February 2023

Industry report highlights the critical need for more installers

A new report issued by the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) concludes that the decarbonisation of UK heating systems will require a significant number of new entrants to the industry

The widely promoted 50,000 installers required to meet the government’s ambitious annual heat pump installation target of 600,000 may be three times lower than the number required, the research has revealed.

The report is the result of discussions within the HHIC Systems Group, chaired by Steve Keeton, following extensive investigations of working practices through the membership. It has revealed a figure of circa 150,000 workers is required to meet the government’s target if today’s working model is followed, outweighing current estimates by as much as 200%.

Not only does this finding triple current predictions, it also reveals the need for 100,000 new entrants to the industry – a figure almost equivalent to the entire current Gas Safe Register.

The report highlights the fact that more than 70% of the installer workforce are sole traders and, with an average age of 55, many are unwilling to retrain in order to learn about new technologies and working practices.

Highlighting the need for a raise in standards, the report calls for

the creation of a multi-skilled, low- carbon heating engineers workforce with greater electrical competence. It points out that the UK’s gas dominated domestic heating market has been more focused on safety than the quality of the installation, which means that some qualified gas engineers have only a rudimentary knowledge of the wider heating system design and operation.

This, says the HHIC, is largely because the high temperature fossil fuel heating systems are generally quite forgiving of inaccurate specification and design, while the high volume gas boiler replacement market has meant that not enough thought has been given to heat losses and the wider heating system.

To improve competence levels, the report calls for the establishment of recognised installation process recording, such as Benchmark, and more

clarity around recognised new entrant pathways and ongoing learning. It examines current pathways into the industry and suggests how they might be improved.

Training issues

However, the report acknowledges that there are obstacles to be overcome, such as the challenge that many local colleges face in recruiting suitably qualified trainers and assessors – even for well- established fossil-fuel pathways. Furthermore, the extra expense and restrictions of space required to install heat pump training facilities may mean that colleges will want to wait until market demand rises before making the necessary investment.

Commenting on the findings, Steve Keeton says: “The industry is at a pivotal point, and with an ageing workforce and exacerbated demand for modernised skillsets,

we really must look to new entrants as fundamental in providing the solution. The government must push harder than ever to engage and incentivise existing heating engineers to build skills in renewable technologies. In addition, it must attract more new people to enter the industry and appeal to the younger generation to proactively include low-carbon technologies in their portfolio. It is the cornerstone we need in order to achieve our nation’s emissions goals.”

To align with net zero by 2050 the HHIC acknowledges that there is an urgent requirement to decarbonise UK heating systems. However, while heat pump installation is a priority, the HHIC says there is no one silver bullet approach to decarbonisation and the UK must look towards other alternatives, such as hydrogen, if it is to hit its sustainable heating targets.

“It is imperative that the UK’s heating strategy looks at a multidimensional approach,” adds Keeton. “This gives the installer options and the customer choice. If we are to successfully meet our 2050 ambitions, heat networks and hydrogen must be part of the strategy in tandem with heat pump initiatives. This is inevitably going to require an upskilling, and incentivisation, of the workforce, so we must work from the grassroots up in order to create the bedrock of multi-skilled installers to successfully decarbonise the heating economy.”

To download the report and find out more about the research, please use the online reader link below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/01

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Editor’s Viewpoint

by Chris Jones

Where are all the workers?

It’s widely acknowledged that plans for a significant rise in the number of heat pump installations is largely dependent on having a skilled workforce of sufficient numbers to install them. Any danger of complacency about such a challenge should be averted by a sobering report from the HHIC which suggests that the number of fully-trained installers required has been critically underestimated (see this month’s front cover story). The organisation’s research concludes that over 100,000 new entrants to the industry would be required to enable the government to meet its low carbon ambitions. But where those extra numbers are going to come from is anyone’s guess.

The heating sector is not the only industry concerned about a shortfall in its workforce. Reports have suggested that the number of available workers in the UK’s economy has reduced by 330,000 since Brexit, with 78,000 vacancies in manufacturing, a shortfall of 128,000 in transportation and storage, and similar numbers in wholesale and retail. The NHS and care sector, of course, are also struggling with its own staffing issues.

As well as the need for new recruits, the heating and plumbing industry is faced with the challenge of retraining an ageing workforce, many of which will have decided, not unreasonably, that traditional fossil-fuel installations will see them through to the end of their career.

As pointed out in the HHIC report, perhaps of greater concern is the need for sufficiently qualified trainers and assessors to train the multi-skilled installers of the future. And many further education colleges will be reluctant to invest in the necessary low-carbon training facilities until they are assured that there will be enough demand to justify their initial expenditure – a classic chicken and egg conundrum that will not easily be resolved.

Contributors

Regulars

Most consumers fail gas knowledge test

New research from the Gas Safe Register (GSR) shows that a significant number of consumers over-estimate their ability to identify unsafe gas conditions.

Nine out of 10 homeowners report being confident they could spot the signs and symptoms of unsafe gas in their homes, and almost all (98%) say that their home would be up to the challenge if a gas engineer were to knock on their door and do a gas safety spotcheck. But when Gas Safe Register put 2000 homeowners through its nine-step Gas Safety Challenge, just 0.2% passed the test.

The national survey quizzed people on nine key things to know, including how flames on gas hobs should appear, flue blockages, boiler error codes, and smells, sounds and sights around the home that signal something

could be wrong. Despite the vast majority of people claiming such high levels of confidence, over half (55%) of homeowners relying on gas for heating, hot water and cooking were unable to identify where to turn off the gas supply in an emergency, while almost half (47%) couldn’t correctly spot

third of tradespeople have agreed to this (35%), with less experienced workers under 34 years old much likelier to make concessions (47%) compared to those that are older (27%).

the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A quarter of homeowners were unable to identify that a gas hob flame should burn a crisp blue colour, while 48% admitted to taking on the job of inspecting their home’s flue – something that should only be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer – with 5% of those attempting to remove a blockage themselves.

To help avoid preventable gas incidents, Gas Safe Register has developed the Gas Safety Challenge and is inviting the UK public to refresh their knowledge via a new short film – a tonguein-cheek take on the Daz Doorstep Challenge from the 90s and 00s – highlighting the signs and symptoms homeowners should be looking out for in their homes. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/03

Fine for unsafe gas pipework

A County Londonderry company

– BC Plumbing and Heating Ltd –has been fined £12,000 for health and safety failings, following an investigation focusing on the installation of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) at new housing developments.

A new study has found that four out of five (85%) tradespeople are worried about the future of the industry, and 29% are considering getting a second job to help make ends meet.

Designer radiator specialist BestHeating conducted the poll to highlight the pressures that the trades are facing.

Following a year of rising costs across the UK, which has seen inflation hit 11.1%, more than two fifths (43%) of tradespeople have been forced to put their prices up substantially. This comes despite them also seeing increased demand for their services.

The research found that many customers have asked for discounted work, and more than a

Price rises won’t be going away in 2023, says BestHeating, and 85% of those polled said they were pessimistic about the thought of the next 12 months. Almost half are worried about the rising cost of materials (45%) and a further 41% think that the majority of customers won’t be able to afford to use tradespeople. Somewhat worryingly, over a fifth think they will lose customers due to the increases (22%).

To get through the expected shortfalls and lower profits, 29% think they will have to get a second job, either by training in another discipline to expand their services (16%), or by moving industry altogether (13%). Some of the jobs mentioned include delivering parcels or working in a factory in their spare time.

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) led the prosecution based on health and safety failings between 2016 to 2018 that led to dangerous gas installations in several new build domestic properties at sites in County Antrim and County Londonderry.

BC Plumbing and Heating Limited was fined a total of £12,000 for failing to ensure gas work was carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with appropriate standards.

“Tradespeople are integral to society, whether it’s plumbers fixing heating issues or electricians rewiring a house, so it is upsetting to see so many fearing for their future.

The investigation centred on the installation of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) at the new housing developments. The method of installation of the pipework was considered unsafe and not in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation requirements. In several instances, gas installations were classified as ‘immediately dangerous’ due to the increased risk of gas leaks.

Speaking after the hearing, HSENI inspector Kiara Blackburn said: “All gas engineers have a duty to ensure the work they carry out in relation to gas installations is safe and without risk to any person including homeowners. All works must be carried out in line with appropriate standards, manufacturer’s instructions and in accordance with Gas Safe Register requirements.”

Redrow backing heat pumps

One of the UK’s largest house builders has announced that all its new developments will now be fitted with a heat pump rather than a gas boiler. Claiming an industry first, Redrow says its decision puts it ahead of government proposals to ban gas boilers in new build properties from 2025. It has formed a partnership with Mitsubishi, Vaillant and Daikin, with each offering their own training centre and facilities for installers.

Air source heat pumps will be installed as standard in its new homes in upcoming developments, with ground floor underfloor heating in detached properties.

comments:

Marek Kokocki, buying director of BestHeating,

“Despite being in extremely high demand last year, the majority have massive worries due to the costs which they are generally eating up themselves to keep customers happy. It’s important that we continue to utilise the services of tradespeople and use their knowledge to keep our homes safe, in working order and heated.”

Matthew Pratt, Redrow’s chief executive, says: “We are committed to further improving the energy efficiency and will shortly go above and beyond regulatory requirements, future -proofing our homes and helping our customers lower their energy use.”

Study shows many trades are feeling pressurised

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Call for legal standard for heat pump installation

The CIPHE has expressed concern about the lack of mandatory qualifications for heat pump installations not covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Under the scheme, which enables homeowners to apply for a grant to partially cover the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems, engineers installing heat pumps must be MCS certified. However, there is currently no mandatory qualification on top of the minimum NVQ Level 2 qualification for general heat pump installations completed outside the scheme. Without this, warns the CIPHE, systems could be environmentally and financially inefficient and even dangerous for system users.

Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, says: “Competency is essential. So, the idea there’s no minimum legal standard for all heat pump installations is nonsensical. With proficient installation, heat pumps can provide low carbon heating which saves money and has a positive impact on the environment. In cases where poor installations are carried out, there could be disastrous ramifications.

“Plus, there may even be an influx of legal claims years down the line. We are all vulnerable if plumbing and heating work

is poorly executed and, if plumbing and heating professionals are not appropriately trained and a legal standard put in place, the consequences could be severe.”

Wellman points to the Scottish Heat in Buildings Strategy document, which acknowledges the lack of a legal standard. It states: ‘There are no specific statutory minimum qualifications required to install zero direct emissions heating systems, or carry out energy efficiency works’.

The CIPHE is now calling for a legal qualification requirement for all installers, including those working outside of the upgrade scheme. “Given that many boiler replacements are distress purchases,” says Wellman, “there will be a percentage of the population who cannot wait for government grants to come through. In these incidents consumers may be vulnerable to poor installations.”

Looking to save money on heat pump training?

Subsidised courses available – but you’ll need to be quick!

Thanks to funding from the BEIS Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Programme OFTEC can offer up to 70% off the cost of heat pump training courses.

OFT21-504A Installation, commissioning and servicing of air source heat pumps

OFT21-504D Design of heat pump systems

BUT HURRY the discounted rate is only for courses successfully completed before the end of March 2023! On completion, heating businesses can access OFTEC’s heat pump CPS and MCS registration schemes, allowing you to undertake installations funded by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and putting your business in prime position to benefit from the growth of the heat pump market.

Factory tours and rewards for installers

With the aim of offering rewards and support for its UK installer customers, Ideal Heating has launched a UK-wide tour and a series of exclusive social events.

The Behind Every Boiler campaign will run throughout the year, centring on a dedicated roadshow visiting trade merchants’ branches. It will showcase the company’s range of products and other installer benefits, including the Connect loyalty scheme.

Guest installers will have the opportunity to meet their local Ideal sales manager, receive exclusive offers, as well as many other giveaways, as part of trade counter events over the first half of the year.

Several invite-only social events will also be held throughout the year, available to

those installers who have received a golden ticket from their area sales manager. The events will take place at mystery locations, with entertainment, food and drinks.

Exclusive ‘Behind the Scenes’ events will also be held at Ideal’s National Training and Technology Centre at Bridgehead in Hull. Installers will get the opportunity to join a factory tour, with an up close look at production, testing and packaging.

To learn more and discover your nearest location on Ideal Heating’s UK-wide tour, simply enter the link below in your browser:

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/04

Offer to UFH installers

A new underfloor heating promotion has been launched by Grant UK which gives installers the opportunity to take advantage of £150 cashback on the company’s Uflex and Uflex MINI UFH systems on eligible orders placed between 1st January through to 30th June 2023.

To claim the £150 cashback, installers need to order a Grant Uflex or Uflex MINI system during the promotional period with a total retail order value of £1500 or more. Once the system is installed and registered, the installer can make a claim by fully completing an online claim form. Installers will also need to provide proof of purchase with a copy of their merchant purchase invoice.

For further information on the promotion, visit the website using the reader link below.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/05

Vaillant has invested in a new demonstration vehicle that will feature a working aroTHERM plus heat pump, with a view to educating new users of the technology. With concerns about the future of domestic heating, the demo vehicle will highlight the key technologies set to feature in modern homes. It showcases the various full system heating solutions available, from boilers, controls and cylinders to heat pumps, plus a 100% hydrogen boiler. This investment forms part of the company’s Vaillant Standard offering, which encompasses the full support provided to its specification clients, from the design stages all the way through to aftersales support.

Manuals ranked for ease of reading

New research from Uswitch.com has found out which boiler manuals from the UK’s top boiler manufacturers are easiest to read, based on criteria such as number of long sentences and length of words.

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your nearest participating training centre www.oftec.org

The installation and service manuals from Ideal Heating came out on top, with a 61.40/100 score for readability, followed by Alpha (60.59/100 for readability). Alpha’s customers also said they were comfortable using the manual –  with 37% confident using it to fix an issue with their boiler. This is twice more than Baxi’s customers (19.7%), which ranks fifth (59.63 out of 100).

Ranking third is Intergas (60.07 out of 100), followed by Vaillant (59.71/100).

Two in five of Vaillant’s customers agree that the manuals from the boiler

manufacturer are easy to understand.

Those who own a boiler from Atag may struggle the most in understanding its manual instructions, as they have the longest sentences and most complex words. Scoring just 53.35 out of 100, Atag’s boiler manuals are ranked the lowest for readability of all manufacturers studied.

Showers that offer a way to cut the costs

As the cost - of - living crisis leads to more homeowners seeking money - saving home improvement solutions, research from Triton has revealed an opportunity for installers to provide insight into the economic benefits of electric showers.

