December/January 2022 by PHAM News

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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 10

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Home improvements needed to address the rising cost of energy A rapid rise in domestic heating bills has led to increasing concern about the poor state of many UK homes and the need to improve energy PʯNTPYNd WPaPW^

future. More than half the country’s homes were built before ˚ˢ˟˞, more than a third were built before ˚ˢ˝˞, and a fifth were built before ˚ˢ˚ˢ. And with fewer than ˛˙˙̇˙˙˙ new homes being constructed on average between ˚ˢˢ˚ and ˛˙˚ˠ, the housing stock is changing very slowly over time.

many more households into the ‘fuel poverty’ bracket. Those on the lowest incomes are also more likely to live in poorer quality housing, with the UK considered to have some of the oldest housing stock in Europe. According to the Building Research Establishment (BRE), dwellings built during the industrial revolution still form the backbone of many urban areas, presenting a number of challenges in making them healthy, safe and suitable for the

In a bid to address the issue of the UK possessing some of the least energy efficient housing in Europe, the MCS Charitable Foundation is calling on the government to introduce long-term homeowner loans at ˙% interest to support retrofitting of existing properties. The MCS says that other measures needed include the introduction of tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy equipment, and a programme to upskill and train renewable heat installers to MCS certified quality installation standards. “If the government is serious

about meeting emissions reduction targets, the decarbonisation of our current and future homes must urgently move up the political agenda, backed by robust legislation,” says David Cowdrey, head of external affairs at MCS. The MCS Charitable Foundation recently commissioned a YouGov survey of cross-party MPs that found that more than half (˞˟%) agree that it should be made a priority for the UK’s ˛ˢ million existing homes to have a green energy retrofit. The removal of VAT on all domestic renewables and energy efficiency measures for ˚˙ years was also supported by almost half of MPs (˝˟%). More than three quarters (ˠˠ%) believe that small-scale renewables, such as solar PV, solar thermal and heat pumps, should be incorporated into all new build properties, while less than half of MPs questioned believe the government is doing enough to meet net zero targets.

incidents and identify any changes over the years. The findings reveal that exposure to smoke and flames was the most common cause of A&E admissions linked to gas appliances, with a total of ˚˙̇˙˚˚ since ˛˙˚˙/˚˚. Contact with hot heating appliances, radiators and pipes caused the second-highest A&E trips in ten years, at ˢ˝˛˞. It’s also the only external cause that has increased in admissions, with ˝ˡ more occurring in ˛˙˛˙̓˛˚ than in ˛˙˚˙̓˚˚. Other gas related accidents have been caused by the explosion and rupture of gas cylinders (˚˙˜ˡ

admissions over ten years) and the explosion and rupture of boilers, with ˠ˟ admissions over the same time period. The report says that an explosion typically occurs if the boiler is overheating, overpressurised, or has a weak shell or parts. Dale Goodman, manager at Bensons Gas Engineering, says: “This large number of gas-related accidents and emergencies is extremely worrying, especially as these types of incidents are often avoidable. Many are triggered by a gas leak, which can be prevented by regular maintenance and servicing of gas appliances.

“Neglecting the gas safety of a property can have catastrophic consequences as faulty gas appliances can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and even explosions. Arranging for this yearly safety check is a quick and straightforward task that could be life-saving. “It’s also essential to prepare for the worst-case scenario, as some accidents are unforeseeable. Everybody should be clued up on the potential signs of a gas or carbon monoxide leak so that you can address it quickly and stop it from escalating into a lifethreatening situation.”

Long-term loans A recent report from National Energy Action (NEA) has warned that average domestic heating bills have soared by over £˛˜˙ per customer compared to last winter. The fuel poverty charity says that the anticipated increase to the energy price cap in April will see the average combined domestic dual fuel bill increase by a further £˞˞˙ per year. A poll by NEA found six out of ˚˙ British adults say they would reduce their heating use by a fair amount or a great deal if the cost of heating doubles, while there are fears that inflation pressures and increasing living costs will drive

Report on the number of gas-related accidents New research has revealed that there have been nearly ˜˙̇˙˙˙ gasrelated A&E admissions over the past decade. The team at Bensons Gas Engineering analysed NHS Digital reports from ˛˙˚˙/˚˚ to ˛˙˛˙/˛˚ to find out the most common causes of gas-related

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Inside this issue Gadgets & Tools Radio and battery charger combo See page 13

Vans & Racking Will van drivers switch to electric? See page 46

COMPETITION

Win a safe isolation kit See page ˝˞

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PHAM DECJAN22 SCREWFIX dps:Layout 1 23/11/2021 13:25 Page 1

PHAM DECJAN22 SCREWFIX dps:Layout 1 23/11/2021 13:25 Page 2

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23/11/2021 15:59

Inside this issue

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 VOLUME 59 ISSUE 10

Editor’s Viewpoint by Chris Jones

Homes of Christmas past It might well be harder to do after all the traditional festive over-indulgements, but it seems that many of us will be having to tighten our belts as we welcome in a new year. The cost of living is set on an upward curve and keeping inflation under control is going to be one of the government’s biggest challenges in the months ahead. The steep rise in energy prices is, of course, one of the biggest contributors to inflationary pressures and is something that is likely to only get worse in the years to come unless long-term measures are put in place. As stated in this month’s cover story, the UK has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe and 75% of those homes are predicted to still be in use by 2050. While the construction of modern, more energy efficient properties can play an important part in helping to reduce carbon emissions and the nation’s energy use, if the UK is to come close to hitting its net-zero target then far more effort will need to be made to bring our existing homes up to scratch. The government appears determined to see heat pump technology become mainstream before the end of the decade – something which will only happen if they start to be installed in existing properties with access to mains gas. However, unless it adopts a building fabric first approach, early adopters are likely to become quickly disillusioned with their switch to low carbon heating – with predictable consequences for the heat pump market. The MCS Charitable Foundation has called for zero-interest homeowner loans and tax credits for those who invest in energy efficiency measures, which would certainly be a step in the right direction. As things stand, though, with no sign of such incentives being introduced, it looks like our dwellings of the past and present are also set to be the energy-leaking homes of the future.

Special Features

Underﬂoor Heating

Training & Education

06 News Review 12 Horror Show

How installers can provide a high level of comfort and help their customers to save energy

43 Product News 46 Vans & Racking

14 Your Views 16 Company Spotlight 18 Business Matters 18 Planning for the Future 28 Products in Action

42 Product Spotlight 45 Competition

13 Gadgets & Tools

Electrical safety advice for heating engineers

Don’t forget to use our online reader enquiry service to quickly ﬁnd the web page you need

Look out for next month’s issue

Training & Education

Heating Controls

Those installers who are prepared to upskill can play a vital part in the switch to low carbon technologies

By ﬁtting smart controls installers can help householders minimise the cost of increasing energy bills

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How can you ensure that the underﬂoor heating system you install meets the customer’s expectations?

Water Heaters & Cylinders The integration of an air source heat pump with an unvented cylinder can deliver signiﬁcant energy savings

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© Copyright 2021 Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement News All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without written consent from the publisher. Attributed articles represent the views of the Author(s) and are not the necessarily those of the Editor. The publishers accept no responsibility for claims made by manufacturers or advertisers. This magazine includes a number of colour editorial photographs paid for by suppliers.

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

News Review

Fŋŋù ķŋŋĴĢłė ƩėŽũāŭ The latest Plumbing & Heating Merchants Index, published in November, reveals that sales through specialist plumbing merchants during the third quarter of ˛˙˛˚ were higher than the same quarter in both ˛˙˛˙ and ˛˙˚ˢ. Third quarter sales increased by ˠ̍˜% compared the same period last year, with one less trading day this year. Looking back to Q˜ ˛˙˚ˢ, pre-Covid, total sales were up by ˚̍ˠ% in July to September ˛˙˛˚, but with one less trading day this year. However, the quarter-on-quarter comparison for the current year shows Q˜ sales were ˙̍˝% lower than Q˛ ˛˙˛˚, with three more trading days in Q˜. Total sales in the last ˚˛-month period were ˚ˠ̍˟% ahead of the previous ˚˛ months (October ˛˙˚ˢ to September ˛˙˛˙) with one less trading day in the most recent period.

