes. Dan Allason, head of research and innovation at DNV GL’s Spadeadam Research and Testing, says: “Eight out of ˚˙ homes in the UK use a gas boiler to heat their homes and provide hot water, and replacing all gas boilers with electric alternatives could be extremely costly. Both of

the boiler manufacturers have developed options with their hydrogen ready prototypes to assist the switch to a lower carbon ÖķŶāũłÖŶĢƑā̍ NÖƑĢłė ŶĞāŭā Ʃ ŶŶāù Ŷŋ ŶĞā HyStreet demonstration project at Spadeadam gives gravitas to the proof of concept and public acceptability of appliances such as ŶĞāŭā̍ ¦Ğā ðŋĢķāũŭ Öũā ŋłā ŋĕ ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ŭŶāťŭ̧

Customer expectations New group to focus on of Covid-safe working future of UK heating A WaterSafe survey of over ˛˙˙˙ customers has revealed what measures customers most want to see from their plumber, or other tradespeople, to help them feel safe when having work done during the pandemic. According to the study, the top priorities for UK homeowners are: remove all waste and belongings at the end of the job (˟˝%); maintain social distancing with their customers (˟˚%); wear a mask/face covering (˟˙%); use hand sanitiser and clean surfaces after working on them (˞˞%). Other precautions they valued were washing hands (˞˝%), wearing gloves (˝˟%), maintaining social distancing with colleagues (˝˚%), and discussing safety precautions with customers prior to the job ̛˜ˡ%). About a third of respondents also said that they would like to avoid ŶāÖ Öłù óŋƦ āā ĿÖĴĢłė ùŽŶĢāŭ Öłù ƒŋŽķù ťũāĕāũ ťķŽĿðāũŭ Ŷŋ bring their own drinks.

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has formed the Heating & Hot Water Systems Group, bringing together manufacturers from across the HHIC membership and parts of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA). It is hoped that the new working group will provide a platform for rigorous discussion on the future of UK heat. HHIC director Stewart Clements explains: “Our intention is to look at the wider system, the journey of a home, and the consumer proposition. There are a variety of relevant topics that require a holistic view and will form the basis for industry discussion in this new group, such as Boiler Plus developments, giving consumer advice, and the role of hybrids as a stepping stone for off-grid in particular. All relevant topics which require a new, joined-up approach and we are ùāķĢėĞŶāù ŶĞÖŶ NNR! óŋŽķù ŋƦ āũ ŶĞĢŭ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ̧̍ Steve Keeton, technologies and training director at Vaillant, and chair of the Heating & Hot Water Systems Group, adds: “As we drive towards the UK’s zero carbon targets, there are several potential domestic heating pathways to consider. As there will be no ‘silver bullet’ solution for every use case, we need to consider the methodology to assess, design, install, commission and handover the best system ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ĕŋũ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ťũŋťāũŶƘ ŶƘťāŭ̧̍

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

News Review

Sign of the times: how to reassure customers New research from ATAG Heating has revealed that one in three people are nervous about opening their doors to a tradesman during the second ˛˙˛˙ lockdown. The survey found that older homeowners have the biggest ĕāÖũŭ̇ ƒĢŶĞ Ŷƒŋ Ģł Ʃ Ƒā Öėāù ŋƑāũ ˞˞ saying they felt uncomfortable with it. These feelings were strongest in the north east of England and the East Midlands, while Londoners are more relaxed: more than half said they are comfortable having a tradesperson in their home. Government-recommended safe practices to work in other people’s homes include wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, cleaning down surfaces, working back to back or side by side rather than facing colleagues, and bringing your own food and drink instead of taking anything from the customer.

Alpha adverts highlight how to warm up homes

Virtual look into renewable homes

David Stolton, sales director at ATAG Heating, says: “It’s vital installers can reassure their customers that they are working safely. Emailing or calling ahead with what to expect ahead of your arrival, making sure that you are wearing the appropriate mask and additional safety equipment, and having the boiler delivered direct to the home are all ways of reassuring the customer that you are taking their health and safety seriously.” ATAG Heating has created a helpful sign for installers to show customers to reassure them they are working safely. To download the safe working sign, simply use the reader link below ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˙ˠ

A new virtual house featuring a range of Grant renewable heating technologies has been added to the company’s online Knowledge Hub. Visitors will be able to ‘step inside’ this virtual reality to see how a Grant heat pump, cylinder, radiators and underfloor heating system can be integrated to work together within the home. The idea is to demonstrate how seamlessly renewable technologies can integrate into a home. Upon entering the house, visitors can walk over the ƪ āƗ Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ģł ŶĞā ĞÖķķƒÖƘ̍ ÂÖķĴĢłė into the kitchen and heading towards the rear of the property, a Grant Wave cylinder can be found providing the property’s hot water storage. In the garden, a Grant Aerona³ R˜˛ air source heat pump is sited beside the ťũŋťāũŶƘ̍ ¦ĞũŋŽėĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā ũāŭŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā ťũŋťāũŶƘ̇ Ʃ łĢÖ ÖķŽĿĢłĢŽĿ ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł Ʃ ŶŶāù̍

To promote its combination boiler range and drive new business for its installers, Alpha Heating Innovation has launched a new homeowner-focused advertising campaign. The ‘a real boiler’ campaign, which will run throughout the winter, will begin with a television advert that will air across multiple Freeview channels in the run-up to Christmas. The advert premiers on More˝ on ˚˞th December during ‘The Supervet at Christmas’. In addition, ‘a real boiler’ campaign will also be supported by social media activity across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram throughout the winter months alongside email communications. Catherine Lawrence, marketing manager at Alpha, says: “In a year when homes have become so important, the message of ‘bring your home to life with a real boiler’ is one that has real significance. With this campaign we want to speak directly to the customer about ƒĞÖŶ ķťĞÖ óÖł ŋƦ āũ̇ óŋłłāóŶ ŶĞāĿ ƒĢŶĞ Ö ķŋóÖķ installer and bring a little joy with the story.”

The Knowledge Hub is dedicated to homeowners who want to research renewable technologies, helping them to make informed decisions about the sustainable future of their own heating systems. The virtual house is an additional resource which supports the other content already available on the Hub, including the ‘Tips and Advice’ and ‘Education Area’ zones. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˙ˡ

Specialist shop opens doors MKM Building Supplies has opened a specialist branch in Scarborough that caters for plumbing, heating, kitchens and bathrooms. Located at Columbus Ravine, the new branch is described as a one-stop-shop for installers and will stock a variety ŋĕ āŭŭāłŶĢÖķŭ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ťĢťāƒŋũĴ̇ ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ Öłù Ʃ ŶŶĢłėŭ̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ water treatment and chemicals. Also on tap will be expertise and advice on new heating technologies from MKM’s team of skilled ŭŶÖƦ ̍ Rł ÖùùĢŶĢŋł̇ ŶĞā ðũÖłóĞ ƒĢķķ ĕāÖŶŽũā Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĴĢŶóĞāł Öłù ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿ ùāŭĢėłŭ Ģł Ö ŭĞŋƒũŋŋĿ̇ Öłù ƒĢķķ ŋƦ āũ ĕũāā ĿāÖŭŽũĢłė and ˜D design services.

Boiler pioneer passes away at ˡ˜ The founder of Worcester Bosch, Cecil Duckworth, passed away peacefully at home on ˚˞th November at the age of ˡ˜̍ Nā ĞÖù ðāāł ŭŽƦ āũĢłė ĕũŋĿ óÖłóāũ̍ Regarded as a talented businessman and entrepreneur, Cecil set up Worcester Engineering in ˚ˢ˟˛ with ͎˜˙˙ borrowed from his wife. The company helped to revolutionise the UK heating market in the early ’ˠ˙s by ĢłŶũŋùŽóĢłė ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ óŋĿðĢ ðŋĢķāũŭ Öłù ėũāƒ Ŷŋ ðāóŋĿā a widely acknowledged UK manufacturing success story and major employer. Cecil sold the engineering company to Bosch in ˚ˢˢ˛ Öłù ƒāłŶ ŋł Ŷŋ ðāóŋĿā ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ Englishman to be president of the Bosch Heating Division before retiring from the business in ˚ˢˢ˟. Cecil then started his second career, building the Worcester Warriors into an established Premiership Rugby !ķŽð̇ ƒĢŶĞ ĕÖóĢķĢŶĢāŭ Öłù ŋƦ -the-pitch experiences that are the envy of the Premiership. He also worked tirelessly in the Worcestershire community, helping many charities and working hard on environmental topics by setting up the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust. In ˛˙˚˜ Cecil was appointed a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

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News Review

Industry response to green revolution Echoing concerns about there not being enough skilled heat pump installers to meet government targets (see front cover story), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) says that the shift to low carbon technologies should both “excite and alarm the industry”. “It is an absolutely colossal opportunity, but we will have to rapidly scale up our capacity and will need considerable investment in skills to deliver all of this,” says BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox. While applauding the government for delivering a “bold and progressive” plan, the Association says that signiﬁcant investment in training and skills would be needed to turn vision into reality. “There is a big issue with getting heating engineers to understand the technical aspects of low temperature systems,” says Fox. “The government could also help to educate householders about running systems at low temperatures – we are moving away from 0°C.”

More engineers

The CIPHE points out that heat pump production will have to increase signiﬁcantly to meet the predicted demand and suggests that approximately 100,000 engineers will need to be trained to competently install the new technology. CEO Kevin Wellman says: “If we fail to adequately train engineers, the public and those working in the industry will be put at considerable risk. Make no mistake, there is much work to be done. Investment in training and manufacturing will be crucial, as will clear and correct communications from government, but there will be opportunities for installers in an industry willing to adapt to change.”

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has welcomed the plans as good news for the heat pump industry, pointing out that the government’s installation targets are broadly in line with the level recommended by the HPA in its roadmap document published last year. Graham Wright, chairman of the HPA, comments: “As we have stated in our recent report (see below), there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution to the decarbonisation of heat. However, as the Committee on Climate Change has already stressed, heat pumps are an established technology and can provide one of the solutions for an urgent and widespread shift to low carbon heating and must be supported immediately. This plan is therefore welcome news for the heat pump industry, as it does appear to agree with our recommendations. “We also recognise industry’s need to make the required heat pump installation training widely available. This is something the HPA is also committed to and the government’s plan makes it clear there will be new jobs created in order to help carry out this move to greener technology.”

Welcome news

The Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) says that the strong backing for hydrogen and other measures to decarbonise heating represents a major step forward for UK climate obligations, and is the commitment industry has been waiting for, while also describing the extension of the Green Homes Grant as “extremely welcome news”. “The measures that the Prime Minister has outlined to support hydrogen are a signiﬁcant move towards creating a stable hydrogen economy in the UK,” says EUA chief executive Mike Foster. “The plans to create a hydrogen town

will give investors conﬁdence and a clear sense of direction. “The increased commitment towards energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating should also help the industry plan and invest in the future. However, we hope that BEIS will look at the governance of this scheme to make it easier for heating engineers and small companies to access – reducing the red tape would be a good ﬁrst step.”

Long term strategy

The start of a green industrial revolution needs to go further with the inclusion of a long term strategy to make all our homes greener and more energy e cient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Brian Berry, chief executive of FMB, says: “The extension of the Green Homes Grant for another year is very positive news, but the green revolution needs to be more ambitious about the built environment if the government is serious about creating a low carbon economy.” The FMB argues that a home improvement strategy has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and save the NHS as much as £2 billion because of the cost of people living in poor housing conditions. Berry continues “Our existing homes contribute 20% of all our carbon emissions and consume 3 % of our energy. A long term retroﬁt strategy is needed over the next two decades to make all our existing homes more energy e cient.”

The consumer group, the Gas Users Organisation, has raised concerns about installation costs, pointing out that hydrogen represents a ‘zero carbon ready’ option and should therefore be permissible in new builds after 202 .

The high cost of installation has also been raised by the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA), calling on the government not to forget the country’s four million off grid homes and businesses.

Guy Pulham, UKIFDA chief executive, says: “The focus on heat pumps doesn’t take into account the high cost to install heat pumps in the majority of UK homes who have EPC ratings of ‘D’ or below – £10,000 or more dependent on the age and type of house - and that is without the cost of the heat pump itself.” The UKIFDA has urged the government to be technologyneutral because, while heat pumps may be ideal for new homes, there are many properties in rural areas where they would not be suitable. “These homes generally are built pre-1919 and have poor insulation, making them very di cult to make changes to, particularly for insulation,” explains Pulham. “They may also require further upgrades to the electricity supply to the property, as the supply simply isn’t consistent enough to run a heat pump, especially as other demands are made on electricity supplies such as vehicle charging.” The UKIFDA has called for include liquid biofuels to be included on the list of decarbonisation solutions. “Hydrogen is recognised as a potential alternative to gas heating, so liquid biofuels should be included as an alternative to heating oil,” adds Pulham.

influence civil ser vants and policymakers on the benefits of implementing these changes, as well as communicating the beneﬁts to the industry. It sets out to ‘level the playing ﬁeld’ across all heating types, encouraging best practice and low carbon heating for all installations, regardless of technology type.

This, it is argued, will ensure the smooth transformation of the domestic heating market from fossil fuels to low carbon tech nolog ies over t he ne x t decade, reducing fuel bills and carbon emissions from homes. The rep or t’s k e y re commendations can be summarised as three points: Introduce a maximum ﬂow temperature of °C in Building Regulations to be applied to replacement heating systems from 202 . (2) Int roduce i n Bui ldi ng R e g u l a t i o n s for h e a t lo s s calculations to be carried out for all replacement heating systems from 202 . (3) All heating installers to have a low temperature heating and hot water qualification, or equivalent, as part of an accreditation scheme refresher course.

It i s c l a i m e d t h a t t h e implementation of t hese recommendations will lay the groundwork for wider heat pump adoption, by establishing the heating infrastructure in homes and the necessary installation skills required for low carbon heating installations. “This report could not come at a more pertinent time,” says Graham Wright, chairman of the HPA. “The push for a Green Recovery from Covid-19 has put the UK in a unique position to be able to develop new and innovative policy that works to tackle the negative effects of the pandemic whilst working towards net zero. The regulations suggested in this paper undoubtedly offer the government a road to recovery for the heating industry that is green and saves energy and money for the UK.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/0

Cost concerns

Heat pump report shows the way to decarbonise A new report has been issued by the Heat Pump Association (HPA) that outlines the steps that the UK government must take to shape future policy and decarbonise the heating industry. The HPA says that it hopes to substantially shake up existing frameworks and introduce regulatory, impactful, and meaningful changes in the heating sector, paving the way for the mass deployment of low carbon heating. The four main aims of the report are to: (1) Promote changes to establish infrastructure in existing homes

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for low carbon heating (2) Build and develop installer sk ills for the recommended changes (3) Lower fuel bills for existing heating systems (4) Lower carbon emissions for existing heating systems The HPA says that the report will provide enough detail to

“The best plan for reducing carbon emissions from domestic heating is to keep the gas grid, but to move to green gas,” says technical director Andrew Newman. The organisation points out that the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen has recommended that the installation of hydrogen ready boilers should be mandated from 202 , replacing the government prohibition on new gas connections in new-builds from that date. “What is welcome about the 10 Point Plan is that it makes explicit commitments to green gas,” adds Newman. “The Prime Minister’s introduction even refers to people cooking their breakfast using hydrogen, which presupposes a domestic gas supply. It also promises to leave open the choice as to whether we ultimately pursue hydrogen heating, an electriﬁed heating system, or a mixture of both. The best option for consumers is a green gas system, based on hydrogen.”

07/12/2020 10:00

PHAM APR20 PEGLER:Layout 1 20/03/2020 12:08 Page 1

NEW APPOINTMENTS

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

People on the Move

Polypipe Building Products has appointed Steve Heeley as its new MD. Steve moves to the Doncaster production centre from his previous role as MD at Polypipe-owned Manthorpe Building Products. He has a wealth of senior management experience and has worked at Polypipe Group for more than 30 years.

With the departure of Darius Padler, who is moving to another CEO role in Germany, Bristan Group has appointed Ken Ellis pictured to ﬁll the role of CEO in the interim. Currently serving as the company’s chief ﬁnancial o cer, Ken has spent 22 years with Bristan and has extensive experience in the kitchen and bathrooms industry.

Bringing with him a wealth of knowledge of the renewable heating sector, David Byford has been appointed to the position of area sales manager by Omnie, a specialist in UFH, ventilation, and heat pumps. David will cover the East of England, supporting speciﬁers, stockists, installers and building contractors.

Imperial Bathrooms has announced the appointment of Graham Bucktrout as its managing director. Graham has worked in the KBB industry for many years –including a stint as sales and marketing director at Imperial back in 2009 – and has worked for a number of well-known bathroom brands. Most recently, he was MD of Yorkshire-based JP Distribution.

Climate solutions specialist, Samsung, has expanded its sales team with the appointment of two new sales managers with a combined experience of almost 25 years. Barry Hunt (pictured) and Joe Stiles will serve on the growing Climate Solutions team. Both previously worked in roles at Mitsubishi Electric.

Roger Hoskins has been named modular sales project manager at Conex Bänninger. Previously with Wolseley for more than 30 years, Roger most recently served as sales and operations manager – H AC offsite services (modular fabrication). In his new post, Roger will be focused on providing HVACR modular solutions for both OEMS and the building services sector.

Domus Ventilation has appointed Russell Beardsworth as speciﬁcation sales manager for the Midlands/North England. Russell brings with him over 12 years experience in the construction sector, with the last ﬁve years being directly in ventilation, working at Vortice and Xpelair as project and key account manager.

Schneider Electric, parent company of Drayton Controls, has announced the appointment of Kelly Becker as zone president UK and Ireland. Kelly will take over the role from Mike Hughes, who will move to a new global position within Schneider, overseeing digital customer experience, digital marketing, and global sales operations.

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03/12/2020 21:32

PHAM DECJAN21:Layout 1 04/12/2020 10:33 Page 13

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Products in Action Commercial boilers help to heat historic East Sussex school A Q˜ˡSR and Q˞˚SR boiler from ATAG Commercial have been installed at Battle Abbey School in East Sussex as part of an upgrade to the existing heating system, completed in June ˛˙˛˙̍ ŋŶĞ ðŋĢķāũŭ ƩŶŶāù are part of ATAG Commercial’s QR Series range, with the Q˜ˡSR providing heating and hot water for the boarding area of the school, whereas the Q˞˚SR is located in the performing arts centre. The heating system refurbishment was overseen by East Sussex-based plumbing and heating ŭťāóĢÖķĢŭŶ ` !ķĢƦŋũù dŶù̍ Commenting on the installation, ùĢũāóŶŋũ āŶāũ !ķĢƦŋũù ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā ŋķù boilers had come to the end of their natural lifespan, so we selected new, more

Radiators bring sophisticated warmth to luxury homes in Devon

āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłŶ Ŀŋùāķŭ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā ¦ F Commercial QR Series range. They were perfect for the project, not only in terms of robustness and reliability, but also in their range of outputs.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚/˚˙

The ‘Vita Column’ and ‘Compact with Style’ radiators from Stelrad have been ŭťāóĢƩāù ĕŋũ łāƒ ĞŋĿāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĞÖƑā ðāāł created in the redevelopment of the former River Yealm Hotel in Newton Ferrers. Property developer Simon Friend, owner of Red Earth, a development company, created six luxury homes in the old building that has been a key part of the local environment for more than a century. Contractors on the project are Devon Contractors and the radiators and heating systems were installed by Devon Plumbing Solutions. ĢĿŋł DũĢāłù ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦FāŶŶĢłė Ö ŭāłŭĢŶĢƑā match between the new and the old is always a challenge, but the plans for the new elements showed a change of style and materials, creating a more óŋłŶāĿťŋũÖũƘ ƩłĢŭĞ̍ ¦Ğāŭā ĢùāÖŭ extended to small details like the choice of radiators – with the Vita Column radiators perfectly matching the historical features of the original hotel building and the more modern. The designer looks of the Compact with Style radiators also helped to create a bridge between the older elements and the modern styling we managed to incorporate in these expansive apartments.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚/˚˚

Press-ƩŶ ŭťāāùŭ Žť ũÖŶā ŋĕ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł When Oakleaf Heating was appointed to install Ö łāƒ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ģł Ö ŭĞÖũāù ŋƧóā ŭťÖóā̇ it turned to Conex Bänninger’s >B< Press as the pipework jointing solution of choice. m' āŶāũ NÖũùĢłė óŋĿĿāłŶŭ̆ ̦!ŋŭŶ ŋĕ ķÖðŋŽũ and speed of installation are important factors for us to consider. Using a press-ƩŶ ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ĿÖĴāŭ our workload lighter and allows us to work quickly Öłù āƧóĢāłŶķƘ̍ Âā ƒāũā ŶÖŭĴāù ƒĢŶĞ ùāŭĢėłĢłė and installing a new heating circuit for the āłŶĢũā ŋƧóā̇ Öłù ŭťāóĢĕƘĢłė ŶĞā ͜ ͝ ũāŭŭ ƩŶŶĢłėŭ ĿāÖłŶ ŶĞÖŶ ƒā ùĢùł̪Ŷ ĞÖƑā Ŷŋ ƒĞāāķ ėÖŭ bottles around the site for brazing. The risk of Ʃũā ŋł-site is also eliminated, meaning we did not have to wait for hot work permits and could start the work straightaway.” zÖĴķāÖĕ NāÖŶĢłė ŭťāóĢƩāù ŋƑāũ ˜˙˙ >B< Press ƩŶŶĢłėŭ Ŷŋ óŋłłāóŶ ŶĞā ťĢťāƒŋũĴ ŋł ŶĞā ťũŋıāóŶ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˚˛

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

COMPETITION

Your Views This month’s star letter Share your views and you could win £100 for writing the star letter

WIN 6 months free membership PLUS £100 Amazon voucher! DISCOVER CHECKATRADE

Checkatrade has teamed up with PHAM News to give you the chance to win 6 months free membership, along with £100 to spend on Amazon. Checkatrade is the UK’s number one website for ﬁnding a tradesperson and lists over 50,000 trade members who have been recommended, vetted and monitored to join the directory. Since 1998 Checkatrade has stood for reputation, raising standards and doing things right. Today is no different. In fact, with more tradespeople and consumers choosing Checkatrade than ever before, we remain the leaders when it comes to finding the right trade for home renovation, maintenance and emergencies – and that’s because, above all else, reputation matters to all of us

Checkatrade was created after a tornado hit the coastal town of Selsey, West Sussex. Many vulnerable residents fell victim to rogue traders who sought to take advantage of the situation n opportunity to protect consumers from these cowboy builders’ was identiﬁed, and from there, Checkatrade was born. From its humble origins, Checkatrade has grown to have over employees in the UK, over 50,000 trade members and over 2 million consumer searches each month. Checkatrade prides itself on its robust vetting standards which give consumers the conﬁdence that they are in safe hands p to rigorous checks take place on our members before and throughout their membership, and all members sign up to a code of conduct called The Checkatrade Standard’.