The shower manufacturer’s latest survey of 2000 consumers found that amid the current economic climate, 53% of shower users have made changes to the way they bathe in a bid to save money and reduce bills.

Most noticeably, a third of consumers said they would consider switching to a more

National Apprentice Week

efficient shower type, but 69% said they don’t have enough information to make a decision.

Ashley Cooper, marketing director at Triton, says: “It’s not a surprise to see that there has been a marked change in peoples’ routines due to the cost-of-living crisis. We are all doing things differently to help keep costs down, and our home habits have become a big part of that – particularly when it comes to our water and energy use.

“An electric unit can save up to 52,000 litres of water and knock up to £208 off a three - person household’s bills when compared to alternatives like mixers and baths – all while providing hot water on demand.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/06

As the UK’s only dedicated national exhibition for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration sectors, HVAC & Refrigeration Live (HVACR Live) is set to take place from 18 to 19 April 2023 at London Excel. A key part of the show will be the seminar theatres which will have speakers focusing on the hot topics of the day. At the heart of the show is an exhibition with manufacturers and suppliers from the UK and across the globe, showcasing products and services from the market leaders.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/07

As part of National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February), JTL will be hosting open days at its Birmingham, Oxford, and Telford centres, as well as exhibiting at four key events around the country. The main message will be to remind employers and learners of the essential value of apprenticeships.

Online, JTL will be sharing its ‘Employers like you’ campaign, which shares video testimonials from employers recounting their experiences with apprentices, as well as its ‘A trade is always with you’ campaign, which targets potential learners with the benefits of taking on an apprenticeship.

The open days are designed to provide prospective apprentices and employers with an opportunity to find out more about either taking on an apprentice or completing an apprenticeship. They can also take a tour of the centres and see the facilities on offer.

Caroline Turner, director of policy and external relations at JTL, says: “During National Apprenticeship Week we’re reminding everyone of the many advantages of an apprenticeship including earning whilst learning, gaining futureproofed skills, and addressing the gap in the nation’s skills shortage.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/08

Expansion to better service

Following the acquisition of additional warehouse and distribution premises in Stafford, Altecnic is expanding its stock holding capacity and developing a dedicated training centre to better serve its customers. Located in close proximity to Altecnic’s existing Stafford HQ, the new premises benefits from excellent access to M6 junction 14.

Gary Perry, MD at Altecnic, says: “The significant investment by our parent company in these new facilities is testament to Caleffi’s long term commitment to growing its UK footprint and supporting our loyal customer base. Being able to acquire such premises in Stafford means our experienced team will continue to deliver industry leading service for our customers every day.”

◼ Stiebel Eltron has secured ‘A Great Place to Work’ accreditation with a 94% employee trust score, based on an anonymous survey about the company’s commitment to fairness, pride, and ethics.

◼ The Gas App and Plumb App partner network has been enhanced with the addition of Altecnic, the latest manufacturer to join the platform. Altecnic will be utilising the app by providing users with the most up to date information on its product ranges, as well as ‘Knowing the Facts’ and ‘Troubleshooting’ technical support documents.

◼ Wiltshire Air Ambulance is £10,000 better off thanks to a donation from Grant UK. The company’s employees participated in a number of fund - raising efforts throughout 2022 to help the local charity, which provides critical medical care in Wiltshire, Bath and the surrounding areas.

◼ Radiator manufacturer Stelrad has joined the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers as an Industrial Associate. Stelrad says in the future it will work with the CIPHE to offer technical webinars and events, and to contribute to technical guidance and resources for members of the plumbing and heating industry.

◼ Toshiba Air Conditioning is celebrating 10 years of being carbon neutral, a decade after becoming the first HVAC supplier in the UK to achieve the CarbonNeutral status, which is a global standard awarded to businesses that have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero

Video highlights the Winter Heroes

Helping to champion the everyday heroism of UK installers, heating and plumbing engineer Ryan Mills has lent his voice to the latest animated video from Resideo, named ‘The Installer’. It depicts a typical day as an installer goes about their usual business – whatever the weather – to ensure their customers’ homes stay warm. However, it also highlights the important role installers are playing in helping customers tackle rising energy costs by ensuring our heating systems are as energy efficient as possible.

Martin Wilson, sales director at Resideo, comments: “We wanted to draw attention to the big difference professional installers can make by offering advice, and those simple changes that can help customers boost efficiency and lessen the impact of ongoing energy challenges.

“Through this animation, we wanted to remind installers that what they do is appreciated by homeowners across the country. They depend on installers like Ryan to ensure their home stays warm when they need it most.

“As Ryan says, this is very much the time of the installer. And this animation is just one aspect of our campaign to ensure they have access to the support they need. We want to help professional installers make informed suggestions to customers and know that Resideo recognises the real difference they are making.”

To watch ‘The Installer’, simply enter the reader link below in your browser.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/09

Free gifts with tools promotion

Last year saw Makita mark a half century in the UK market and the power tool manufacturer launched a special 50th anniversary promotion, offering the opportunity to claim free products with the purchase of selected items.

Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager at Makita UK, says: “ To thank our customers, we are delighted to offer a fantastic choice of free products and we have even included some of our most popular LXT products in the promotion.”

Customers who have purchased any of the qualifying models from an authorised dealer must register their purchase online within 28 days of making their purchase to claim their free product. On successful application, customers will receive their free gift after 30 days.

Eligible purchases within the promotion include a selection of drills and combo kits, which will enable you to claim certain prizes, such as a DAB+ site radio, drill and screwdriver bit set, USB adaptor, and torch.

The promotion was launched in October and runs until the end of March this year. For more information on the promotion and its terms and conditions, please use the online link below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/10

Acquisition adds to district heat expertise

BDR Thermea Group, the manufacturer of smart indoor climate solutions and parent company of Baxi, has acquired heat network company Fortes Energy Systems.

The acquisition represents the group’s expansion of its energy transition solutions portfolio to deliver a comfortable indoor climate, high hot water comfort, optimal system efficiency and low energy consumption.

Strengthening BDR Thermea’s expertise in heat networks, the Fortes product portfolio includes heat interface units, delivery stations for heat and cold distribution systems, and distributors for underfloor heating and cooling.

For Baxi in the UK, the acquisition of the Netherlands based business represents a strengthening of its sustainable heating expertise and technologies to support with the energy transition in homes and commercial premises.

TRUST INTA FOR ALL YOUR HEAT PUMP NEEDS

Talent Show

NEW APPOINTMENTS

People on the Move

Ariston Group has announced the appointment of Edoardo Pauletta d’Anna as its new UK managing director. Having been part of the company for over a decade, Edoardo’s new role sees him responsible for the growth and development of the Ariston, ELCO and ATAG Commercial brands in the UK.

The new sales and marketing director at Intergas Heating Solutions is Gary Rudd With a background in medical technology, Gary brings over 30 years experience developing skills in delivering added value to customers across Europe for Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical and the British Armed Forces.

The sales team at Saniflo has been enhanced with the addition of Conor Reeves as national account manager, based in the South of England. Conor’s background includes more than a decade in the pump sector of the plumbing and heating industry, with experience looking after key accounts in both the UK and abroad.

ELCO Heating Solutions has appointed Andreea Manoiu as senior manager. Bringing a wealth of experience to the role, Andreea has been a key member of the ELCO team since 2018. This new role will see her leading the ELCO and ATAG Commercial sales teams, in addition to the ELCO Solutions Centre and Parts & Services Department.

The new marketing director at Triton Showers is Ashley Cooper, who is tasked with leading, managing and developing Triton’s marketing and digital approach Ashley brings 25 years marketing experience to the role, with a wealth of knowledge established across a number of high profile consumer brands.

Callum Leadbeater has joined the sales department at Pland Stainless in Leeds, a move that will see him transfer a wealth of customer services skills gained in the hospitality sector. Callum will be responsible for helping to grow future business for the company, working largely with potential customers and estimators.

Haier has appointed Richard Sherlock as European air to water and heat pump product leader. Previously employed by Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin, Richard has extensive experience of working in the heating and cooling sector and over the past 15 years has been devoted to the development of the UK heat pump market.

Taps and showering specialist Abode has welcomed Karen Parker at its new northern sales manager, covering Yorkshire & the Humber, North West of England and North Wales. Karen brings with her a wealth of experience within the brassware and bathroom manufacturing industry, having worked in managerial roles with leading industry brands.

Plumb App Uk presents images sent in by users of the app showcasing the top work that earns them their wings.

Energy Matters

Net Zero review calls for quicker action

New and replacement gas boilers should be banned by 2033, two years earlier than planned, and the installation of heat pumps should be ‘turbocharged’, according to a new government report.

Tory MP Chris Skidmore was commissioned to conduct a review of the UK’s net zero plans in light of global challenges and concluded that government must go ‘further and faster’ on cutting carbon emissions.

Survey show s support for renewable solutions

An overwhelming majority of people think all new-build homes should not be connected to the gas grid and should have renewable energy instead, according to a recent survey from YouGov. It found that 80% would support government regulations making solar panels the default on new-build houses, against just 9% who would oppose this. Two-thirds (66%) believe battery storage should be included in new homes to increase the efficiency of solar panels, while 60% want to see heat pumps included in all new-builds, with just 17% opposed.

Government proposals for the Future Homes Standard are expected to require new homes to produce around 60% lower carbon emissions than the current building standards. However, MCS Charitable Foundation, which commissioned the YouGov survey, argues that the government could miss a huge opportunity by omitting

requirements for renewable energy. The Foundation argues that carbon targets will be hard to meet unless a requirement for all new build homes to have solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps as standard are included in the Future Homes Standard.

Furthermore, the government could be locking in future fossil fuel use by allowing new homes to be connected to the gas grid. MCS Charitable Foundation says gas grid connections would be obsolete for homes powered by renewables.

A majority of people (59%) believe new homes should have alternative heating sources, like heat pumps, rather than being connected to the gas grid.

David Cowdrey, director of external affairs for MCS Charitable Foundation, says: “Placing renewable energy in new-build housing should be a no-brainer. This survey shows that the public overwhelmingly wants cheap, clean, efficient energy, and that means solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage and EV charging points in every new home.

“The introduction of the Future Homes Standard is a huge opportunity to make renewable energy the norm, which must happen if we are to meet national goals on climate change.”

‘Mission Zero: The Net Zero Review’ makes 129 recommendations covering a wide range of energy-related issues, including how to deliver more energy efficient homes.

The report recognises the need to create gas-free homes, with Skidmore calling on ministers to ban the sale of new or replacement gas boilers in 10 years time. It is also proposed that the government should provide certainty on the phase-out date by 2024 to drive industry and investor confidence.

“Bringing the mandate of no new gas boilers forward from 2035 to

2033 helps households save money by doing this sooner rather than later,” Skidmore said. While it is a difference of only two years, the date is described as “pragmatic” and based on conversations with the energy industry.

Alongside this, the report recommends government adopt a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology. It is argued that this would “turbocharge” uptake of heat pumps and other low carbon heating sources.

The report also calls for homes with an EPC of ‘D’ or worse, which can use 27% more gas and 18% more electricity on average than ‘C’ rated ones, to be banned from sale by 2033.

A number of industry stakeholders have welcomed the review, including heat pump manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric. Russell Dean, residential product group director, comments:

“Government should use this as a springboard to boost decision making towards decarbonising Britain and making Net Zero a reality. With decisive government support, certainty can be given to industry to invest further in heat pumps, encourage installers to train, and households to switch to heat pumps and achieve energy savings.

“With continued support for schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Home Energy Scotland Scheme to insulate homes, choosing heat pumps and reducing energy use, attaining Net Zero is also pro-households.”

Census suggests the UK is lagging behind

Analysis of Census 2021 data shows that the UK lags behind many of its European neighbours in adopting green heating solutions, like heat pumps.

Nesta, an innovation foundation charity, reviewed the data on housing and found an unsustainable mix of heating solutions in England and Wales, mostly based on fossil fuels. According to analysts, this must change if the UK is to meet its net zero targets, and this will require efficiency upgrades to millions of homes in the next three decades.

Evohome fitted in future home project

Heating controls and security solutions specialist Resideo has supplied national house builder Bellway with its Honeywell Home evohome smart thermostat. The system has been installed alongside a low carbon heating system inside Bellway’s ‘The Future Home’ as part of Energy House 2.0 – a lab-controlled research project testing various energy scenarios within new build homes, located at the University of Salford.

Energy House 2.0 is a collaborative project between partners including the University of Salford, Bellway, Barratt Developments, and Saint-Gobain. The £16 million research facility, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has been designed to encourage the development of low

carbon technologies for the built environment.

The Future Home is a two-storey three-bedroom property that has been built inside the University’s climate-controlled lab, which can simulate a full year of climate conditions including humidity, rain and even snow.

With nine rooms in total, 12 radiators and three underfloor heating zones, the Honeywell Home evohome was selected for its smart zoning technology, which uses radiator controllers to wirelessly measure and control temperatures for up to twelve zones individually.

The Future Home at Energy House 2.0 will test how low carbon heating technologies will work in combination with building fabric, efficient services, and renewable energy generation in real-world

scenarios. Heating and hot water needs are provided by a 5kW Panasonic air to water heat pump with 3:1 modulation, stored hot water and integrated buffer tank, as well as an internal heat pump upstairs.

Several different test conditions and system configurations will be trialled throughout the two-

Most households in England and Wales (74%) reported that they use gas central heating as the only way to heat their homes, down from 78% in 2011.

In total, only 98,730 households in England and Wales said their central heating was powered completely by renewable energy, such as heat pumps. A further 134,650 had multiple heating sources that included renewables, but both figures each represent less than 1% of all households.

These figures broadly tally with the MCS data on installations of

heat pumps and other renewable heating sources in England and Wales. Nesta’s analysts estimate that there are just under 250,000 heat pumps in England, Wales and Scotland, and that heat pumps are by far the most common renewable heating system. In contrast, heat pump sales in Europe grew by 34% in 2021 and 2.18m heat pump units were sold in 21 countries – nearly 560,000 more than in 2020. This brings the total number of installed heat pumps in the EU to 16.98 million, covering around 14% of the heating market.

year project. As well as reducing a home’s carbon footprint, Bellway will also be looking at the most cost-efficient ways to help customers reduce their energy bills.

The Future Home is equipped to run full radiator zoning, mixed zoning, a basic two zone system, with and without buffer. It is fully

instrumented with heat meters on all water circuits, and as part of the trial will welcome test subjects to live in the house to test the system.

As well as set-up and commissioning, Resideo has also supported the project by providing training to the installers on site including the plumbing contractor, MB Heating.