Growth of dangerous gas appliances A survey of heating engineers, conducted by CO poisoning campaign R]Z`[ ;]ZUPN_ >3:@? SL^ TOPY_TʭPO an alarming rise in dangerous gas appliances, with over a third (˜ˢ%) seeing poorly maintained or badly fitted appliances every week, with nearly two-thirds (˟˚%) saying they saw them at least monthly. A further ˜˚% said they came across appliances, such as boilers, cookers LYO ʭ]P^ ZY L XZY_SWd ML^T^ _SL_ _SPd would class as dangerous. Outside of the survey, one engineer reported condemning ˝ˢ boilers in just one day at a social housing provider. Nearly a third (˛ˢ%) reported seeing more dangerous appliances since Covid-˚ˢ, which may be due to homeowners being reluctant to let engineers into their homes at the height of the pandemic, or that they

^TX[Wd NZ`WOYɪ_ LʬZ]O _Z SLaP _SPT] appliances serviced, or tried to do it themselves. Further research revealed that cases of suspected CO poisoning in , 0 QPWW Md L ʭQ_S ˚ˡ%) during the period March ˛˙˛˙ to March ˛˙˛˚, when compared to the previous year,

as people were fearful of attending hospital during the height of the pandemic unless it was absolutely essential. Despite the drop, cases in ˛˙˛˙̓˛˚ were still high, with East Anglia logging a record ˜˜˟ cases, followed by the East Midlands with ˛ˠ˛̇ and London with ˛˞˟.

in favour. Nearly ˜˛% were unsure or had not thought about it. When asked, ‘What’s putting you Zʬ ]PYPbLMWP SPL_TYR ^d^_PX^ɪ* ˞˝% of people pointed to ‘cost to install’, followed by ˚ˡ% judging renewable systems ‘unsuitable for my property.’ A lack of available space is also cited, garnering ˚˞% of responses. ˠˠ% of those surveyed said that the government should provide more ʭYLYNTLW SPW[ _Z OPNL]MZYT^P SPL_TYR While a majority of those surveyed

believe heat pumps are a good alternative to gas boilers (˜˜% compared to ˛˟% who don’t), ˞˚% have not yet considered replacing their existing system with a renewable alternative - compared to ˜˟% who have - and ˚˜% haven’t thought about it at all. Heat pumps come out on top when it comes to the most considered renewable heating systems, with ˝˟% ^_L_TYR _SL_ L SPL_ [`X[ bZ`WO MP ʭ]^_ choice. Solar panels (˜˚%) and electric boilers (˚ˡ%) also feature in the poll of homeowners. Customers were also asked how much they would be willing to pay to decarbonise their home’s heating. ˜ˠ% said they would invest up to ͎˛ˢˢˢ, while ˜˝% stated that they would not spend anything. ˚ˢ% responded with £˜˙˙˙ – £˞ˢˢˢ̇ ˠ% would stretch to £˟˙˙˙-£ˢˢˢˢ, with ˜% willing to pay over £˚˙̇˙˙˙. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˙˝

week increase in traffic to Logic˝training’s heat pump training courses web page. The study also shows that Google experienced the highest ever search interest for the query ‘air source heat pump course’, which is the most [Z[`WL] _P]X `^PO _Z ʭYO NZ`]^P^ ZQ this kind. Similarly, Google also experienced the highest ever search interest in ‘heat pumps’ following

the announcement, suggesting that many consumers are starting to think about switching from gas boilers. “Heat pump courses are designed for existing plumbing and heating engineers looking to upskill, providing a great opportunity for installers wishing to future-proof their business,” says Mark Krull, director at Logic˝training. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˙˞

Survey reveals public attitude to going green A new survey from Boiler Guide has revealed the public’s attitudes towards home heating and going green following the release of the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy. The Great British Home Heating Survey asked ˚ˡ̇˙˙˙ customers their opinions on some of the Strategy’s plans and found that the majority (˞˚%) will not be applying for the £˞˙˙˙ heat pump grant offered through the Strategy’s £˝˞˙ million Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Boiler Guide also asked if customers supported an outright ban on gas boilers, which the government plans to do by ˛˙˜˞. Over ˝˜% do not back a ban, while ˛˞% of those surveyed are

Demand surges for heat pump courses A new study by training provider Logic˝training reveals that demand for heat pump training has skyrocketed since the government announced plans to help subsidise the replacement of some gas boilers with low carbon heat pumps. The study suggests that many people, including gas engineers, plumbers and other tradespeople, are looking to upskill into heat pump installation and maintenance following the announcement. The company reports that it has experienced a ˟ˠ˙˙% year-on-year increase in online enquiries for heat pump training courses on the day that the government made the announcement that a £˞˙˙˙ grant will be available from April next year. There was also a ˝˜˜% week-on-

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06/12/2021 17:25

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

News Review

WRAS calls for a rethink ŋł ùŽÖķ ƪ ŽŭĞ designs

WRAS is urging manufacturers to rethink the design of some dual ʮ `^S M`__ZY^ LQ_P] YPb ]P^PL]NS has revealed that as many as eight in ten people are inadvertently wasting water and flushing money down the drain by pressing the wrong buttons.

,W_SZ`RS O`LW ʮ `^S _ZTWP_^ bP]P introduced to help people use less water, the Water Regulations Approval Scheme has found that many users are confused by the bLd ^ZXP O`LW ʮ `^S M`__ZY^ L]P designed. In the study, ˚ˡ typical dual ʮ `^S OP^TRY^ bP]P []ZO`NPO LYO ˛˙˙˙ people were asked to identify _SP ^SZ]_ ʮ `^S M`__ZY^ :aP] SLWQ of respondents incorrectly TOPY_Tʭ PO _SP ^SZ]_ ʮ `^S TY ʭ aP out of the ˚ˡ designs. In the worst example, ˡ˚% selected the wrong button. Even the best designs were not 100% foolproof. The research highlighted which types of button designs were more Pʬ PN_TaP TY Pc[WLTYTYR O`LW ʮ `^S options. Button designs are more effective if they have clear permanent markings to help [PZ[WP TOPY_TQd _SP ^SZ]_ ʮ `^S Most people naturally expect a smaller button to mean a smaller ʮ `^S M`_ _SP MTRRP] M`__ZY YPPO^ to be ˚˹ times bigger than the smaller one to achieve around ˡ˙% recognition. Some manufacturers use a larger button to select a ^SZ]_ ʮ `^S bSTNS bL^ _SP XZ^_ confusing design for the people who took part in the study.

Latest scald and burns data shows continuing threat

The CIPHE has issued a warning that scalding and central heating system related contact burns continue to pose a grave risk to households, as NHS Digital reveals its latest hospital admissions data. The NHS Digital Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity ˛˙˛˙̟˛˚ for England shows that between ˚st April ˛˙˛˙ and ˜˚st March ˛˙˛˚, there were ˡ˚˛ admissions for burn injuries caused via contact with heating appliances, radiators and pipes. Over ˢ˙% of appliance burns were emergencies. There were ˟˙˛ admissions from scald injuries from taps. Very young children and the elderly are

the most at risk, with children in the ˙̟˝ age range accounting for ˛˝% episodes, and the over ˠ˙’s accounting for a further ˛˝%. Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, comments: “The figures from NHS Digital remain far too high and the most vulnerable in society continue to be at grave risk from household scalds and burns. “With winter approaching, installers are very much at the frontline of educating households in heating and hot water system safety – especially those with young, elderly or disabled occupants. Without robust legislation, it’s once again down to the industry to help teach and protect the public.”

Hydrogen training standards

New look for Firebird Boiler manufacturer Firebird has unveiled a new logo to better reflect its business strategy and ambition for growth. National sales manager Gary Davies and his team (pictured above with new logo) recently celebrated the launch of the rebrand at its site in Plymouth. Gary says: “Now is the ideal time to launch a modern and progressive rebrand that better represents our DNA. Our aim was to create a brand and a new logo that proudly reflects our best qualities and values, which include world class experience and expertise, uncompromising quality, constant innovation and sustainability.”