WHY JOIN CHECKATRADE? Checkatrade is the number one trade directory homeowners use to find trades e receive over 2 million monthly searches from homeowners looking for a reliable tradesperson hether you are looking to grow your business and generate more work or receive endorsement and the tick of approval from Checkatrade, we can help By oining Checkatrade, your membership will include Building your own profile page on Checkatrade.com Using our profile to showcase your high standard of work by uploading your best images You can use your profile to promote your credentials with your verified customer reviews

You’ll receive free marketing materials and van vinyls to promote your membership You can access the Checkatrade Buying Club, saving you thousands of pounds on business essentials like vehicles, fuel, tools, insurance and workwear, etc

HOW TO ENTER For the chance to win 6 months FREE Checkatrade Membership and £100 Amazon voucher, please email your answer to the following question to editor@ phamnewsedit.co.uk with ‘Checkatrade competition’ in the subject line:

What year was Checkatrade established? A) 2002 B) 1998 C) 2010

Please make sure you include the following: • Your name • Your company’s name & address • Contact telephone number • Please type ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ after your answer to indicate whether you are happy to receive email offers from Checkatrade. The competition ends on 31st January 2021 and the winner will be drawn on 1st February 2021. We will contact the winner and entrants via email when the competition has ﬁnished and one of our friendly advisors will help you claim your prize. Good luck! For full terms and conditions, visit the PHAM website using the following link:

◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/1

14.indd 1

I apologise for the length of this letter, but I do hope you feel you can print it in its entirety as I believe there are some important issues in the balance.

1000, and that is without the installation costs! What about the poor plumber - does he refuse to ﬁt the tap and lose the job to somebody less scrupulous?

I read the November issue of PHAM with great interest, speciﬁcally pages 3 , 3 and 3 . On page 3 there is an excellent article by Paul Millard of WRAS. I know Paul well as he was formally the Water Regulations Manager at Anglian Water when I was the Water Regulations Manager at Bristol Water, and our paths crossed regularly at meetings and conferences.

Where are the likes of the CIHPE and SNIPEF? Why are they not lobbying the government to do something about point of sale? I have highlighted just two items, but I could name several more that are all currently for sale but are illegal to ﬁt or use

In his article Paul talks about the WRAS approvals scheme. Manufacturers submit their fitting for testing by an approved test house such as Kiwa or NSF. The results of the test and the fitting itself is then submitted to WRAS’s Performance Assessment Group (PAG) which decides if the fitting meets the requirement of the WRAS approvals scheme. The reason I was particularly interested in the article is that I was a member of PAG for over a decade. Indeed, I was its chairman for nine years until my retirement from the water industry. Whilst Paul’s article is excellent, I disagree with him on one fundamental issue. That is the replacement of a long shower hose with a shorter one, in order to meet the backflow prevention requirements where a hose is long enough to reach into the toilet pan. Whilst to the letter of the law he is correct, I think it is a shortsighted approach. Some years ago, I did some research on shower hoses and they generally last around six years before they need replacing. Some will leak, others will collapse internally reducing the bore so much that virtually no water comes out. Regarding the length of the hose, I did a questionnaire across my company’s internal network and over 0% said they preferred a longer hose When it comes to backflow protection, I do not believe it should be left to the individual to decide if they should comply. If people ignore the Covid rules when their life is at risk, what chance do we stand of getting them to buy the correct length shower hose? Given that Paul’s article is all about complying with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, it is interesting that the article is sandwiched between boiling water taps on page 3 , and kitchen sink taps on page 3 , both of which are contentious issues when it comes to compliance. Concerning boiling water taps, I have contacted WRAS, DEFRA, Advertising Standards and the majority of the water companies and all accept that under current regulations it is illegal to heat water over 100°C. The water companies went so far as to say, if they find a boiling water tap during an inspection, they insist on it being removed. I accept that not all such taps supply ‘boiling’ water, consequently I am only referring to those that do. So why are they allowed to be sold? The answer you will get from all the regulators will be the same one I was instructed to use during my time in the water industry: “It’s not illegal to sell them, it’s only illegal to fit them and use them.” Not much of an answer for someone who has probably paid over

The sale of unsuitable fittings is not new. In 19 4 the Department of the Environment commissioned a report aptly titled ‘A Study of Backflow Events in England, Wales and Scotland. One of its key concerns was the public were able to “purchase equipment from DIY stores which, when installed, do not comply with byelaws”. That was 4 years ago, so what has changed – nothing! Turning to kitchen sink taps on page 3 , specifically those with pull out hoses. There is a plethora of these taps available, but the general principles are the same for them all. Unless the hose is constrained so that it will not go below the top edge of the sink or is auto retracting, it is illegal to fit such a tap to the mains water supply, yet few, if any, explain this in the installation instructions. What I also don’t understand is the apparent need for a low-pressure kitchen tap. By law, every domestic dwelling must have a drinking water supply in a convenient location; this is typically achieved by suppling mains water to the kitchen sink. Furthermore, unless it has changed since my retirement, there is also a requirement that the water company provide 9 litres a minute at 10 metres head at the boundary of the property, which in most cases should be adequate for a normal tap One of the things I found that confused the general the public the most was the difference relationship between flow and pressure: you can have good pressure and poor flow and low pressure with reasonable flow. As every plumber knows, its all about pipe size and head loss through fittings. If the tap is designed to work on low pressure, how will it preform under mains water pressure? Whilst writing may I finish on one of my pet hates – drop flap valves There has been much said recently about these types of valves leaking and wasting water. The government was warned over 20 years ago that they would be an unmitigated disaster, but as usual nobody listened and here we are today with thousands of them leaking. Not to mention the leaking ball valves that now discharge into the pan as well! The getout for the government is that many of the leaks can go unrecorded as leaks, because nowadays most properties are metered!

Rob Chambers Via email

Let us know what you think... Please address your letters to: The Editor, PHAM News, 1b Station Square , Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1DP or email to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

07/12/2020 09:25

PHAM DECJAN21 WARMFLOW:Layout 1 26/11/2020 15:08 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Company Spotlight

Responding to change 2020 has presented a number of unforeseen challenges to every business in the UK, but it has not stopped Geberit from extending its product range and responding to the needs of stockists and installers. MD Mark Larden talks to PHAM News about how the company has responded to the pandemic and the latest evolution of its products and services.

he economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic may not be fully realised for a number of years, but there’s no doubt that its immediate impact has been felt across the supply chain – manufacturers, merchants and installers, alike. Despite the challenges, Geberit – the manufacturer of bathroom products, sanitary solutions and pipework systems – has pressed on with plans to expand its product offering and has adapted its training and support services to ensure that it can continue to respond to customer needs. 2020 has obviously been a tough year for many manufacturers, but are you happy with how the business has responded? ML Like many companies we had a very tough ﬁrst half of the year, but then we had a third quarter which was very close to, if not slightly ahead, of the previous year. Everybody adapts differently to change, but I couldn’t have asked any more of the UK staff. They have been incredibly ﬂexible and enthusiastic and have been happy to do whatever was asked of them.

Making face-to-face contact with stockists and trade customers has clearly been a non-starter for a large part of the year. Has that proved to be a problem? ML Not really, because with the greater use of the internet and social media, plus more communication going out via direct mail and email, our reach to customers has actually increased significantly. We are talking to a lot more installers because they are now exploring the internet and they are open to being reached by a manufacturer talking about new products and new ways of doing things. We’re talking with many installers who we’ve never previously had a dialogue with, so there have definitely been some positives. Although we had planned to do it anyway, we’ve also upped our game on our website. There’s now a lot of tools on there to help people decide and design their bathroom. It’s full of tools for the professional, but also the homeowner, which allows them to put in measurements and see what products might look like in a home. Visits to the website this year are three times what they were last year and visitors are also staying on the site three times longer than before. Would you say that UK installers are more open to new ideas and ways of enhancing their business ? ML I think many of them have had time to explore alternatives and we’re finding people are being more inquisitive. It’s clear that they are open to things, such as press-fitting or wall-hung sanitaryware, where perhaps in the past they would have just been head down, saying ‘I’m comfortable with this, this is the way I install’. One of the other fundamental changes we’ve made is that we’ve adapted a lot of our training so that it can be presented online. We recently hosted a webinar on drainage to a load of design consultants. We had over 00 registered and I think around 300 took part. For one of our sales engineers to reach the same kind of number would probably have taken him 30 sessions.

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That said, our guys are still going out onsite to do training, typically on larger sites, if Covid restrictions allow. For example if there are some new installers using our press-fitting system for the first time, one of the things that we offer is for one of our technical engineers to go and hold an onsite training session during the first week of using the product. A lot of commercial sites have been operating in Covid safe environments, so our guys have been able to travel to site and deliver training when required. The company has recently made a number of announcements regarding its sanitaryware collections. Can you run through some of the highlights? ML The main launch that we’re in the middle of at the moment is a range of products really targeted at the merchant showroom and trade counter. We’re calling it Geberit Select. Although our Twyford brand has been strong in the commercial sector, it’s never really been promoted heavily in merchant showrooms. So we’re looking to fill that space with the Select Series under the Geberit brand. It’s really a collection of all things Geberit, including wallhung products, lots of furniture available in various finishes, and we’ve also included the lower tier of shower toilets. So we’ve now got shower toilets in the merchant sector, when they have previously only really been seen in high-end retailers. Our AquaClean Tuma product is what we’d describe as ‘entry level’. It’s either sold in a seat format which can go on any toilet or it’s sold with our own ceramic pan which is a shower toilet set – but it’s priced closer to £1000 than £ 000. The response to Select so far has been fantastic. We’re really excited about being in a space that we’ve not been in before. Recent years have seen Geberit invest significantly in promoting shower toilets to the UK consumer. With growing concerns about the need for better hygiene and cleanliness in the home, is that investment starting to pay off? ML The increased emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene as a result of the pandemic has certainly led to an increase in demand. With our AquaClean system, though, it’s also about wellness and wellbeing. There’s not an obvious direct link from Covid and the need for an AquaClean, but it’s all part of the same thinking – not least, of course, is how it reduces the demand for toilet roll! I’m a convert myself and have been for years. When you think about it, why hasn’t everybody got one Whenever we wash anything in life we use water – and then for probably the most sensitive, critical thing, we use a dry piece of paper! So the logic is absolutely clear. Four or five years ago there was probably only Geberit, and maybe one or two other companies, who were selling shower toilets in the UK market. Now I could put 30 different bathroom brochures on a table and they would all include a shower toilet product. It’s not niche anymore. We’ve been talking about it for over 10 years, but I think the

Mark Larden, Geberit managing director, UK & Ireland

message is finally starting to break though. Our initial products were at the very top end, but the product range now includes entry level products that cost not much more than the purchase of a new shower. With hygiene front of mind for many consumers, we’ve also seen a big increase in demand for our infrared products. For obvious reasons, people are trying to avoid touching things, so touchless plates and taps are fast gaining attention. What are some of the other key trends in the bathroom market that installers need to be aware of? ML Storage in bathrooms is a big thing – you don’t see that many pedestals being sold now with basins because people want a unit to store the myriad of bottles and potions. Furniture has helped to bring colour back into the bathroom too. Consumers are also looking to mix and match products from different bathroom ranges. The way our own showroom is laid out is designed to reflect much the way consumers buy things now. Gone are the days when we would just show a traditional bathroom suite. People are buying components. They still want to be inspired by those collections, but they’re not adverse from picking pieces from different ranges. They buy a basin station from one suite and a toilet from another, whereas if we went back a few years, we sold bathroom suites as a complete collection, assuming consumers would buy that with that, and that with that. Do you think you are helping to drive that trend or responding to it? ML I think a bit of each. I think the more consumers use the internet, Pinterest and all those things, it influences the way they see things. Someone might present them with an image of a washbasin station, a toilet or a shower, and they start to build things up in their mind – it encourages them to be more adventurous, and it’s our job to give them design ideas and inspirational tools. Our recently launched Geberit One suite, for example – which is part of the Aspire collection – is a great example of how we are designing bathrooms of the future. It’s about clever use of space and really bringing behind the wall in tune with the front of the wall – it looks great too. With innovative design, hidden mirrors, frameless shower screens, concealed plumbing, wallmounted taps, concealed wastes, adjustable height toilet – we’re talking pretty state of the art.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/1

04/12/2020 14:17

PHAM DECJAN21:Layout 1 07/12/2020 09:49 Page 17

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Gadgets & Tools 17

Time for a cuppa

Socket and see!

The Builder’s Tea Box will ensure you’ll never be ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ āŭŭāłŶĢÖķŭ ĕŋũ ŶāÖ ŋũ óŋƦāā ÖėÖĢł̍ RłƑāłŶāù by ˜˝-year old electrician Dan Anderson, it contains all the items you need and can be thrown into the back of the van without fear, keeping all the teabreak essentials in one place. Weighing only ˛kg and containing everything in a sturdy carry case, it has everything you need for a proper brew: CE compliant cordless kettle with automatic switch; ˛ enamel cups; ˛ enamel óŋłŶÖĢłāũŭ Ŷŋ ŭŶŋũā ŶāÖ̇ óŋƦāā̇ ŋũ ŭŽėÖũ̒ Öłù ˚ stainless steel spoon – all contained in a hardwearing carry case. The Builder’s Tea Box is available for £˜ˢ̍ˢˢ ͖ ͎ˡ̍˜ˢ delivery using the reader link below. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˚˞

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THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING AND HEATING ENGINEERING

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The CIPHE has laidall out ato number of key concerning the future of heat and how our industry will need laid out aa to number of key key facts concerning concerning the future future of of heat and and how how our our industry industry laid out number will need adapt.of Central toto helping the UKfacts achieve carbon the neutral statusheat by 2050 will be upskilling Tim Sainty tims@ciphe.org.uk For more information about will need adapt. will need to adapt. Central helping UK achieve carbon new neutral status by 2050 will for be upskilling the CIPHE or to if you wouldthe like the existing industry workforce alongside requirements those just or calltraining (the Membership Department) Central to helping the UK achieve carbon new neutral status by 2050 will be upskilling the existing industry workforce alongside training requirements for those justa to become ato member, please contact 01708 463 116 about start their careers. Additionally, how the current skills gap will reach Central to helping the UK achieve carbon neutral status by 2050 will be upskilling Central to helping the UK achieve carbon neutral status by 2050 will be upskilling the existing industry workforce alongside new training requirements for those just about to start their careers. Additionally, how the current skills gap will reach a critical point if more isn’t done to encourage young people to choose a career in the existing industry workforce alongside new training requirements for those just the existing industry workforce alongside new training requirements for those just about to start their careers. Additionally, how the current skills gap will reach a critical point if more isn’t done to encourage young people to choose a career in plumbing and their heating, backed by furtherhow investment to provide apprenticeship about to start careers. Additionally, the current current skills gap will reach in a about to start their careers. Additionally, how the skills gap will reach a critical point if more isn’t done to encourage young people to choose a career plumbing and heating, backed by further investment to provide apprenticeship opportunities. critical point more isn’tbacked done to to encourage young people people to choose choose career in in critical point ifif more isn’t done young to aa career plumbing and heating, byencourage further investment to provide apprenticeship opportunities. plumbing and heating, heating, backed backed by by further further investment investment to to provide provide apprenticeship apprenticeship plumbing and opportunities. opportunities. Tim Sainty tims@ciphe.org.uk For more information about opportunities. Tim tims@ciphe.org.uk For about the more CIPHEinformation or if you would like or callSainty (the Membership Department) Tim For more about the CIPHEinformation ora ifmember, you would like contact or callSainty (the Membershiptims@ciphe.org.uk Department) to become please 01708 463 116 Tim Sainty tims@ciphe.org.uk For more information about thebecome CIPHEinformation ora ifmember, you would like contact to please or callSainty (the Membership Department) Tim tims@ciphe.org.uk For more about 01708 463 116 the CIPHEor oraififmember, youwould would like contact orcall call(the (theMembership Membership01708 Department) to become please the CIPHE you like or Department) 463 116 tobecome becomeaamember, member,please pleasecontact contact 01708 463 463 116 116 to 01708

18.indd 1

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Business Matters

Diversify and grow – why wait? ark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs at aillant, outlines some of the ways installers can diversify their business with low carbon technologies, as covered in the latest episode of the aillant Podcast.

here’s no denying 2020 has had its challenges, but by offering products and services outside of their usual remit, installers can make their businesses stronger in the long term. Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen a signiﬁcant increase in the number of installers signing up to our low carbon heating training courses, especially from those who are thinking of diversifying their business and gaining a range of new skills, while also opening up important new income streams in the process. At aillant, our newly launched ‘Why Wait’ strategy outlines the ways we as a business are not only continuing to invest in sustainability, but by doing so are also investing in the businesses of our installers. So, if you’re thinking of diversifying your business with low carbon heating technologies, here are some of the key learnings from episode ﬁve of The aillant Podcast, featuring yan Halliday of oxburgh Heating and Christian Ford of Indigo enewables.

Main driver

The main driver for decarbonisation is the government with its ambitious net-zero carbon target by 20 0. As a result, we’re going to see a number of laws introduced to limit carbon emissions from both domestic and commercial buildings, including the details of changes to Part L of the Building egulations, and the Future Homes Standard, which will set even more ambitious carbon reduction targets in new build properties. In addition to this, we’ve also recently seen the introduction of the Green Homes Grant which was announced as part of the UK’s Covid ‘green recovery’ plan. The scheme allows homeowners to access vouchers up to 000 or 10,000 depending on their incomes, to install measures that make their homes more energy e cient, including low carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps. While the direction of our industry is clear, how can installers who are thinking of diversifying their businesses make the leap? yan offered advice from his own personal experience. He said “We work closely with a number of housing developers in our area, and the conversations we were having with them were all centred around using air source heat pumps going forward, so we knew we needed to make the move now, if we wanted to grow, or risk getting left behind. “When we went to our ﬁrst heat pump introduction course in Glasgow, the world of low carbon seemed quite daunting, especially with all the terminology and calculations. But we’ve been able to lean on the support of our aillant area sales manager, chatting with them about our business and where we wanted to be.” From enewable Heat Incentive HI to the Green Homes Grant, there are a number of ﬁnancial incentives available to homeowners who are looking to install low carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps.

In the podcast, Christian explained how homeowner awareness of these schemes is playing an important role in encouraging them to make the switch. He said “The HI has really made a difference to those who are in the position to explore heat pumps. The prospect of quarterly paybacks over a sevenyear period is really appealing. Customers are savvy to what’s available to them in terms of finance and sustainable alternatives, and it’s a combination of these which has definitely seen an increase in our enquiries over the past few years.” And with our latest T ad radio campaign also shining a spotlight on sustainable heating solutions, homeowners are not only aware of the financial incentives available, but also how the changes they make can play a part in protecting the planet too.

Best solution

For installers time is precious, so it can be tempting to go into a property and automatically look at switching out one boiler for another, but by working closely with the customer and understanding their needs, installers can ensure they are specifying the best possible solution, whether that be a heat pump or a more e cient boiler. yan comments “As a gas installer you’re so used to going in and thinking ‘right 22mm pipe run with 1 mm or 10mm coming off’, it’s instinct. With heat pumps we’ve needed to re-train the way we approach a job so it’s taking into account the size of the room, the underﬂoor heating requirements, etc, and spending a bit more time up-front on the survey to design the right system. But when it comes to installing heat pumps it’s just pipework in and radiators, like normal.”

First steps

As with all new skills, training is key. At aillant we offer a range of training courses on low carbon heating technologies which are designed specifically to take installers from zero to heat pump hero. We have six basic modules, which can be taken in isolation, but also fit together seamlessly. Starting from an introductory course explaining the workings of a heat pump and the reasons and rationale for decarbonisation, modules then cover specifying and installing a heat pump. We also offer a further five modules that expand on this learning to cover more technical topics, including natural refrigerants and split systems.