Your Views

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Insulation might be energy efficient but...

We are constantly told that we must insulate our properties – but what with?

Rockwool and fibreglass need a vast amount of fuel to melt the rock, sand and glass. The polystyrene products need vast amounts of hydro carbon oil to manufacture the material. Plus, I would not wish to be in a property filled with polystyrene products in case it ever caught fire. Grenfell Tower is proof of that.

The problem is that the majority of people get confused between energy efficiency and environmentally friendly. They are poles apart. Modern day insulation is energy efficient in a property but is very, very damaging to the planet’s environment.

Wool and feathers are both energy efficient but, I hear you cry: “What about the methane from grazing animals?”

My answer to that is all manufacturing produces waste and pollution, so look at wool from the other way round. Sheep are living manufacturers of insulation and their waste products are meat and methane and, as I have already said, ALL manufacturing produces some waste. If we must get rid of the methane from grazing animals let’s start with the easy stuff –let’s get rid of all the herds of wildebeests and zebras – I don’t think so!

Neil Husbands MCIPHE Bristol

Government must make electricity competitive with gas

Based on your front page story last month, it seems that installer opinion is beginning to swing in favour of heat pumps, but all the good will in the world won’t overcome the fact that electricity is far more expensive than gas, thanks in part to the carbon tax attached to it. The government talks a good game about ending fossil fuel boilers and putting free money into new heat pump installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. It has nothing to say after the heat pump is in place in a customer’s home –they’re on their own with eye-watering electricity bills that will make them regret ditching the gas boiler.

To make a convincing heat pump case to the public, government must do something to make electricity competitive with gas, and the one lever it has at its fingertips is to reform the carbon tax. As it stands, 23% of the price of electricity comes from climate and social levies (the carbon tax). It’s just 2% for gas.

In this day and age, when renewables have made electricity generation ‘cleaner’ than gas, why is the carbon tax not on the one thing that actually produces the most carbon emissions?

L. Bennett via email

CIPHE Viewpoint

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How installers can provide protection

With many households under pressure to reduce their heating bills, installers can play a key role in helping them to minimise safety risks within the home – as Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, explains.

Plumbing and heating engineers provide crucial services. In the context of water safety, engineers help to protect householders from risks, such as Legionella and other water-borne illnesses, and can do so through quality installation and ongoing maintenance of heating and hot water systems. Now, new threats are presented as homeowners may be tempted to cut corners as they search for ways to reduce their water and heating bills.

Legionella concern

Water-borne diseases like Legionnaires’ disease are an ever-present risk. As people try to address mounting energy bills, more cases of Legionnaires’ disease are likely unless installers help consumers stay alert to the dangers. Legionella spreads in tiny water droplets which, if inhaled, can cause individuals, especially the vulnerable, to become sick. In some cases, particularly for those with existing health concerns, the outcome can be fatal.

If a heating system uses a hot water cylinder, the water temperature must not drop below 60°C, unless the cylinder follows a routine pasteurisation cycle. This is because Legionella can survive in temperatures up to 60°C, with the optimum temperature for the bacteria to thrive being between 20 and 45°C. Lowering hot water temperature could therefore present a serious health risk.

Temperature control

The primary method used to control the risk from Legionella, stated by the HSE, is water temperature control. In line with this, water services should be operated at temperatures that prevent Legionella growth. A competent person should routinely check, inspect and clean the system, in accordance with the risk assessment. The HSE stipulates that:

• Hot water storage cylinders (calorifiers) store water at 60°C or higher

• Hot water is distributed at 50°C or higher (thermostatic mixer valves need to be fitted as close as possible to outlets, where a scald risk is identified)

• Cold water should be stored and distributed below 20°C.

Where water is stored in pipework at below the recommended temperature, the perfect conditions are created for Legionella to grow. On the other end of the spectrum, if water is stored at temperatures high enough to kill Legionella bacteria, the risk of scalding is increased. This is where thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) can be a great asset.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves

A TMV makes it possible for water to be stored at temperatures high enough to stop Legionella surviving and to exit taps at lower temperatures, preventing scalds. TMVs must be installed as close to water outlet points as possible, minimising the space in which water can be stored at unsafe temperatures.

All new builds now require TMVs in line with Part G of the Building Regulations, but retrofitting these devices in existing homes should also be considered. When implementing new technology into an existing system, it’s crucial to review pipe sizing and assess its suitability. During the subsequent installation or service, installers should highlight and discuss issues with the customer. TMV’s are not ‘fit and forget’ devices and should be maintained on a regular basis.

The CIPHE also continues to endorse health checks for promoting system efficiency. From a water use perspective, regular inspections will guarantee that all parts are operating effectively and, in some cases, identify possible upgrades to boost energy conservation. Additionally, a health check can help to extend the life of appliances, ultimately saving homeowners time and money.

Home health check

When it comes to Legionella, the CIPHE’s Safe Water Guide and the Insight Guide for Legionella risk assessment in domestic houses are key resources. Heating and plumbing engineers can also better serve their customers by educating system users on the advantages of a home health check.

Many rely on plumbing and heating professionals to maintain the safety of the water supply in their homes. Without ongoing maintenance, people will be at risk when it comes to water safety. To that end, the CIPHE is lobbying for water safety to be prioritised, as well as for information and help to be made more easily available to the public and professionals.

To support installers with hot water safety information, including TMVs, the CIPHE offers members dedicated information and technical guidance. Find out more at ciphe.org.uk

Gadgets & Tools

thieves

Smart system is a multiple threat to van

New from ARMD is the ARMD GUARD Smart Van Alarm, a plugand-play sensor which provides a tool protection package combining smart technology with insurance.

The product silently watches over tools and in the event of a break-in the alarm triggers a phone call notification. This instant alert allows installers to take immediate action by calling the police and catching them in the act while it locates and tracks the van, if it is stolen, with the inbuilt GPS. No technical knowledge is needed to set up the ARMD GUARD in the van – it has been developed to be a simple plug-andplay installation in just two minutes. It also integrates seamlessly with the ARMD app, so that all tool inventory, security, insurance, tool and van location are all in one place. If the worst does happen,

Versatile tool offers a speedy solution to straightening pipe on site

ARMD can get installers back to work with fast, self-service digital insurance claims.

“When ARMD was launched, we promised that smart technology would form part of our tool protection package and after rigorous testing with the trade we are delighted to fulfil that promise,” says co-founder Devin Chawda. “The ARMD GUARD includes dedicated tool insurance, the alarm, a tool inventory app and a deterrent van sticker from just £9.99 per month.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/11

Described as ‘extremely versatile’ the new tube straightener from Laser Tools will straighten copper, stainless steel or aluminium pipe with diameters ranging from 4 to 10mm. It utilises seven U-shaped grooved rollers, which can be adjusted gradually and held in place by using the thumb lock, to guide the pipe through the straighteners without causing damage to the profile of the pipe.

The tool features a fold-out tab that enables it be mounted on a vice for ease of use. This makes it suitable for when fabricating larger-sized central heating or air conditioning installation pipework, and it is also suited for microbore pipe.

The tube straightener (part number 8443) can be used on tube diameters: 4.75 - 5mm, 6 - 6.3mm, 8 and 10mm tubing. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/12

Way to charge up more batteries all at one time

This one’s for the big users of Milwaukee Tools. The new M18 PackOut six bay charger gives you the ability to rapid-charge two batteries at once, or to charge six M18 B5 battery packs simultaneously in just three hours, so installers can get back to work quicker.

According to Milwaukee, this new product can charge two batteries at the same time up to 40% faster than if they were charged using a ‘standard rate’ version.

When six batteries are plugged in for charging, it will take around three hours to charge them all up.

Milwaukee says this compares to standard sequential rate chargers taking over 10 hours to do the same job.

The increased charge speed reduces downtime spent waiting for batteries to work, delivering more productivity. Fully compatible with Milwaukee’s PackOut Modular Storage System, it provides an optimised solution for transporting and storing batteries on the jobsite. The image here shows the charging bay in use with this storage system. The USB-A port provides charging of personal devices such as phones, headlamps, and flashlights.

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Buy an FGA and get a work light for free Espresso on the go

The latest promotional offer from Testo is giving installers a free Nebo professional work light with the purchase of all testo 327 and testo 300 flue gas analyser kits. The offer is also available across Testo’s range of digital manifolds (550i, 500 and 557) for heat pump servicing and installation.

The Nebo professional work light has a powerful, rechargeable LED flashlight, 500 lumen work light, programmable memory settings, 4x adjustable zoom, and magnetic base. Durable construction makes the work light water-resistant (IP67) and impact-resistant (to 1m).

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/14

If you are rather particular about your coffee and find the stuff customers bring you in a mug isn’t giving you the fix you need, it’s time to take matters in your own hands. The Nanopresso portable espresso maker by Wacaco means as long as you have hot water and coffee, then with this lightweight gadget, you’re only a few seconds away from a great, fresh cup of espresso. It’s smaller than a water bottle and requires only a few pumps of a thumb to operate, yet it generates extraction pressure up to 18 bars. The Nanopresso works either with loose ground coffee or with pre-filled pods.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/15

9 Flue gas analysers to suit every budget and requirement. Kits from just £489 (RLP)

9 Connect up to 4 testo smart probes including testo 115i, 510i, 915i (testo 300)

9 Screen mirroring via testo Smart app (testo 300)

9 Affordable fixed price servicing

9 Free work light also applies to our range of digital manifolds for heat pump installation and servicing Offer valid 01/01/2023 - 30/04/2023.

Training Update 16

Sign up to the latest APHC online courses

The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) has published its 2023 programme of online courses which include: Legionella Cold Water Risk Assessment & Disinfection, Domestic Hot Water Storage Systems (Unvented) and Sanitary & Above Ground Drainage.

The Association has worked closely with training provider BPEC to deliver the courses on Microsoft Teams which can be completed over two hours per day for up to four days. At the end of the course, delegates will be

able to take an online assessment to obtain a course completion certificate.

The courses are for experienced plumbers who ideally hold a relevant NVQ Level 2 or have equivalent practical experience of

Get up to date on hybrid systems

plumbing and the water industry. In addition to the courses, APHC is again giving away 100 training rewards worth £150 each to plumbing and heating companies throughout the year. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/17

Training centres attracting more installers

With a growing number of installers looking to learn about heat pumps and other low carbon heating solutions, Vaillant is reporting it has seen a 100% increase in the numbers attending its training courses. More than 6300 installers either booked an online or

developed over 47 training courses. A blended learning approach is delivered through the Vaillant Academy to allow installers to complete theory-based modules at home, with the practical training elements completed at one of the

To support the launch of its , E-Tec Hybrid heat pump system, Alpha is offering a Hybrid Heat Pump course to help installers navigate the transition to renewable heating systems. Soon to be available at various locations nationwide, Alpha’s in-house specialists provide practical advice on system designs, key features and considerations when fitting a heat pump, together with hands-on training in product

with the latest innovations and gain practical experience. Those who take up the training will also have the opportunity to discuss the latest energy saving products and relevant legislation. Hybrid training is available in several locations nationwide, including Alpha’s head office in Kent, Barnsley, Glasgow, Plymouth and Walsall.

To read more about Alpha’s E-Tech Hybrid heat pump package, turn to

How to make the most of exposure on social media

Continuing our series of business guidance for plumbing and heating installers from Logic4training, Mark Krull provides an insight into how tradespeople can best use social media platforms to promote their business.

Social media has become ubiquitous in our personal and professional lives, but that’s not to say it isn’t sometimes confusing, even for the youngest and most tech savvy among us! With so many platforms out there, you need to know that your time is well spent; that you are reaching your intended audiences and getting a good return on investment (ROI) for your ads and promotions. So which platforms should you consider using?

Facebook

Facebook is the most used social media platform in the UK with around 43 million active users every month. For businesses, this enormous potential reach offers opportunities for communicating directly with specific groups, making it an essential platform for small businesses.

You don’t need a big budget to start advertising on Facebook. Start small, boosting posts that have generated good organic engagement, so you can get a feel for what works.

• Top influencer: The Bald Builders – 1.3 million followers

• Key stats: Facebook offers a great conversion rate of 9.2% and the best ROI from ads at 26%. Engagement rate 0.06%.

Keep an eye on Facebook, however. It is on the wane in terms of popularity, with many people preferring platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Younger social media users tend to ignore Facebook altogether.

YouTube

Video content is consistently more engaging than other types of media and can be produced on a budget with a smart phone and a selfie-stick. YouTube reaches more than 75% of

working people and is the ideal place to showcase projects, provide valuable information to consumers and show off your knowledge and experience.

• Top influencer: @NBundyElectrical – 82.3K subscribers

• Key stats: ROI from ads 18%, conversion rate 0.5%, engagement rate 4.14%.

Instagram

Instagram has changed a lot in the last few years, from the original photo ‘grid’ to a focus on audio-visual content with the introduction of Reels in addition to Stories. These features enable business users to share information quickly or show off work without too much editing. Boost engagement by using polls, questions or a reaction slider and save your stories to Highlights to ensure visitors can quickly access key information.

• Top influencer: @pbplumber – 74K followers

• Key stats: ROI from ads 19%, conversion rate 1.08%, engagement rate 0.67%.

Twitter

Twitter is the third most popular social media platform in the UK, after Facebook and Instagram and has roughly the same reach as Instagram, around 18 million users in the UK. According to a study carried out by Twitter, around 69% of users had purchased from a small business as a result of following it on Twitter, so it is certainly a platform to consider for tradespeople.

All of the major trade magazines, industry bodies, accreditation schemes and training centres have a strong presence on Twitter, as well as some home-grown influencers, including plumbers and gas engineers who are promoting the industry through creative

and entertaining content, while leading critical debates about industry issues.

• Top influencer: Andy Cam, @CosyWarmPlumber – 42K followers

• Key stats: ROI from ads 13%, conversion rate 0.9%, engagement rate 0.04%.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is most relevant to tradespeople who have corporate clients. It is a B2B platform and a good way to attract the attention of bigger businesses. LinkedIn has some of the best community engagement rates of all of the social media platforms and a conversion rate of 13% from ads, so if you do deal with customers outside of the domestic space it’s defi nitely worth being on.

TikTok

The newest kid on the social media block, but a platform that’s really taking over. You might just think it’s for teens following the latest dance craze – there is a lot of that –but there’s also an increasing amount of DIY ‘how-to’ videos, so a great way to engage with your customers using short, helpful reels.

10 quick tips

1. Post regularly – at least twice a week. And make sure you are checking regularly for messages and responding promptly.

2. Time it right – most platforms see the highest engagement in the middle of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday), except for YouTube where users are more active at the weekends.