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The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has appointed a consortium led by Energy & Utility Skills and the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) to develop training and assessment requirements for gas engineers to safely work with hydrogen. Together, the two organisations will develop the installation ^_LYOL]O^ LYO _]LTYTYR ^[PNTʭ NL_TZY^ _Z ^LQPWd PYLMWP _SP ]P[`][Z^TYR of existing natural gas systems for use with ˚˙˙% hydrogen in domestic and non-domestic premises. This will help ensure the UK has competent, trained engineers to directly support the delivery of trials of 100% hydrogen heating. BEIS will work with industry to ensure that the right skills are available at the right time, to support the growth of hydrogen sector, maximising direct and indirect UK jobs. ?SP bZ]V bTWW MP ^`[[Z]_PO Md ;`MWTNWd ,aLTWLMWP >[PNTʭ NL_TZY ;,> standards being developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to NZOTQd R`TOLYNP LYO ^[PNTʭ NL_TZY^ QZ] LYNTWWL]d SdO]ZRPY RL^ OPaTNP^ and components.

Investment in Scotland’s heat pump future Mitsubishi Electric is investing £˚˞̍˜m into its Livingston manufacturing facility to increase its productivity, efficiency and R&D capabilities while meeting increasing demand for its heat pumps. The investment, which includes a package of support from Scottish Enterprise, will also see the Livingston facility becoming a ‘smart factory’ – helping to reduce manufacturing emissions while driving productivity gains. The heating products manufactured at Livingston incorporate air and ground source heat pump technology. The company’s R&D activity will support the development of next generation heat pump technology in Scotland, including investigating new ‘low global warming potential’ refrigerants and materials. Scottish Enterprise is contributing to Mitsubishi’s investment project with a wide package of support, including £˚̍ˡm of grant funding, creating ˞˞ new jobs and protecting ˜˛˝ existing jobs. These jobs are well-paid technical and engineering roles, which will be required to manage and operate the new processes delivered during the project.

03/12/2021 15:22

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

News Review

New jobs in North West thanks to big contract

Ash Integrated Services, an electrical, heating and plumbing services provider, has created eight jobs after being appointed by Lancashire County Council to provide planned and emergency heating and plumbing maintenance for hundreds of premises in the region. The Atherton-headquartered company will carry out work on the mechanical heating systems in around ˜ˢ˙ buildings operated by the council, including schools, libraries and colleges, for the next three years, with an option to extend. The newly created jobs include a

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number of help desk roles located at _SP NZX[LYdɪ^ SPLO ZʯNP LYO LW^Z positions for service engineers. Company director Sean Jackson (pictured) comments: “As well as being of real benefit for the north of Lancashire, this contract is a potentially transformative step forward in the growth of Ash Integrated Services. ɭ-d ^PN`]TYR L ^TRYTʭNLY_ MZOd of work for the longer term, we will be able to expand our renewables business, which we aim to bring up to half of total turnover in the coming years.”

Opportunity in ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ network A new design and installation service has been launched by online bathroom retailer, Victoria Plum, offering customers a bespoke option to create a bathroom tailored to their needs. Experts at Victoria Plum guide the customer through the entire process, starting with advice at the design stage and ending with a project manager connecting them to members of its network of approved installers. The company is currently expanding its installer network to help deliver the service. It already provides UK-wide coverage but is anticipating a significant increase in sales volumes over the coming months. To find out more about becoming part of Victoria Plum’s approved network of installers, send an email to Installer.Recruitment@ victoriaplum.com or call ˙˚˜˙˛ ˝ˢ˝ ˢ˙˝ ext ˝ˢ˙˝.

Awards show seeks best in ŶĞāĢũ Ʃāķù Entries are now open for the Heating Installer Awards, now in its seventh year. The competition searches for the best heating installers in the UK to recognise those who go to great lengths to deliver incredible levels of service and the highest quality installations for their customers. The awards are free to enter and give installers the chance to showcase their work to potential customers. There is a prize bundle worth over £˚˙̇˙˙˙ for the ʭYLWT^_^ TYNW`OTYR L _ZZWVT_ bZ]_S £˟˙˙ and special prizes from the contest’s sponsors. Regional winners will all have

the chance to go on to be crowned the National Heating Installer Awards winner ˛˙˛˛. In addition, there are two special category winners: Rising Star, for the industry’s best apprentices, and Most Sustainable Installer, which recognises those who are doing everything they can to minimise the impact of their work on the environment. An expert judging panel made up of industry professionals and installers will choose the regional ʭYLWT^_^ ?SP ZaP]LWW bTYYP]^ bTWW then be decided by a combination of judges’ scores, peer reviewed technical challenges, and a public vote, with the two category winners plus the national winner and runner up announced in June at the NEC. Find out more by using the readerlink below ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˙˟

03/12/2021 15:28

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HORROR SHOW Plumb App Uk users show some truly horriﬁc sights they have unearthed in the ﬁeld.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

People on the Move Commercial heating manufacturer ELCO Heating Solutions has appointed Chris Armitage as area sales manager for north west England and north Wales. Chris brings 13 years experience to the job, having worked in a variety of diﬀerent roles at British Gas where he excelled as a leading salesman. He will look to grow ELCO’s market share in the region.

HVAC specialist Aermec has welcomed The Hansgrohe Group announces new Area Sales Manager Alex Thompson as its new business development manager. Alex’s new role will see him representing Aermec in the west of England and in south Thesouth Hansgrohe Group, comprising brands AXOR and hansgrohe is pleased to announce Wales. He has been in the HVAC industry another new appointment for 2021. Gary Dowling has been appointed as Area Sales for 24 years, having graduated as a Manager – South. mechanical engineer. Gary Dowling, Area Sales Manager Trade South Gary joins Hansgrohe from Cifial where he held the

The Hansgrohe Group, comprising role of Area Sales Manager for the South of England. the AXOR and hansgrohe brands, has Before his time Cifial, he workedofasGary a member of announced theatappointment the sales as team at Ripples which gives–him extensive Dowling area sales manager south. Gary joinsknowledge the company fromthe Cifial, product across AXOR and where he performed hansgrohe portfolios. a similar role, and he has also worked as a member of the sales team at Ripples. His skills and sector expertise will be utilised by the Hansgrohe team who prides itself on delivering unparalleled customer service to the industry. Gary will start this new position with the Hansgrohe UK The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) appointed Martin Stables as team onhas December 6th 2021. group chief commercial officer. Martin comes to the role with a track record of driving Rebecca Hunt, Hansgrohe National Sales Manager profi tability and market share. He joins from – Trade South comments "We are delighted that Building Gary will be joining our sales team. Gary’s knowledge and experience in Distribution, where Saint-Gobain he was for Graham, the KBBcommercial industry will bedirector a huge benefit to both the Hansgrohe UK and our retailers.” company’s plumbing merchant arm.

-END-

To support its growth in the heating controls sector, ESi has announced the appointment of Steven Nicholson as area sales manager for Scotland. Steven, who Hansgrohe SE • Group Communications • Auestr. 5-9 • 77761 Schiltach • P +49 78 36 510 • F +49 78 36 51 1170 • hansgrohe@hillgatepr.co.uk hansgrohe-group.com • Reproduction free of charge • Proof and voucher copy please • Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart • will be based in Dunfermline, joins ESi Registration No: 740779 Sales Tax ID Nr.: DE 812782725 • Executive Board: Hans Jürgen Kalmbach (Chairman of Executive Board), Reinhard Mayer (Deputy Chairman), Christophe Gourlan, Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling • Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. from boiler manufacturer ATAG Heating Jaenecke Technology, where he was product sales manager.

SNIPEF has named plumbing expert George Todd as its new technical advisor. With more than 30 years experience in the plumbing and heating industry, George will support members with their technical queries and carry out inspections of completed work to ensure the highest possible standards.

ONLINE For further information about any of the stories featured in this issue, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/122/ followed by the relevant enquiry number

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The Stelrad Brand Specialists team has been enhanced with the addition of Ruby Hedges, responsible for the Midlands region. Ruby joins Stelrad from a role that saw her selling technical training. Prior to that she studied for a degree in Animal Biology at the University of Gloucestershire.

The new head of product management at Aqualisa is Joe Brawn, who will lead the company’s product strategy and oversee the introduction of new products to the UK and international markets. Joe will lead a team of six product managers and executives who are in charge of the company’s bathroom products portfolio.