Vaillant Podcast For more information or to listen to the latest Vaillant Podcast, visit: www.buzzsprout.com/840097/3427489

03/12/2020 15:51

PHAM OCT20 NAVIEN EYE ad:Layout 1 28/09/2020 08:17 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Business Matters

Making the most of time-saving digital technology New remote technology and connected solutions can help to save time on processes such as previewing enquiries and leads. Karl Bateman from Calor addresses some questions about how installers can best take advantage.

here is no doubt that the current landscape has changed the way things are done for many businesses. According to the BT Group, the Covid19 pandemic will accelerate the impact of the widespread adoption of digital technologies. With this in mind, how can installers take advantage of online functionalities so that they can work in a more productive and proﬁtable way, now and in the future? Here are a few of the questions that installation companies might want some answers to. Getting new business enquiries is great but is there an easy way to cut down the time I spend on doing quotations? Enquiries for quotes can range from simple repairs and servicing to full system installation, but not all of them will result in a successful sale. Considering you can’t recoup the time spent on travelling to sites to check out the requirements, it may be worth changing the quotation process. So instead of going to a customer’s property to quote for a job, why not do it remotely? Potential customers

20.indd 1

Karl Bateman

National speciﬁer manager at Calor

Completing jobs as planned means happy customers, enabling you to issue invoices sooner rather than later and encouraging payments to be made promptly

can send across images to accompany their enquiries via communications tools such as WhatsApp or Zoom. Based on an initial review of the images and information given by a homeowner, you can give a ball park figure so that the customer can get a good idea of your price before proceeding any further. For example, if you find out that a customer wants to switch to LPG in the process, you can refer them to our team at Calor early in the process to help them get their supply set up, and earn yourself 2 0 when they receive their first fill of gas for their bulk tank. This way, some leads can be filtered out earlier in the process, leaving you with more time to concentrate on pursuing jobs you want to win – all while saving yourself valuable time that would have been otherwise spent on travelling. Is there anything else I can do remotely? Absolutely. As heating and plumbing solutions develop to offer more connected functionalities, jobs such as diagnosing problems with a customer’s system or troubleshooting simple issues can be done from anywhere. Installers can also monitor the status of their customers’ equipment – such as boilers and magnetic filters – without any need to travel to their properties. Should a site visit be needed, you can extract data from a customer’s assets via the associated apps to get valuable insight, so that resources such as parts can be organised beforehand. This means that most jobs can be completed in a single visit, saving time and cost for both you and your customer. The ability to provide services such as remote monitoring also opens up new revenue streams

for heating and plumbing businesses, who could split the cost of this offering into monthly plans for customers. That’s another area I’d like to save more time on – promoting my business and services to potential customers. If you’re using traditional methods of marketing such as door-to-door leaﬂeting, you may wish to switch to a less labour-intensive approach. For more rural areas in particular, reaching your target audience using direct mail, emails or texts will be far more e cient. Not only can you organise these from the comfort of your own home, you can also track your rates of success. But to do this, you will need a database with more sophisticated functions than a basic spreadsheet. This is where it’s worth considering the use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to make the whole end-to-end process easier and slicker. Not only do they act as a database, but they can also link up with other platforms so that the processes involved in any interactions with customers are seamless from start to ﬁnish. So for example, contacts can be automatically created from signup forms completed on your website so that you don’t have to manually transfer the information. Follow-ups with these potential customers can then be scheduled to help you organise the next steps – arranging a member of your team to visit a property or draw up a quotation, for example. Not only can you reduce the amount of time you have to spend inputting information from different sources and tracking activities related to your customers, but also make life easier for planning routine jobs such as servicing for existing

customers. This way, you can have visibility of what’s in the pipeline and organise your resources accordingly. There are a number of CRM software suitable for small businesses, some of which, such as HubSpot, offer free versions. What else can I do to save time without compromising on the quality of service? Bearing in mind that gas is needed to test and commission a new LPG boiler, working with and encouraging customers to sign up with a reliable supplier such as Calor will help to avoid delays and repeated visits to get appliances up and running. We work with customers to decide on a suitable location for the storage tank, and carry out its installation. Appliances can be installed once this is complete, and when they are ready to be commissioned, we will make the ﬁrst LPG delivery to the property. Completing jobs as planned means happy customers, enabling you to issue invoices sooner rather than later and encouraging payments to be made promptly. The latest connected solutions offered by reputable manufacturers and service providers not only open up new revenue opportunities, but also enable installers to maximise return on time invested in completing jobs and back-o ce functions. If the rise of digital capabilities is to continue, make the most of it to help your business recover and grow back stronger. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/1

Installer Community For more information about Calor’s Boiler Installer Community, which rewards installers for every customer lead, please use the reader link above

03/12/2020 16:10

PHAM DECJAN21:Layout 1 04/12/2020 11:54 Page 21

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Training & Education 21

Interactive learning at your convenience Since the beginning of the Covid-˚ˢ pandemic, training and support has had to be adapted in line with the changing restrictions. Steve Owen, Baxi, discusses how the company has taken action to ensure that training and educational resources can continue to be made available to installers across the country.

or heating producing regular engineers, #TrainingTuesday ongoing videos since ˛˙˚ˡ. training is an However, it was clear important that more could be part of the job. Not done with video to only is training a great support installers way to learn about learning from home, new heating and hot particularly with the water technologies, increase in questions but it can also serve to Baxi trainers while as a way to refresh in-person training was not possible. existing knowledge and In response to this ĢłóũāÖŭā óŋłƩ ùāłóā̍ demand, we have With Covid-˚ˢ launched a number disrupting in-person Steve Owen training across the of interactive video National training manager at Baxi UK, manufacturertraining initiatives: led courses have had #LockdownLearning, to adapt to new ways of delivering #BurningQuestions and #BaxiCam. education.

Lockdown learning Going digital Though online training has always been an option, throughout the pandemic virtual sessions have grown in abundance and popularity. In a practical sector like the plumbing and heating industry, the challenge for digital training has been to recreate the same quality learning experience as hands-on training. At Baxi, with the help of insight from installers across the country, we’ve been able to pioneer digital training techniques that move ðāƘŋłù ŋƒāũ ŋĢłŶ Öłù ŋƦ āũ Ŀŋũā interactive and visual demonstrations on technical subjects.

You ask, we do Video tutorials on platforms such as YouTube have been a popular way to demonstrate products and deliver technical advice for a number of years now. In fact, we’ve been

The #LockdownLearning series has proved to be an engaging way of sharing important information, product guidance and technical expertise in an easy-to-digest video format. The series focused on electrical safety, which was particularly relevant earlier this year when Gas Safe engineers were told they must self-validate that they can safely isolate the electrical supply to a gas appliance. To raise awareness of the changes and to advise installers on the ongoing importance of electrical safety, the series explored everything from recommended basic electrical checks to a three-part multimeter component testing guide. For those wanting more depth and an opportunity to ask questions, these topics were also covered in a live online training course for Baxi Works members.

W Baxi’s video series on YouTube enables installers to see inside boilers and gain Ö Ʃ ũŭŶ-person perspective

Burning questions With the aim of providing more bespoke training guidance, we have also developed #BurningQuestions, which encourages installers to submit questions directly to the trainers at Baxi. Requests have covered Ö ƑÖũĢāŶƘ ŋĕ ķāÖũłĢłė ŶŋťĢóŭ̇ ĕũŋĿ Ğŋƒ Ŷŋ Ʃ Ŷ ŶĞā Ģł ƪ Žā ŋŽŶùŋŋũ ŭāłŭŋũ ̛RDz ̜̇ Ŷŋ ėāłāũÖķ how-to video requests such as the best way to clean a heat exchanger.

Baxi Cam The next step in virtual training came in the form of #BaxiCam, a video series designed to emulate the experience in a training centre. The videos use a GoPro camera to ťũŋƑĢùā Ö Ʃ ũŭŶ-person perspective to those watching, allowing them to see exactly what they would at a training centre.

The GoPro camera allows viewers to see the inside of boilers and hear the trainer as they explain what they are doing. Installers óÖł Öķŭŋ ŭŽðĿĢŶ ŭťāóĢƩ ó ŶũÖĢłĢłė ŨŽāŭŶĢŋłŭ on social media and we will tailor responses to these requests.

Looking ahead As the heating industry advances and evolves, training will remain as one of the most important ways to ensure best practice is upheld. It is the duty of manufacturers and the wider industry, therefore, to continue to invest in it. Based on the success of our digital training initiatives, we will be continuing with the new training formats and exploring more ways to reach and engage with installers. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˚ˢ

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Training & Education

Changing to meet demand One of the few beneﬁts of the pandemic for the plumbing industry has been the acceleration of the transformation of training and technical resources for installers – Jason Nightingale from Polypipe Building Products explains more.

ith the inability to hold face-toface training days and general catch-ups during this year, many manufacturers and service providers in the industry have had to think again and take the chance to review training output and how to present their product information. For plumbing and heating professionals, the days of large binders and technical datasheets are numbered, as more installers can turn to their smartphones for on-the-job information. Product manufacturers are having to adapt to the new reality and are evolving their content to meet changing demands. Over recent months at Polypipe we have taken on board requests from installers to provide shorter, sharper video content that can be used as a quick reference guide when on a job. The new YouTube videos explain how our products work, how they should be used and how they can help to solve an installation problem. There’s now a suite of more than 40 training videos covering

Jason Nightingale

Head of marketing at Polypipe Building Products

We’ve taken on board requests to provide shorter, sharper video content that can be used as a quick reference guide

push-ﬁt plumbing products, soil systems and underﬂoor heating systems. The three-minute videos feature a Polypipe product manager providing an easy-tofollow, step-by-step guide. This should prove to be a huge timesaver for installers who would rather not scour reams of technical guides to answer a problem while on a job and helps to condense the more complex aspects of plumbing work into bite-sized content. The channel will continue to grow and there are plans for content to demonstrate ‘best practice’ guidance during installation.

Video learning

In addition, we are one of a number of major manufacturers in the industry that now offer online training courses. Our Professional Development Online portal continues to host online training modules, including guidance videos and set questions designed to provide installers and heating engineers with remote learning that can be completed at their own speed. For people managing teams of

22.indd 1

The right mix

This year has demonstrated a growing reliance on apps and online services to conduct our personal and working lives. However, there are some downsides that need to be mitigated if digital distance learning accelerates within the coming years. Face-to-face contact with peers is demonstrably important to maintaining good mental health; it’s important for manufacturers to ﬁnd the right mix and use new online channels as a way to enhance training methods, and not erode the use of methods that have been proven to work. From a technical standpoint, working directly with a technical expert in a hands-on way provides

 Dave Beattie prepares for Aqualisa’s next webinar

Best alternative to hands-on courses Adapting to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the inability to meet installers face-toface, Aqualisa has developed a series of live and on-demand webinars to deliver training. While there will never be a substitute for hands-on courses, the Kent-based shower manufacturer has looked to meet demand for training by making the most of today’s communication technology. Heading up the online courses is Dave Beattie, Aqualisa’s lead trainer who is able to offer the beneﬁt of his 33 years in the trade. The initial online training programme was devised for an international audience, as Aqualisa recently launched its products into several European countries for the ﬁrst time. There was a need for introductory product training for the partner organisations in the Netherlands,

engineers, the portal provides control to assign training modules to speciﬁc team members and to monitor and manage progress, which will help during a period of enforced remote working. All of the content in the guidance videos and online training portal reﬂects the information available in previous printed documents.

Dedicated courses

Belgium and Germany, and these courses have proved to be the template for online installer training in the UK. Dave put together a small studio in his home and undertook much of the early online training from this facility. The programme then expanded into a webinar-based training programme with the main sessions relayed from

Aqualisa’s Westerham HQ. “I’m delighted that my contribution seems to be well received,” says Dave. “Whether it’s one of our lunchtime sessions from my home studio or one of the full length webinar options from Westerham – we’re here to help and to share as much as we can through the medium of modern communications technology.”

As well as the product training for all the shower categories, the company also runs dedicated courses for specific companies up and down the country, including both installation and sales advice. In addition, Aqualisa also undertakes free training for colleges up and down the country, for Level 2 and Level 3 plumbing apprentices. Dave Beattie is a familiar figure on campuses, helping students master the finer points of thermostatic control and negative head systems. “During the pandemic we introduced the new smart shower range – the Smart Quartz Collection,” explains CEO Colin Sykes. “It’s a product range that highlights that, far from being just a shower manufacturer, we are very much a bathroom technology specialist – and we needed to get this message out to the bathroom sector and the installers who would be installing our showers. So, we had to build this bridge and new communication channels between

essential training and technical troubleshooting for the engineer that often can’t be matched by online tutorials, so installations such as our training centres in Doncaster and Aylesford will continue to serve an important role once Covid-safe working restrictions are relaxed. While there are always going to be new ways to communicate important information, we’re not blind to the fact that the tried and trusted method of a cup of tea and a conversation will always be the foundation for rigorous training and collaboration in the heating and plumbing sector. After the year we have all faced, a brew and a chat might just be welcome relief for many. The aim for manufacturers should be to maximise all resources at their disposal to ensure plumbing and heating professionals can remain up to date, informed and can access technical advice in whichever format suits their working life, and we will continue to ﬁnd new ways to keep content fresh and front of mind. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/20

us and the installers at a time when physical events were no longer an option. For us, Dave Beattie was the man to do this. The training we now have available has been hugely successful and continues to be so.”

How to sign up

To participate in the training, simply type ‘Aqualisa training’ into your chosen search engine and sign up for the course you want to join. Attendance has grown since the first course when just nine installers took part, and the company is now seeing more than double that number taking part. The informal webinar format provides installers with an opportunity to fire off questions during the training, ensuring they have all the shower information they need. Of course, there is always the technical team at the end of the line if there are any further questions before or during an installation. Aqualisa’s Installer Club, found easily on the website, is also a good way to find out about training options and to access the support that installers might need. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/21

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Training & Education 23

Supporting apprentices ¦Ğā ƒŋũĴ ŋĕ ŶũÖùā ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķŭ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ĿÖĴĢłė Ö ťŋŭĢŶĢƑā ùĢƦ āũāłóā ùŽũĢłė the pandemic, which is why the training of apprentices is vital to ensure the pipeline of skilled tradespeople continues – says Liam Sammon from JTL.

uring the current Covid-˚ˢ crisis, many employers have questioned whether it’s worthwhile taking on an apprentice. We believe that the skills shortages that existed before the pandemic still exist now, and taking on an apprentice is a long-term investment that will give rewards beyond the current pandemic, that we all hope will end shortly. At JTL we recognise that this remains a worrying time for many, and as a training provider with charitable status, we continue to be on hand to assist those employers who are keen to invest in the training and development of apprentices, and support the future needs of their businesses. Over the last six months, we have also introduced a number of ways for employers to complete apprentice sign

UK’s current skills shortage, and there’s no doubting that apprentices are vital for the future of the plumbing and heating sector. They can help overcome an ageing workforce and allow for the creation of succession plans where needed – with apprentices positively described as ‘critical’, ‘invaluable’ and ‘essential’.

Big contribution

Liam Sammon JTL’s director of learning & director of Develop Training innovation up paperwork online, meaning they can choose to complete the requirements at a time to suit them and will not be restricted by normal working hours. Taking on apprentices is an excellent way to combat the

In a combination of practical, on-the-job training and studying ĕŋũ ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ ŨŽÖķĢƩ óÖŶĢŋłŭ̇ apprentices become highly skilled and useful members of the team as they progress through ŶĞāĢũ ŶũÖĢłĢłė̍ DũŋĿ Ö Ʃ łÖłóĢÖķ perspective, apprentices are particularly valuable as they are ĿÖĴĢłė Ö ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ óŋłŶũĢðŽŶĢŋł to the workplace while they are learning. Plus, it’s now even easier to ĿÖłÖėā ĕŽłùĢłė̇ óĞŋŋŭā ŭťāóĢƩ ó

apprenticeships and allocate training providers through The Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) online portal, The Apprenticeship Service. Additionally, with January just around the corner, now is the last opportunity for employers to access the government funding and take on apprentices to further support their individual business, as well as helping the wider Covid-˚ˢ economic recovery plan. In recognition of the value apprentices can bring to our economy, the ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ Ģŭ ŋƦ āũĢłė Ö óÖŭĞ incentive to any employer who takes on an apprentice before the ˜˚st January ˛˙˛˚; a payment of ͎˛˙˙˙ is being ŋƦ āũāù Ŷŋ āĿťķŋƘāũŭ ƒĞŋ ĞĢũā Öł apprentice between the age of ˚˟˛˝ years old, while ͎˚˞˙˙ will be paid when an apprentice aged ˛˞ and over is taken on.

Online learning At JTL, one of our mantras is to always keep our learners learning. With this in mind, we ensured that our remote learning and online tutor sessions were up and ũŽłłĢłė ƒĢŶĞĢł ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ ĕāƒ ƒāāĴŭ of lockdown (April), so that our

learners would not lose out. By providing online learning, it has āłÖðķāù Žŭ Ŷŋ óŋłŶĢłŽā Ŷŋ ŋƦ āũ Ö blended approach where needed, meaning our learners have access to both live and recorded classes, as well as a range of accessible learning materials. ÖũŶĢóŽķÖũķƘ ùŽũĢłė ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ lockdown, many businesses faced uncertain times including reduced workloads and job cancellations, as well as navigating the furlough scheme. During this ŶĢĿā̇ ƒā ŋƦ āũāù ÖùƑĢóā Ŷŋ ŶĞŋŭā in the industry as well as with apprenticeship queries. As both a leading training provider and charity, we are always looking for new ways to serve and support the industry, and as a result we launched ‘Toolbox’ early this year. This completely free online resource is full of interesting information, training and guidance related to ŶĞā ŭāóŶŋũ̍ ŭ ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞĢŭ ŋƦ āũĢłė̇ we have also developed Power Up – free bite-size digital courses for engaging in CPD. Anyone in the sector can sign up for free and engage in CPD and upskilling, regardless of whether they are ŨŽÖķĢƩ āù ƒĢŶĞ `¦d ŋũ łŋŶ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˛˛

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Training & Education

Keep pressing ahead In these times of uncertainty it has never been more important for heating engineers and installers to ensure their skills and working practices are up to date. Dan Wild from Conex Bänninger discusses the transition to online learning and the company’s recently launched webinars for press ﬁttings.

ver recent years press fittings have undoubtedly changed the landscape of the heating sector, with the risk from traditional working methods such as brazing being replaced with safer, faster, flame-free and more effective press-fit technology. At Conex Bänninger we have long invested in providing the those who work in the industry with the relevant skills and education they need by offering on-site knowledge sharing sessions. However, the pandemic has changed all that. While we hope to return to some face-toface learning next year, the industry as a whole has joined the ‘digital revolution’ and the relevant training is now being presented online.

Dan Wild

Business unit director, UK and Ireland, for Conex Bänninger

Home teaching

Our newly launched series of >B< Press webinars allows installers to add to their knowledge remotely or in the comfort of their own home, supporting them in adopting the modern methods of working as we head towards a new ‘normal’. The webinar is divided into three sections: information about the ﬁttings, using the press tool, and installing the product correctly. Installers can expect to enhance their understanding of the key applications of >B< Press, the

The webinars are just under an hour long and are presented live by one of our experienced team of technicians

Maintaining the right course

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Questions answered

The webinars are just under an hour long and are presented live by one of our experienced team of technicians. Towards the end, those who have signed up have the opportunity to ask questions about what they have seen and heard, there and then. The first in the series took place in November, and we will be announcing more dates soon. The webinar is a useful learning experience for those who may wish to continue onto our certificated training programme, through which participants can become B Press Certified Installers. Successful entrants are awarded a personalised Installer Card that shows the date of completed

the conﬁdence to provide customers with sound expertise and wise counsel, helping to grow their reputation by acting as a trusted advisor. So what role can manufacturers play in helping installers access reputable and accredited training– and how have we had to adapt our provision this year?

Andy Lever from Geberit explains why installer training has never been more important and why professional development should never stop. Keeping up to date with industry best practice, plugging gaps in knowledge and reﬁning skills are all essential elements that will give any installer the edge in a competitive market. Product development is constantly evolving (at Geberit we invest 2.3% of our sales straight back into developing the future of our products) and what that means is that manufacturers are always reﬁning and improving both products and installation techniques. Training provides an opportunity to learn about these new developments and innovations.

features and benefits, technical specifications, and the advantages of our 3-point press, with one press either side of the bead, and a third compressing the O-ring, providing a secure, permanent joint. It also discusses tool and jaw compatibility, and the importance of using the correct B profile jaws. In addition, there are significant installation considerations to be taken on board. For example, installers are able to learn more about when pressing close to existing brazed joints and the minimum distances that should be kept between fittings.

Plugging the gap

Andy Lever

National sales director from Geberit

The industry has spent years taking measures against unqualiﬁed installers and raising public awareness of the importance of opting for reputable and trusted tradespeople. By improving their own knowledge of the industry, installers will have the means to boost sales, as well as

Let’s ﬁrst look at what a good training course should look like. Any leading manufacturer training will combine best practice methods with the speciﬁc product knowledge required to maximise the quality, speed and integrity of every single installation. It should also cover an introduction to the latest technology and newest techniques. Manufacturer training also provides installers with an opportunity to ask about the tools required for the job, including ways you can mitigate the inevitable cost of new equipment,

training, an expiry date, along with a photo of the card carrier. The Installer Card is valid for ﬁve years, after which the tradesperson must complete a refresher training.

Peace of mind

Becoming a Conex Bänninger >B< Press Certified Installer can be used as an endorsement for an installer’s business, while also giving customers peace of mind that they are employing a skilled heating engineer. Through developing informative and relevant webinars, and certificated training, we are fulfilling our

as well as the maintenance and calibration requirements to make sure those tools remain ﬁt for purpose. At Geberit, we are extremely proud of our CIPHE-accredited training academies in Warwick and Dublin. As well as offering hands-on training in our BMFaccredited centre of excellence, visitors also beneﬁt from our two storey hydraulic tower and state-of-the-art showroom.