3. Business links – make sure your website and contact details are clear on all your social media accounts and your website, if you

have one, contains links to all your social media accounts.

4. Know your audience – all content should be created with your audience in mind. What are they interested in? What information would be useful to them? What will grab their attention?

5. Invite engagement – include a question in your post, ask if your audience can relate, or invite a discussion about a relevant topic.

6. Develop your own style –Have a clear idea of what you want to show your customers and other tradespeople before you start. Give out a coherent message that can reflect your personality

7. Be organised – Spend some time making a list of potential ideas that you can draw upon at busy periods to keep a dialogue going. You can broaden it out a bit too. If you know that there is an interesting development in your trade, why not start a discussion about it?

8. Paid posts – utilise the paid options on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for low-cost advertising that capitalises on Meta’s audience profi ling.

9. Mix it up – As a general rule of thumb, only 20% of your posts should be directly marketing your business while the other 80% should be informational, educational or entertaining.

10. Use videos – Video content makes up an estimated 82% of all online traffic. Get in the habit of taking good quality pictures and videos as you go - this will give you a store of content to use on your feed.

Up and running

To get started, pick one platform that you are familiar with and before long, you’ll be reaping the rewards of the digital community: connecting with more local people and/or big businesses and building your business presence online.

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To get started, pick one platform that you are familiar with and before long you’ll be reaping the rewards of the digital community

Mark Krull Director at Logic4training

Audible alert to system failure

Russell Armstrong, MD of RA Tech UK Ltd and inventor of the hotun tundish, highlights the benefits of the company’s detect alarm unit which automatically alerts users to failures of unvented water heaters.

The Building Regulations 2010, Section G3, Paragraph 3.55, states: ‘Any discharge should be visible at the tundish. In addition, where discharges from safety devices may not be apparent, e.g. in dwellings occupied by people with impaired vision or mobility, consideration should be given to the installation of a suitable safety device to warn when discharge takes place, e.g. electronically operated’.

Part G3 and its associated guidance document provides helpful information on installation and bestpractice relating to hot water supply and systems. This information is particularly useful when considering occupants with impaired vision or mobility, who are less able to inspect their appliances for faults.

Checking the tundish to see if any water has been discharged from the T/PRV is one example of a routine inspection.

Raising the alarm

Tundishes are often fitted in tight spaces that are difficult to access. So, why have electronic or audible devices never been fitted to the T/PRV discharge?

In my view, there has been no reliable way of detecting discharging water as it drips through the tundish. We have missed out on good practice as no suitable product has been available – until now.

Building on the success of the hotun dry trap tundish concept, we have now developed a product that is 100% reliable to automatically detect water dripping through and in the tundish.

Hotun detect audibly and visually indicates the presence of water and, with a variety of innovative features, gives invaluable information to the user and installer helping them to diagnose any faults with the appliance.

This stand-alone product, with its clip-on design, takes just seconds to fit to a hotun tundish. It is battery operated, so does not require any specialist electrical knowledge to fit, and can be retrospectively fitted to any hotun dry trap tundish on the market.

Not only will this help less-abled customers identify a problem quickly and easily and then be able to call an installer/plumber/engineer to see what has gone wrong, but it can potentially save them from wasting water or further damage being caused.

Don’t forget that when an expansion vessel has gone wrong (lost its pre-charge pressure) water coming out of the cylinder’s T/PRV will be as the system reaches 7-10 bar – putting the system under immense excess pressure!

In this day and age when we all need to keep our energy costs down and make sure we don’t waste water needlessly, hotun detect does more than just indicate something is wrong – it tells the customer that something needs to be fixed and, if it’s fixed quickly, it will save the customer money and potentially other (pressure) related issues developing later on.

How it works

As water drips from the T/PRV into the tundish, a small puddle of water builds up before becoming sufficiently ‘heavy’ to overcome the resistance of the spring – the water then flows into the D2.

As the puddle forms, it touches the sensor on the alarm unit (at the end of the green board coming out of the alarm body), and then activates the alarm. There are four levels of warning, depending on water temperature:

Stage 1 (0 to 20°C)

Stage 2 (21 to 60°C)

Stage 3 (61 to 85°C)

Stage 4 (86°C +) – critical alarm

When the relief valve drips, the hotun detect unit will emit an audible (7074dBA) and visual alarm. The type of alarm will indicate which temperature stage alarm has been activated, helping the engineer with fault diagnosis. The alarm unit now gives us no excuse to not have provision for more vulnerable homeowners, but with the potential to

save both water and energy, it is clear that this alarm would be of benefit to every household.

Indeed, from the outset of a building’s design we do not know who will be buying or renting the property, so surely it makes sense to fit the hotun detect alarm unit in all new installations?

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/21

Pipes, Fittings & Valves

Push-fit delivers a more sustainable solution

pipework by decreasing the number of connections required, which can help to avoid future water waste by reducing the chance of leaks.

Central hub

From swapping fast fashion for charity stores to adopting a more plant-based diet, there are many steps that we are all taking in our effort to be more environmentally friendly. Indeed, many people are set on having a more sustainable household overall, and one area that should not be overlooked is the home’s plumbing system. While the UK government is actively taking strides towards new, sustainable targets –phasing out gas boilers in new build homes by 2025 is one example – there are no guidelines listing what materials should be used in plumbing systems.

Cost-effective

The truth is that some sustainable alternatives are more expensive than their less environmentally friendly counterparts. Take tankless water heaters, for example, which are more expensive than storage heaters. And, while plastic pipe is less expensive than copper pipe, plastic push-fit fittings can be slightly more expensive. However, the additional money spent on plastic fittings will be saved in the form of reduced water usage and labour costs. Plastic push-fit fittings can reduce the complexity in

CUT TO THE CHASE

 Push-fit fittings can reduce the complexity of pipework, which cuts down on the number of connections required

 Fewer connections mean fewer possible leak points

 JG Speedfit Twist & Lock range is said to be up to 40% faster to install than traditional methods

 Plastic push-fit fittings are sealed by simply pushing the fitting into the pipe, reducing the chance that the fitting will be improperly installed

One example is plastic push-fit plumbing manifolds which, by establishing a single central hub as a distribution point for either hot or cold water supplies, simplify pipework. Without the need for additional fittings, a single run can be cabled to an outlet by using JG Speedfit polybutylene pipe. In addition to limiting leak points, this makes maintenance simple. Seeing as a single leak can lose up to 1400 gallons of water in 24 hours, you really do want to make an effort to prevent them.

Additionally, the specialised push-fit valve range from JG Speedfit, which brings together different functions into one fitting that saves space and installation time, are a great way to improve the efficiency of a plumbing system. Double check valves combined with service valves for outside taps can save a lot of space under the sink, for instance. There are also lever-operated shut off valves, hand-operated shut off taps, or screwdriver-operated valves that can shut off the water supply with a single turn.

Isolation advantages

The capability to isolate water supplies inherently reduces the need to drain water off the whole property. This then helps to save water, should servicing and maintenance be required on the system.

A further example of the advantages of plastic pushfit is the JG Speedfit Twist &

Lock range, which, like the aforementioned second fi x range, are up to 40% faster to install than traditional methods and are easier to use in confined spaces by removing the need for hot works and tools.

Quick to fi x Twist & Lock provides an instant, flame-free, push-fit connection that can be installed and demounted in seconds without tools. This is largely due to the fitting’s Grip & Seal collet with stainless steel teeth and its main O-ring seal. Furthermore, the polybutene plastic is a non-toxic material that resists both corrosion and scale build-up. This ensures that the fittings are watertight and long lasting, preventing any need for repairs and providing a more environmentally friendly plumbing solution overall.

The fittings are available in multiple key bends such as straight connectors, tee tube connectors, and equal elbow connectors.

Of course, preventing the need for repairs and providing a longer lasting solution is not just a requirement for indoor plumbing systems. Every year, thousands of pounds are spent on repairing outdoor plumbing systems too.

Issues with underground pipework are usually a result of one of two issues, if not both. A myriad of environmental factors mean that it is difficult for installers to determine whether a watertight seal has been made upon first installation, particularly if using fittings with compression connections; or the fitting can become loose over time, which then causes leaks that are hard to rectify.

Risk reduction

These risks are significantly reduced with plastic push-fit MDPE fittings like those in the JG Speedfit range. Like all plastic push-fit fittings, the fitting is sealed by simply pushing the fitting into the pipe, which drastically reduces the chance that the fitting will be insufficiently installed upon first installation.

Underground leaks can be laborious to deal with. Pushfit MDPE fittings assure a reliable and leak-proof seal, and with the JG Speedfit range, the installation is right fi rst time. This of course makes for a longer lasting and more environmentally friendly system overall, ensuring that water is conserved for years to come.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/22

Plastic push-fit solutions offer the reliability and longevity that will make plumbing systems more sustainable in the long run, says Richard Bateman from RWC.

Richard Bateman Product marketing manager for RWC

JG Speedfit Twist & Lock

Saving time and money with the right fixings

Building services fixings are not often considered at the design stage of a project, but some thoughtful pre-planning can help to save both time and money – Raajan Bains from Walraven highlights how use of the right products can avoid complications both during and after an installation.

Building services play an important role in the construction and performance of a building. Despite this, our experience tells us that building services fi xings are rarely planned in at project design stage. In fact, they are frequently not considered until much nearer installation phase. While this approach can work, it leaves little time and flexibility to plan the most effective and efficient fi xings. Consequently, it can lead to time pressures, increased costs and increased risks when it comes to product selection and installation.

Saving time

It is not unusual for construction projects to overrun. Fewer than one in three contractors report that they

Adjustable brackets save time on the job

More and more installers are now seeing the benefit of using ready-made metal noggins for fi rst-fi xing pipework, over the traditional wooden noggin.

Products such as Walraven’s RSWB (Rapid Sliding Wall Bracket) metal noggins can make a real difference on site, enabling projects to be delivered faster and more cost-effectively. The price of them won’t break the bank and the convenience

always fi nish projects on time and within budget. Even though supports and fi xings can seem like a tiny part of the overall project, they can contribute key time-saving benefits if given the opportunity.

One way M&E fi xings can save time on site is if you choose the right products. There is a huge selection of fi xings on the market, from traditional nuts, bolt, washers and pipe brackets to modern, more innovative, labour-saving alternatives. When fi xings are not planned in at the design stage, the tendency can be to select products you have always used, but this does not always allow you to reap the benefits of new product developments.

So if you are able to put some time aside in the planning phase of the project to research product alternatives, you could fi nd some real time-savers. For example, there are modern alternatives to traditional strut systems whereby the channel and fi xings are optimised for faster fi xing, including things like pre-assembled nuts, bolts, washers and stud. When you are installing miles of pipework, having pre-assembled fi xings can save up to 40% fi xing time. Our RapidRail system is a great example of this.

 Walraven’s quick and easy RapidRail system is ideal for low weight installations

Cutting costs

Not only can smart product selection save you time on site, it can also save you money. If you are using products that allow you to complete the installation faster, then by default you will also save on labour costs because labour time is also reduced.

Another key to saving costs is planning ahead. Fixings can seem like a small part of the job requirements. However, if you can spend time planning what fi xings to use ahead of time, you can make valuable savings in a number of areas.

Planning fi xings earlier in the process can mean:

• you are less likely to experience problems with product availability at installation phase

• there will be time to identify alternative cost saving products

• you can take advantage of things like offsite manufacture (if applicable)

• there is time to train installers with any new installation methods (saving costs and errors by installers)

• you may be able to identify any design rationalisation opportunities

• allows you to effectively identify and deal with more complex considerations like pipe movement and fi re stopping

Minimising risk

Construction projects are full of risk – even when installing building services – but there are many risks that can be reduced or mitigated. One major risk is installation failure. If M&E services go wrong there can be costly results of rework to fi x issues. So making sure the correct products are selected and installed correctly according to manufacturer instructions can go a long way to reduce risk of installation problems down the line.

of having ready-made brackets, boxed and ready to go on the back of a van can save a lot of time, not to mention, the effort of having to make up wooden noggins, especially on those larger jobs.

The metal brackets can simply be adjusted to the required length and screwed straight

into the joist. Metal noggins are versatile in use too. They can be used for many fi rst-fi x tasks including fi xing of copper pipe, MLCP, waste pipes, lightweight ducting, flue supports, electrical boxes and more. They are not designed as loadbearing supports, but generally speaking they can be used to

fi x most things that would have been supported by a wooden noggin.

The RSWB brackets are supplied in two connected halves, which can be snapped apart and then simply slid together to the required length.

Find out more by visiting: walraven.com/en/rswb

One issue we have seen too many times on site is products being installed incorrectly. This massively increases the risk of an installation failing at some point in the future, which can have all sorts of consequences. All too often the installation instructions are overlooked for speed or because there is assumed knowledge on how products should be installed.

Taking a little time up front to review installation instructions and train installers in the correct installation methods can pay off in the long run. If in doubt, there are many manufacturers who are happy to offer onsite instruction.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/23

Raajan Bains

Walraven technical sales manager

 Walraven’s RSWB brackets are ideal for fast fixing pipework (see more below)

MULTILAYER SYSTEM

Ideal for water supply and underfloor heating systems

• Suitable also for secondary heat returns thanks to 10 bar and 95°C resistance

• Naked and pre-lagged coils with 6, 9 and 13 mm insulation in red, blue and grey

• Multilayer composite pipes and fittings range up to 90 mm

• 3 options of fast and secure Brass and PPSU crimped fittings, also full bore

• Full range of transition fittings compatible to all other systems

• WRAS approved

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PEXAL BRASS Brass crimping fittings

PEXAL EASY Full bore PPSU technology

BRAVOPRESS PPSU crimping fittings

Pipes, Fittings & Valves

Good decisions can take the pressure off

Specifying the right valves for a water system will have all sorts of positive effects down the line, from saving on installation costs to easing the installation process and making the system more efficient – so says Sindar Singh from Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems UK.

Specifiers and building managers can ensure that the correct valve will positively affect reliability, performance, and efficiency. Choice doesn’t have to come with hidden challenges – in fact, selecting the correct valve can make installations easier by converging products and simplifying practical solutions to reduce maintenance costs and minimise system downtime.

Managing the flow Manufacturers such as Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems, who design and manufacture the Pegler Valve range, are continually developing solutions to keep specifiers, building managers, and contractors at the forefront of their profession while at the same time increasing efficiencies.