03/12/2021 10:12

PHAM DECJAN22:Layout 1 03/12/2021 12:15 Page 13

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Gadgets & Tools 13

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13.indd 1

Find the damp with a camera

A little DAB will do

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03/12/2021 09:53

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Your Views Star letter Share your views and you could win £100 for writing the star letter

The Tweet Spot Recent tweets that caught our attention Follow us on @PHAMnews

Misinformation on gas boiler ban I write with reference to the new rules and incentives to invest in heat pump systems: I am disappointed about all the misinformation that no boiler can be fitted after 2025. There is very little mention in the media that this only applies to new builds and that existing homes can continue to have gas boilers fitted. From what I understand, this will continue to be the case until hydrogen is on its way. Before this happens we will need to start fitting hydrogen ready boilers, but heating installers will need extra training. This is what I have been telling my elderly customers who are worried that they will have to change their boilers to heat pumps by 2025 and that they may be sold heat pumps even when they are not a viable solution. I’m not anti heat pumps or electric boilers, as they can work great in new homes with good insulation values. As for the future, there is a bigger problem coming when we do move to hydrogen, perhaps by 2035 – who is going to fit them or train all the engineers when more than half of today’s registered gas engineers are over 50 and will be retired or near retirement?

Vince Davey Somerset

Bad weather hit Response to the news story ‘Bad weather hits the bottom line’ in the November issue: Not sure it hits my bottom line! Back when the Beast from the East hit, my phone didn’t stop with cries for help from customers freezing in their homes after their boilers packed up. It was a bit of a nightmare because my customers were clearly suﬀering and there wasn’t much I could do about it until the roads opened again. For me, the big freeze meant I had a ton of emergency calls to attend to after the worst of it was over, which meant my scheduled jobs had to be pushed back. It took me weeks to catch up with myself. But in the end I didn’t lose any money - I actually had more billings. Another good thing came out of it too. I’ll be better prepared the next time. I’m now making an eﬀort to show all my customers how to unfreeze a condensate pipe, and really emphasising to them how regular servicing can protect their boiler from breakdowns, which are of course more likely to happen in severe weather. There’s also a bag of salt and sand in my garage so at least I’ll be able to make it out of my drive! Even if storms like the Beast from the East tend to generate more money for me, I wouldn’t wish a broken-down boiler in those circumstances on anyone.

JR Griffin via email

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

06/12/2021 13:42

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Company Spotlight

Responding to what the customer wants With 67 branches in the north of England and beyond, James Hargreaves can lay claim to being the UK’s largest independent merchant. Since opening its first branch in 1923, success has been built on the simple philosophy of keeping in stock the products that trade customers need most. We recently visited the company’s Burnley headquarters to find out more.

t’s not unusual for a plumber’s merchant to proclaim that customer service is its top priority, but for James Hargreaves responding to the needs of plumbing professionals has long been what the business is all about. The independent merchant was purchased by a group of Lancashire plumbers in the 1960s and has since been able to extend its network of branches by being a reliable source of supply – ensuring that products are always available when other merchants may come up short. “We have built a reputation for having what plumbers need,” says MD Gordon Rothwell. “We can’t guarantee that we will always be the cheapest, but if you turn up at one of our counters there’s a better chance that you’re going to get what you need than if you went to any of our competitors.”

Well stocked

While some business accountants might wince at the thought of so much money being tied up on warehouse shelves, it’s a belief in the benefits of stocking products in depth that sets the business aside from the competition. “We don’t want to let customers down by saying ‘sorry, we haven’t got that’,” explains Gordon. “Yes, our stock levels are a cost to the business, but if you don’t have the products, you’re not going to sell it – it’s as simple as that!” In common with many other parts of the UK economy, the

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Gordon Rothwell

MD of James Hargreaves

Our stock levels are a cost to the business, but if you don’t have the product you’re not going to sell it – it’s as simple as that!

q Most James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot branches now include a bathroom showroom. This ongoing roll out has been an important part of the success of the business in recent years

heating and plumbing sector has had to respond to supply shortages brought about by the Covid pandemic and the repercussions of Brexit, and James Hargreaves has not been immune from the inevitable slowdown in the supply chain. How has the company responded to the challenge? “If we were carrying six or eight weeks stock, we’re now carrying 12 or even 15 weeks,” says purchasing director Carl Bridge. “Our investment in stock has really paid the business dividends over the years, and I can’t see any reason to change our philosophy. Stock is king and it’s never been more so. For our customers time is money and they know if they can get everything in one trip it will save them financially.”

Experienced team

Carl is one of a team of directors who have been with the business for the best part of their working life. It means that there’s a group of people at the top who know everything there is to know about how the company operates. “I think it’s quite telling that six of the existing directors have each been with the business in excess of 35 years,” says Gordon. “And of those six, five of them have been with us pretty well since they were a lad. So we’ve got real continuity there. We’ve got people who understand exactly what we’re about and we’re all on the same page. It’s about knowing what works and what the customer wants.” Recognising the importance

of good management and close customer relationships, many of the company’s branch openings have occurred only after ensuring that the right local branch manager was in place. Recent years have seen a steady growth of the branch network, with an average of four new Plumbing Depot’s opening up each year, expanding the company’s reach further away from its northern base. Branches can now be found as far south as Milton Keynes and Hertfordhsire, and there is even talk of a possible opening in Exeter. “We want to get more widespread coverage around the country,” says Gordon. “We’re trying to find the right balance between getting the best person and being in the right place. If a fantastic candidate for branch management crops up, then we’ll always find a way to slot them in, but we’re also looking to take up the opportunity to break new ground. The wider network means we can also move stock from branch to branch, which is part and parcel of the level of customer service we can offer.”

Trade counters

While acknowledging that online sales may play a bigger part in how merchants operate in the years ahead, trade counter transactions remain at the heart of the business. “Our customers value our trade counter expertise and service levels,” says sales director Bill Davies. “We’ve not yet seen any significant demand for online trade, but ultimately, we’re happy to let the customers decide – we’ll let them know it’s there as an option and, if there’s a genuine appetite for it, we’ll respond to that.” The head office moved from its original Blackburn base to Burnley, located near the Turf Moor football ground, in 1968. Since that time, James Hargreaves has played an active part in the local community, establishing links with local colleges and investing in sponsorship of Burnley FC’s main stand for over 20 years. These ties helped to generate some publicity last season when football grounds were temporally closed to fans. The

company donated products to apprentices at Burnley College to help create figures in the stand made out of assorted plumbing materials! “We wanted to show our support for our club to help the team during lockdown,” explains Gordon, “and we were also conscious that it had been a difficult period for young apprentices coming through. The idea of helping them to use their newly-acquired skills to create something for our club and community felt good.”

Record results

Solid local roots and an expanding network of branches have helped the business to produce record sales and the company looks set to announce a turnover in excess of £110m by the end of the year. Looking ahead, the company has plans to respond to increasing demand for renewable technologies by unrolling a package of low carbon solutions, including air source heat pumps, hot water storage and underfloor heating, in 2022. “Although products will be sourced from different manufacturers, it will in effect be our package,” says Carl. “We’ll ensure that everything links together and if there are any problems, we’ll take responsibility for it. It’s about removing any concerns that the installer may have and giving them confidence.” So as the company looks to further increase its product offering, is there any limit to the potential number of branches? “There’s certainly no end game,” says Gordon. “We just want to keep going. I don’t think we’d ever look to grow by acquisition, which could introduce more problems than it would solve, with different cultures coming into the business that don’t really understand what we’re about. We’ve got pure organic growth, where everybody understands what the goals are and what makes us tick. We have an unswerving commitment to the future as a family business with a younger generation coming through.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/11

06/12/2021 07:28

Join the energy revolution and become a certiﬁed heat pump installer

ith the transition towards low carbon technologies now underway, renewable heating systems are inevitably part of the future. By 2025, new build properties will no longer be heated with gas boilers and the UK government has recently announced, as part of its Ten Point Plan, a target of 600,000 heat pump installations per annum by 2028. As heat pumps are clearly set to play a key role in the decarbonisation of heat in the UK, getting to grips with heat pump technology as soon as possible will ensure that you and your customers are involved in the journey to Net Zero and are aware of the benefits heat pumps have to offer. NIBE Pro is an installer partnership scheme designed to guide and assist you and your team towards making this change. By providing a streamlined, personalised route for plumbing and heating installers to become an MCS Certified heat pump installer, NIBE Pro gives you an industry recognised mark of quality, giving your customers confidence and enabling them to apply for schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive. Training costs towards becoming a NIBE Pro are fully redeemable through the NIBE Pro voucher scheme.