Still hands-on

It’s important that we continue to support installers during what has been such a crucial time for the industry while retaining the ‘hands-on’ element that we know our customers have come to value. So earlier this year we rolled out the introduction of digital training sessions for our supply and drainage systems in May, and the move has since seen us deliver sessions to more individuals than we would have previously been able to do.

objective of being a complete solutions provider, over and above just being a manufacturer of fittings and accessories. Press-fit technology has been proven in the general heating and plumbing sector since the 19 0s. While traditional methods such as brazing remain popular with some, the number of installers turning to press is steadily increasing. Once they have seen the benefits of a cleaner, safer and flame-free method of working, most installers are convinced. We expect this trend not only to continue but to accelerate. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

Training has been kept hands-on by ensuring that anyone joining has their own products or, alternatively, we arrange for the sample products and tools to be loaned out. This means participants have the exact same tools and equipment as those delivering the sessions. As a result, it is perhaps no surprise to see that the demand for training has increased over the last few months. Between July and September, our team delivered sessions to more than 00 individuals, with the bulk of these online – the highest number in any three-month period since we opened our centre back in 201 . The reality of life for installers has often meant that their own development has taken a back seat to the daily demands of running a business and many may have previously been reluctant to take a day off the road to improve their learning. But now we can ensure that we take the training to installers. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

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Training & Assessments 25

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Training & Education Connecting to installers on the app

e year ne

opport nities

With the new year in view, Steve Willis Training is highlighting its options for apprentices in both gas and electrical. They are offered on staggered start dates to enable more young people to begin their training. Gas students can start at Burgess Hill in January, while electrical courses are offered at both Burgess Hill and Portchester. The trainer’s full schedule of short courses will also be adapted for social distancing as long as circumstances require. For anyone looking to become fully qualiﬁed in the gas industry, Steve Willis offers the GGFO Guild of Gas Fitting Operatives domestic and commercial pathways. Students attend the training centre one or two days each week for a total of 24 days, and there are courses starting at both centres in the New Year: Burgess Hill is one day per week for 24 weeks, starting on 1 th January, while Portchester is set for two days per week for 12 weeks, starting on 1st March. This Managed Learning Programme complies with IGEM/IG/1 standards of training in gas work published by the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers, and Steve Willis Training is an ERS approved training centre. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

When the ﬁrst lockdown began back in March, Mira Showers began developing new ways to support installers through the challenging times. It produced a suite of online learning tools, including the Lockdown Lowdown training videos, and a series of CIPHE animations to assist installers on its YouTube channel. In addition, Mira became a supplier sponsor of Gas App Uk, an online platform that provides heating and plumbing engineers with a range of tools to make their jobs easier. The platform has enabled Mira to provide peer-topeer support virtually. Commenting on the work it’s doing with Gas App, Paul McGuire, Mira’s associate channel manager – installer communications, says: “This is the perfect partnership for us. Installers are at the very heart of what we do, and Gas App allows the community to provide help and support for one another by sharing knowledge and experience – it’s a great place for installers to

Complex issues spelled out in plain English Grundfos is highlighting its range of white papers, which are available to installers as a source for learning about speciﬁc, complex issues. The pump specialist has been continuously developing a portfolio of white papers that are aimed at helping engineers – from a range of backgrounds - to better get to grips with a range of pumping challenges. Designed to be used as a handy reference document, each paper has been carefully devised to get right to the heart of the chosen topic and to

break it down into a logical format so that it is easy to understand the information. The range of themes on offer cover such diverse topics as: water supply in tall buildings, the digital impact on industry, proportional pressure control, and refrigeration and cooling. All these and many more can be found using the reader link below and are freely available once users have completed a simple registration. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

collaborate and engage.” This partnership has also given Mira the opportunity to provide a range of rich content, including installer videos, competitions and live Q&As. Paul continues: “Having previously been a Gas Safe registered installer myself, and having been responsible for training our Mira service engineers for over ﬁve years, we have taken to the live lounge to share technical, product and troubleshooting aimed at supporting installers to upskill, improve upon CPD, and conﬁdently perform repairs if needed during the lockdown.

And we’re always available on the app to answer ad hoc installer queries too.” Mira is also drawing upon Gas App users to gain valuable insights into what installers want from showering products. Using surveys and research sessions, the company has taken on board this new information in the design of products currently in development. “As the experts in installing our products, there’s no better audience to learn this from and we hope to continue with this critical feedback and give installers what they want in a shower,” concludes Paul. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

in o t abo t fill an sh valve technology

Virtual view of Part G and WRAS issues

Practical learning Stamford Gas Training offers fully-accredited training courses and assessments for all personnel within the gas plumbing industry. Courses are staged at the purpose built training centre, which is fully equipped with the latest technology to offer practical learning. Class sizes are kept small in order to deliver a more focused and personal approach, and training and assessment is carried out in a relaxed and friendly environment. All trainers and assessors are qualiﬁed gas engineers. Courses on offer include managed learning programme, ACS CCN1 reassessment, LPG changeover, water regulations, unvented hot water, and S and Y-plan wiring courses. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

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To accommodate changing work patterns, Hansgrohe has launched two virtual RIBAapproved CPDs for the architect and design community. The new additions cover W AS and Part G, offering the latest insights on water approvals and revised Building Regulations. The WRAS training course will explain in detail the testing processes, principle requirements of compliance, and rules of enforcement. The aim is to better equip participants to specify safe products that meet industry standards. The Part G CPD will outline the key revisions of the national Building Regulations with regards to bathrooms and water supply. Covering G1-G , topics include: cold and hot water supply, water e ciency, sanitary convenience and washing facilities, bathrooms, and food preparation areas. All CPDs are free, one-hour virtual training sessions, comprising a 4 -minute presentation followed by a Q&A. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/2

Toilet solutions and repair specialist, Fluidmaster, has unveiled two virtual training modules, focusing on the company’s popular fill and flush valve technology. With an introductory module suitable for those across the sector, from installers and apprentices to customer facing sales staff, the online training focuses on the step-by-step installation of the AirGap 000 fill valve and push button, dual-flush valve. The second shorter module, which has been tailored to experienced plumbers, contractors and merchant sales staff, takes a look at water regulations and compliance, highlighting what installers need to be aware of and how to remain compliant when installing products initially, as well as when replacing existing valves as part of a toilet repair. Edward Dando, Fluidmaster’s test lab supervisor and the host of both new videos, explains: “We are very excited to be launching these two new informational training videos. Both modules are ideal for anyone who’s keen to learn more about the installation and design of our products, covering everything from the basic functions of fill and flush valves to more complex compliance issues.” Links to both training modules, and also to further helpful videos focusing on the functionality and installation of the AirGap 000 fill valve, can be found using the reader link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 0

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Heating Controls

How to manage the use of energy in the home ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ĿŋƑā Ŷŋ ķŋƒ óÖũðŋł ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ̇ ĢŶ Ģŭ óũĢŶĢóÖķ ŶĞÖŶ ĞŋĿāŭ ĞÖƑā ŶĞā ũĢėĞŶ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Ģł ťķÖóā Ŷŋ ĿÖłÖėā āłāũėƘ Žŭā̍ `ÖĿĢā āłłāŶŶ ĕũŋĿ 'ũÖƘŶŋł ùĢŭóŽŭŭāŭ Ğŋƒ ŶĞā ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ Ģŭ ŭĞĢĕŶĢłė ŶŋƒÖũùŭ ŶĞā óŋłóāťŶ ŋĕ ̨NŋĿā 1łāũėƘ mÖłÖėāĿāłŶ̪ Öłù ƒĞƘ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ łāāù Ŷŋ ðā ÖƒÖũā ŋĕ ĢŶ̍

lectric sources of heating are becoming one of the front-runners Ģł Ʃ łùĢłė Ö łāƒ carbon-łāŽŶũÖķ ƒÖƘ Ŷŋ ĞāÖŶ ŋŽũ ĞŋĿāŭ̍ ŭ ùāĿÖłù ĕŋũ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ĢłóũāÖŭāŭ̇ Öłù Ģŭ āƗťāóŶāù Ŷŋ ũĢŭā ùũÖĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ ĿŋƑĢłė ĕŋũƒÖũù̇ ŶĞā ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ Ģŭ łŋƒ ðŽĢķùĢłė ŋł ŭĿÖũŶ ĞāÖŶĢłė Öłù āĿðũÖóĢłė ŶĞā óŋłóāťŶ ŋĕ ̨NŋĿā 1łāũėƘ Management’. ŋ̇ ƒĞÖŶ Öũā NŋĿā 1łāũėƘ mÖłÖėāĿāłŶ ƘŭŶāĿŭ̎ ÂĞĢķā ĿÖłƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė āłėĢłāāũŭ Öũā łŋƒ ĕÖĿĢķĢÖũ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā óŋłóāťŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā ̨ ĿÖũŶ NŋĿā̪̇ NŋĿā 1łāũėƘ mÖłÖėāĿāłŶ Ģŭ ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā ðũŋÖùāũ ŭĿÖũŶ ĞŋĿā ŭťÖóā Öłù the Internet of Things. NŋĿā 1łāũėƘ mÖłÖėāĿāłŶ ƘŭŶāĿŭ ̛N1m ̜ āłÖðķā ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ Ŷŋ ðāŶŶāũ ĿÖłÖėā āłāũėƘ óŋłŭŽĿťŶĢŋł ðƘ ťũŋƑĢùĢłė ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł ÖðŋŽŶ āłāũėƘ ŽŭÖėā Öłù̓ŋũ ÖķķŋƒĢłė Ŀŋũā ťũāóĢŭā control of the so-óÖķķāù ̨āłāũėƘ guzzlers’ in the home like EV óĞÖũėāũŭ Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė ùāƑĢóāŭ̍ ÂĢŶĞ ÖùƑÖłóāŭ Ģł ŭĿÖũŶ ĞŋĿā ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Öłù ĿÖóĞĢłāto-machine communication, N1m ƒĢķķ łŋŶ ŋłķƘ óĞÖłėā Ğŋƒ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ óŋłŭŽĿā āłāũėƘ̇ ðŽŶ Ğŋƒ ŶĞāƘ ÖóŶĢƑāķƘ ķŋŋĴ Ŷŋ ũāùŽóā āłāũėƘ ŽŭÖėā̍ N1m Öũā óŋĿťũĢŭāù ŋĕ Ŷƒŋ ĿÖĢł óŋĿťŋłāłŶŭ ̞ ĞÖũùƒÖũā Öłù ŭŋĕŶƒÖũā̍ ¦Ğā ŭƘŭŶāĿ̪ŭ ĞÖũùƒÖũā ėāłāũÖķķƘ óŋłŭĢŭŶŭ ŋĕ

Jamie Bennett Engineering director at Drayton

Ö ̨ĞŽð̪ ùāƑĢóā ŶĞÖŶ ÖóŶŭ Öŭ Ö ķĢłĴ ðāŶƒāāł ŶĞā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ Öłù ŶĞā ùāƑĢóāŭ Öłù ÖťťķĢÖłóāŭ óŋłłāóŶāù Ģł ŶĞā ĞŋĿā̇ ƒĞĢķā ŶĞā ŭŋĕŶƒÖũā ũāĕāũŭ Ŷŋ Ö ŭĿÖũŶťĞŋłā Öťť ŋũ ƒāð ťŋũŶÖķ ŶĞÖŶ Öķķŋƒŭ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ Ŷŋ ĿŋłĢŶŋũ Öłù óŋłŶũŋķ óŋłłāóŶāù ùāƑĢóāŭ̍ mŋŭŶ N1m ƒĢķķ Öķŭŋ ŋƦ āũ ĕāāùðÖóĴ ŋł Ğŋƒ āłāũėƘ Ģŭ ðāĢłė Žŭāù ŋũ ėāłāũÖŶāù̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł ŋł ťÖŭŶ Öłù ťũāŭāłŶ Žŭā Ŷŋ ƑĢāƒ Ŷũāłùŭ̍ Ƙ ŽŭĢłė Ö ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ̪ŭ ťũāĕāũāłóāŭ̇ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ƒĢķķ ÖŽŶŋĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ ŋťŶĢĿĢŭā āłāũėƘ ŭÖƑĢłėŭ ƒĞĢķā ĿÖĢłŶÖĢłĢłė óŋĿĕŋũŶ ķāƑāķŭ̍

Energy sources

CUT TO THE CHASE Đ Home Energy Management Systems provide information on energy usage and enable more precise control of energy-using appliances Đ Homeowners will be able to monitor and control connected devices via a smartphone app or web portal Đ HEMS may provide energy suppliers with the opportunity to provide users with incentives and better tariffs

!ŽũũāłŶķƘ̇ ŶĞāũā Öũā ŶĞũāā ĴāƘ āłāũėƘ ŭŋŽũóāŭ ƒĞāũā N1m óÖł ťũŋƑĢùā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ ƒĢŶĞ Öł āłĞÖłóāù ŽłùāũŭŶÖłùĢłė ŋĕ ŶĞāĢũ āłāũėƘ óŋłŭŽĿťŶĢŋł̍ 1. Electricity – A core function ŋĕ N1m ĢłƑŋķƑāŭ ĿŋłĢŶŋũĢłė ŶĞā Žŭā ŋĕ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ƒĢŶĞĢł ŶĞā ĞŋĿā̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ƒĢķķ ťķÖƘ Ö ĞŽėāķƘ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ũŋķā Öŭ ŽťŶÖĴā Ģł āķāóŶũĢó ÖķŶāũłÖŶĢƑāŭ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ̇ ĢłóũāÖŭāŭ̍ N1m ėĢƑā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ ŶĞā ÖðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ĿŋłĢŶŋũ ƒĞÖŶ āķāóŶũĢóÖķ ùāƑĢóāŭ Öũā ŋťāũÖŶĢłė Öłù ũāĿŋŶāķƘ ŶŽũł ŶĞāĿ ŋł̓ ŋƦ ŋũ ŋŶĞāũƒĢŭā ĿŋùĢĕƘ ŶĞāĢũ ŋťāũÖŶĢŋł ̛Ģ̍ā̍ ŶŽũłĢłė ùŋƒł ŶĞā ĞāÖŶĢłė ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā̜̍ Rł ÖùùĢŶĢŋł̇ N1m ƒĢŶĞ āłāũėƘ ŭŶŋũÖėā óÖťÖðĢķĢŶĢāŭ óÖł Öķŭŋ ťũŋƑā Ŷŋ ðā ƑāũƘ āƦ āóŶĢƑā Ģł Ö ťŋƒāũ ŋŽŶÖėā

ŭĢŶŽÖŶĢŋł̇ āłŭŽũĢłė ŶĞÖŶ āłāũėƘ Ģŭ Žŭāù āƦ āóŶĢƑāķƘ Öłù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĿÖŶŶāũ ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ ĞÖƑā ťŋƒāũ ƒĞāł ũāŨŽĢũāù̍ 2. Solar – ŋķÖũ Á ťÖłāķŭ āłÖðķā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ Ŷŋ ėāłāũÖŶā Ö ťŋũŶĢŋł ŋĕ ŶĞāĢũ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ŋł-site. N1m óÖł āłŭŽũā ŶĞĢŭ āłāũėƘ Ģŭ Žŭāù Öŭ āƦ āóŶĢƑāķƘ Öŭ ťŋŭŭĢðķā̇ ėĢƑĢłė ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ ŶĞā ŋťŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ťũŋėũÖĿĿā ŶĞāĢũ ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ŷŋ ũŽł óāũŶÖĢł ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ƒĞāł ŶĞā ŭŽł Ģŭ ŭĞĢłĢłė ŋũ Ŷŋ āƗťŋũŶ ŽłŽŭāù āłāũėƘ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ėũĢù̍ N1m óÖł ĕŽũŶĞāũ ĢĿťũŋƑā ŶĞāĢũ ƑÖķŽā ðƘ ŭŽťťķāĿāłŶĢłė ŭŋķÖũ āłāũėƘ ƒĢŶĞ āķāóŶũĢóÖķ ĞāÖŶĢłė ƒĞāł ŶÖũĢƦ ŭ Öũā ķŋƒ Öłù ŋŽŶŭĢùā óŋłùĢŶĢŋłŭ Öũā łŋŶ ŋťŶĢĿÖķ̍ 3. Battery storage – Thanks to ŶĞā ėũŋƒŶĞ ŋĕ ũāłāƒÖðķā āłāũėƘ Öłù ÖùƑÖłóāĿāłŶŭ Ģł ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̇ āłāũėƘ ŭŶŋũÖėā Ģŭ łŋƒ Öł ÖũāÖ ŶĞÖŶ ŋƦ āũŭ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ Ö ķŋŶ ŋĕ ťŋŶāłŶĢÖķ̍ 1łāũėƘ ŭŶŋũÖėā ƒŋũĴŭ ƒāķķ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ĢùāÖ ŋĕ ŶĞā ̨ŭĿÖũŶ ĞŋĿā̪ Öłù Ģŭ ĴāƘ Ŷŋ ėũāÖŶāũ ĞŋĿā āłāũėƘ ŭāķĕŭŽƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù ķŋƒāũ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ðĢķķŭ̍ Rĕ Ö ũāłāƒÖðķā āłāũėƘ ŭƘŭŶāĿ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ŭŋķÖũ Á̇ Ģŭ ðāĢłė Žŭāù ŶĞāƘ ƒĢķķ ĢłāƑĢŶÖðķƘ ėāłāũÖŶā Ŀŋũā āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ŶĞÖł łāāùāù ÖŶ ŶĢĿāŭ ŋĕ ĞĢėĞ ŭŽťťķƘ Öłù ķŋƒ ùāĿÖłù̍ ¦ŋ ĿÖƗĢĿĢŭā ŶĞā ƑÖķŽā ŋĕ ðÖŶŶāũƘ ŭŶŋũÖėā̇ N1m óÖł ŶÖĴā ĢłŶŋ ÖóóŋŽłŶ ĿŽķŶĢťķā ƑÖũĢÖðķāŭ ̞ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ƒĞāŶĞāũ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ Öũā on a time-of-Žŭā ƪ ÖŶ ũÖŶā ŶÖũĢƦ Öłù ƒĞāŶĞāũ ŶĞāƘ ĞÖƑā ÖłƘ ĢłóāłŶĢƑā Ŷŋ

ŭāķķ ŭŶŋũāù āłāũėƘ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ėũĢù̍ ŋĿā ŋĕ ŶĞā Ŀŋũā ĢłłŋƑÖŶĢƑā āłāũėƘ ŭŽťťķĢāũŭ Öũā ŋƦ āũĢłė ƑÖũĢÖðķā ŶÖũĢƦ ŭ ŶĞÖŶ óĞÖłėā ŶĞā ťũĢóā ŋĕ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ùāťāłùĢłė ŋł ùāĿÖłù Öłù̇ Ģł ŭŋĿā óÖŭāŭ̇ ťÖƘ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ Ŷŋ Žŭā āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ÖŶ óāũŶÖĢł ŶĢĿāŭ ŋĕ ŶĞā ùÖƘ ùŽā Ŷŋ Ö ŭŽũťķŽŭ Ģł ŶĞā ėũĢù̍

Moving forward ĿÖũŶ ėũĢù ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Ģŭ ðāĢłė ùāƑāķŋťāù Ģł ŋũùāũ Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ŶĞā ũĢŭĢłė āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶ̇ Öłù N1m ƒĢķķ ťŋŶāłŶĢÖķķƘ ťķÖƘ Ö ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ ũŋķā Ģł ŽłùāũŭŶÖłùĢłė ŶĞā āłāũėƘ ùāĿÖłù ŋĕ ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķù ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ ŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ðāĢłė Öðķā Ŷŋ āłĞÖłóā āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłóƘ ƒĢŶĞĢł ŶĞā ĞŋĿā ðƘ ķāÖũłĢłė ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ ðāĞÖƑĢŋŽũŭ̇ ŶĞāƘ ĿÖƘ Öķŭŋ ťũŋƑĢùā ŭŽťťķĢāũŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ŋťťŋũŶŽłĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ťũŋƑĢùā ĢłóāłŶĢƑāŭ Öłù ðāŶŶāũ ŶÖũĢƦ ŭ Ŷŋ ŶĞŋŭā ƒĞŋ Öũā ƒĢķķĢłė Ŷŋ ťũŋƑĢùā ŶĞā ŭŽťťķĢāũ Öóóāŭŭ Ŷŋ ŋťŶĢĿĢŭā ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋĿā ĞāÖŶĢłė̍ ¦Ğā b ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ Öłù ŽŶĢķĢŶƘ ťũŋƑĢùāũŭ Öũā ÖķũāÖùƘ ÖùŋťŶĢłė N1m ̇ Öłù ĢŶ̪ŭ óķāÖũ ŶĞāŭā ĢłłŋƑÖŶĢƑā ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ĞÖƑā Ö ðĢė ũŋķā Ŷŋ ťķÖƘ Ģł ŶĞā ĕŽŶŽũā ŋĕ ŶĞā āłāũėƘ ĢłĕũÖŭŶũŽóŶŽũā̍ ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞĢŭ Ģł ĿĢłù̇ ĢŶ̪ŭ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ŶĞÖŶ ĞāÖŶĢłė āłėĢłāāũŭ āùŽóÖŶā ŶĞāĿŭāķƑāŭ Öŭ āÖũķƘ Öŭ ťŋŭŭĢðķā ŋł ŶĞā ĞŋĿā āłāũėƘ ĿÖłÖėāĿāłŶ ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ŷŋ ðā Ģł Ö ťŋŭĢŶĢŋł Ŷŋ Žť-ŭĴĢķķ Öłù ÖùŋťŶ ŶĞāĿ Öŭ ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞāĢũ ĕŽŶŽũā ŋƦ āũĢłė̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˜˚

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Heating Controls

Smart controls for 40% changing lives BY NUMBERS

As the way we live and work continues to evolve, so too must ðŽĢķùĢłė ŭāũƑĢóāŭ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėĢāŭ̍ DũÖłơ NŽāķķā ĕũŋĿ āĞÖŽ ŽĢķùĢłė ŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ āƗťķŋũāŭ Ğŋƒ Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ƒĢŶĞ ŭĿÖũŶ óŋłŶũŋķ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ óÖł ùāķĢƑāũ āƧ óĢāłŶ̇ ƪ āƗĢðķā ĞāÖŶĢłė Ģł ũāŭťŋłŭā Ŷŋ the need for more sustainable buildings.