An example of this is the new ResiFlow valve. An integrated valve arrangement that converges isolation, drain, pressure reduction and an adapter-free direct connection for a Class D concentric water meter. The ResiFlow also has simple access to a check valve and streamline insulation that allows flexibility on installation and removal, even with the water

RESIFLOW BENEFITS

 It brings together isolation, drain and pressure reduction all in one device

 Adapter-free direct connection for a Class D concentric water meter

 Check valve is easy to access

 Incorporates a larger entry orifice to allow for increased flow

meter installed. The ResiFlow is specifically designed for multioccupancy buildings for hot and cold water applications. The challenge often found with developing a system for multioccupancy buildings is flow limitations, which can result in excess valves being specified, which will have an impact on bottom line costs (materials

and labour). Such is the challenge, that manufacturers like us have made it a priority to consider all aspects of valve technology, ranging from ultimate user comfort to ease of installation, commissioning and maintenance.

On balance

That is why the new ResiFlow has been designed to feature a larger entry orifice to allow for an increased flow and a pre-set ‘anti-creep’ pressure reducing valve, ensuring continued settings for residents.

The Pegler ResiFlow range consists of two models. The first one is the ResiFlow RES1 Valve, which offers many additional benefits, such as a built-in accessible check valve, providing easier maintenance. It also has two pressure gauges either side of the pressure reducing valve, offering instant and more precise indication for primary and secondary pressure readings.

This device has been designed to connect directly to a class

D water meter connection, therefore negating the need (and cost) for an adapter. In addition, a dedicated label on the handle has been provided to identify property/unit number, making maintenance straightforward and efficient. For installation practicality, the length has also been designed to 311mm.

The other part of the range is the ResiFlow RES2. This version comes complete with all the benefits mentioned previously, plus a secondary ball valve with an integrated drain outlet, saving the need for additional valves built further on in the system. This gives complete flexibility for isolation, a treatment fi ll point for the individual property and, therefore, increases the opportunity for greater hygiene. Furthermore, the RES2 version provides the ultimate flexibility for maintenance. The central unit can be removed for any routine inspection or maintenance and provides easy access and serviceability to the check valve as required by Water Regulations.

In addition, consideration has been given to the design of the insulation across the entire range, often an afterthought in some similar types of valves. The ResiFlow comes complete with a streamlined EPP moulded insulation cover which not only looks good but has practical use for maintenance as it can be removed even with the meter connected.

Future buildings

As previously stated, responsible manufacturers are accountable for designing and manufacturing products that not only manage the flow of water from A to B, but that ensure they provide added benefit to a system, the installer, the maintenance team, the user and even the environment. No matter how large or small, each improvement that is made should positively impact the future of our buildings.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/24

Sindar Singh Director of product line valve technology at Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems UK

Selecting the correct valve can make installations easier by converging products and simplifying practical solutions to reduce costs and minimise downtime

Pegler ResiFlow

alpex

A seamless transition

Our alpex F50 PROFI ® fittings can be crimped with five different jaw profiles making the switch to full flow fittings easy.

Compatible profiles - F / U / TH / H / VP

On average

30% greater cross sectional area

frankische.co.uk

A multilayer composite pipe system for drinking water and heating installations

Pipes, Fittings & Valves

Combining aluminium with plastic

Available from Valsir, Pexal is a multilayer pipe consisting of two separate materials: a metal and a plastic part. The inner layer is made of type B cross-linked polyethylene, bonded through an adhesive film to an intermediate aluminium layer. One more thin layer of adhesive is applied, followed by the outermost layer of the pipe, which, like the inner layer, is composed of type B crosslinked polyethylene.

Multilayer piping incorporates the advantages of both metal and plastic solutions: the corrosion resistance of plastic and the high pressure as well as temperature resistances typical of aluminium.

The core of the pipe consists of an aluminium layer designed for maximum physical and mechanical performance without compromising flexibility. It is butt welded with TIG technology to ensure that flexibility and thickness are identical at any point on the pipe.

The Pexal range is available in diameters ranging from 14 to 110 mm and can be used

in multiple areas, including hot and cold water plumbing systems, high and low temperature heating, as well as cooling equipment and compressed air systems.

It can be supplied in bars or rolls of various cuts up to 500 meters, or coated with a 6 to 13mm heat-insulating sheath, as well as with single or double corrugated sheathing (with double piping included).

Its smooth inner surface helps to reduce pressure drops, as well as fouling and algae formation (the aluminium intermediate layer acts as a barrier to light and oxygen).

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/25

Copper fittings at a better price

Offering installers a quick and easy way to purchase copper pipe and fittings, The Copper King website prides itself on being able to deliver high grade fittings at fixed prices that are below those available from trade counters.

The online supplier aims to offer an exclusive service to professional plumbers and Gas Safe registered installers and provides fittings that are manufactured to British Standards (WRAS and BS EN1254).

“With the ‘bucket’ and ‘pack’ deals, you

Pre-insulated heat pump connection hoses help to reduce heat loss

Available from Inta is a wide range of components for heat pump systems, including heat pump hoses. The Staffordbased company reports that its recently launched range of pre-insulated heat pump hoses are proving popular with installers, who find them easier when completing  an efficient and neat installation.

always end up with too many fittings you don’t need,” says company founder Neil Johnson. “We offer a simple and haggle free way to top up the van and garage with exactly what you need at the best price.”

Copper pipe fittings include 15, 22 and 28mm for various connections and bag sizes from 10 to 25. All fittings can be supplied in larger boxed quantities on demand.

All prices quoted on the website include free delivery (for orders over £175) and VAT.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/26

PEX pipes stand the test of time

First launched in 1972, Uponor’s PEX pipe can now boast more than 50 years of service. Marking its recent anniversary, the manufacturer estimates that more than six billion metres of the pipe has been used in drinking water, heating and radiant applications around the globe.

Inta provides the 1in female x 28mm connections in pairs to be directly connected to the flow and return of the heat pump. The hoses can be either 90° angled or straight, to suit a variety of units and installations.  All hoses are supplied with waterproof and UV resistant Primary Pro 19mm thick insulation to protect the hose in all weather conditions while reducing heat loss.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/27

Able to withstand temperatures of up to 90°C, the pipe was first used in underfloor heating projects but is now used in a variety of applications, including cooling systems, taps and radiator connections.

The pipes are delivered on large coils or boxes and can be cut on site. Thermal memory helps to speed installation because, once expanded, the pipes shrink back to their original size around Uponor’s Q&E fittings, which were launched in 1994.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/28

Online superstore opens for business

Online-only products retailer Plumbing Superstore has launched with the aim of providing the benefits of a traditional merchant while offering a wide range of products at a competitive price.

The new site will provide practically everything needed to fit or revamp a bathroom, with access to over 100,000 products and helpful product guides to help with the product selection and installation process. The full collection offers first fix plumbing and heating supplies including copper pipe and fittings, plastic pipe and pushfit fittings, and accessories, as well as sanitaryware and other bathroom accessories.

Giving new life to faulty boiler parts

A new scheme has been unveiled to help reduce the environmental impact of maintaining gas boilers by driving a more circular economy in the domestic heating sector. Devised by trade specialist Wolseley, this component recycling/reconditioning service aims to keep faulty boiler parts, like PCBs, in circulation by repairing them for resale.

Heating engineers will be encouraged to return faulty PCBs, diverter valves and fans from some of the most popular domestic boiler manufacturers and receive a small payment per component.

The faulty components will then be returned to a specialist refurbishment company, where they will either be refurbished and offered back into the market or recycled where the product is beyond economic

With a stock holding at a Darlington base, up to 90% of orders can be fulfilled the next working day.

Commenting on the launch, head of content

Darren Whelpton-Smith says: “The UK’s plumbing and bathroom market is growing all the time, but online penetration remains low, especially for retailers offering first fix and final fix solutions. That’s why we believe that Plumbing Superstore has great potential to become a major player among customers who want the convenience and flexibility of online purchasing and home delivery.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/29

Fixing faults made easier

A new digital tool to help field service engineers, housing associations and private landlords quickly and accurately diagnose heating system faults and identify replacement parts has been launched by City Plumbing. The national merchant’s FaultFinder system is designed to improve first-time fix rates by equipping users with the practical knowledge they need to diagnose faults and source spare parts.

UFH

for every project

repair. Wolseley customers will be able to purchase a selection of kitemarked refurbished products with a two-year warranty and at a significantly lower price compared to buying the part new.

The scheme will initially be operated via a small number of select branches, giving it a chance to evaluate installer response and consider next steps.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/30

The diagnostic system works by enabling tenants to input details of the problem into an online portal or over the phone. This gives engineers the opportunity to restore heat and hot water as quickly as possible by triaging the issue remotely and understanding if a visit is required, or whether the tenant can fix the issue themselves.

FaultFinder also gives City Plumbing branches the insight they need to ensure the correct stock for properties in the local area is available for collection or delivery as soon as it is needed. If a home visit is required, engineers can then quickly source the correct spare parts from their local branch before arriving at the tenant’s home.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/31

We are proud to be dedicated underfloor heating experts, trusted by our customers for over 20 years.

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The future of the domestic boiler market

With traditional oil-fired boilers set to be outlawed and calls for the banning of new natural gas boilers, the future of the UK domestic boiler market looks uncertain. We asked Martyn Bridges from Worcester Bosch for his views on the latest developments in the heating sector.

Worcester

Bosch is responsible for over a third of gas boiler sales in the UK, so the company is in a good position to comment on the latest advances in heating technology and the potential impact of future low-carbon legislation.

The recent Skidmore Review has proposed that new gas boilers should be banned within a decade. Is it a proposal that you think the government will take seriously?

MB: The proposal within Chris Skidmore’s report as to the progress of net zero is suggesting that the ban on natural gas boilers take place in 2033, two years sooner than the original ambition of 2035 If the government were to mandate that hydrogen ready boilers are the only boilers that can be placed on the market by the mid-2020s, then a ban on natural gas-only boilers would not be a serious issue as it would suggest they are considering it already with this hydrogen ready boiler proposal.

Do you think that such reports and the drive to grow the heat pump market has had much of an impact on consumer demand for gas boilers?

MB: The consumer demand for gas boilers is still very buoyant and they are still viewed as very much the first choice for the majority of us heating our homes.

It is true to say that the gas boiler market was slightly down in 2022 in comparison to the previous year, but it is a difficult comparison as in 2021 there was an awful lot of catch up taking place from the unprecedented year of

2020 when we had various lockdowns and restrictions in place. So, there is no sign showing gas boilers losing any popularity at all at the moment. Unfortunately, the progress of heat pumps is presently slower than we would like to see.

Do you think that hybrid systems will play an important part in the UK’s future heating market?

MB: With some 17 million homes currently being heated by a gas-powered combi, we believe hybrid systems will play an increasingly active role on the road to net zero. It is particularly difficult to replace a combi boiler with a full heat pump system. This is especially true in some of the smaller properties where they are installed. Therefore, we believe a hybrid system that would include a combi boiler and a ground to water heat pump would be a popular and noninvasive way of achieving our net zero carbon ambition.

Manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch have made a significant investment in hydrogen boiler technology, but does this mean there has been less of a focus on the evolution of natural gas condensing boilers?

MB: We have invested in the development of prototype hydrogen ready boilers and have done this in addition to the normal development cycles for natural gas and LPG boilers. It is part of the success of most manufacturers that you have to continually update and improve both current products and future products. So in our case, no, the development of natural gas boilers is certainly not taking any second place to other technology types.

Boiler manufacturers have largely succeeded in proving the viability of hydrogen boilers, but what are the main obstacles that need to be overcome before hydrogen is likely to become available at a national level?

MB: It is true to say that many households and consumers may be sceptical and perhaps a little nervous about using hydrogen gas as opposed to methane gas. Some of the mistruths about hydrogen’s safety have been published in newspapers which has not helped the situation. Probably the biggest stumbling block is that there is very little production taking place today, so it was good to see that the government has recently doubled its previous commitment to generate ten gigawatts of hydrogen by the end of the decade.

The other issue to overcome is of course we have yet to attempt a grid conversion of any size from natural gas to hydrogen. The village trials at either Ellesmere Port or Redcar are intended to prove that a grid conversion can take place satisfactorily and most importantly safely.

Can you tell us more about the progress of existing trials?

MB: There are a number of individual trials taking place in the UK, such as the wellpublicised hydrogen home in Low Thornley where two properties are being built using hydrogen powered boilers and other appliances.

Then a larger trial is being progressed in Fife in Scotland where 300 occupied homes will be converted to run on hydrogen. That leads on to even larger village trials that will see around 2000 homes converted to run on hydrogen.

By the end of the decade a town or city is being discussed with up to 20,000 properties being run on hydrogen. These trials will serve to be the litmus test for hydrogen and may well pave the way to a hydrogen powered future.

Does Worcester Bosch still consider the UK domestic oil heating market to be worth long-term investment, and how optimistic are you about HVO being adopted as a sustainable replacement fuel?

MB: One of the first targets within the Heating & Buildings Strategy was to eliminate the use of domestic heating oil, liquid gas and coal fired boilers; also to prevent them from being installed as replacements from 2026 onwards.

However, we have had very encouraging signs from the government that biofuels may provide a suitable alternative to the heat pump-first approach they are currently adopting.

In fact, on the 11th of January, George Eustice MP read a bill in the Houses of Parliament which garnered support from a number of rural based MPs about the duty of HVO oil and the potential it has to replace kerosene in hard to heat homes.

Is there more that boiler manufacturers can do to help address concerns about the rising cost of energy?

MB: We believe manufacturers have been very proactive in trying to address this worrying situation of rising energy bills. Websites are awash with energy saving tips on how to optimise the use of a boiler, the benefits of controls and general comments on how heating systems can be used more economically.

Martyn Bridges Director of technical services at Worcester Bosch

The consumer demand for gas boilers is still very buoyant and they are still viewed as very much the first choice for the majority of us heating our homes

30 Domestic Boilers

Building a better boiler management platform

Sophisticated control of heating systems is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions from a property, but most people will need a simple interface to take advantage of the advanced technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is making this linkage possible. Here, Neil Mattock from Vokèra explains how intuitive platforms are helping users of controls get the best results out of their heating systems.

A2021 Institute of Government report revealed that domestic heating accounted for about 14% of UK emissions, highlighting a need for homes to be heated with greater fuel efficiency. Better boiler management represents a way to do this, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology makes it possible. With users able to remotely access elements like thermostats and sensors, they can get more efficiency out of their appliances, improving the energy efficiency of homes and lowering energy bills.