Full support Joining NIBE Pro not only sets you apart from the competition by working with one of the largest names in renewable climate solutions but also provides vital business, technical and digital support for your business.

Start your NIBE Pro journey today! Visit www.nibe.co.uk Or call us on 0330 311 2201

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29/04/2021 14:51

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Business Matters

Planning for the Future

Taking your business Supporting one of to the next level the world’s largest solar PVT projects

Could your business be doing better? Business coach Darren Barlow, founder of the Business Growth Operating System for scaling up trade businesses, explains how to take your company to the next level for a successful 2022.

ooking for business guidance in the trade sector isn’t always easy. A lot of the advice offered online and through training schemes provides officecentric business insight, but tradespeople need advice from people who understand the challenges they face. But if you are hoping to scale your business Darren Barlow successfully (and Business coach quickly!), then there are five key ways you can set it on the right path for the New Year. These tips have come straight from our Business Growth Operating System Playbook – an eightpart training programme delivered by people who have extensive experience of working in the trade sector.

Create a roadmap It’s so easy to get tied up in the dayto-day operations of your business. Each day can become very focused on individual clients and fire-fighting emergencies as they come up. However, as the owner of a small business, it’s vital to know where you want your business to be in three, five, and even 10 years’ time. This means switching your short-term, reactionary approach to a more proactive outlook. No one saw Covid coming, but the way to make your business more resilient to unexpected change is to have a clear vision of the company’s long-term goals. To get your roadmap started: • Ask yourself where you want to be five years from now. • Work backwards from your fiveyear goal, with logical (and realistic) milestones to hit along the way. • Draft up an easy-to-follow plan for each phase of your business that you can execute month on month.

Get into the details Determination and skill are key ingredients to a successful business, but you also need to strategise, organise and know how to communicate your roadmap to your team. With your company’s wider vision in mind, you’ll next need to dig into the details of each stage of your business plan. We recommend you: • Sit with your team, write down the goals that lead to each milestone, and

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give each goal a deadline. • Hold each other accountable to the goals you’ve discussed and check in regularly to see where things can improve. • Celebrate every goal achieved along the way!

Clear structure No company can thrive in chaos – take the time to have a clear business structure to support your detailed company roadmap. In other words: • Ensure you know which team member is responsible for which tasks and/or clients and when they are available to work. • Make a clear framework for decisionmaking (and, for your own sanity, consider spreading the responsibility so you aren’t required for final sign-off on everything). • Benefit from this clarity – now that you’ve freed up some of your time, you can focus on growing the business, starting new projects, or automating certain aspects of the day-to-day.

Know your market You’re a business owner, not a marketing specialist. But you still need to get the word out about your services and make it clear how your potential customers can engage with you. So where do you start? • Always begin from the perspective of your customers’ problem – what is it? How do I ﬁx it? • Once you’re clear on the challenge your customers face, consider how to communicate the solution as simply as possible. • Think ‘where would I go if I had this problem?’ – those are the places to advertise.

Invest in yourself Are you working in your business rather than on it? It’s important to invest in yourself as a business owner and to take the time to skill up so you can scale your business.

Find out more Darren Barlow is a business coach scpecialising in trade businesses, with over 30 years of experience running his own construction company. To learn more about his Business Growth Operating System, please visit: www.bgos.co.uk

Continuing his regular column, Neil Hope from NIBE Energy Systems highlights NIBE’s involvement in a new project to install ground source heat pumps and solar PVT panels for the University of West London.

uch has been said by world leaders and the government over the past few months about the need for communities to reach net zero, but less perhaps on how to actually achieve it. We are delighted to be part of a tangible solution for the University of West London (UWL), which is transforming its energy usage and saving 500 tonnes of carbon emissions annually through the introduction of low-emission heating and ventilation systems.

Energy saving solution UWL’s ambitious retroﬁt across its four sites includes the replacement of old gas boilers with ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), upgrading to low-energy lighting, and installing solar PVT (combined photovoltaic and thermal) panels. At the heart of the transformation is the St Mary’s Road Campus, which features 580 NIBE rooftop solar PVT panels. The PVT collector system works innovatively with our GSHPs, harvesting solar energy from the sun to generate electricity while extracting aerothermal heat energy to drive the heat pump process. In short, combining these low carbon technologies showcases how existing technologies can be matched to ensure maximum energy eﬃciency, and a minimum carbon footprint.

Funding support This project highlights what can be achieved across the built environment for a community within a relatively short period of time, and with funding support from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The University is now capable of generating enough energy to heat an estimated 70 homes every year (or enough electricity to make 4,282,560 cups of tea!) and the transformation is helping it to meet a commitment to become a net-zero institution by 2030 – building on work which has already achieved a 60% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005. The removal of gas boilers and their harmful nitrogen oxide pollution will also help to improve air quality

Neil Hope

Head of technical services at NIBE

around UWL’s main sites in Ealing and Brentford. None of this would be possible without expert installers such as JKN Renewables, who have been trained to install heat pumps and PVT solutions speciﬁcally. There has been anxiety in the press recently in regards to a possible onslaught of poorly installed heat pumps following the government’s oﬃcial deployment targets for the next decade - it is crucial that we as an industry limit this from happening wherever possible.

Training and support Through our partnership scheme, NIBE Pro, installers can receive quality training and support when making the transition to low carbon technologies. The scheme offers a streamlined, personalised route for plumbing and heating installers to become an MCS Certified heat pump installer, giving you an industry recognised mark of quality and your customers the confidence to join the energy revolution. Better still, training costs towards becoming a NIBE Pro are fully redeemable through our NIBE Pro cashback voucher scheme.

Find out more You can ﬁnd out more by visiting NIBE’s website: www.nibe.eu/en-gb/nibe-proinstallers

06/12/2021 15:36

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Underfloor Heating

Why it’s wise to make systems future-proof

Chris Ingram from Continal Underfloor Heating explains why it’s more important than ever to make sure the heat emitters you install are compatible with low temperature heating systems.

t’s becoming clearer than ever that low temperature heating systems are here to stay. With the COP26 UN Climate Change conference still fresh in everyone’s mind, nations are looking seriously at ways in which they can meet their climate change obligations and reduce their carbon emissions. The UK government has made it very clear that low temperature heating solutions will play a vital part in ensuring we meet our net zero targets, with the Building Regulations tightening again next year to help make our homes better insulated and more energy efficient. Heat pumps are being hailed as a low temperature alternative to gas boilers that will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but what does such a significant change mean for the heat emitters being installed now?

Gas boiler ban

The much-anticipated ban on gas boilers in new build properties is less than five years away, with a complete ban now set to follow in 2035. While installers can carry on specifying their usual products

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is an ideal heat emitter to be installed now to prepare for the low temperature systems that will become a mainstay of the UK heating industry in the coming years. Even if a property is currently being heated by a gas boiler, installing UFH now gives the homeowner all the luxury and comfort that UFH provides from day one, while also ensuring that the system is prepared in case the homeowner decides to switch from a gas boiler to a low temperature heat pump at a later date.

Surface area

Chris Ingram

Founder of Continal Underfloor Heating

for the time being, it is likely that any heat emitter fitted now will still be in use in 2025 and beyond. Installers would be wise to make sure that any heat emitters they install now are compatible with low temperature heat sources, future-proofing the system so it is ready for any changes that might need to be made in the future. Underfloor heating (UFH)

Because UFH systems cover a greater surface area than alternative heat emitters, they can run at lower flow temperatures while still providing sufficient heating to ensure comfort for the homeowners. This makes them a perfect companion for heat pumps, which also operate at much lower flow temperatures than gas boilers. But UFH is not a one-size-fitsall product, so making sure that a property is ready for a switch to a low temperature heat source is not quite as simple as picking any type of UFH off a merchant’s shelf. Maximising every possible inch of efficiency requires carefully specifying the best possible UFH system for the individual property, as well as adding insulation if it’s needed and making sure the UFH pipes are laid in the most efficient way possible.