óũŋŭŭ ŶĞā ḃ Öķķ ũāŭĢùāłŶĢÖķ Öłù commercial buildings have been āƗťāũĢāłóĢłė óĞÖłėĢłė ĞāÖŶĢłė requirements and unpredictable heating demand. The challenge is ŶĞāũāĕŋũā Ŷŋ ŭāķāóŶ ƪ āƗĢðķā̇ āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłŶ ĞāÖŶĢłė solutions that ultimately deliver lower heating bills. This is coupled with the need to keep costs reasonable and installation time to a minimum.

Öł Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ paired with a heat pump is ˝˙% Ŀŋũā āƧ óĢāłŶ ŶĞÖł Ö ũÖùĢÖŶŋũ̓ gas boiler system

60 the number of individual room thermostats that can be linked to the NEA Smart ˛̍˙

297,000 the number of three generation households in the UK living in the same home in ˛˙˚ˢ

Flexible solution ÂĞĢķā ðÖķÖłóĢłė ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā̇ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù óŋŭŶ ũāĿÖĢł Ö óĞÖķķāłėā ƒĢŶĞ Öķķ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭťāóĢƩ óÖŶĢŋł̇ the changing heating habits of the nation mean ÖłƘ ťũŋŭťāóŶĢƑā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ĿŽŭŶ ðā Öŭ ƪ āƗĢðķā Öŭ possible. The layout of buildings, their uses and ķāƑāķŭ ŋĕ ĞāÖŶĢłė ùāĿÖłù Öũā ĕŋũāƑāũ Ģł ƪ ŽƗ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŭŽŭŶÖĢłÖðĢķĢŶƘ ŶÖũėāŶŭ ÖƦ āóŶĢłė ŶĞā ŭĢŶŽÖŶĢŋł ĕŽũŶĞāũ̍ łùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ̛DN̜ Ģŭ ĢłóũāÖŭĢłėķƘ ŭāāł Öŭ Ö more favourable choice for space heating. Thanks to ķŋƒāũ ƪ ŋƒ ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũāŭ̇ ĢŶ łŋŶ ŋłķƘ ũāťũāŭāłŶŭ Öł āƧ óĢāłŶ̇ ÖƦ ŋũùÖðķā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł̇ ðŽŶ Öķŭŋ Ö ŭŽŭŶÖĢłÖðķā means of heating in conjunction with a low carbon ĞāÖŶ ŭŋŽũóā̍ Rł ĕÖóŶ̇ ũāóāłŶ ũāŭāÖũóĞ ŽłùāũŶÖĴāł ðƘ ŶĞā ũĢŶĢŭĞ 1ķāóŶũŋŶāóĞłĢóÖķ Öłù ķķĢāù mÖłŽĕÖóŶŽũāũŭ ŭŭŋóĢÖŶĢŋł ̛ 1 m ̜ ĞÖŭ ũāƑāÖķāù ŶĞÖŶ ƒÖũĿ ƒÖŶāũ DN ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋłŭ Öũā ˛˞ͮ more āƧ óĢāłŶ ŶĞÖł ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ ƒĞāł ťÖĢũāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö Ŀŋùāũł condensing boiler, and ˝˙ͮ Ŀŋũā óŋŭŶ āƦ āóŶĢƑā ƒĢŶĞ a heat pump.

374,000 Franz Huelle Head of technical at Rehau Building Solutions

The NEA Smart ˛̍˙ from Rehau can be programmed by a smartphone or tablet

more employees working from home in ˛˙˚ˢ compared to a decade ago

¦ŋ ĕŽũŶĞāũ ùũĢƑā āƧ óĢāłóƘ̇ ŭĿÖũŶ óŋłŶũŋķ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Ģŭ Öł innovation growing in popularity. Though energy savings realised through the intelligent regulation of space heating is important, building services professionals must ensure solutions are practical and easy to operate. As sustainability becomes an increasing priority, energy savings Öłù ÖùÖťŶÖðĢķĢŶƘ ŋĕ ŭĿÖũŶ ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ̇ ťÖũŶĢóŽķÖũķƘ ƒĞāł Žŭāù ƒĢŶĞ DN ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̇ ùāĿŋłŭŶũÖŶā ŶĞāũā Ģŭ ėũāÖŶ ťŋŶāłŶĢÖķ ĕŋũ ƪ āƗĢðķā ŭťÖóā heating across buildings. As these change over the years, building

services professionals are therefore able to deliver ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ŶĞÖŶ Öũā ƪ āƗĢðķā Ŷŋ ŶĞāŭā óĞÖłėĢłė living and working trends.

Living trends How the nation uses its homes has varied hugely over ŶĞā ƘāÖũŭ̇ łŋŶ ķāÖŭŶ Ģł ŶĞā ũāóāłŶ ĿŋłŶĞŭ̍ 'ĢƦ āũāłŶ occupants with varying heating requirements all Žłùāũ ŋłā ũŋŋĕ ĿāÖł ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ Ģŭ ðāĢłė ũāŨŽĢũāù ĕũŋĿ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̍ ł āƗÖĿťķā ŋĕ disparate heating trends in one dwelling can be seen in multigenerational households. ¦Ğā zƧ óā ŋĕ pÖŶĢŋłÖķ ŶÖŶĢŭŶĢóŭ āŭŶĢĿÖŶāŭ ŶĞÖŶ households containing three generations of the same family represented the fastest growing household type over the past two decades, rising from ˚ˠ˙̇˙˙˙ in ˚ˢˢˢ to ˛ˢˠ̇˙˙˙ in ˛˙˚ˢ. With this in mind, contractors must be aware when specifying heating solutions that the concept of ideal room temperature can vary even across a single household, ŭŋ ťũŋŭťāóŶĢƑā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ĿŽŭŶ ðā ƪ āƗĢðķā̍ Particularly accelerated by Covid-˚ˢ disruption, there is a fast growing trend towards home and ƪ āƗĢðķā ƒŋũĴĢłė̍ ũāťŋũŶ ðƘ ŶĞā ¦ũÖùā łĢŋł Congress highlighted that over ˜ˠ˝̇˙˙˙ more employees were working from home in ˛˙˚ˢ than Ö ùāóÖùā Öėŋ̍ Ģłóā ŶĞāł̇ ŶĞā ťÖłùāĿĢó ĞÖŭ ĕŽũŶĞāũ advanced this rate, and even potentially changed the way we approach working forever. With such varying activity taking place in the nation’s homes, ŋóóŽťÖłŶŭ ĿÖƘ ũāŨŽĢũā ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭóĞāùŽķāŭ for their working area, distinct from the rest of the ĞŋĿā̪ŭ ĞāÖŶĢłė ùāĿÖłù̍ ĿÖũŶ óŋłŶũŋķ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ ŋƦ āũŭ ĿÖƘ̇ ŶĞāũāĕŋũā̇ ťũŋƑĢùā Ö ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł̍

Getting smarter ĿÖũŶ óŋłŶũŋķ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ óÖł ùāķĢƑāũ ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ to meet modern living and working trends, while ĢĿťũŋƑĢłė ŶĞā āƧ óĢāłóƘ ŋĕ DN ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Öłù enabling energy bill savings. By using data from sensors, the internet and information accumulated ĕũŋĿ ŋóóŽťÖłŶ ĞÖðĢŶŭ Öłù ðŽĢķùĢłė āƧ óĢāłóƘ ŋƑāũ ťũŋķŋłėāù ťāũĢŋùŭ̇ óŋłŶũŋķŭ óÖł āƧ óĢāłŶķƘ ÖùÖťŶ space heating within a building. With other technologies like geofencing, which determines the location of a building’s occupants and heats their rooms accordingly, smart solutions such Öŭ ŶĞā p1 ĿÖũŶ ˛̍˙ ĕũŋĿ āĞÖŽ óÖł ũāėŽķÖŶā DN systems to continually optimise temperature.

Easy set up As some installers have reservations around smart óŋłŶũŋķ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̇ ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ŶĞā p1 ĿÖũŶ ˛̍˙ have been designed to be installed ‘out of the ðŋƗ̪̍ RŶ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ Ö ŭĢĿťķā Ŷŋŋķ-free set-up, while an intuitive commissioning wizard is available for more óŋĿťķāƗ ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ Ŷŋ ėŽĢùā ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ťũŋóāŭŭ and system checks. Rł Ö ŶĢĿā ƒĞāũā Ģł-person repairs and maintenance óÖł ðā ùĢƧ óŽķŶ̇ ŭĿÖũŶ ĕŽłóŶĢŋłÖķĢŶƘ Öķŭŋ Öķķŋƒŭ contractors to carry out remote servicing through the internet and dedicated app. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˜˛

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Heating Controls W Honeywell Home T6 works with any boiler and can integrate into almost any heating system

Understanding the latest grants ¦Ğāũā Öũā Ö łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ĢłĢŶĢÖŶĢƑāŭ Ŷŋ Ğāķť óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ ťŽũóĞÖŭā óÖũðŋł óŽŶŶĢłė ťũŋùŽóŶŭ̇ ķĢĴā óŋłŶũŋķŭ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ŶĞā 1łāũėƘ !ŋĿťÖłƘ zðķĢėÖŶĢŋł ˜ Öłù ŶĞā Fũāāł NŋĿāŭ FũÖłŶ̍ mÖũŶĢł ÂĢķŭŋł ĕũŋĿ āŭĢùāŋ ŶÖĴāŭ Ö óķŋŭāũ ķŋŋĴ ÖŶ ŶĞāŭā ŭóĞāĿāŭ Öłù ƒĞÖŶ ŶĞāƘ ĞÖƑā Ŷŋ ŋƦāũ̍

here are a range of funding ťũŋėũÖĿĿāŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ŷŋ ŭŽťťŋũŶ óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ ƒĢŶĞ ĿÖĴĢłė ŶĞāĢũ ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ Ŀŋũā āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłŶ̇ Ŷƒŋ ŋĕ ƒĞĢóĞ are the ECO ˜ ŭóĞāĿā Öłù ŶĞā Fũāāł NŋĿāŭ FũÖłŶ̍ ¦ĞāƘ Öũā ƑāũƘ ùĢƦāũāłŶ Ģł ŶāũĿŭ ŋĕ Ğŋƒ ŶĞāƘ ƒŋũĴ̇ ƒĞŋ Öłù ƒĞÖŶ solutions qualify for funding, Öłù Ğŋƒ ŶĞāƘ Öũā ÖùĿĢłĢŭŶāũāù̍

currently heated, other existing āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ̇ Öłù the solutions to be installed. ŭĢłė Öķķ ŋĕ ŶĞĢŭ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł̇ ŶĞā ÖĿŋŽłŶ ŋĕ ĕŽłùĢłė ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ĕŋũ a property is calculated. Because ŶĞāũā ĞÖƑā ðāāł Ö łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ changes to the calculation ĿāŶĞŋùŋķŋėƘ Öłù ƒĞĢóĞ ŶƘťāŭ ŋĕ installations qualify throughout ùĢƦāũāłŶ ťĞÖŭāŭ ŋĕ ŶĞā ŭóĞāĿā̇ ŶĞāũā ĞÖŭ ðāāł ŭŋĿā óŋłĕŽŭĢŋł about the type of heating controls that can be installed as part of an ECO ˜ upgrade.

ECO ˜ scheme ¦Ğā 1łāũėƘ !ŋĿťÖłƘ zðķĢėÖŶĢŋł ̛1!ż̜ ƩũŭŶ ĢłŶũŋùŽóāù Ģł ˛˙˚˜, places legal obligations on larger energy suppliers Ŷŋ ùāķĢƑāũ āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ Ŷŋ ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ťũāĿĢŭāŭ̍ Each obligated supplier has an ŋƑāũÖķķ ŶÖũėāŶ ðÖŭāù ŋł ĢŶŭ ŭĞÖũā ŋĕ ŶĞā ùŋĿāŭŶĢó āłāũėƘ ĿÖũĴāŶ in Britain. It is intended to assist ƑŽķłāũÖðķā óŋłŭŽĿāũ ėũŋŽťŭ Ģł ũāùŽóĢłė óÖũðŋł āĿĢŭŭĢŋłŭ̇ ĿÖĢłŶÖĢł ŭāóŽũĢŶƘ ŋĕ āłāũėƘ ŭŽťťķƘ̇ Öłù ŶÖóĴķā ĕŽāķ ťŋƑāũŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā ŭóĞāĿā Ģŭ łŋƒ Žłùāũ Ö łāƒ phase – ECO ˜ ̞ ƒĞĢóĞ ƒĢķķ ũŽł until March ˛˙˛˛. ¦Ğŋŭā ƒĞŋ Öũā Ģł ũāóāĢťŶ ŋĕ óāũŶÖĢł ðāłāƩŶŭ̇ ŋũ ķĢƑā Ģł ŭŋóĢÖķ ĞŋŽŭĢłė ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ ƒĢŶĞ Öł 1 ! band of E, F or G, are eligible for 1!z ĕŽłùĢłė̍ Nŋƒ ĿŽóĞ ĕŽłùĢłė ŶĞāƘ óÖł ũāóāĢƑā ùāťāłùŭ ŋł ŶĞā ŶƘťā ŋĕ ťũŋťāũŶƘ̇ Ğŋƒ ĢŶ̪ŭ

Martin Wilson Sales director at Resideo

CUT TO THE CHASE Đ Consumers can get heating controls installed under the auspices of the ECO 3 scheme and the Green Homes Grant Đ Smart thermostats are in line with the latest Boiler Plus guidance Đ More sophisticated controls, like Honeywell Home’s T6 smart thermostat and Evohome, can deliver optimum heating with minimal intervention from the householders

The basics ÂĞāł ĢłŭŶÖķķĢłė ƩũŭŶ ŶĢĿā central heating (FTCH), standard heating controls ƒĢŶĞ Ö ťũŋėũÖĿĿāũ̇ ũŋŋĿ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ Öłù ¦ Áŭ ŋł Öķķ ŶĞā ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ ŋŽŶŭĢùā ŶĞā ũŋŋĿ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ̇ ŋũ Ö ŶĢĿāũ Öłù ĢłùĢƑĢùŽÖķ łāŶƒŋũĴāù ũÖùĢÖŶŋũ óŋłŶũŋķŭ Ģł āÖóĞ ũŋŋĿ̇ óÖł ðā Žŭāù Öŭ ķŋłė Öŭ ŶĞāƘ óŋĿťķƘ ƒĢŶĞ ŽĢķùĢłė āėŽķÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ ĿāÖłŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā NŋłāƘƒāķķ NŋĿā ¦˝ and T˜ series of ťũŋėũÖĿĿÖðķā ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶŭ óÖł both be considered, alongside ŋŽũ ¦ Áŭ̇ ĕŋũ 1!z ˜-funded installations.

Smart support ĿÖũŶ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ Öũā Ģł ķĢłā ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ ŋĢķāũ Plus guidance can also be

ƩŶŶāù Žłùāũ ŶĞā ŭóĞāĿā̍ ¦ĞāƘ ĿŽŭŶ ðā Öðķā Ŷŋ ÖŽŶŋĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ ÖùıŽŭŶ ŶĢĿā Öłù ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā settings based on occupancy ùāŶāóŶĢŋł Öłù̓ŋũ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł inputted by the user, and start ŶĞā ðŋĢķāũ ÖŶ ŶĞā ŋťŶĢĿŽĿ ŶĢĿā Ŷŋ ÖóĞĢāƑā ŶĞā ŭāŶťŋĢłŶ ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā ÖŶ ŶĞā ŭŶÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā occupancy period. While there Ģŭ łŋ ŭĢłėķā ùāƩłĢŶĢŋł ŋĕ ŭĿÖũŶ technology, products installed ĿŽŭŶ Öķŭŋ āłÖðķā óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ Ŷŋ ũāĿŋŶāķƘ ŭāŶ Öłù ÖùıŽŭŶ ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋĿā ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā ƑĢÖ Ö ŶÖðķāŶ̇ ŭĿÖũŶťĞŋłā ŋũ ùāŭĴŶŋť Ŷŋ ðā óŋłŭĢùāũāù Ö ŭĿÖũŶ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ for the purposes of ECO ˜. ¦Ğā NŋłāƘƒāķķ NŋĿā ¦˟ and 1ƑŋĞŋĿā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ðŋŶĞ āłÖðķā users to control their heating ÖŶ ĞŋĿā ƑĢÖ ŭĿÖũŶťĞŋłā ŋũ tablet. The T˟ ƒŋũĴŭ ƒĢŶĞ ÖłƘ ðŋĢķāũ Öłù ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋł̇ ŋƦāũĢłė ĢłŶāėũÖŶĢŋł ĢłŶŋ ÖķĿŋŭŶ āƑāũƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ̍ ¦Ğā ťũŋùŽóŶŭ óŋłŶũŋķ ðŋĢķāũŭ Öłù ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ŽŭĢłė ¦ R ŋũ ĿŋùŽķÖŶĢłė óŋłŶũŋķ̇ ùāķĢƑāũĢłė āƧóĢāłóƘ ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ user interaction.

Green Homes Grant ÖŶĞāũ ŶĞÖł ťķÖóĢłė Ö ķāėÖķ obligation on energy suppliers Ŷŋ ùāķĢƑāũ āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ Ŷŋ ķŋƒ ĢłóŋĿā ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ̇ ŶĞā Fũāāł NŋĿāŭ FũÖłŶ ťũŋƑĢùāŭ Ö ƑŋŽóĞāũ Žť Ŷŋ ŶĞā ƑÖķŽā ŋĕ ͎˞˙˙˙ Ŷŋ óŋƑāũ

the cost of qualifying energy āƧóĢāłóƘ ĢĿťũŋƑāĿāłŶŭ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ÖťťķĢóÖłŶ̪ŭ ĞŋĿā̍ Rĕ ŶĞā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ Ģŭ ŋł Ö ķŋƒ ĢłóŋĿā Öłù ũāóāĢƑāŭ óāũŶÖĢł ðāłāƩŶŭ̇ ŶĞā ƑŋŽóĞāũ̪ŭ ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ƑÖķŽā increases to £˚˙̇˙˙˙. ¦Ğā ƑŋŽóĞāũ ĿŽŭŶ ðā Žŭāù to install at least one of the ťũĢĿÖũƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ óÖł ðā ĢłŭŽķÖŶĢŋł Öłù̓ŋũ Ö ķŋƒ carbon heating solution. Only ŶĞāł óÖł ŶĞā ƑŋŽóĞāũ ðā Žŭāù Ŷŋ Ğāķť óŋƑāũ ŶĞā óŋŭŶ ŋĕ Ö ŭāóŋłùÖũƘ ĿāÖŭŽũā ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ĞāÖŶĢłė óŋłŶũŋķŭ̍ ¦Ğā ÖĿŋŽłŶ ŋĕ ĕŽłùĢłė Ö ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ ũāóāĢƑāŭ for the controls cannot exceed ŶĞā ÖĿŋŽłŶ ťũŋƑĢùāù ĕŋũ ŶĞā ťũĢĿÖũƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ̍

Installers ¦ŋ óÖũũƘ ŋŽŶ ƒŋũĴ Žłùāũ āĢŶĞāũ ŋĕ ŶĞāŭā ŭóĞāĿāŭ̇ Öķķ installers and businesses ƒĢķķ łāāù Ŷŋ ðā óāũŶĢƩāù Ŷŋ ũāķāƑÖłŶ ̛ ŽðķĢóķƘ ƑÖĢķÖðķā ťāóĢƩóÖŶĢŋł̜ ŭŶÖłùÖũùŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ̆ ˛˙˜˙, and to register their óāũŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł ƒĢŶĞ ¦ũŽŭŶmÖũĴ̍ Businesses do not register ùĢũāóŶķƘ ƒĢŶĞ ¦ũŽŭŶmÖũĴ – registration can only be ŋðŶÖĢłāù ŶĞũŋŽėĞ Ö óĞāĿā ũŋƑĢùāũ ƒĞŋ ĢłŭťāóŶŭ̇ ƑāũĢƩāŭ Öłù óāũŶĢƩāŭ ŶĞā ŭŶÖłùÖũù̍ āĢłė ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ¦ũŽŭŶmÖũĴ óŋĿāŭ ƒĢŶĞ ĿÖłƘ ðāłāƩŶŭ̇ ŭŋ Ģĕ ƘŋŽ Öũā łŋŶ ÖķũāÖùƘ ¦ũŽŭŶmÖũĴ ũāėĢŭŶāũāù̇ łŋƒ̪ŭ ŶĞā ŶĢĿā Ŷŋ ŶĞĢłĴ ÖðŋŽŶ ėāŶŶĢłė ŶĞĢŭ ŭŋũŶāù̍

Stay informed FŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ėũÖłŶŭ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ŭŶĢĿŽķÖŶā ùāĿÖłù ĕŋũ āłāũėƘ ŭÖƑĢłė ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ƒĢķķ Ğāķť Ŷŋ ĢłóũāÖŭā ŶĞā ÖĿŋŽłŶ ŋĕ ƒŋũĴ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ĕŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė Öłù ťķŽĿðĢłė ðŽŭĢłāŭŭāŭ̍ Ƙ ŽłùāũŭŶÖłùĢłė Ğŋƒ ŶĞāŭā ėũÖłŶŭ ƒŋũĴ̇ ƘŋŽ óÖł ÖùƑĢŭā ƘŋŽũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ÖóóŋũùĢłėķƘ̇ ėāłāũÖŶā ĢłóŋĿā ĕŋũ ƘŋŽũ ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ Öłù Ğāķť ŶĞā óŋŽłŶũƘ Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ĢŶŭ łāŶzero target. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˜˜

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Water Heating & Cylinders 31

Why hot water storage is the way forward The way we heat our homes is changing as legislation drives the uptake of low carbon heating technologies. David Hall from Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders discusses what this means for the heating professional.

or the last decade, the gas or oil-ﬁred combi boiler has dominated the heating industry as the go-to choice for new build properties. Providing hot water on demand, their popularity was also increased by there not being a space requirement for a hot water storage cylinder or tank in the loft. However, this is now set to change as reducing carbon emissions from new homes is essential if the government is to meet its net zero emission targets. A Future Homes Standard, to be introduced by 202 , will require new build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating and world leading levels of energy e ciency. With heat pumps named as one of the main technologies to deliver heat to new homes, renewable heating systems (in which the hot water storage cylinder plays a crucial role), are set to become the preferred option for new build homes across the UK. Steps to increase energy e ciency standards for new homes will be introduced later this year (through Part L of the Building Regulations), which are designed as a stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard.