IoT has been integrated into heating systems over the past 10 years, with smart thermostats leading the charge. Aligned with Boiler Plus regulations, our aim is to develop heating systems that integrate more effectively with IoT technology to ensure they run more efficiently and sustainably. This means being able to do more than simply switch a system on or off remotely which, though convenient, is unlikely to fully exploit efficiency potential in aligning appliance output with changing thermal load.

Boiler Plus

Next level integration of modulating controls as per Boiler Plus regulations in the form of load and weather compensation improves temperature flows and allows boilers to run more effectively at a lower setting. Load compensation controls, for example, modulate the flow temperature from the boiler based on the actual room temperature. This requires the thermostat and boiler to ‘speak’ the same language, a function that is enabled by communications protocol –Vokèra uses OpenTherm.

A similar principle is at the heart of weather compensation controls that use the outside

temperature to modulate a boiler’s temperature flow. As well as allowing property owners to reset their heating system remotely in the event of a malfunction or interruption in the gas supply, for example, digital interconnection enables installers off-site access – if permitted by the customer – to diagnose issues in a significantly more convenient and effective manner for both parties.

Intuitive platforms

Devising a method of connecting a boiler directly to the internet without interfering with the control is crucial to advancing the heating/digital ecosystem

relationship. It’s a development that Vokèra is progressing through its software-based ‘Hi, Comfort’ platform, which features next generation boilers and smart thermostats. It includes the evolution of the Hi Comfort K100 smart key, a superbly simple plug-in innovation that permits remote control of boilers and heating systems via a specially devised app. This increases boiler management efficiency in relation to issues such as running time monitoring, geofencing and remote setting of DHW temperature. Beneficial for checking the operating parameters of individual household boilers, the connected technology afforded by the smart key could prove very useful when managing an estate of systems within a social housing block, for instance.

Easy connections

In future, this type of digital ecosystem could be adapted to manage multiple technologies as heating systems become more hybrid. Therefore, the technology involved in linking a heat pump to a boiler and solar panels could be controlled by a single digital platform working in an intelligent way to maximise the system’s efficiency. Such control could enable elements of the system to be programmed to work independently of each other or together, depending on exterior conditions. For instance, when temperatures fall to below freezing, a heat pump might be incapable of managing a heating system

or become a less attractive economic option. On such occasions, the system could be remotely managed via the internet to switch to a boileronly or bivalent operation. But how do we start linking these different technologies together in a way that is easy for the end user to understand? The benefits for customers in the form of preventative maintenance are there for the asking if a heating system’s programme offers clear, identifiable responses. Think about how a warning light indicates when a car component is under stress. It usually means the vehicle remains driveable but that the driver should seek service assistance. A similar function for boilers could spare homeowners an unnecessarily costly repair bill.

Internet based

The IoT has been a gift in terms of allowing users greater control of their heating system, which in turn should inspire greater functionality and sustainability. System efficiency is core to every manufacturer’s business model. At Vokèra, we’re achieving this by recognising the need to produce an interface that allows the user to manage their heating in a simple and efficient manner with minimal adjustment, but also provide a conduit between heating appliance, user and service organisation or manufacturer.

The IoT has a significant role to play in facilitating such an outcome; a smart process that will ultimately lead to greater fuel efficiency and a more sustainable built environment. ◼ phamnews.co.uk

The Internet of Things plays a significant role in an interface that allows the user to manage their heating in a simple and efficient manner with minimal adjustment

Neil Mattock

Marketing director and head of training at Vokèra

 The Vibe Max boiler and smart key

The NCB700 and NCB500

Putting hot water first.

Delivering endless potential, the NCB700ON and NCB500ON combi crossover boilers are setting new standards. Reducing gas consumption by up to 38% and supplying up to three showers simultaneously. Plus, with no need for a cylinder, homeowners can reclaim valuable space. With Navien ON, performance is transformed – reliably, reassuringly, repeatedly.

Discover more about our training: Discover more about our range: navien.co.uk/training navien.co.uk

Domestic Boilers 32

PDHW: an untapped solution to cut energy costs

With the continuing energy crisis and the cost of living fixing the nation’s attention on how to weather the storm and reduce household bills, Jonathan Kidner from Alpha explains how the oft-overlooked solution of Priority Domestic Hot Water (PDHW) can be a quick fix now for homeowners looking to alleviate the cost of energy.

Household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022 and were due to increase by a further 80% in October. However, despite the new Energy Price Guarantee imposed in October 2022 limited to an increase of 27%, many homes – especially those with high energy usage – will experience higher costs with a further increase in April 2023.

Home heating brands such as Alpha are channelling their efforts into developing new technologies to help mitigate the cost-of-living crisis for UK homeowners, while also responding to the climate emergency by making our homes greener and reducing energy consumption. However, there is technology which already exists which can offer a remedy now – but it is being under-utilised due to a lack of awareness and understanding amongst both homeowners and installers.

Separate functions

Traditionally, heating systems consisting of a gas boiler and hot water cylinder are set up with one ‘go’ signal, regardless of whether they are fi ring for heating or hot water. They then send the same high temperature water (somewhere around 70°C to 80°C) to either the heating system or to heat up the hot water cylinder.

Priority Domestic Hot Water (PDHW) involves separating these two functions. This allows low temperature water to be sent around the heating system or a short burst of high

PDHW IN A NUTSHELL

 Priority domestic hot water (PDHW) separates the boiler functions of heating and hot water to improve efficiency

 Using PDHW means the heating can be run at lower temperatures

 Pairing a PDHW valve with a ΔT controlled pump can further improve efficiency

 Most boilers can be adapted to incorporate PDHW

 The cost of retrofitting PDHW will be around £200 but will save money over time

above and beyond to improve a building’s energy rating.

To take advantage of PDHW, you need a boiler which can differentiate between the demands for heating and hot water. Boilers such as this incorporate control valves which shut off the heating when the hot water cylinder is being heated, preventing high temperature system water from being sent wastefully around the heating system.

You can further maximise the benefits of PDHW by controlling the flow rate of system water going to the coil of the hot water cylinder. In addition, the boiler’s output can be tailored to match each individual home’s heat loss and hot water cylinder coil rating.

Retrofit remedy

provide PDHW is to use Alpha’s diverter valve

water from being sent wastefully around the via kit, an established product launched in 2014. It operates as a hot water priority valve, meaning if the heating is on and there is a hot water demand, the valve will divert the primary heat to the cylinder until the cylinder sensor is satisfied.

temperature water to the hot water cylinder. The benefit is that the heating (which is on for longer) can be run at lower temperatures to maximise savings whilst still heating the hot water cylinder beyond 60°C to kill Legionella bacteria.

Delta force

Running PDHW, particularly with a delta-T (ΔT) controlled pump, ensures that a system designed to run at 70/50 will see boiler efficiency at around 90%, compared to around 86% efficiency from one run at an 80/60 temperature. Energy consumption is reduced, therefore lowering the overall household bill.

Regardless of the cost benefit to homeowners, it should not be overlooked that PDHW also ticks the box when it comes to Building Regulations. PDHW is one very simple way in which installers can go

Although not all boilers have this inherent functionality, most boilers can be adapted to incorporate PDHW without too much disturbance via a diverter valve kit. This is a straightforward task for installers as the control valves, controllers and wiring required are all very much industry standard. The appeal for homeowners is that this won’t cost a fortune to install (£200 approx.), but it will save energy and reduce the overall cost of running the home without losing any performance in either their heating or hot water supply. The problem, however, is that the average domestic customer won’t know or understand about this simple remedy.

This is where installers can play a vital role. By educating customers on the benefits, ease and low cost of installing PDHW, installers can offer an option to help alleviate the growing pressure of the energy crisis. Homeowners should be assured that the valve itself is very much a ‘fit and forget’ solution. They won’t need to routinely maintain or replace it and neither will they need to learn about any complex new controls or special new ways to run their system.

In current circumstances, there are many householders who will certainly appreciate the opportunity to reduce their heating costs and the installation of a diverter valve may well help to forge their loyalty to you as their trusted service provider.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/34

Jonathan Kidner Product engineer for Alpha

Save over £900 per year on heating bills

When money’s a stretch

Save it by switching from a standard efficiency boiler to a Firebird world-leading condensing boiler.

Costs

Makes financial Sense

Firebird Envirogreen Condensing Boilers are 25%–30% more efficient than a Standard Efficiency Boiler.

Here’s Why

• With an efficiency of 97.5%, Firebird

Envirogreen condensing boilers use less fuel than a standard efficiency boiler, therefore reducing energy costs.

Cost savings with Firebird

This table shows the savings you can make when you upgrade from a standard efficiency boiler to a Firebird condensing boiler, based on a 4 bedroom home.

Domestic Boilers

Electric heat and hot water from one neat package

Available from the Electric Heating Company, the Comet Electric Combi Boiler is said to offer the comfort and convenience of wet central heating and domestic hot water with the benefit of low installation and maintenance costs.

The fully packaged unit is housed in an elegant enclosure and comes complete with the option of a 9, 12 or 14.4kW Comet Electric Boiler with a 140 litre indirect stainless steel store. The boiler has in-built weather compensation which will automatically modulate and reduce the boiler’s output temperature in relation to the external temperature. This reduces boiler cycling and could save up to 15% energy per annum.

Also included is a built in anti-Legionella tank cleansing feature which allows the boiler and stainless steel store to operate at lower temperatures. The boiler has pre-wired zone valves and expansion vessels for both the heating and hot water.

Boiler ticks all the boxes for retirement home

Housing 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement homes, has just opened Poppy Meadows, an Extra Care scheme in Didcot, Oxfordshire. The three-storey building, constructed around an internal courtyard, has been built with energy saving in mind, which means as much attention has been paid to the insulation and heating design as to the architecture and facilities.

Deeley Construction was appointed to build Poppy Meadows via the Homes England

DPP3 (Delivery Partner Panel)

framework with the objective of meeting the BREEAM Very Good standard. After a competitive tender, Deeley appointed Oxfordbased Anders Heating Company to design and install the heating system – a family-run business specialising in new build.

Heating and hot water is being provided by 80 Xclusive 24 combi boilers from Intergas Heating.Key to the boiler’s reliability is that it doesn’t have a diverter valve, valve motor, auto air vent or secondary

hot water plate heat exchanger, so all the parts that tend to stick or leak aren’t there. The combi also condenses virtually all the time it’s producing hot water, keeping energy consumption and emissions low.

100% efficient at the point of use, electric heating systems are also said to last 50% longer than oil or gas boilers.

not the planet

NXHM Air Source Heat Pump

The NHXM is monobloc, available in 7 outputs from 4 to 16kW (in 2kW increments) and is MCS approved for funding under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. For a complete solution, a complementary range of pre-plumbed unvented cylinders, with an integral 50 litre buffer vessel, are available in 170, 200, 250 and 300 litre capacities.

“We know that saving energy, lowering fuel bills and delivering reliability are paramount to Housing 21,” says Tim Anders, MD at Anders Heating Company. “On a new build, providing all the groundwork has been done, and our heating design is an efficient and effective one, we can install at speed.”

Cutting both bills and emissions

Recent years have seen Firebird dedicate significant resources and invest heavily in developing products with increased fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and which use more sustainable fuel sources. Thanks to this drive towards innovation, the manufacturer is now able to boast some of the most efficient liquid fuel boilers on the market at 97.5% efficiency and NOx emissions as low as 60mg/kWhr (half the EU limits).

Firebird’s boilers are also fully compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – a sustainable drop-in replacement to Kerosene – which can reduce household emissions by up to 90%. The conversion requires little or no modification to existing heating systems beyond the cost (approx. £400) to upgrade to a Firebird by Elco HVO burner.

Mark Doyle, Firebird general manager, explains how the introduction of HVO would be an instant game-changer for home

heating: “There are 1.5 million or so homes with existing liquid fuel boilers in the UK with few other choices available for homeowners to adopt cleaner, greener heat solutions.

“HVO can work with any liquid fuel boiler and, if used in homes, can potentially make these homes almost carbon neutral immediately. Our trials of HVO for home heating in the UK and Ireland have proven how household greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 90%.”

Firebird’s manufacturing site in Ireland and offices in England and Northern Ireland are already fuelled by HVO, says Mark Doyle: “We passionately believe that we all have a part to play to reduce carbon emissions and we believe HVO is not the future, it’s the ‘now’. Our responsibility to our customers and the environment are the key drivers behind everything we do.”

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Domestic Boilers

Plenty of hot water at any time

The NCB combi boiler range from Navien is designed to meet every need, from small two-bedroom homes through to larger fivebed properties with multiple bathrooms.

Prioritising year-round hot water performance, the NCB500 ON and the NCB700 ON feature the company’s ON technology which maximises the recirculation of domestic hot water (DHW) while significantly reducing water wastage.

“The first boiler range of its kind on the market, the NCB range can deliver constant and rapid hot water to multiple rooms simultaneously,” explains Jason Davies, national business manager. “The days of waiting for the shower to heat up and dodging cold spells while someone else is washing the dishes are over. For installers, the NCB 500 ON and 700 ON remove the need to fit system boilers in larger homes.”

With no need to pre-heat large volumes of water or keep water heated to temperature when outlets are not in use, the company claims that homeowners will be able to save up to 7787 litres per year and up to 38% of gas on average per year compared to system boilers and regular boilers.

The three new models that make up the range are all 20% hydrogen-blend-ready and cater for a different size of home:

The NCB700 ON works with NaviCirc, a simple plumbing device that uses existing pipework to reduce the waiting time for hot water, and offers flow rates up to 22 litres

35

per minute and a turndown ratio of 15:1.

The NCB500 ON uses a stainless-steel heat exchanger for optimum durability and delivers flow rates of up to 16.8 litres per minute. It also boasts an ErP A+ energy efficiency rating for low running costs when used with three Smart Plus thermostats for multi-zone heating.

The NCB300 is a compact and lightweight unit designed for smaller homes and flats which can easily be fitted into a standard kitchen small cupboard.

Navien’s NCB range comes with a 12-year warranty as standard and is available to buy from City Plumbing or other reputable merchants.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/38 All

The DSR German Electric Radiators look like a conventional ‘wet’ system Radiator, heat up and operate like a ‘wet’ system Radiator to provide the user with a superior heating experience. Space saving Tall Radiators and Conservatory Models available.

This unique product benefits from 24/7 Manual or Smart control for all your heating requirements. Available in outputs from 800W to 2400W.

A redesign that keeps diversity front of mind

The cost of living crisis may be squeezing household budgets, but it is also seeing families gather more generations under one roof to combine resources and save money, which means bathrooms need to be safe and accessible for all –so says Tom Reynolds of the BMA.

Whether future-proofing the home for changes in mobility, disability, or multigenerational living, the bathroom is the most common room to require adaptation and should be about meeting consumers’ needs.