That means carrying out detailed room-by-room heat loss calculations and having a thorough understanding of the homeowner’s needs before a single length of pipe is laid. Installers would be wise to go directly to an experienced supplier that offers every different type of UFH system, like Continal Underfloor Heating, who can then make unbiased recommendations of exactly which product would be best. At Continal we can offer Europe’s widest range of UFH systems, and we have a team of expert technical sales advisers on hand to make sure installers always get the very best possible advice. Our experts can provide full CAD designs on any size or type of UFH installation – installers simply upload their plans to our website or email them to us, and we will quickly provide all the installation guidance and tips they need to ensure the system is fitted right first time, every time.

Technical support

Anyone who purchases our products is assigned one of our technical sales advisers for the entire life of the project, meaning they have fast access to technical support at any point. We are also more than happy to talk directly to homeowners whenever they have a question or need some reassurance, so that everyone involved in the project knows exactly what is being specified and why.

Designing a low temperature, future-proof system that offers high efficiencies doesn’t mean having to compromise in other areas. Take our OneBoard product for example, which is a structural system that can be laid directly on joists, removing the need to install a layer of chipboard over the top and making it ideal for applications where floor build heights must be kept to a minimum.

Exact match

Whether the system is a traditional screeded type, needs to be fitted on suspended floors, or is supplied as overfloor panels, we can support installers in choosing the most efficient and cost effective system that exactly meets the needs of their customer. Our experts can also provide solutions for dry fix screed panels, such as the ThermoDEK system, which is a low-profile, high-strength solid gypsum panel that offers extremely high levels of efficiency.

Further information

Continal has been one of the UK’s leading design and supply specialists for energy efficient warm water UFH for 20 years. Visit our website using the reader link below to see the full range of UFH systems for solid floors, overfloor applications and joist floors, as well as a full portfolio of controls and accessories. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/12

03/12/2021 10:36

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Underﬂoor Heating

Installing effective energy saving UFH The UK underfloor heating market continues to expand as more people appreciate the opportunity to benefit from increased comfort levels and reduced energy use, but how can you ensure that the system you install will meet expectations? Brendan Hourican from OMNIE offers advice on installing an efficient and future-proofed underfloor heating system.

hile underfloor heating offers the opportunity for both condensing boilers and lower temperature renewable technologies, including heat pumps, to deliver optimum performance, there remains the risk that incorrect specification or poor installation standards will prevent them delivering in practice. UFH can convert an entire floor area into a large emitter and create a more even temperature gradient throughout the occupied space compared to radiators, but only if the basic rules of thermodynamics are respected, with the choice of floor covering being one crucial factor that is frequently ignored. You wouldn’t shroud a radiator in a giant tea-cosy, so it should be obvious that covering the floor in deep pile carpet is going to greatly impede transmittance. It also illustrates the widely held misconception that heat always rises, when in fact it travels along the path of least resistance. It is therefore important to consider recommending floorcovering with a low tog rating, along with adequate insulation beneath the pipe system. In addition, the effects of thermal mass and the

thickness of any diﬀuser foil surrounding the pipe must also be given careful consideration.

Thermal striping

Brendan Hourican OMNIE sales director

It is important to recommend a ﬂoorcovering with a low tog rating, along with adequate insulation beneath the pipe system

It should also be recognised that when a pipe is laid into a routed channel within a board and only the top section is in contact with a screeding compound, heat travels up at a 45° angle to typically create a warm band some 40mm wide, in an effect known as ‘thermal striping’. This can be overcome by choosing a UFH panel featuring a foil diffuser of 100-200 micron thickness and a pipe spacing of 150mm maximum, though 133mm gap alternatives are also popular. Poor performance can similarly result where ‘in-joist’ systems are preferred for fitting within suspended timber floors. It is imperative that the pipe runs are in good thermal contact with the floorboards or chipboard panels, otherwise they will end up just warming the void space.

Efficient controls While there are actually eight different classifications of heating control, the majority in use across the UK are simple on/off thermostats which will interrupt the supply to a room or zone. Installing a more sophisticated

control can, however, result in a heating system operating 5% more efficiently. It can also help to avoid any risk of overheating potentially vulnerable coverings such as ceramic or marble tiles, possibly resulting in very costly damage. Essentially, where a system is capable of delivering flow temperatures of 60°C or above, each separate area should be given the protection of a floor temperature sensor, or preferably one on the manifold to provide high-temperature cut-out. The latter arrangement, if correctly set up, will offer protection while still maintaining the desired room temperature as the system cycles.

Future-prooﬁng UFH Although UFH systems vary quite considerably in design and quality, as well as installation method, they can generally all be expected to continue working for many decades, some of them carrying 50-year guarantees. This means that they will likely outlast the installation of three or possibly more conventional boilers, and because of the government’s carbon reduction policies it is now very likely that they will end up being fed by an air or ground source heat pump. The mainstream media has in recent times been running articles, including supposed expert technical opinions, outlining depressing scenarios where homeowners will be forced to pay £10-20K for a new system that leaves them shivering despite wearing winter sweaters indoors. Certainly, heat pumps will not suit some older dwellings, such as older

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uninsulated stone properties, but correctly specified UFH can be part of a future-proofed solution in most cases. The best advice then for any homeowner would be to think ahead and spend that little bit extra to ensure that the UFH system they specify is ‘renewables ready’. In fact, the better quality systems are already futureproofed in that they have been designed and constructed with appropriate foil diffusers and/or thermal mass (screed layer) in order that they will function effectively with flow temperatures of 40°C or less. As with any heating system installation, an accurate heat loss calculation for the building is essential so that the flow temperatures and pipe spacing can be determined to deliver replacement warmth. It may be that improvements to the fabric insulation of buildings in the form of additional loft insulation – or even some form of internal or external wall insulation – will be required for the poorest performing properties.

Floor height Finally, the finished floor height in retrofit situations is something which has to be determined by the customer in terms of what adjustment to skirtings and door thresholds they are willing to accept, though overlay systems can be as little as 15mm thick. However, combatting downward heat loss through both groundbearing slabs and intermediate timber floor constructions may well require greater thicknesses of insulation. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/13

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Underfloor Heating

Responding to the low temperature challenge Installers working within the new build residential sector will soon need to abide by the upcoming Part L amendments. Here Sheldon Cooper from Ambiente provides advice on how to get prepared to meet the new low temperature requirements and how to future-proof your business.

consequence of which will be increased occupier bills. With the need to achieve lower flow temperatures, traditional radiator systems will no longer tick all the right boxes when it comes to sustainability and style, as the radiator size would have to increase significantly. Not only would this increase costs, but it also creates aesthetic issues by taking up more wall space and affecting the interior layout possibilities. Larger, low temperature radiators can also have problems with heat distribution, creating potential consumer issues and questions further down the line.

Perfect match

Sheldon Cooper

Managing director at Ambiente

season of change is upon us as regulations drive the changes required to meet the government’s pledge to achieve its Net Zero emissions target by 2050. The first step is to improve the way new homes are built and to begin this critical shift. The Future Homes Standard (the update to the Building Regulations and Part L) will come into regulation this month (December 2021) and be enforced in June 2022. The regulations state that new homes should be decarbonised using electrification only and heating systems will require a flow temperature of 55 degrees or less. Self-regulating control devices will also be required to allow zoning within the property. The way these new regulations are being introduced differs from previous changes and means that multi-unit sites may be split up between old and new regulations, depending on the timings of planning applications being submitted and work commencing. This update to the Building Regulations and Part L is being enforced at short notice to help prepare the market for the gas boiler ban in new homes in 2025 by upskilling those working within the industry and growing the supply chains which will support them.