Whole system

So what does this mean for the heating professional, as historically it has been left up to them to match the correct size of cylinder relative to the heat source? Firstly, as air source heat pumps require a dedicated hot water cylinder designed to allow maximum transfer of energy into the stored water, it is imperative to look at a hot water and heating system as a whole. To achieve this delicate balancing act of storing hot water to harvest renewable energy and bank for later use, the distinguishing performance and design features of hot water storage cylinders are becoming increasingly important. Integral to any central heating system, a hot water cylinder is the gobetween for renewable heating technologies and needs to be given the consideration it deserves to maximise operating e ciencies and ultimately keep the homeowner happy. Secondly, and probably contrary to popular belief, every type of air source heat pump

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varies in the way it delivers heat. Therefore, the correct speciﬁcation of a hot water cylinder for each brand/model of air source heat pump is also essential if the heating and hot water system is to operate at maximum e ciency. This could include the use of a plate heat exchanger instead of a traditional heating coil, or a variation in the capacity of the buffer cylinder.

By design

David Hall

Sales director at Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders Ltd.

A hot water cylinder is the go-between for renewable heating technologies and needs to be given the careful consideration it deserves

As specialists in the design and manufacture of hot water storage cylinders, at Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders we have developed a range of approved cylinder options which meet the individual requirements of the leading air source heat pumps. Since correctly specifying a hot water cylinder is such an important requirement, is there any help out there for the heating professional? This is where the technical expertise of the hot water cylinder manufacturer comes into play, with some companies offering a total package solution from the initial design, right through to the completed installation. This not only makes the design and installation process of the heating and hot water system easier for the heating professional, but it also saves valuable time. By adopting an air source heat pump package approach, all aspects of the heating system can be designed

and sized accurately to meet the requirements of the property, thereby ensuring optimum operating performance.

Full package

The Telford Air Source Heat Pump heating and domestic hot water package comprises a compact external monobloc unit with a pre-plumbed, unvented hot water storage cylinder. The Tempest duplex stainless steel, pre-plumbed heat pump cylinders, which include prefabricated pipework, wiring and an integrated 0 litre buffer, can save up to 0% installation time on site, have the added benefit of not requiring a G3 qualification for installation. Incorporating a buffer cylinder improves the e ciency of a heating system as it temporarily stores a mass of hot water (which is not currently needed) at a high temperature. Supplying mains pressure hot water and high flow rates, the cylinders feature a purposedesigned air source heat pump coil which allows maximum heat transfer of renewable energy into the stored water. Out of sight and out of mind, the domestic hot

water cylinder often escapes attention and as such, the vitally important role it has to play in the e ciency of an air source heat pump system. To achieve maximum e ciencies and meet legislative requirements, it is crucial to think of the hot water and heating system as a whole. As developers and ultimately the heating professional will be responsible for implementing these changes, it makes sense to not only adopt a package solution, but to also take advantage of the design expertise offered by cylinder manufacturers. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

CUT TO THE CHASE  All air source heat pumps require a dedicated hot water cylinder  It is essential to specify the right cylinder for each brand/ model of heat pump  By adopting a package approach, all aspects of the heating system can be designed and sized appropriately  It is important to think of the hot water and heating system as a whole

Available from Telford is a compact air source heat pump, heating & domestic hot water package, with pre-plumbed, indirect, unvented stainless-steel hot water storage cylinder. The external LG Therma V monobloc unit delivers outputs from to 1 kW and uses environmentally sustainable R 2 refrigerant.

04/12/2020 12:10

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Water Heating & Cylinders

Better way to use the grid to heat hot water Homeowners across the UK could reduce their hot water bills if a new initiative is introduced which seeks to automatically heat hot water when there is low cost electricity available. George Linder from Heatrae Sadia reveals how an initiative to develop smarter hot water storage cylinders proves it is possible to save energy by using demand side response technology for hot water.

omeowners using hot water cylinders across the UK could soon save energy and reduce their hot water bills if a new initiative is introduced which seeks to automatically heat hot water when there is low cost electricity available. This initiative is called The Ubiquitous Storage Empowering esponse USE project and if successful could revolutionise how hot water cylinders work.

What is it?

The USE initiative is run by a group of organisations within the low carbon energy sector, including Heatrae Sadia (part of Baxi Heating , Levelise, Ecuity Consulting, Energy Systems Catapult and Durham University. These organisations have come together to trial how new and existing hot water cylinders can be connected to the grid with a smart interface unit, enabling the hot water store to become a grid interactive storage heater, to heat hot water when there is low cost electricity available. The USE project has the potential to maximise savings for households, as wholesale electricity prices sometimes drop to zero, or even negative values, meaning that in some cases they may be paid to use electricity.

WHAT IS USER?  The initiative is looking into how hot water cylinders can be automatically heated with low cost electricity via smart technology  The main objective is to maximise savings for households  Large estates linked to the technology could help alleviate local grid balancing

George Linder

Product manager for cylinders at Heatrae Sadia

We will ensure tradespeople are equipped with the knowledge and resources required to provide customers with a water system

Compact solution takes care of plant room conversion Equipment from AIC Heating UK has played a major part in the conversion of a commercial space into a new 44-bedroom care home for Morar Living (Part of Simply UK). AIC worked with Glasgow-based electrical and mecahnical services contractor A. Alexander & Son on the project. The company stripped back the former restaurant and leisure complex to a bare shell, and from that developed the brand new care home. Two AIC CoilMasters were installed to serve the heating and domestic hot water supply building requirements. LTHW is provided by way of LST radiators to all areas and DHW to all ensuites, assisted bathrooms, laundry and kitchen. The existing building had a mixture of boilers and caloriﬁers across two different plantrooms. Given the project was a renovation, there was

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 ega o cylinders have been provided for the trials to test demand side response

For new build estates, with a large network of properties all linked to the technology, demand side response capability could also be aggregated and offered to networks to help alleviate local grid balancing issues. Therefore, it has the two-fold effect of saving the user money and supporting grid management.

Progress report

The trial is made up of over 3 0 homes, with funding provided by the government to enable the use of artiﬁcial intelligence (AI) to optimise this virtual community across the country. egaﬂo Eco cylinders have

been provided to help facilitate trials for the USE project and test demand side response. At the moment, all of these British households have had smart hubs installed and connected to their hot water cylinder’s immersion heater, in order to sync with the smart grid. With no need for any complicated switchover, or requirement for the homeowners to collect data, the project has so far been a success. By 2021 Baxi Heating will have contributed towards the ﬁndings of the report of this initiative. Following the results of the research, a business model could be developed to position how the programme could be rolled out on a national scale. With around nine million hot water cylinders currently in use throughout the UK, there would then be potential to tap into this vast combined thermal storage capacity.

Installers involvement

Depending on whether the technology is implemented directly via hot water cylinder manufacturers or via the route

of energy providers, there are a number of different ways this could impact installers. However, the installation itself should remain straightforward if the interface is attached to the cylinder, or could even mean no change for the installation at all if energy providers decide to deploy USE by alternative means. It is great to witness the strides being taken to improve hot water cylinders for the better and it is clear that there is a lot to gain from this technology. Homeowners will be delighted to see energy being used as economically as possible, local grid balancing issues will be alleviated, and installers can be safe in the knowledge they will be supported every step of the way no matter what. As one of the manufacturers involved in the project, Heatrae Sadia will ensure tradespeople are equipped with the knowledge and resources required to provide customers with a more e cient hot water system. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

very little scope to increase the plantroom area and it was therefore important that the boiler plant could be consolidated into the space available. AIC CoilMaster boilers, manufactured in stainless steel and incorporating a 10 year ﬁre-tube heat exchanger warranty, were selected due to their compact size and the dual function, which delivers heating and hot water from a single unit. The CoilMaster boilers chosen for this installation are NOx class and twin condensing in both heating and hot water modes, giving high output of continuous hot water and heating from a small footprint. Bernard Diamond, mechanical director with A. Alexander & Son, says they were very pleased with the AIC products, especially the CoilMasters: “We have just completed three care homes using the CoilMasters and are onsite with two further care home projects totalling 2 beds. We have also recently commissioned two units on another commercial entertainment venue. We plan to use these products on future projects which we have secured through 2021 and 2022.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

04/12/2020 14:35

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Water Heating & Cylinders

Simple swap of electric ŶĞāũĿÖķ ŭŶŋũā Ģł ƪÖŶŭ

Responding to instant demand

¦Ğā ùƑÖłóā 1¦ ̛1ķāóŶũĢó ¦ĞāũĿÖķ Ŷŋũā̜ ĕũŋĿ ùƑÖłóā Appliances is a simple replacement for old stores and is suitable for ÖťÖũŶĿāłŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĞÖƑā āķāóŶũĢó ŶĞāũĿÖķ ŭŶŋũāŭ ÖķũāÖùƘ ĢłŭŶÖķķāù̍ ¦Ğā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ ŶĞĢŭ ĴĢłù ŋĕ ÖťťķĢÖłóā ĢłóķŽùā ĿÖĢłŭ ťũāŭŭŽũā ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ĕũŋĿ Ö ƑāłŶāù ŭŶŋũā Öłù ŶĞā ÖðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ Žŭā ŋƦ-ťāÖĴ āķāóŶũĢó ŶÖũĢƦŭ̍ DŽũŶĞāũĿŋũā̇ ĿāŶÖķ ùĢŭóĞÖũėāŭ Öũāł̪Ŷ ũāŨŽĢũāù Ģĕ ŶĞā ŽłĢŶŭ ĞÖƑā Ö ĿāÖłŭ ŋĕ ĢŭŋķÖŶĢłė ŶĞā ĿÖĢłŭ ƒÖŶāũ ŭŽťťķƘ Ģĕ ƒÖŶāũ ķāƑāķŭ ðāóŋĿā Ŷŋŋ ĞĢėĞ Ģł ŶĞā Dͽ1 ŶÖłĴ̍ ¦Ğā ùƑÖłóā 1¦ ũāťķÖóāŭ ƒŋũł ŋŽŶ ŭŶŋũāŭ ŽŭĢłė ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ – thermal store with two ˜kW immersion heaters – but without unnecessary complex control ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̍ RŶ Ģŭ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ťũŋƑĢùā one shower plus one bath with one ŋƑāũłĢėĞŶ ŋƦ-ťāÖĴ óĞÖũėā Öłù Ģŭ easy to install as a replacement. The ŶĞāũĿÖķ ŭŶŋũā Ģŭ ķŋƒ ĿÖĢłŶāłÖłóā̇ and made from stainless steel for ķŋłė ķĢĕā̇ ƒĢŶĞ Ö Ŷāł ƘāÖũ ėŽÖũÖłŶāā̍ 1ÖóĞ óƘķĢłùāũ ĞÖŭ Ö ƒÖũũÖłŶƘ ƒĞĢóĞ óÖł ðā ũāėĢŭŶāũāù ƒĢŶĞ ùƑÖłóā ŭŋ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ Öũā ũāĿĢłùāù āƑāũƘ ƘāÖũ ŋĕ ŶĞā łāāù ĕŋũ Ö ŭāũƑĢóā̍ Rĕ łŋ ŋƑāũƪŋƒ ĕÖóĢķĢŶƘ Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā̇ ŶĞā 1¦ óÖł ðā ĕÖóŶŋũƘ ƩŶŶāù ƒĢŶĞ Öł ĢŭŋķÖŶĢŋł ĴĢŶ Ŷŋ āłÖðķā ŭĞŽŶ ŋƦ ŋĕ ŶĞā ĢłóŋĿĢłė ŭŽťťķƘ Ģł óÖŭā ŋĕ āĿāũėāłóƘ̍ ¦Ğā ĴĢŶ Ģŭ ťũā-plumbed and pre-wired to the basic model and operates with a standard ˞ amp supply. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˜ˠ

The Aures Slim Multi instantaneous electric water heater from Ariston ŋƦāũŭ Öł ÖķŶāũłÖŶĢƑā Ŷŋ āķāóŶũĢó ŭŶŋũÖėā water heaters. Water is instantly ƒÖũĿāù ðƘ ťÖŭŭĢłė ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā ŽłĢŶ̪ŭ ĞāÖŶĢłė āķāĿāłŶ̇ ũāŭŽķŶĢłė Ģł ŽłķĢĿĢŶāù ÖƑÖĢķÖðĢķĢŶƘ ŋł ùāĿÖłù̍ ŭ Ö ũāŭŽķŶ̇ the Aures Slim Multi can be installed ŶĞũŋŽėĞŋŽŶ Ö ĞŋĿā ŋũ ťũŋťāũŶƘ óķŋŭā Ŷŋ point of use. !ÖťÖðķā ŋĕ ťũŋùŽóĢłė ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ Ŷŋ ŭāũƑā ĿŽķŶĢťķā ŶÖťŭ Öłù ŭĞŋƒāũŭ ̛ŋłā ŋŽŶķāŶ ÖŶ Ö ŶĢĿā ̞ łŋŶ ŭĢĿŽķŶÖłāŋŽŭķƘ̜̇ the Aures Slim Multi is a wall-mounted

unit suited to applications such as kitchens and bathrooms. It also has an ̨ ̪ óķÖŭŭ 1ũ āłāũėƘ ũÖŶĢłė̍ ¦Ğāũā Ģŭ łŋ āłāũėƘ ķŋŭŭ Öŭ Ö ũāŭŽķŶ ŋĕ ƒÖŶāũ ðāĢłė ĞāÖŶāù ĢłŭŶÖłŶÖłāŋŽŭķƘ̇ ƒĞĢķā ŶĞāũā Ģŭ łŋ need to maintain a pre-set temperature when not in use. Units are also easy to ĢłŭŶÖķķ Öłù ĿÖĢłŶÖĢł̇ ũāŨŽĢũĢłė ŋłķƘ Ö connection to the water supply and a fused spur. ĕũŋłŶ ĕÖóĢłė ˝-ŭŶāť ùĢÖķ Öłù d1' ĢłùĢóÖŶĢŋł āłŭŽũāŭ āÖŭā ŋĕ ŋťāũÖŶĢŋł̇ Öłù ĢłùĢóÖŶŋũŭ ĞĢėĞķĢėĞŶ ŶĞā ŭāķāóŶāù ťŋƒāũ ķāƑāķ̆ ̨ķŋƒ̪ ̛˝̍˞ĴÂ̜̇ ̨ĿāùĢŽĿ̪ ̛˞ĴÂ̜ ŋũ ̨ĞĢėĞ̪ ̛˘̍˔ĴÂ̜̍ ¦Ğā Žũāŭ ķĢĿ mŽķŶĢ Ģŭ Öķŭŋ āŨŽĢťťāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö ƪŋƒ ŭāłŭŋũ ŭƘŭŶāĿ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ĢłĢŶĢÖŶāŭ ĢłŭŶÖłŶÖłāŋŽŭ ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ƒĞāł Öł ŋŽŶķāŶ Ģŭ ŋťāłāù̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˜ˡ

Contained in a neat package ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ÖĢĿ ŋĕ ťũŋƑĢùĢłė Ö ŭŶÖĢłķāŭŭ ŭŶāāķ óƘķĢłùāũ ŶĞÖŶ ŶÖĴāŭ Žť óŋłŭĢùāũÖðķƘ ķāŭŭ ŭťÖóā̇ z z NŋŶƒÖŶāũ ĞÖŭ óũāÖŶāù ŶĞā Žťāũ ŭāũĢāŭ̍ It is a pre-ťķŽĿðāù óƘķĢłùāũ ŶĞÖŶ ĞÖŭ ĞāÖŶĢłė óŋĢķ óŋłłāóŶĢŋłŭ̇ ĞŋŶ Öłù óŋķù ƒÖŶāũ ŭāũƑĢóāŭ̇ ŭÖĕāŶƘ ƑÖķƑāŭ Öłù āƗťÖłŭĢŋł Ƒāŭŭāķŭ Öķķ óŋłóāÖķāù Öłù óŋłŶÖĢłāù Žłùāũ Ö ũāĿŋƑÖðķā ķĢù ̛ŶĞā óƘķĢłùāũ Ģŭ ťĢóŶŽũāù ƒĢŶĞ ķĢù ŋƦ̜̍ ¦Ğā āłù ũāŭŽķŶ Ģŭ Ö łāÖŶāũ Öłù Ŀŋũā ŭťÖóā āƧóĢāłŶ óƘķĢłùāũ ťÖóĴÖėā ŶĞÖŶ ũāùŽóāŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł ŶĢĿā Öłù ĕũāāŭ up space in a cylinder cupboard. The company says that a small increase in diameter can ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶķƘ ũāùŽóā ĞāĢėĞŶ Ģł Ö óƘķĢłùāũ̇ ÖķķŋƒĢłė Ŀŋũā ŭŶŋũÖėā ŭĞāķƑāŭ ŋũ āƑāł Ö ƒÖŭĞĢłė ĿÖóĞĢłā Ŷŋ ðā ƩŶŶāù Ģł ŶĞā ŭÖĿā óŽťðŋÖũù̍ ¦ĞĢŭ Ģŭ ÖóĞĢāƑÖðķā ÖŶ Žť Ŷŋ ˛˚˙ ķĢŶũāŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā z z Žťāũ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ũÖłėā ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ĕũŋĿ ˚˛˙ to ˜˙˙ litres. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˜ˢ

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Heating 35

Laying down the standard

Will the drive to make home energy e ciency improvements also drive down installation standards? Chris Ingram from Continal argues that it’s important to ensure that lowtemperature systems are properly designed.

he possibility of 2 billion-worth of Green Homes Grant vouchers being up for grabs was always going to get the industry excited, and after various delays the money is ﬁnally starting to trickle from Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s pot of gold as the vouchers are made available. We have already seen the early impact of this scheme, with many heating engineers reporting being asked to quote, quote, and quote again, spending valuable hours of their evenings and weekends pricing jobs that may never happen. During my years in the industry we have seen many such initiatives (does anyone remember the Green Deal and the Chancellor’s announcement in July was simply the latest example. The danger of the Green Homes Grant is, like many of the schemes we’ve seen before, the industry will be the one having to pick up the pieces, as inexperienced people pile into the market claiming to be ‘experts’ when, in fact, they are anything but, resulting in a plethora of poor installations. This, inevitably, will lead to customer frustration and a raft of rumors and misinformation. You would have thought that the government might have learned the lessons of the Green Deal, and tried to ensure that industry training and supply chains were robust and ready before the scheme was announced, but of course, that didn’t happen. So, as we sit in the middle of Covid-19 chaos, what are the impacts on the heating industry?

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Continal has developed UFH systems to suit sources, including OneBoard (above), a composite chipboard panel with heat dissipation foil, and TileFix (right), a composite panel combining an insulation layer and tile bonding surface.

In demand

Chris Ingram

Founder of Continal nder oor Heating

UFH systems are than radiators when used as a low-temperature emitter, and UFH into an existing property that is undergoing renovation works

The ﬁrst and most obvious impact is the one that is already being felt – a huge increase in calls from people wanting to replace their current boilers with heat pumps and other low-carbon systems, if the government is going to help pay for it. I’m glad that my business, Continal Underﬂoor Heating, doesn’t sell heat pumps, because I know from industry colleagues and our customers that almost every waking minute has been spent quoting for projects that may never happen. You only have to go and read some of the plumbing groups and forums on social media to see the impact. I think there is a very strong argument to be made for heating engineers to be paid for their time spent quoting for jobs, and it’s a shame that no provision was made for this in the government’s plans. Initially the Green Homes Grant scheme was due to end in arch 2021, hence the rush for quotes, although the recent decision to extend the scheme by a year may help to calm things down slightly. Secondly, the supply chain is fragile. Following the Covid shutdown of factories earlier this year, and the predicted disruption to imports that is expected from

January 2021, the manufacturers just can’t keep up, and we’ve all seen what happens when demand peaks like this – more than a few ‘Friday jobs’ rear their ugly heads. Undoubtedly, prices are going to rise – it’s simple supply and demand.