First principles

The recent shocks to the UK economy and our cost-of-living crisis, with rising interest rates and high inflation, will undoubtedly lead to some house price instability in the coming year. And while house prices in 2021 grew at their fastest pace in over a decade, they are predicted to fall this year.

The UK’s housing crisis appears to be a constant theme, with the lack of affordable housing cited as a crucial component. Add to the mix the severe lack of elderly social care and people wanting to ‘age in place’, and a solution must be found. Enter the age of multigenerational living as one concept.

Multi-generational living is becoming more common in the UK, with research by the CBRE finding that 1.8m households now contain two or more adult generations, an increase of 38% in just ten years.

To create a functional yet enjoyable and design-led space, consideration must be given to the plumbing and spacing of fixtures, storage, multi-functional equipment and lighting. Redesigning bathrooms to meet changing needs does not mean abandoning attractive design, and you will likely have seen significant developments in the style and choice available in accessible bathrooms over the last decade. There is a desire to remove the impression that accessibility should deliver function over form – removing the default clinical look and feel.

Multi-purpose room

Manufacturers are constantly working to keep one step ahead of the increasing demand for adaptable and inclusive bathroom products to meet the needs of the market, and design-conscious customers are often keen to ensure that a new shower room can fulfil their desire for an attractive and up-to-the-minute space. For multi-generational living, the bathroom has to be multipurpose, serving the needs of potentially young children and more elderly, permitting options for future independent showering.

The space available for

BY NUMBERS

1.8m

number of households with two or more adult generations

5% amount of bathrooms redesigned specifically to future-proof for old age in 2021-2022

27%

amount of installations that created additional bathrooms in established homes in 2022

any bathroom redesign will ultimately drive the layout but for homeowners wishing to create a showering space that is versatile, adaptable, and easy to maintain. A modern, accessible, multi-functional level access wetroom can be the ideal solution.

It’s important to emphasise that gone are the days of ‘institutional’ style grab rails and flapping shower curtains. Indeed, many options for safe and stylish accessible showering can blend seamlessly into the shower space so that they are barely noticeable.

Finding your feet

Alternatively, using an ultra low-level shower tray with high-performance anti-slip properties, graded to the official DIN (50197) standard, and accompanying glass panel arrangement is an option that can be used in smaller bathrooms to avoid them feeling cramped or dark. Of course, attractive multipurpose bathroom accessories create a secure showering environment without compromising on style and can offer stability for those who need it while showering.

Sitting pretty

The WC is another key consideration and one of the most common alterations made for accessible bathroom use. In most cases, the seat and

height require adjustment, usually slightly higher, to make them easier to use. Again, grab rails provide stability, but these days, the style options available remove the utilitarian look.

Adaptations should not be viewed as a niche or narrow market, as the societal shift to multigenerational living is being encouraged by the government, which is keen to keep people independent and in the community for a host of economic reasons. In addition, the current high interest rates and lessening disposable income will keep generations living together.

Shifting demographics

Indeed, research conducted for the BMA in 2022 into the social and demographic trends influencing home improvement decisions found that future-proofing for old age is a slow-growing trend and the motivation behind 5% of new bathroom installations in 2021-22.

Additionally, one third of UK households are multigenerational, a trend set to increase considering rising house and rent prices that force adult children to continue living with their parents. This type of living can also drive the need for additional bathrooms and has increased from 20% in 2018 to 27% in 2022.

This should be viewed as an opportunity for installers and retail outlets who will be at the forefront of creating lasting and design-led multigenerational bathroom spaces.

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Tom Reynolds Chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers’ Association

 Adapting a WC for multigenerational involves raising the seat height and adding a grab rail

 Modern, accessible and multi-purpose bathrooms can meet the needs of all users – pictured above is the ‘Elegant Retreat’ wetroom from Impey Showers

Taking care of multi-generations

With the trend for multi-generational living continuing apace, installers can expect to see more requests to adapt bathrooms so that they are safe and suitable for all users.

Martyn

Brown,

contracts & technical manager at Triton Showers, discusses some of the key things installers need to consider.

Without doubt, the UK is in a tricky situation right now. Inflation is still higher than where it needs to be, energy prices are not expected to drop back to pre-Covid rates, and the cost-ofliving crisis shows no signs of abating.

One of the biggest impacts this has had on the population is the rise in multi-generational living. Research by commercial real estate services company, CBRE, finds that 1.8m UK households now contain two or more adult generations, an increase of 38% in just 10 years. More people are delaying plans to move out of family homes, or in some cases opting to move back in, so that they can pool resources and save money.

Given this movement, the likelihood is that home adaptation projects will increase too, as more generations live side-by-side. Making properties safe for vulnerable users will be a priority, especially when it comes to one of the busiest rooms and most used appliances in the house – the bathroom and the shower.

For busy installers, whether it’s a new application in an extension or annex, or retrofitting an ensuite or bathroom, the key is getting solutions right first time.

Safety first

In households with vulnerable users, i.e., elderly, disabled or young people, the benefits of safe showering solutions are clear. With a unit that performs well and is adapted for specific needs, occupants can feel confident of starting or ending their day comfortably, with accidents such as slipping being prevented. Meanwhile, issues like not having enough hot water and/or pressure, or being able to operate the controls easily, do not become a daily inconvenience. Good practice is to think about a user’s wellbeing first. When selecting an electric shower for a bathroom adaptation, look for high quality, innovative safety features and accreditations. For example, our Omnicare models have attained the BEAB Care Mark, and are all equipped with thermostatic temperature control to prevent scalding and sudden drops in water temperature, regulating to within +/-1°C. Additionally, to help users of all abilities wash easily and safely, all products in the range are RNIB accredited and include audible feedback and tactile controls, such as a looped lever handle and soft press start/stop button. There are a variety of other accessories that can add further assurance against

slips, trips and falls too. These include multi-purpose grab riser rail kits to support people who may be unsteady on their feet, or remote start/stop controls that allow operation away from any water spray, which can be handy for carers.

Speed and reliability

As the rate of multi-generational living quickens, installers will need to work faster than ever too. Whether it’s oneoff projects or multiple installations for large developments and housing associations, time is money, and again, choosing the right solutions can make all the difference.

Given that installers are increasingly time-stretched, when quick turnarounds are required, easy installation is critical. Here, features such as multiple cable and entry points, along with a generous footprint, help make retrofit applications simpler.

Another factor to bear in mind is reliability. Returning to a job to fix or troubleshoot is never ideal, so it’s important to seek products that have been through third-party testing for peace of mind. Our showers have a failure rate of less than 1%, making them an incredibly reliable solution when installed correctly.

Sustainable showering

Along with safer, inclusive showering, sustainability should also be front of mind. Choosing a shower that helps a user reduce their energy and water consumption not only reduces the cost of household bills, but also aids households in being more green.

Electric care showers play an important part here. Heating water via electricity has long been the most efficient method, with all showers in the Omnicare range featuring an ‘A’ energy rating. Our research shows that using an electric shower costs nearly a third less than a mixer shower, and can reduce the carbon footprint by 70%.

◼

shower decks & wet-room system

Introducing the New aqua4ma Evolution shower decks & wet-room system

combine the benefits associated with the Aqua4ma system with additional features reflecting the increase in demand for more versatile, easier to fit and cost-effective installations.

With two style options to choose from, End Waste which can be finished with straight tile cuts and Central Waste which can be finished with angled tile cuts, there is something for everyone.

Features

+ Quick and easy to install

+ Easily trimmed to shape, size or to avoid joist obstruction

+ Overall depth of just 25mm

+ Suitable for tiles, vinyl and micro-cement

+ Fit anywhere in the home on wooden or solid floors

+ Ready for tiling the same day

+ Solvent Weld all joints creating one waterproof surface, no jointing tape required

+ Compatible with Aqua4ma floor and wall panels for a total wet-room installation

+ Lifetime guarantee

+ British Made

Triton’s Omnicare electric thermostatic shower features audible feedback and tactile controls

Inclusive Bathrooms

The growth in demand for retrofit bidet toilets

Demand for inclusive bathrooms has never been so high thanks to the UK’s ageing population. Here Stuart Reynolds from AKW highlights the opportunities for installers to expand their bathroom accessibility service offerings, to include additional items such as retrofit bidet-style toilets.

As a nation we are aging – in fact according to a recent England and Wales Census (2021) there are over 11 million people – 18.6% of the total population – aged 65 years or older. Disability is also on the rise, with an estimated 14.6 million people in the UK having a disability – that’s 22% of the total population. It is no surprise therefore that here at AKW we are seeing growing demand for inclusive bathroom and kitchen products.

Installers might be forgiven for believing that inclusive bathroom design is primarily for the social housing sector. However, recent data from the Office for National Statistics has shown that 40% of disabled people own their homes, compared to 25% using socially rented accommodation. Combine this with an ageing population and it is no wonder that we are seeing more demand from installers who are fitting out private pay customer bathrooms.

Meeting demand

Whether the end user is wanting to future-proof their bathroom as they age, or needs their bathroom redesigned to suit specific disability needs, there is an opportunity for installers. As well as fully inclusive bathroom refurbishments, many customers initially get in contact with installers to make their bathrooms safer to navigate. In the first instance, this might include the installation of some grab rails but can soon lead to quotes for easy access showers.

A relatively untapped area for growth is the installation of bidets. As easy-to-install retrofit options become more readily available, more installers are beginning to offer their installation as part of their repertoire. Bidets can play a key role in helping those with disabilities achieve toileting independence for longer and are ideal for use in both the home and care settings.

Essentially, there are three basic varieties of bidet: free-standing, built in and over-toilet seat attachments. Depending on the needs and budget of the person needing a bidet, a semi-permanent, rather than permanent solution might be more beneficial.

Temporary solution

A cost effective, quick to install and easy to use and maintain bidet, such as our Side-Entry Bidet, is ideal for those wanting a non-permanent solution. The AKW Bidet is water mains fed and offers users a range of temperature, water spray and dryer options. Alternatively, for a longerterm seat attachment bidet solution, our Bottom-Entry Bidet has been designed specifically for use with select pieces of sanitaryware from our Navlin and Navlin Doc M collections and has a bottomentry water feed.

Installation in practice

A case in point is a recent AKW Side-Entry bidet that Steve Thompson from Innovation Construction Services installed for a customer in Banbury. The owners of the property were facing challenges, as the husband had become his wife’s primary carer as her dementia progressed. In their 80’s, they were discussing taking on carers to help with her toileting requirements.

Following a suitability assessment of the couple’s downstairs bathroom by AKW, it was deemed as ideal for a retrofit bidet installation. This would eradicate the need for additional carers and make life easier for the couple.

The husband and extended family were initially concerned about the amount of time that the toilet would be out of action during an installation. However, because the mains water supply was accessible to the downstairs toilet already, and the recommended AKW Side-Entry bidet was a retrofit onto the existing sanitaryware, it was quick to install. It only required the addition of power into the bathroom, which was organised with a local electrician. The actual bidet was fitted by Steve in a matter of hours.

The installer’s view Steve Thompson comments: “I run a construction business that provides accessible adaptations to local authorities, housing associations and to privatepay customers. We use AKW products on all our inclusive bathroom jobs because they are top quality, and the service is always there.

“When it comes to bidet installations, a lot of installers shy away from fitting them as they only know about the old ‘tried-and-tested’ full replacement bidets, which in some cases can cost the end user £1000s and can also be quite tricky to fit.

“Not many installers are aware of these retrofit bidet solutions yet and just how easy they are to install. With the AKW Side-Entry Bidet it really is a case of reading the instructions and doing what it says on the tin! It is very straightforward. I have done a couple of this type of bidet installations now and have had no problems or call backs. In my mind, this is the way forward.”

Find out more

As the population continues to age and the demand for inclusive bathrooms continues to rise, like Steve, extending the portfolio of accessible products you can offer is a way to make the most of this potentially lucrative trend.

To find out more about AKW’s Bidet range and to download the company’s dedicated brochure, please use the online reader link below:

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/42

 AKW’s Side-Entry Bidet, with side-entry water feed, provides an easy retrofit solution and has been specially designed for installation on existing toilet pans

Stuart Reynolds UK marketing & product management director at AKW

 Installer Steve Thompson was able to complete the installation of the Side-Entry Bidet in just a few hours

 AKW Bidets come with a remote control which provides a selection of temperature, water spray and dryer options

New electric showers are A-rated for efficiency

A new line-up of electric showers has been launched by Aqualisa, said to offer safer showering, environmentally-friendly performance and exceptional value. The eVOLVE showers come with a choice of Arctic White, Space Grey or Midnight Black with a satin silver trim, and there is also the option of three power options (8.5, 9.5 or 10.5kW), allowing installers to select the model that best suits their customer’s needs.

A-rated for energy efficiency, the shower units feature easy-to-use dials which provide full control over both temperature and power. Each model is also equipped with an over temperature protection

system, so the water will always remain at the desired heat level and never exceed 50°C. A digital display clearly shows the temperature at all times, while a low pressure indicator will alert the user should the water pressure fall.

Each eVOLVE shower comes with a Flow handset which features three spray patterns and rub-clean nozzles, plus a 1500mm chromeplated stainless steel hose.

For ease of installation, the

Packaged hybrid solution

showers feature eight water and electric entry points, allowing straightforward replacement of any existing Aqualisa electric shower and many other brands. Furthermore, Aqualisa’s five-second phased shut-down technology minimises the risk of limescale, helping to extend the life of the product, while a two year parts and labour guarantee affords extra peace of mind.

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Easy way to improve system performance

Suitable for both domestic and commercial systems, EndoTherm energy-saving heating system additives have been designed to improve the ability of system water to transfer heat. Endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust and manufactured in the UK by Endo Enterprises, the product is claimed to save up to 15% on heating costs and can be easily applied through a filling loop, radiator or magnetic filter.

Non-corrosive and using only organic materials, EndoTherm has already been installed in over 150,000 buildings and has been proven to reduce boiler and transport losses and improve warm up time. Installed at 1% of water volume, a typical house needs 500ml – 1 litre.

Working as soon as it is applied, Endo Enterprises estimate that the return on investment is now typically less than six months and,

CMR:Layout 1 17/08/2016 10:21 Page 1

once installed, the additive can last up to 10 years.

“Energy saving additives are still considered a new technology, but there is a clear upsell opportunity there for those who choose to take it – and those who don’t could be seriously missing a trick,” says Endo Enterprises MD Ben Sallon.

“Homeowners and asset managers need a variety of measures to reduce consumption to lower energy costs and reduce carbon, and EndoTherm provides a low-cost solution with almost no downtime or changes to system design or components.”