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p Ambiente’s Ambilowboard system is part of the company’s range of low-profile systems

CUT TO THE CHASE  The Future Homes Standard will be enforced from June 2022 and will require flow temperatures of 55°C or less  Underfloor heating is an ideal way to deliver a low temperature solution and is up to 50% more efficient than a traditional radiator system  Underfloor heating also allows for different zones to be controlled and monitored from a central thermostat  The key to success is to take a wider view of the whole heating system at the design stage

Low key Renewable heat sources are an ideal option to meet the new low temperature challenge, as they produce much lower flow temperatures than a standard gas or oil boiler. While there are many renewable options available, and there will be flexibility on how to meet the targets, the government expects heat pumps will become the primary heating technology for new homes. In fact, the demand for air source heat pumps is expected to double in the next year and, in turn, demand for training around this technology, and products which can be paired with it, will likely be on the rise too. However, when compared to the installation of a traditional gas boiler system, design and installation accuracy of a heat pump system is of paramount importance. Where a system is not designed and installed correctly, it will never be able to reach the efficiency needed –the

While it seems that heat pumps will become a go-to, for them to work at their most efficient level they need to run at 35-45°C. This is something that only underfloor heating technology can perfectly support. For maximum efficiency, underfloor heating can be designed to be left running 24 hours a day at around 35°C (rather than 80°C required for traditional gas boiler systems). This means the system uses less energy as it doesn’t have to work as hard, making it up to 50% more efficient than a comparable radiator system. Thanks to the lower temperatures, there is also less heat available to ‘escape’ out of a building where underfloor heating is installed, further increasing efficiency. Another condition of the new regulations is the requirement to zone areas within a property using self-regulating control devices. Allowing total flexibility for any individual property and occupant requirements, underfloor heating allows for

each zone to be individually monitored and controlled from a central thermostat, or even via a smart phone app. This ensures the occupants can reduce energy usage by programming their system to suit their daily routines and preferences. When occupants are transitioning from traditional radiator systems to underfloor heating, they may need some extra guidance in terms of the heating behaviour, as radiators can be warm in a matter of minutes, whereas UFH within a screeded floor can take time to warm up. This can be managed with a programmable thermostat.

Up to speed With so many changes on the horizon, it’s important to be armed with knowledge about the right systems and products to recommend and install within new build homes. It has never been more important for installers to be up to speed on changes and products which can help them meet the new standards. Knowledge will become your greatest power. The key to success is taking a wider view of the whole new build heating system – the heat source and the underfloor heating – at both the design and installation stage. It’s also having suppliers who are well equipped to support with expert technical advice, reliable products and have good connections with renewable technology manufacturers to ensure a seamless overview. We’re all on this journey together to ensure the best possible system and efficiency can be achieved. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/14

u Ambiente underfloor heating manifolds are made from stainless steel and are available in various sizes from two ports up to 12

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The case for Öł Žłùāũƪ ŋŋũ revolution The continued R]Zb_S ZQ `YOP]ʮ ZZ] heating systems is linked to a variety of factors, including NZ^_ Pʬ PN_TaPYP^^ PYP]Rd Pʯ NTPYNd LYO their space saving credentials. Plus, they make excellent partners to low temperature appliances like heat pumps. Here, Wavin’s Tony Croke runs through the case for an `YOP]ʮ ZZ] Q`_`]P

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Tony Croke Product manager for indoor climate solutions at Wavin

ressure is increasing across the board to make homes, whether new build or existing housing stock, more PYP]Rd Pʯ NTPY_ ?SP ]PL^ZY^ QZ] this are threefold. The government has ambitious net zero targets to meet, homeowners are demanding more comfortable surroundings, and they want to save some money on their energy

bills along the way. So next time you think about heating solutions ZY dZ`] []ZUPN_ `YOP]ʮ ZZ] heating (UFH) needs to be high on the list. The good news is that UFH systems are now being designed to be quick and easy to install, so you NLY Zʬ P] dZ`] N`^_ZXP]^ L R]PL_ solution without tying yourself up in knots. Certain systems can even MP ʭ __PO ZY LY PcT^_TYR ʮ ZZ] ^Z

S ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ÖðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ùĢŭŶũĢðŽŶā ĞāÖŶ āƑāłķƘ̇ DN ĿĢłĢĿĢŭāŭ óŋķù ŋũ ùũƘ ťŋóĴāŶŭ ŋĕ ÖĢũ

they aren’t just reserved for new build projects, they’re perfect for ]P_]Zʭ _ ZYP^ _ZZ

!ŋŭŶ āƦ āóŶĢƑā Let’s start with how they can save your customers some money on their bills. UFH is very cost X

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W ¦Ğā ĿÖłĢĕŋķù Ģŭ ŶĞā ̨ðũÖĢł̪ ŋĕ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ŶĞÖŶ Ģŭ ũāŭťŋłŭĢðķā ĕŋũ óŋłŶũŋķķĢłė ŶĞā ƪ ŋƒ ŋĕ ƒÖŶāũ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā ťŽĿť Ŷŋ ơŋłāŭ Ģł ŶĞā ťũŋťāũŶƘ

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pŋ Ŀŋũā ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ ?SPd LW^Z ]PXZaP _SP YPPO QZ] M`WVd ]LOTL_Z]^ ^Z N`^_ZXP]^ bSZ NZY^TOP] _SPX LY `YYPNP^^L]d PdP^Z]P L]P TY^_LY_Wd R]LY_PO XZ]P OP^TRY Q]PPOZX TY _SPT] WTaTYR ^[LNP^ -d `^TYR @13 TY^_PLO ZQ ]LOTL_Z]^ _SP]P T^ LN_`LWWd WP^^ NSLYNP ZQ O`^_ [L]_TNWP^ MPTYR ^[]PLO L]Z`YO Md _SP]XLW NT]N`WL_TZY bSTNS T^ X`NS MP__P] QZ] ZNN`[LY_ SPLW_S

mŋŶĢƑÖŶāù ðŽƘāũŭ 3PL_ [`X[^ L]P MPNZXTYR L VPd bPL[ZY TY _SP ML__WP _Z ]PO`NP _SP NL]MZY QZZ_[]TY_ ZQ SZXP^ LYO _SP RZaP]YXPY_ T^ LW]PLOd TYNPY_TaT^TYR SZXPZbYP]^ _Z ^STQ_ Q]ZX RL^ MZTWP]^ _Z SPL_ [`X[^ TY _SP QZ]X ZQ _SP /ZXP^_TN =PYPbLMWP 3PL_ 4YNPY_TaP 4_ T^ TX[Z]_LY_ _Z YZ_P _SZ`RS _SL_ SPL_ [`X[^ L]P L XZ]P QPL^TMWP Z[_TZY QZ] YPb M`TWO^ LYO _Z XLVP ^`]P _SPd Z[P]L_P Pʯ NTPY_Wd TY LY ZWOP] SZXP dZ` bZ`WO YPPO _Z PY^`]P T_ T^ TY^`WL_PO _Z L STRS ^_LYOL]O @13 LW^Z []ZaTOP^ L Y`XMP] ZQ

Nāķť Ģŭ ÖŶ ĞÖłù 4Q dZ`ɪ]P TY _SP []ZNP^^ ZQ TY^_LWWTYR @13 LYO YPPO ^ZXP R`TOLYNP SPLO ZaP] _Z Z`] `YOP]ʮ ZZ] SPL_TYR P^_TXL_Z] L_ www.hepcalc.co.uk bSP]P dZ` NLY ʭ YO MP^[ZVP \`Z_L_TZY^ LYO WT^_^ ZQ XL_P]TLW^ dZ`ɪWW YPPO :`] WL_P^_ `[OL_P^ bTWW LW^Z LWWZb dZ` _Z NSZZ^P MP_bPPY OTʬ P]PY_ [T[P^ TYNW`OTYR BLaTY 3P[˛: Z] ?TR]T^ 6˚ L^ bPWW L^ bSTNS []ZO`N_^ L]P YPPOPO _Z NZYYPN_ _SP ^d^_PX _Z OTʬ P]PY_ SPL_ ^Z`]NP^ ͻ ťĞÖĿłāƒŭ̍óŋ̍ŽĴ̓˚˛˛̓˚˟

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łùāũƪŋŋũ Heating

Fitting retrospectively ?SP]P bL^ L _TXP bSPY ʭ__TYR `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR TY LY PcT^_TYR []Z[P]_d bZ`WO NL`^P XLUZ] OT^]`[_TZY M`_ YZb _SP]P L]P L ]LYRP ZQ Z[_TZY^ QZ] \`TNV LYO PL^d ]P_]Z^[PN_TaP TY^_LWWL_TZY 5ZSY 2T__PY^ M`^TYP^^ OPaPWZ[XPY_ OT]PN_Z] L_ 8LTYNZ] Pc[WLTY^ XZ]P