Back to basics

Thirdly, and most concerning for me, is the experience that some installers are reporting. eplacing a gas or oil boiler with a heat pump is just not as straightforward as a simple swap, and installers have to understand the additional changes that need to be made to an existing system. Already, we are seeing some very strange ideas being suggested to homeowners around the types of emitters that are suitable to work with heat pumps, and how to get the best e ciency from a system. It helps to go back to basics – underfloor heating UFH systems are more e cient than radiators when used as a low-temperature emitter, and UFH can be fitted easily into an existing property that is undergoing significant renovation works. However, that UFH system must be properly designed, and it is vital that the floor insulation levels are checked. In the rush to sell overfloor or overlay panels as

the ideal solution, it seems this inconvenient truth is being ignored by some manufacturers, and that just isn’t good enough. No overlay panel, from any company, has anywhere near enough insulation pre-installed into it to stop heat energy being wasted and heating the ground instead of the room, and our industry needs to get its act together quickly to prevent this from happening.

Free course

The other area where the UFH industry must improve is the need for decent, up-to-date training. In the absence of any update to the current accredited UFH training, at Continal we’ve taken the initiative and our 12-module UFH Installer course is now being delivered and offered for free online across the UK. Hopefully, that may go some way towards helping to ﬁll the skills gap. Whatever the outcome of the Green Homes Grant scheme, the one thing we can be sure of is that it has brought low-temperature heating systems to the attention of many, even if their home isn’t suitable. Let’s hope we can all beneﬁt from it without trashing standards of work across the industry. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 0

03/12/2020 19:55

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Heating

Avoid costly errors by thinking ahead Demand for underﬂoor heating continues to grow in the UK, providing proﬁtable business opportunities for skilled installers. However, to maximise the potential of success, it’s important to plan ahead, follow best practice guidelines and take advantage of the support available from suppliers. Nigel Sanger of WC UK explains more.

One of the benefits of installing an underfloor heating system is the ability to create multi-zone systems that can be controlled by individual room thermostats, allowing users to heat different zones at different times and temperatures. Smart thermostats, such as JG Aura, offer additional control to homeowners, as heating can be managed for individual rooms from an app, with the flexibility to set heating schedules for each area of the house. But to successfully achieve these benefits, it is critical that thermostats and control areas are considered at the design stage. Doing so will ensure that the pipework layout and wiring centre will support the number of zones.

Nigel Sanger

Divisional director technical support at RWC UK

ccording to the ‘Underfloor Heating Market by Component – Global Forecast 2023’ the market is on track to increase by % between 201 and 2023. For plumbing and heating engineers, the business opportunity of underfloor heating (UFH) is huge. However, to make the most of this growing revenue stream, it is important to fully understand the benefits of best practices to maximise the potential gains.

For the end user, there are some clear benefits offered by UFH. Top of the list in today’s ecoconscious society is that UFH can heat a larger area at a lower temperature than a radiator, offering energy e ciencies and reducing heating bills. With no need for radiators, UFH also offers more flexibility with interior design and room layout. This makes it ideal for both open-plan areas as well as compact living where space is at a premium. Most UFH solutions can be paired with smart thermostats, which gives end-users more control over their heating, and tailors it to their needs. But to fully realise the benefits of UFH it is crucial to ensure that the project has been designed,

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Many large UFH suppliers will have support teams in place who can help with the planning process to help reduce the risks stated above. Our JG Underfloor brand, for example, offers an instant quote generator that can create a bill of materials from a simple project outline. For additional support, installers can share project details with our technical team to receive free CAD drawings and tailored advice specific to the heat source, floor type and covering they are working with.

installed, and commissioned correctly. So here are some top tips on how to deliver a successful UFH installation.

CUT TO THE CHASE  Flow rates should be calculated to ensure there is sufficient water going through the pipes to heat a room  It is important to consider thermostats and control areas at the design stage  Pipes coming up to the manifold should be covered by a protective sleeve to avoid the risk of accidental damage  Pressure tests should always be undertaken using water before any ooring or screed is laid

An important part of the installation process is to consider the pipework. It is of course best to use pipe that complements UFH installations. For example, our polybutylene JG Layflat pipe lays flat and flexibly turns around the edges while creating pipe circuits, helping speed up the pipe laying process.

It’s also recommended to cover the pipes coming up to the manifold with conduit pipes, as they act as a protective sleeve, shielding pipes from accidental damage. The conduit also prevents excessive heat from building up in areas where pipes carrying hot water are close together, which can crack or damage the ﬂoor.

Following installation, it is important to always undertake a pressure test using water. A common misconception is that testing with air is enough. However, doing so will not allow the pipes to expand fully, simply because air can be compressed, while water can’t. It is also important to make sure there aren’t any traces of air in the system, which can have a detrimental effect on how the system runs. Best practice is to perform a pressure test at 6 bar before any ﬂooring or screed is laid. This will allow you to check for leaks and ensure the pipes reach maximum expansion. Speciﬁcally, with screed, maintaining the pressure until it has been fully laid and cured will also prevent it from cracking later.

As the old saying goes, by failing to prepare, you prepare to fail. Whether you are a seasoned UFH installer, or you are looking to add UFH to your repertoire of services, it is always advisable to liaise with manufacturers to scope out the projects and plan accordingly. By doing so, the job can be streamlined, costly errors are prevented, and installation challenges can be foreseen and overcome in advance. ◼ /121/ 1

Just as with any other project, planning is vital to ensuring that the job runs smoothly – from having the right materials on-site to reducing the time spent on snags and reworks. This is particularly true when mapping out UFH in a property. Pipework needs to be fully measured out, so that enough materials are ordered. Flow rates also need to be calculated to ensure there is su cient water going through the pipes to heat the room effectively. Skipping the planning stage can cause project delays, result in under or over ordering, and even compromise the performance of the system altogether.

03/12/2020 19:58

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

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S ĿðĢ'āóĴ ˚ˡ ũŋ Žŭāù ŋł Ö ŶĢĿðāũ ƪ ŋŋũ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋł

ŽłĢƑāũŭÖķ ĕŋũ Öķķ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋłŭ̇ Öłù ÖùùĢŶĢŋłÖķ ťĢťāƒŋũĴ óĞÖłłāķŭ óÖł ŭĢĿťķƘ ðā ũŋŽŶāù ŋũ ėũŋŋƑāù Öŭ ũāŨŽĢũāù̍ ĿðĢ'āóĴ ˚ˡ ũŋ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ðā ķÖĢù ŋł Ŷŋ Ö ƪ ÖŶ Öłù ķāƑāķ ŭŽðƪ ŋŋũ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ óÖł āĢŶĞāũ ðā óŋłóũāŶā ŋũ ŶĢĿðāũ-ðÖŭāù̇ Öłù ŶĢķāŭ ŋũ ƒŋŋù ƪ ŋŋũĢłė óÖł ðā ķÖĢù ùĢũāóŶķƘ ŋƑāũ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ̍ ĿðĢāłŶā ũāóŋĿĿāłùŭ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ģŭ ķÖĢù ŋƑāũ Ö óŋĿðāù ķÖƘāũ ŋĕ ƪ āƗĢðķā ŶĢķĢłė ÖùĞāŭĢƑā ĕŋũ óŋłóũāŶā ƪ ŋŋũŭ̇ ŋũ Ģŭ ŭāóŽũāù ƒĢŶĞ ŭóũāƒŭ Öłù ĿðĢ'āóĴ ˚ˡ ƒÖŭĞāũŭ ŋƑāũ ŶĢĿðāũ ƪ ŋŋũŭ̍ ¦Ģķāŭ Öłù ƒŋŋù ƪ ŋŋũĢłė óÖł ðā ķÖĢù ùĢũāóŶķƘ ŋł Ŷŋ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ̇ ƒĞĢķā ŋŶĞāũ Ʃ łĢŭĞāŭ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ óÖũťāŶŭ ŋũ ƑĢłƘķŭ̇ ƒĢķķ łāāù Öł ĢłŶāũĿāùĢÖŶā ķÖƘāũ ðāĕŋũā ŶĞā Ʃ łĢŭĞ Ģŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķāù̍ FāũũƘ ĞāťĞÖũù̇ ĿðĢāłŶā ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ ĿÖłÖėāũ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā ĿðĢ'āóĴ ˚ˡ ũŋ ĞÖŭ ðāāł āłŋũĿŋŽŭķƘ ŭŽóóāŭŭĕŽķ ƒĢŶĞ ŋŽũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ŭĢłóā ƒā ĢłŶũŋùŽóāù ĢŶ ķÖŭŶ ƘāÖũ̍ Âā Ğŋťā Öŭ Ŀŋũā ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ĞāÖũ ÖðŋŽŶ ĢŶŭ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ̇ ĢŶ̪ķķ ðā Ö ťũŋùŽóŶ ŶĞāƘ̪ũā Ĵāāł Ŷŋ ƒŋũĴ ƒĢŶĞ Ŷŋŋ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˝˛

ķķ ƘŋŽ łāāù Ŷŋ óŋĿťķāŶā Ö DN ťũŋıāóŶ !ŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ĕŋũ Žŭā ƒĢŶĞ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ̇ ŭŋķÖũ ťÖłāķŭ ŋũ ÖłƘ āƗĢŭŶĢłė ėÖŭ̓ŋĢķ ðŋĢķāũŭ̇ ŶĞā ÂŽłùÖŶĞāũĿ Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ ĕũŋĿ ÂŽłùÖ FũŋŽť ĞÖŭ ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ðā ķÖĢù ðƘ ÖłƘ óŋĿťāŶāłŶ ŶũÖùāŭĿāł̍ ¦Ğā ÂŽłùÖŶĞāũĿ ŭƘŭŶāĿ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ ķĢėĞŶƒāĢėĞŶ ķŋƒ ťũŋƩ ķā ðŋÖũùŭ̇ ıŽŭŶ ˚6 or ˛˙ĿĿ ŶĞĢóĴ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Öũā ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ĕŋũ ÖłƘ ƪ ŋŋũ Ʃ łĢŭĞ ĢłóķŽùĢłė óÖũťāŶ̇ ƑĢłƘķ̇ ķÖĿĢłÖŶā̇ ƒŋŋù̇ óāũÖĿĢó Öłù ŭŶŋłā ŶĢķāŭ̍ złóā ĢłŭŶÖķķāù̇ ŶĞā ƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ťĢťā óÖł ðā ķÖĢù ĢłŶŋ ŶĞā ťũā-ĕŋũĿāù ėũŋŋƑāŭ Ģł ŶĞā ðŋÖũùŭ Öłù ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ģŭ ũāÖùƘ ĕŋũ ĢĿĿāùĢÖŶā Žŭā̍ ¦Ğāũā Öũā Öķŭŋ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ťŽĿť ŭāŶŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ŷŋ ėŋ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ĿÖłĢĕŋķù̇ Öłù ĞÖŭŭķā-ĕũāā ÖŽŶŋ-

1ÖŭƘ Ŷŋ Žŭā Öłù ŭŶƘķĢŭĞ DN óŋłŶũŋķŭ łāƒ ũÖłėā ŋĕ Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė óŋłŶũŋķŭ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ķÖŽłóĞāù ðƘ !ŋłŶĢłÖķ łùāũƪ ŋŋũ NāÖŶĢłė̍ ¦Ğā ŽÖłŶŽĿ ũÖłėā Ģŭ óŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ĿÖơŋł 1óĞŋ ƑŋĢóā óŋłŶũŋķ ŭƘŭŶāĿ Öłù Ģŭ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ðā āÖŭƘ Ŷŋ ŭāŶ Žť Öłù ĢłŶŽĢŶĢƑā Ŷŋ Žŭā̍ ¦Ğā ũÖłėā óŋĿťũĢŭāŭ Ö ùĢėĢŶÖķ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ Öłù ŭĢĿťķā-Ŷŋ-Žŭā ũŋŶÖũƘ ùĢÖķ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ̇ ðŋŶĞ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ģł ƒĢũāù Öłù ƒĢũāķāŭŭ ƑāũŭĢŋłŭ̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ Ö ŽÖłŶŽĿ ĞŽð ŶĞÖŶ Öķķŋƒŭ Öķķ ŶĞā ťũŋùŽóŶŭ Ŷŋ ðā ķĢłĴāù Ŷŋ Ö ĿÖũŶ NŋĿā Öťť Öłù ŶĞā ťũŋťāũŶƘ̪ŭ ĢłŶāũłāŶ óŋłłāóŶĢŋł̍ ¦Ğāũā Ģŭ Öķŭŋ Ö ŽÖłŶŽĿ ÖóŶŽÖŶŋũ̇ ƒĢŶĞ Öł āłāũėƘ óŋłŭŽĿťŶĢŋł ŋĕ ıŽŭŶ ˛Â̇ Öłù Ö ÂĢũĢłė !āłŶũā ŶĞÖŶ ťũŋƑĢùāŭ āÖŭƘ ťŽŭĞ-Ʃ Ŷ óŋłłāóŶĢŋł ĕŋũ Öķķ óŋłłāóŶāù ùāƑĢóāŭ̍ ÂĞāł Ö ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ Ģŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķāù Ģł āÖóĞ ũŋŋĿ ŋũ ŭāťÖũÖŶā ÖũāÖ Ģł Ö ťũŋťāũŶƘ̇ ŶĞā Žŭāũ óÖł ŭāŶ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ

ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũāŭ Ģł āÖóĞ ŭťÖóā̇ ĞāķťĢłė Ŷŋ ĿÖƗĢĿĢŭā ðŋŶĞ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù óŋĿĕŋũŶ ðƘ óŋłŶũŋķķĢłė ŶĞā ƪ ŋƒ ŋĕ ƒÖŶāũ Öłù ĞāÖŶ Ŷŋ āÖóĞ ơŋłā̍ ¦Ğā ŽÖłŶŽĿ ùĢėĢŶÖķ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ Ģŭ ŭāķĕ-ķāÖũłĢłė̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ĿāÖłŭ ĢŶ ƒĢķķ ĿŋłĢŶŋũ ŶĞā ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũ̪ŭ ĞÖðĢŶŭ Öłù ÖùıŽŭŶ ŶĞā ĞāÖŶĢłė ÖŽŶŋĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ Ŷŋ āłŭŽũā ŋťŶĢĿŽĿ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ óŋĿĕŋũŶ̍ ķĢĿ Öłù ŭŶƘķĢŭĞ Ŷŋ ĿÖŶóĞ ÖłƘ ũŋŋĿ ŭŶƘķā̇ ĢŶ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ Öł ĢłŶŽĢŶĢƑā ùĢŭťķÖƘ Öłù ķÖũėā̇ ðÖóĴķĢŶ ŭóũāāł̍ ¦Ğā ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ óŋĿāŭ Ģł ðŋŶĞ ƒĢũāù Öłù ƒĢũāķāŭŭ ƑāũŭĢŋłŭ̇ ŭŋ ĢŶ óÖł ðā ĢłŭŶÖķķāù ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā łāāù Ŷŋ ùĢŭũŽťŶ Ö ťũŋťāũŶƘ̪ŭ āƗĢŭŶĢłė ùĂóŋũ̍ ¦Ğā D ƒĢũāķāŭŭ ƑāũŭĢŋł̪ŭ ðÖŶŶāũƘ óÖł ðā āÖŭĢķƘ ũāóĞÖũėāù ƑĢÖ ŶĞā ĿĢóũŋ ťŋũŶ̍ Dŋũ ķÖłùķŋũùŭ Öłù ŭŋóĢÖķ ĞŋŽŭĢłė ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ̇ Ö ŭāóŽũĢŶƘ Rp ŋťŶĢŋł Öķŭŋ Ğāķťŭ ťũāƑāłŶ ŶÖĿťāũĢłė ŋũ ùÖĿÖėā̍ Dŋũ ŶĞŋŭā óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ƒĞŋ ťũāĕāũ Ö Ŀŋũā óķÖŭŭĢó ķŋŋĴ̇ ŶĞā ŽÖłŶŽĿ ùĢÖķ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ ĞÖŭ Ö ũŋŶÖũƘ ùĢÖķ ĢłŶāũĕÖóā ƒĢŶĞ Ö óķāÖũ d1' ŭŶÖŶŽŭ ĢłùĢóÖŶŋũ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˝˜

¦Ğā ðāłāƩ Ŷ ŋĕ āƗťāũĢāłóā

ðÖķÖłóĢłė ÖóŶŽÖŶŋũŭ ƒĞĢóĞ ÖùıŽŭŶ ƪ ŋƒ ũÖŶāŭ̍ ¦ŋ óŋĿťķāĿāłŶ ŶĞā ƒĞŋķā ŭƘŭŶāĿ̇ ŶĞāũā Ģŭ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĿÖŶóĞāù ŶũÖùĢŶĢŋłÖķ ĞÖũù-ƒĢũāù ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶŭ̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ƒĢũāķāŭŭ Öłù ŭĿÖũŶ óŋłŶũŋķŭ ƑĢÖ Öł Öťť ŋł ĿŋðĢķā ùāƑĢóāŭ Ŷŋ ŋƦ āũ Žŭāũŭ

óŋĿťķāŶā ũāĿŋŶā óŋłŶũŋķ̍ Dũāā ŶāóĞłĢóÖķ ŭŽťťŋũŶ Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ŭĢƗ ùÖƘŭ Ö ƒāāĴ̇ Öłù ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ ťũŋƑĢùāŭ ùāŶÖĢķāù ķÖƘŋŽŶ ťķÖłŭ ĕŋũ Öķķ ðāŭťŋĴā ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ĕũāā ŋĕ óĞÖũėā Ŷŋ ŶũÖùā óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˚̓˝˝

łāƒ łÖĿā Ģł ŶĞā Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ĿÖũĴāŶ̇ ĞŋāłĢƗ łùāũƪ ŋŋũ NāÖŶĢłė ĞÖŭ ðāāł ŭāŶ Žť ðƘ FĢłÖ Öũŭŋłŭ Öłù 'āððĢā !ķÖťť ƒĞŋ Öũā Öðķā Ŷŋ ŋƦ āũ āƗŶāłŭĢƑā āƗťāũĢāłóā ŋĕ ƒŋũĴĢłė ƒĢŶĞ ƒÖũĿ ƒÖŶāũ Öłù āķāóŶũĢó Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė̍ ¦Ğā óŋĿťÖłƘ Ģŭ ðÖŭāù Ģł 1ÖŭŶ 'āƑŋł ƒĞāũā ĢŶ ťũŋƑĢùāŭ Ö ùāŭĢėł Öłù ŭŽťťķƘ ŭāũƑĢóā ŶÖĢķŋũāù ĕŋũ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ̇ ŭāķĕ-ðŽĢķùāũŭ̇ óŋłŶũÖóŶŋũŭ̇ ÖũóĞĢŶāóŶŭ̇ Öłù ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ŶĞũŋŽėĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā b̍ ̦Âā ĞÖƑā ŋƑāũ ˜˛ ƘāÖũŭ ŋĕ óŋĿðĢłāù āƗťāũĢāłóā Ģł ŶĞā

ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ Öłù ƒā ŽłùāũŭŶÖłù ŶĞā ťũŋùŽóŶŭ Öłù ŭāũƑĢóā ŶĞÖŶ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ũāŨŽĢũā̧̇ ŭÖƘŭ ŭÖķāŭ ùĢũāóŶŋũ FĢłÖ̍ ̦ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā óŽũũāłŶ !ŋƑĢù ŭĢŶŽÖŶĢŋł ƒā ĞÖƑā ÖùÖťŶāù Ŷŋ āÖóĞ ŋĕ ŋŽũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ̇ Öłù ĿÖĴā ŭŽũā ŶĞāƘ ĞÖƑā Öŭ ĿŽóĞ ŋũ Öŭ ķĢŶŶķā ŭŽťťŋũŶ Öŭ ŶĞāƘ łāāù̧̍ ¦Ğā óŋĿťÖłƘ Ģŭ ĞÖťťƘ Ŷŋ óŋłłāóŶ ƒĢŶĞ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ðƘ ŋƦ āũĢłė ƑĢũŶŽÖķ ŭĢŶā ĿāāŶĢłėŭ ƑĢÖ Ö ĿŽķŶĢŶŽùā ŋĕ ťķÖŶĕŋũĿŭ̍ ̦Dŋũ Ŀā ĢŶ Ģŭ Öķķ ÖðŋŽŶ ĿÖĴĢłė ĢŶ Öŭ āÖŭƘ Öŭ ťŋŭŭĢðķā ĕŋũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ Ŷŋ ùŋ ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ ƒĢŶĞ Žŭ̧̇ Öùùŭ FĢłÖ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˚̓˝˞

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Heating

How to install Grant’s e

Step1

When it comes to warming a large room area, underfloor heating can often be the best solution to provide even, comfortable heat supplied by low water temperatures. Ilustrating the point, Grant UK offers up this step by step example, highlighting the key procedures in installing its Uflex underfloor heating system.

Step 6

he room before starting the U e installation.

U e pipe is laid as per the drawings provided by rant’s in house esign eam.

Step 2

Step 7

he oor is prepared with a damp proof membrane.

ipework loops are connected to the manifold. ctuator Wiring is connected to the e isting system controller.

his Grant Uflex underfloor heating system was recently installed in a five bedroom detached home, originally built in 201 . The new extension, incorporating a gymnasium and downstairs bathroom of around 42m2, was a perfect candidate for the comfort of underfloor heating. The Uflex system has been integrated into the existing heating system currently natural gas . The house already has underfloor heating throughout the downstairs and Grant Afinia Aluminium radiators upstairs. It also has a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system and smart multi-zone heating controls.