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Responding to demand for more sustainable heating solutions, Alpha has launched a new hybrid heating system. E-Tec Hybrid is a packaged heat pump solution that is claimed to provide a pathway into renewable heating without losing the reliability offered by the tried-and-tested gas boiler.

The hybrid system consists of an Alpha E-Tec 33 boiler which is connected to Alpha’s E-Tec EHP external heat pump unit and combined with the company’s Smartech controls.

To ensure that a property is heated efficiently, the hybrid system automatically adjusts the heating flow and water temperature in the radiators depending on demand and also the outside temperature. The controls monitor live energy prices to choose the cheapest fuel source based on the current energy tariff, while the gas boiler (which is 20% hydrogen blend compatible) will deliver instant hot water on demand.

For homes without an airing cupboard or those looking to free up some cupboard space,

the E-Tec Hybrid means there is no need for hot water storage. The new system can also run on existing pipework, meaning that the homeowner doesn’t need to worry about having to purchase new radiators or any dramatic changes to their heating system. The complete system comes with a five-year warranty (on approved and correctly installed/ maintained installation).

Greener alternative

Daniel Wilden, renewable product manager for Alpha, comments:

“The new E-Tec Hybrid solution offers the best of both worlds in renewable technology of an air-to-water heat pump with a familiar gas condensing boiler. With more and more people looking to move towards renewable energy and save money on their energy bills, the E-Tec Hybrid is the perfect solution in moving towards a greener heating alternative.”

For information about dedicated training courses for installers, please see page 16.

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Whole house solution for better IAQ

Design reduces corrosion risk in pressurisation vessel

For heating engineers working on light commercial projects and renewable installations, Spirotech has expanded its SpiroExpand range of pressurisation solutions designed to improve the efficiency and lifespan of heating and cooling systems.

Currently available in five sizes from 4 to 25 litres, the new pressure expansion vessel with fixed gas filling features a high quality bellows membrane, which prevents the system water from coming into contact with the sheet metal wall of the vessel. This clever design helps to reduce corrosion from occurring inside the vessel and can maintain optimum pressure up to five times more efficiently than expansions vessels with a standard flat membrane.

To make servicing and maintenance easier, the product has been designed with the pressure relief valve located on the front facing side of the unit. Additionally, the vessel comes with a built-in bracket, for ease of installation.

Dave Goodyer, area sales manager, comments: “With more installers working on heat pump systems and larger light commercial projects, this newest addition to our SpiroExpand range is deigned to really simplify installation and maintenance for the installer, whilst also providing long-lasting results for the end user, at a crucial time when improving efficiency is more important than ever before.”

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Designed to tackle condensation and mould in the home is VentAxia’s PureAir Home Positive Input Ventilation (PIV). It removes stale, moist air from the home and replaces it with filtered, drier air. PIV prevents moisture build up that can cause condensation and mould, improving indoor air quality (IAQ), and this in turn helps reduce the risks of asthma and allergy irritation.

Suitable for existing properties, the product offers a whole house ventilation solution and can be installed in the loft. It operates by

drawing in warm, fresh air from the loft and then filtering all incoming air via high-grade filters before gently introducing it into the habitable areas of the property via a ceiling mounted diffuser.

The diffuser directs the airflow upwards where the incoming dryer air mixes with the warm moist air that gathers at ceiling height. This creates a healthy indoor environment and reduces the risk of condensation and mould.

The SmartSense control allows quick and accurate set up, and an automatic summer shut off stops warm air from coming back into the property.

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Taking hybrid ventilation to a new level

Aimed at commercial and public sector applications, the new MFS-HR from Gilberts Blackpool builds on the MFS hybrid ventilation unit, which can achieve up to 75% heat recovery.

The heat recovery performance means that when employed as part of a sustainable strategy, including photovoltaic arrays, MFS-HR could achieve energy negative status.

As with the original MFS and other alternative hybrid ventilation systems, MFS-HR is a stand-alone unit installed through the façade to ventilate, cool and warm the interior. Initial tests indicate each MFS-HR will provide up to 4kW heating and 2kW cooling capacity while delivering an airflow rate of up to 470 litres/sec.

Manufactured in the UK, the whole MFS range includes recyclable material to make it low on embodied carbon. Furthermore, MFS attains air leakage better than legislative requirements – 3m3/HR/ m2, and a U-value of less than 1W/m2/°C, all combining to further enhance the green credentials.

Smart way to get full control of the system

The RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat from ESi works with heating and hot water systems incorporating combi, system or heat only boilers. When installed with the ESi WiFi hub, homeowners and tenants can control their systems via Alexa or the ESi Centro App.

The load compensation functionality, via OpenTherm, modulates the flow temperature according to the desired room temperature, which ESi claims could save up to 15% on gas usage. The RTP4 Touch has a large backlit LCD display and touch screen, making it simple to use and programme.

Some of the benefits offered by the RTP4 Touch include: optimum start/stop and delayed start functions offering additional cost savings for users; 7 day, 5/2 day or 24 hour options to suit the user; automatic summer/winter change settings; and it

has home, manual, away, sleep and holiday modes along with a landlord service interval reminder, which suits it to social housing providers looking for a compliant heating control.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/223/49

of breakdowns on heat pump installations because the wrong type of magnetic filter has been installed. It’s really easy to see how mistakes have been made, because the heat pump and gas versions look identical, made from robust black plastic.

In light of some confusion over incorrect specification of magnetic filters on heat pump installations, Inta has launched its IntaKlean HP Magnetic Air Source Heat Pump Filter in grey to distinguish it from the model used on gas boilers.

Commenting on the change of colour, Inta MD Stuart Gizzi explains: “We’ve heard reports

“Luckily, the solution is just as easy. Change the colour of the filter body, to make it instantly recognisable as a heat pump fitment. So we are the first manufacturer to introduce the colour coded grey IntaKlean HP. A multi-layered direct filter, with high magnetic strength, designed and coloured especially for heat pumps. What could be easier?”

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◼

Better in black: shower ranges in popular finish

Now included in Bristan’s shower range are a selection of showers in a new black finish. It will initially be available across four lines (Prism, Cobalt, Buzz and Craze) and follows the rollout earlier this year of black finishes across a number of Bristan’s existing bathroom and kitchen taps.

The mixer showers Buzz (pictured below) and Craze (pictured right) are thermostatic temperature controlled for a consistent temperature, designed to prevent scalding or thermic shock. They come with the Wallmount 12 fast fixing kit with integral isolation, making installing, maintaining and replacing bar showers easier.

223/48

The Prism and Cobalt Black recessed shower packs come complete with everything needed in the box. They contain a two-outlet diverter valve, a slimline fixed head with wall arm, an adjustable riser rail shower kit with a rub-clean handset and wall outlet.

All of the Bristan black finish products are WRAS approved and manufactured using Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) to coat the surface of the product, giving it a hard-wearing and consistent finish.

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Colour coded

filter leaves no room for mistakes

Products in Action

DELABIE fittings

have been specified

for Glasgow’s tripadvisor

award-winning Kelvingrove art gallery and museum.

Today’s visitors expect a tourist attraction to have quality toilet and washroom facilities. Indeed, for many people it’s a deciding factor in rating a destination. When it came to updating the facilities at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum, one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, the specifier and installation team chose DELABIE for the taps, liquid soap and paper towel dispensers. Appreciating the key role washroom facilities play in ensuring visitor satisfaction, Glasgow Life, the charitable organisation which manages Kelvingrove, wanted the washroom refurbishment to embody the latest in technology, styling and safety.

Stylish solution – the DELABIE installation at Kelvingrove

Andy Taylor, facilities manager at Glasgow Life, explains: “The toilets were in need of some TLC and the scheme was undertaken for tourism awareness. While quality was the main driver, our priorities were infection prevention, water savings and user-friendliness.”

The main builder was City Build, who handle the projects for Glasgow Life. Made to last

The washroom fittings chosen for Kelvingrove’s refurbishment were DELABIE’s BINOPTIC electronic taps, coupled with PREMIX NANO thermostatic mixing valves, together with wallmounted liquid soap dispenser and wall-mounted paper towel dispenser. All the products have DELABIE’s 10-year warranty, an important element of the project brief.

Winner of the German design award in 2019, BINOPTIC is a sleek and stylish electronic tap. Offering total hygiene, it requires no manual contact as a movement detection sensor at the end of the spout optimises detection. BINOPTIC delivers an impressive 90% water savings compared with a conventional tap.

A duty flush limits bacterial proliferation and may be pre-set to flush for 60 seconds every 24 hours after the last use. BINOPTIC’s spout has a smooth interior and low water volume, limiting bacterial niches. The tap has a chromeplated, solid brass body, a scale-resistant flow straightener and a flow rate preset at 3 litres/min at 3 bar. This can be adjusted from 1.4 to 6 litres/min.

To ensure user safety, the tap is teamed with a PREMIX NANO thermostatic mixing valve. Delivering a safe, stable temperature, the brass-bodied PREMIX

WIN the Pronteau Industria 3 IN 1 Steaming Hot Water Tap by Abode

About the prize:

The new Pronteau Industria 3 IN 1 steaming hot water tap from ABODE takes industrial kitchen design to the next level with its urban, slimline aesthetic and contemporary monobloc design. For an added touch of luxury, the spout and handles are adorned with diamond knurled detailing.

Available in either brushed nickel or a matt black & antique brass combo finish, this tap delivers domestic cold, hot and filtered steaming hot water via a specially designed dual-stage handle for safety.

Included in the prize package is the PROBOIL boiler, a 2-litre stainless steel under sink boiler that offers

NANO has an automatic shut off if hot or cold water fails. Temperature is pre-set at 38°C and can be adjusted by the installer from 34°C to 60°C.

The wall-mounted liquid soap dispenser has a 1 litre capacity. Ergonomic with soft touch operation, it is vandal resistant and designed to ensure antiblocking, delivering a single dose per press, even if the button is pressed for prolonged periods. It has a no-waste, non-drip (waterproof) pump dispenser. Manufactured in bacteriostatic 304 stainless steel with a polished satin finish, it is easy to clean, with a one-piece hinged cover for improved hygiene. The tank is easy to fill from large containers. A window allows monitoring of the soap level.

Easy to clean

The wall-mounted paper towel dispenser holds 500 sheets, dispensing one sheet at a time. Manufactured from 304 stainless steel to reduce bacterial development, it has a polished satin finish which is easy to clean.

Both wall dispensers are vandal resistant, with a lock and DELABIE key.

Commenting on Kelvingrove’s attractive washroom facility, Dean French, DELABIE’s regional sales managerNorth, explains: “The higher the level of commitment to design and aesthetics, the lower the level of vandalism. Today’s users are more environmentally aware and more demanding, with higher aspirations.

“Washrooms are now better equipped and are now evaluated by the users. Attractive, highly rated washrooms have a positive impact on the visitors’ mood. A smart, clean, quality facility all adds to giving a good customer experience.”

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HOW TO ENTER:

Brushed nickel finish quick re-boil times and simple intuitive digital controls.

The Industria also includes a high quality carbon and resin scale filter and installation pack which offers water filtration and scale control, and is also part of the free-of-charge Abode filter recycle scheme.

The Pronteau collection of steaming taps offers a range of WRAS or KIWA approved steaming hot water taps, all regulated and approved having undergone extensive testing to ensure these products comply with all current UK water regulations.

Matt black & antique brass

Our

Training & Assessments

Snickers Waterproof Workwear for the Winter

Stay dry, warm and comfortable by choosing from a range of Snickers water-repellent jackets with welded seams and if you need 100% waterproofness for long periods, check out the GORE-TEX® jackets. These highly technical garments are waterproof to keep you dry, windproof to keep you warm, and breathable to keep you comfortable all day long

There’s a host of AllroundWork and FlexiWork jacket styles and extensive size options available for tradesmen and women.

Checkout www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below

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Information Centre

OMNIE Launches ASHP Guide

OMNIE, the British based underfloor heating and renewable energy specialist has launched a new Knowledge Guide for installers, which offers a comprehensive overview of air source heat pumps (ASHPs), and the help that is available in obtaining a BUS – or Boiler Upgrade Scheme - voucher. This downloadable, seven-page guide includes a free design service that not only sizes the heat pump, but covers heat delivery, controls and DHW provision, while commissioning is taken care of by its partner company. Visit www.omnie.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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Nuie launch new bathroom brochure

The Roxor Group has launched its new nuie brochure which continues to offer both elegant and affordable bathroom products. Showcasing the brand-new Lunar furniture range, the collection’s modern design is enhanced by the soft curves and tonal colour palette. Nuie is also introducing its Classique collection, a range of floor-standing and wall-hung units, offering a vintage design with a modern twist and they have also launched a brand-new collection of baths. All new product launches can also be found on Roxor’s easy-to-use app. Roxor has launched an innovative 3D design software. By inputting the bathroom’s dimensions and selecting the desired products, the advanced software plans and builds the unique bathroom design, bringing the space to life.

For more information, and to order or download the 2023 brochure visit: www.roxorgroup.com or enter the code shown below.

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• Modern training centres & expert staff

• Domes c, Commercial & Catering Gas (CCN1, CENWAT, COCN1, CODNCO1, CCCN1, CODC1)

• Electrical Installa on including 18th Edi on, Inspec on & Tes ng

• Oil, LPG & Unvented hot wate r

• Levy & non-levy appren ceships and more...

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Hamworthy Heating Releases New Tyneham Heat Pump Brochure

It provides an in-depth look at the key benefits of each individual model in the range. Distinct icons highlight each model’s ErP rating, coefficient of performance (COP), weights and dimensions, whilst easy-to-read detailed technical information is displayed in chart format. In addition, each model in the range is accompanied by minimum installation clearances and a list of suitable accessories and options available. The new brochure can be downloaded from www.hamworthyheating.com/Products/Heat-pumps/Tyneham-air-source-heatpump. For more information enter the code shown below.

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Hudson Reed launch new bathroom brochure

The new Hudson Reed bathroom brochure highlights a combination of lavish and timeless products the brand is known for. Showcasing its brand-new Havana handleless furniture range which features a full selection of wall-hung designs. Available in six unique colours – including the new Metallic Slate finish. Baths are also a key focus. Hudson Reed has also launched Brushed Brass as a brand-new finish across both its Piazza and Lorica radiator collections which co-ordinate with their Brushed Brass taps and showers.

All new product launches can also be found on Roxor’s easy-to-use app. For more information, and to order or download the 2023 brochure visit: www.roxorgroup.com or enter the code shown below.

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