Step 3

Contractor support

The installer, Howard Croker Sons, based in Corsham, Wiltshire, is a member of the Grant G1 Scheme. Through the G1 scheme, installers are provided with the tools they need to fit and endorse Grant UK products, from training through to marketing support. Grant UK also has a dedicated department who are on hand to provide product and design assistance. Specifying the required parts to complete an underfloor heating installation can be time-consuming so Grant UK is able to provide comprehensive quotations, quickly and e ciently. Each quotation will detail the components required to complete the specific job being quoted for. These components can then be supplied as a pack once the order is finalised, making life easier for installers and their merchants. G1 installers can also turn to Grant UK for system design support. An outline system design can be supplied at the quotation stage. Once there is an order confirmation, Grant’s Design and Specification Team will be able to supply full designs to include the zone layouts , delivering a quick service for engineers and their customers. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

38.indd 1

Step 5

mm thick polyurethane insulation is cut and laid.

Step 8

he pipe is laid in a meander conﬁguration with the ow heading towards the coldest areas ﬁrst.

Step 4

Step 9

he edge insulation is ﬁtted around the walls and a polythene membrane is put on top of the insulation.

After ﬁlling and pressure testing the pipe loops, a 65mm thick screed is laid on top of the U e pipes.

he manifold with mi ing valve and pump is installed.

Step 10

he screed has been left to dry for two months and is now ready for tiling. ob done.

03/12/2020 20:20

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Product News 39 Activate easy installation in digital showering The latest digital showering product from ira Showers is the ira Activate, designed for new installations as well as the retrofit market. Available in single and dual outlets, the Activate is said to be simpler to fit than many other showers on the market. The ceiling-fed fittings kit comes preassembled, and it has two digital valve platforms suitable for both high and low pressure systems. Thanks to its direct retrofit design, there’s minimal pipework alteration required – which means no new holes or new tiles. The three-pin plug makes installation a case of plug and play. For the customer, the ira Activate is said to offer all the features consumers are looking for, as well as some new ones.

The stylish digital controller enables users to create up to 10 shower presets with four default pre-sets included , as well as informing them about how much time and water their showers use. It also boasts a modern design with a chrome plated finish, controller bezel accessories available to purchase separately in matt black, brushed nickel and titanium finishes, and a wireless remote control accessory also purchased separately . Customers can switch up temperature, flow rate, showerheads and more, to create the right kind of shower for every moment. Suzannah Hallam, digital product manager at ira Showers, says “At ira we constantly strive to lead the way in product design and innovation. “Digital technology has been leading the way in new shower development for some time

Extra line of defence with safety cartridge

now, and we’re really excited to introduce our latest range of digital showers that are not only a breeze to ﬁt but bring the future of showering to any bathroom.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

Ra iators fit or a rene able In support of its ‘ﬁt for the future’ campaign, Stelrad is highlighting its expanded offering of radiators that suit low-temperature systems. The range of K3 models – three panels and three ﬁns on a radiator footprint that is similar to a traditional K2 design – offers an additional 0 metal surface area over a K2 to deliver more heat from a similar area. Stelrad has added larger radiators to most of its ranges to allow the radiators everyone has grown used to, to be relevant to lower

Energy saving heat p mp ma es it easy The new eno inverter driven air source heat pump range from Warmﬂow is described as an intelligent and advanced heating system that offers e cient, eco-friendly operation. Suitable for use with S-plan

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Claiming a first, NotJustTaps has developed an antiscald tap with safety cartridge that shuts off the water at a maximum of 4 C, along with aerators to help manage and reduce infection. The Thermassure range of taps includes styles for domestic and commercial use, plus high specification medical taps which are fitted with elbow levers and infection reducing aerators. Speaking of the launch, Derek Aaronson, founder of NotJustTaps, says “We are really excited to have launched Thermassure, especially during a time where hand sanitation is more important than ever before. Thermassure guarantees maximum temperature stability to prevent scalding whilst saving energy by washing with minimum water and energy usage, resulting in savings. We’re also incredibly proud of the aerator feature, through which we hope to significantly manage and reduce infection control.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 0

t re

temperature systems and to operate comfortably with air source heat pumps in particular. Stelrad has also developed a wider range of vertical radiators, adding a large number of new designs and sizes to provide the larger radiators needed by the renewable heating options. ertical radiators have a reduced horizontal footprint to slot into smaller wall areas in a room, providing the levels of heat required without taking up large wall areas. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

and Y-Plan heating control systems, the outdoor unit is said to be easy to install and can be situated discreetly outside the home. The eno range features a number of premium components, including a itsubishi inverter driven compressor and a Grundfos circulating pump, and comes with features common across Warmflow products, such as an easy to use touch screen controller and simple wiring centre which will reduce installation time. Consisting of three single phase models – , 11 and 1 kW – the eno heat pumps boast an ErP A rating to cost-effectively and e ciently provide heating and hot water for properties. Each unit comes in a no-maintenance weather-proof anthracite grey casing with a range of accessories included as standard. These accessories include a heated drip tray, Y strainer, flexi hoses, isolating valves, plus additional fittings to ensure ease and speed of installation. A special ‘Tube In Shell’ heat exchanger provides e cient heat transfer while allowing maximum lubrication of the refrigerant circuit and ensuring a long operational life. The units also include a number of additional energy and money saving features, including an ‘Intelligent Defrost ethod’ which calculates the best time to perform a defrost and the most e cient way to do it. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

Wetroom kit works ith variety o oors

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply visit phamnews. co.uk/121/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

The new AquaLinear Wetroom Kit from ark itow is for wetroom floors and suitable for renovations and new builds. Simple to install, the kit comes with a 2 year waterproofing warranty and is easy to maintain. It can be installed on timber and screed floors, with tiles, marble, stone, vinyl and resin finishes. The kit includes a sloping board that is only 20mm thick that tapers down to the linear drain. This slope is calculated to extract 2 .4 L min of water through the easy clean drain and trap, whilst having an overall installation height of only 4mm – one of the lowest heights in the market. There is also a choice of grate covers from the reversible tile stainless steel cover, black, or the slimline vinyl cover. In situations with a vinyl floor, installers can simply purchase the drain on its own along with the slimline drain cover. The drain is made with stainless steel and has a removable siphon to make it easy to clean. AquaLinear is suitable for professional installers and competent DIY installers. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 1

03/12/2020 21:00

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

COMPETITION

Embedded anti-slip properties

Lastce chane a to b er! winn

Over the past six issues Daikin has been offering PHAM News readers the chance to win an exciting prize bundle featuring a DeWALT combi drill, DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio and the company’s own Streamer Technology Air Puriﬁer. If you’ve not had any luck so far, this is your last chance to win!

Daikin

is celebrating the launch of its Sustainable Home Network – a scheme designed to provide both heating installers and ACR engineers with the support needed to take advantage of the growing renewable heat pump market, creating a network of well-trained heat pump installers and local support centres. Daikin is offering one lucky reader the chance to win an exciting prize bundle in each issue, featuring a DeWALT combi drill, DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio and Daikin’s own treamer echnology ir uriﬁer A great addition or upgrade if your favourite drill is getting a bit old and tired, the DeWALT 18V cordless combi-drill is a fantastic tool to

have in your line-up. The compact drill uses a combination of a brushless motor and high capacity batteries to deliver longer run-times between charges and comes with a carry case and two 4.0Ah Li-ion batteries included in the kit. For those who enjoy adding some entertainment to work, the DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre provides great sound quality, DAB+, FM and Bluetooth connectivity, while also being robust enough to withstand any dust or bumps on site. Finally, Daikin’s powerful Streamer Technology Air Puriﬁer is an ideal addition to any home, using streamer technology to capture and break down any dust particles, bacteria, odours or allergens present, providing you and your family with cleaner, purer air. With the new stylish and compact design and its whisper-quiet operation, you can achieve improved indoor air quality without compromise.

The Prize: One winner gets all three! 1

DeWalt ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio

2 DeWalt Combi Drill

HOW TO ENTER

Daikin's own Streamer echnology ir uriﬁer

The picture below appears elsewhere in this edition of PHAM News. To be in with a chance of winning the prize bundle, simply tell us on what page you found it and email your answer with ‘Daikin’ in the subject line to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

Please make sure you include the following: • Your name • Your company’s name • Contact telephone number • Please type ‘YES’ in the body of your email if you are happy to receive email offers from Daikin All correct answers received before the closing date of 31st January 2021 will be entered into the prize draw. Only one entry per person allowed.

www.daikin.co.uk/en_gb/energy-for-change

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Product News

Kudos is set to launch a range of premium shower trays featuring a new surface material that is slip, scratch and stain resistant. The Kudos SR Collection’s slipresistant properties are embedded in the material, rather than a coating on the surface, which means it cannot be removed. It is also comfortable underfoot. The easy-to-clean textured material provides a high level of scratch and stain

resistance, ensuring that the trays maintain a pristine condition throughout the lifetime of the product. The Premium SR option will initially be available in all the company’s Kstone shower tray sizes, with the Connect2SR range (which will be manufactured at the newly commissioned tray production facility in Cumbria) becoming available early in the new year. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 2

Booster for drinking water The water pumps and pump systems manufacturer Wilo UK has launched a new cold water booster set range. The Wilo-Centrum comprises one, two and three cold water booster sets for drinking water pressure boosting. The product is UK drinking water regulation compliant and was created to provide customers with a complete range of options. The new product complements and expands the current Wilo booster set product range, allowing for advanced technology and capability depending on a customer’s needs and application. Designed for light commercial applications and described as being competitively priced, the WiloCentrum features: Wilo Helix high e ciency pumps, full variable speed control, small booster set footprint and easy set-up capabilities. Thanks to the Wilo-Centrum being manufactured in the UK, it means Wilo is able to guarantee available stock to meet short lead time requirements and emergency replacements. David Williamson, director of Wilo UK, comments: “Our products embrace the latest in innovative technology with sophisticated control systems to enhance energy optimisation and e ciency. The Wilo-Centrum will give UK customers added water boosting product options and is designed with the UK market, requirements and regulations in mind.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

Commercial air source heat pump lowers CO2 output The range of commercial air source heat pumps from Adveco has been expanded with the introduction of the Adveco L 0. This high capacity air-to-water monobloc heat pump is designed for the UK climate, providing

hybrid domestic hot water and heating. With a seasonal CoP as high as 4.0 , the L 0 is suitable for large scale commercial applications and can operate as part of a cascade installation for projects demanding greater capacity. The L 0’s dual compressor configuration allows for staged start-up to limit current draw and gives the flexibility to drop to half output under low load conditions. Rated 0kW for typical UK operation at °C, the L 0 is capable of a maximum 90kW, achieving working flow temperatures up to 0°C. It supplies preheat for hybrid applications composed of combinations of plate heat exchangers, buffer vessel, calorifiers, gas-fired boilers or direct-electric water heating providing essential additional heat to meet commercial requirements. Adveco says the L 0 will dramatically lower CO2 when analysed using the carbon intensity figures from the new SAP10. Compared to gas-fired systems, carbon emissions are reduced by around 0%, when using the SCOP of 3.4 measured at C flow temperature Ecodesign warm European temperature zone with a reference design temperature of 2°C). ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

04/12/2020 16:22

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Product News 41 One box to eep systems clean Fernox has rebranded its system cleaner to reﬂect its effectiveness on limescale deposition. The DS40 Descaler and Cleaner is a powerful, fast-acting citric acidic cleaner that is now available with a 00ml liquid system neutraliser for simpler and safer dosing. DS40 Descaler and Cleaner has been designed to rapidly remove any limescale, black sludge and other debris from central heating systems. It is said to be ideal for use when powerﬂushing, a recommended cleaning method under BS 93 2019, and can also be used to descale heat exchangers or boiler components separately.

A free-ﬂowing powder, it is easy to use in conjunction with powerﬂushing machines and when applying via the F&E tank. It is safe to use with all mixed metal central heating systems and

installers should only need one box per application. Also, the product now comes with a new 00ml liquid, nonhazardous System Neutraliser rather than a traditional powder version. This must be used in order to prevent the descaler and cleaner from causing any damage to the aluminium components found in central heating systems. The liquid version ensures adherence to environmental regulations. Richard Crisp, head of chemistry at Fernox, says “Our aim is to make the installer’s job as simple as possible, which is why one box of DS40 Descaler and Cleaner is suitable for use during one powerﬂush. Not only that, using the product can help them to comply with BS 93 2019, Part L of the Building Regulations and the Benchmark Scheme.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

ho er toilet has a certain glo

Look of nat ral marble

Adding to its range of shower toilets, Vitra has launched the V-Care Prime, which combines the functionality of a standard WC with the personal cleaning properties of a bidet. Available in wallhung and back-to-wall models, V-Care Prime is sleek and compact and includes a remote and app control. The design is almost identical to that of a standard Vitra WC, but the intelligent features, such as the night light, elevate the design to a more sophisticated level. Designed to be triggered when the ambient light reaches below a certain level, the night light is a feature that can also be controlled on the mobile app. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

The Sarenna Marble Bathroom Furniture range from Hudson Reed is distinguished by a luxurious marbleeffect ﬁnish that mimics the look of the natural stone. Wall-hung and modular, the vanity unit features a curved worktop that can be paired with ceramic countertop vessel basins for a coordinated look. It’s available in a choice of three polished marble top colours - white, black and grey. Pictured is the white marble top teamed with the mineral blue cabinet and white oval vessel basin. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

esigner style at affor able prices

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Preston-based interiors firm Just Radiators has launched its own product line, Lux Rad, with the aim of offering designer-style models at affordable prices. These new models sit alongside other radiator brands sold by the company. The Lux Rad range features contemporary column radiators in a choice of sizes and orientations, and customers can choose from a large selection of colours and finishes. Director Dave O’Keefe says “Updating radiators can be a simple and satisfying way to transform a room. We were inspired to create our own product line to fill the space between entry-level radiators in traditional styles, and high-end designer products. The Lux Rad brand bridges that gap and enables our customers to achieve that modern, designer look on a more modest budget.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 0

Low loss header can enhance e ciency Hot water storage specialist, Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders, has added a low loss header to its product range. It has been designed to hydraulically separate individual heating circuits with different temperature and flow rate requirements. This enables heating systems with multiple heat sources (such as underfloor heating and traditional radiators , to operate at maximum e ciencies by ensuring a constant temperature supply of water reaches the multiple heating circuits. Alternatively, the unit can be used to create hydraulic separation between a gas boiler and an air source heat pump. Manufactured with a highly insulated Duplex stainless steel protective casing, the low loss header is available in 100, 200 and 00kW maximum inputs. The compact design is easy to install, with four rotational mounting positions to accommodate pipework. If installed in a vertical position, the low loss header can be used to collect sludge from the heating system via the drain valve. Convenient tapping points for expansion provision offers the flexibility to retrofit additional heat sources at a later date, such as an air source heat pump or solar thermal. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

tainless steel sin has soft curves The Eaton inset collection has been added to Leisure Sinks’ range of modern stainless steel sinks. Boasting a satin bowl ﬁnish and bright drainer, the competitively priced models are suitable for the domestic and contract markets. There are two inset models available, each featuring striking lines and softly curved bowls. The single bowl EA9 01 is manufactured from 0.6mm 1 10 stainless steel and measures 9 0 x 0 mm. It has a generous main bowl size of 420 x 3 0 x 1 0mm, with the option of a left or righthanded drainer. Completing the new collection is the 1. -bowl EA9 02, which measures 9 0 x 0 mm and

Get the metro tile loo The waterproof wall panel manufacturer Fibo has added several new designs to its extensive range, including a Metro Brick design and three new blue decors, to its Contemporary collection. The Metro Brick designs are part of the Urban collection. Said to have been inspired by the art deco movement that brought metro tiles from the London Underground and New York subway in the 19th century into the kitchens and bathrooms of residential homes, the design features a 3D tile-effect pattern, to mimic the effect of staggered 30x10cm brickwork. The new range is available in ﬁve white or grey ﬁnishes. In addition, Fibo has also added three new blue decors to its Contemporary Tile Effect range.

is manufactured from 0. mm 1 10 stainless steel. Boasting a reversible drainer, the main bowl measures 340 x 410 x 1 0mm, while the second bowl is 1 x 320 x 0mm in size. The Eaton collection comes with a 10-year warranty, with models available for purchase separately, or as part of a sink-and-tap pack. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/

rom aterproo panels

Bringing a breath of fresh air to classic styling, the Contemporary collection offers a range of both high gloss and matt ﬁnishes in

a choice of modern colours and styles. Pictured is the Metro Brick Aberdeen design. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/121/ 1

04/12/2020 10:39

Pham Dir training Info DECJAN21:Layout 1 07/12/2020 13:07 Page 42

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Directory Radiators

Boilers

Radiators

INDUSTRIAL BOILER SPECIALISTS The UK’s largest supplier of industrial steam & hot water boilers and plantrooms

LATEST STOCKS include these HOT WATER PLANTROOMS... The perfect solution for housing, care home and other property services projects – fast and cost effective! 2 X 30 x 8 x 8 Containerised Plantrooms containing ICI Caldaie ASX1000 1.1Mw 12 bar gas fired boilers, pressurisation units, pumps, water softeners. 1 x 40 x 8 x 8 Containerised Plantroom containing ICI Caldaie 2.0Mw 12 bar gas fired boiler, pressurisation unit, pumps, water softener. CALL US NOW FOR FULL DETAILS

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SALES • HIRE • EXPORT +44 (0)1992 451629 www.kingsboilerhire.com

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Kneepads

Controls

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Temperature Sensors

Heating Controls Next day delivery available on 100s of controls

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Equipment Purchased

WE BUY ANY

BOILER AND HEATING PARTS

Cash waiting for job lots of new boiler and heating parts Genuine parts in good condition and manufacturer’s original packaging

www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk phamnews.co.uk/121/112

• Excess Stock • Retirement Sale • Closing Down Sale • Slow Moving Parts • Pristine Van Stock Text or WhatsApp on 07958 665075 joblotboilerparts.co.uk

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Plumbpal Products

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021

Directory 43 Safety products

Training & Assessments

Water Heaters

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Advertiser’s Index

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The Copper King

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AIC Heating UK Ltd Baxi Heating UK BES Ltd Checkatrade Continal Underfloor Heating Drayton by Schneider Electric EG Training Services Ltd ESi Controls Ltd (Paddock Firebird Products Ltd Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd Kamco Ltd MV Fluids Handling Ltd Navien UK Neomitis Ltd OSO Hotwater UK Ltd Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd Robert Bosch Ltd Screwfix Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Valsir Vaillant Ltd Warmflow Engineering Co Ltd

34 23 1 14 6, 27, 37 29 21 30 4 9 8 5 7, 19 28 33 11 44 2, 3 17 13 18 15

Information Centre Saniflo official spare parts website now live

Saniflo has an o cial spare parts e-commerce website which is now live and ready to take orders. Searchable by product range, the most common parts for the most popular models are now available, with new lines being added daily to ensure the swift availability of parts for every model from past to the present-day range. The new website can be found at https://spare-parts.saniflo.co.uk/ and there is also a handy link to the Service Engineers website. The technical team is still available by phone, email and on social media channels to help source the correct parts. Visit www.saniflo.co.uk ring 020 8842 0033 or enter the code shown below.

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Snickers NEW FlexiWork Neon Jackets and Fleeces

It is the innovation and fabric technology in the design of the new FlexiWork Neon Fleece Hoodie, Jacket and Gilet that really set these new garments apart. They’re great for working outdoors in the colder months. Delivering superior flexibility and comfort, these lightweight 4-way stretch garments come in a body-mapping design and are made from an Elastane/Polyester fabric with a water-and wind-repellent finish for comfort and durability as well as being street-smart and visibly striking with Neon panels and reflective details for enhanced visibility. Checkout the website www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

Snickers Workwear Sustainable Merino Wool Clothing Stay warm or cool in our 100% All-Natural Merino Wool mid- and base-layer clothes that deliver optimal comfort for all kinds of working environments. Merino wool is extremely soft, and naturally odour-preventive for an all-day fresh feel. It’s also temperature-regulating, repels water, dirt particles. It’s anti-static and Snickers Workwear ensures that the wool it uses is produced in kind-to-animals, ‘Mulesing-Free’ environments. Checkout the website and download a digital catalogue www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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Updated New edition of Heat Pumps for the Home by John Cantor

Saniflo launches new catalogue

Describes what a heat pump is, how it works, the di erent methods of pumping heat and the importance of an appropriate and well-planned installation • Examines air, ground and water as sources of heat and explains how to make an informed choice • Considers distributing the heat through radiators or an underfloor system • Covers hot water production and delivery to taps • Outlines environmental and financial issues, dispels some common misconceptions; Presents a number of case studies RRP: 16.99 Visit www.crowood.com or enter the code shown below

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The comprehensive new catalogue from Saniflo is colourful, easy to follow and showcases a raft of new products including grease traps, submersible pumps, larger lifting stations and a boiler condensate pump. It provides clear and concise guidance regarding which products are best suited to a range of applications and features useful information about the brand’s history and global presence, the factory in France, noise levels, support, warranty and an overview of the Saniflo proprietary macerating technologies. To receive a copy of the new Saniflo catalogue please email marketing@saniflo.co.uk, call 020 8842 0033 visit the website: www.saniflo.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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Features appearing in the

February issue of PHAM News

Pipes, fittings and valves

Light commercial heating

Radiators and towel warmers

PHAM OCT20 ROBERT BOSCH:Layout 1 28/09/2020 09:33 Page 1