SP]P NLY MP YZ OZ`M_ _SL_ `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR SL^ T_^ MPYPʭ_^ QZ] _SP PYO `^P] XLcTXT^TYR L^ T_ OZP^ ZY bL]X_S LYO NZXQZ]_ TY LY PʯNTPY_ bLd TY LYd _d[P ZQ M`TWOTYR LYO ZY []ZUPN_^ WL]RP LYO ^XLWW =PRL]OWP^^ ZQ ^_dWP ZQ []Z[P]_d Z] bSL_ WZZV _SP SZXPZbYP] XLd MP Z[_TYR QZ] `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR OPWTaP]^ Z`_ ZQ ^TRS_ M`_ NP]_LTYWd YZ_

Z`_ ZQ XTYO bSPY QPP_ L]P VP[_ NZ^d LYO bL]X ]PRL]OWP^^ ZQ SZb X`NS Z`_^TOP LT] _PX[P]L_`]P^ XLd [W`XXP_ Z] _SP _d[P ZQ ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR NSZ^PY ?SP PYaT]ZYXPY_LW MPYPʭ_^ ZQ `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR LW^Z NLYɪ_ MP OPYTPO LYO ]PLWWd ^SZ`WOYɪ_ MP TRYZ]PO 8`NS WZbP] bL_P] _PX[P]L_`]P^ L]P ]P\`T]PO L^ _SP WL]RP ^`]QLNP L]PL ZQ _SP ʮZZ] T^ PYZ`RS _Z bL]X _SP ]ZZX PʯNTPY_Wd L^ _SP SPL_

]T^P^ ,Y `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR ^d^_PX bTWW RPYP]LWWd run at around ˝˞ OPR]PP^ L^ Z[[Z^PO _Z NT]NL ˠ˙-ˡ˙ OPR]PP^ `^PO TY ]LOTL_Z] ^d^_PX^ bSTNS XPLY^ _SL_ _SP]P L]P PYP]Rd LYO ]`YYTYR NZ^_ ^LaTYR^ P^[PNTLWWd bSPY `^PO bT_S ]PYPbLMWP SPL_ ^Z`]NP^ ^`NS L^ SPL_ [`X[^ 4Y _`]Y _ST^ XPLY^ WZbP] .: PXT^^TZY^ bSTNS T^ RZZO YPb^ QZ] _SP PNZ NZY^NTZ`^ SZXPZbYP] LYO OPaPWZ[P]^ bT_S L ^`^_LTYLMWP LRPYOL ,WW ZQ _SP^P LOaLY_LRP^ XPLY _SL_ _SP `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR XL]VP_ TY _SP @6 SL^ R]ZbY NZY^TOP]LMWd TY _SP WL^_ OPNLOP Z] ^Z _Z ZaP] n˚˞˙X [P] dPL] @YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR T^ YZb _SP SPL_TYR XP_SZO ZQ NSZTNP QZ] XLYd ^PWQ-M`TWOP]^ LYO TYN]PL^TYRWd T_ T^ MPTYR `^PO TY L bTOP ]LYRP ZQ NZXXP]NTLW M`TWOTYR^ ^`NS L^ ^NSZZW^ SZ^[T_LW^ LYO ZʯNP^ L^ bPWW L^ TY XZOP]Y SZ`^TYR OPaPWZ[XPY_^

1ÖŭƘ Ŷŋ ƩŶ̎ BSTWP [`__TYR TY `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR TY YPb M`TWO []ZUPN_^ LYO PX[_d M`TWOTYR^ SL^ LWbLd^ MPPY []P__d ^_]LTRS_QZ]bL]O YZ_ ^Z WZYR LRZ ʭ__TYR `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR ]P_]Z^[PN_TaPWd L^ LY `[R]LOP bZ`WO SLaP XPLY_ OTRRTYR `[ R]Z`YO ʮZZ]^ Z] _LVTYR `[ ʮZZ]MZL]O^ LYO ]PXZaTYR ^VT]_TYR^ L ^ZXPbSL_ OT^]`[_TaP _L^V _SL_ T^ ]L]PWd ]PWT^SPO Md TY^_LWWP]^ Z] SZXPZbYP]^ 3ZbPaP] YPb LOaLYNPXPY_^ TY _PNSYZWZRd XPLY _ST^ T^ YZ WZYRP] L ]P\`T]PXPY_ LYO `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR NLY MP TY^_LWWPO \`T_P ^TX[Wd L_ LYd _TXP >d^_PX^ SLaP MPPY OPaPWZ[PO _SL_ L]P ^[PNTʭNLWWd OP^TRYPO QZ] ]P_]Z^[PN_TaP ʭ__TYR bT_S ZYP PcLX[WP MPTYR Z`] :aP]MZL]O `^TYR O]d ^N]PPO [LYPW^ 4OPLW QZ] []ZUPN_^ ^`NS L^ Pc_PY^TZY^ VT_NSPY ]PQ`]MT^SXPY_^ Z] `[R]LOTYR OZXP^_TN SPL_TYR ^d^_PX^ T_ T^ ^`T_LMWP QZ] `^P MPWZb L bTOP ]LYRP ZQ ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR^ ZY MZ_S R]Z`YO LYO `[[P] ʮZZ]^ :aP]MZL]O XLVP^ T_ [Z^^TMWP _Z Pc_PYO LY PcT^_TYR SPL_TYR ^d^_PX bT_S XTYTXLW OT^]`[_TZY _Z _SP ʮZZ] LYO WZb SPTRS_ TYN]PL^P 4Y QLN_ bSPY _SP TY^_LWW T^ ]PLOd QZ] _SP ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR _SP SPTRS_ ZYWd TYN]PL^P^ Md L]Z`YO ˛˞XX O`P _Z YZ ^WLM^ Z] ^N]PPO^ MPTYR ]P\`T]PO XPLYTYR NPTWTYR SPTRS_ T^ LW^Z YZ_ ZaP]Wd NZX[]ZXT^PO

Time saver ,^ LY LW_P]YL_TaP _Z bP_ ^N]PPO ^d^_PX^ bSTNS NLY MP WLMZ`] TY_PY^TaP _Z TY^_LWW LYO ]P\`T]P Pc_PYOPO O]dTYR [P]TZO^ _SL_ L]P PcLNP]ML_PO TY NZWO bPL_SP] bT_S :aP]MZL]O _SP `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR [T[P^ L]P WLTO LYO _SP ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR NLY MP ʭ__PO LQ_P] L^ WT__WP L^ ˛˝ SZ`]^ ?SP ^d^_PX SL^ MPPY OP^TRYPO bT_S PL^P ZQ TY^_LWWL_TZY LYO [WLYYTYR TY XTYO QZ] PcLX[WP _SP MZL]O^ OZYɪ_ YPPO _Z MP WLTO TY L M]TNV [L__P]Y LYO _SP PYO ]P_`]Y^ L]P PcLN_Wd SLWQ _SP ^TeP ZQ _SP XLTY [LYPW^ bSTNS XPLY^ _SL_ WP^^ N`__TYR T^ ]P\`T]PO /`P _Z _SP QZ]XL_TZY ZQ _SP PYO ]P_`]Y^ _SP]P L]P NZ`Y_WP^^ Z[_TZY^ ZY [T[P [WLNPXPY_ ]PO`NTYR _SP YPPO QZ] ]Z`_TYR ZY ^T_P LYO ^LaTYR _TXP SL^^WP bL^_LRP O`^_ LYO M]PLVLRP^ ?SP [LYPW^ L]P L SLYOd ^TeP QZ] NL]]dTYR ZY ^T_P _ZZ XLVTYR T_ PL^d QZ] ZYP [P]^ZY _Z XLYZP`a]P bSPY NL]]dTYR `[^_LT]^ LYO L]Z`YO NZ]YP]^ LYZ_SP] TX[Z]_LY_ [ZTY_ QZ] ]P_]Zʭ_ []ZUPN_^ bSP]P PcT^_TYR O±NZ] XLd bPWW LW]PLOd MP TY [WLNP BSPY ʭcPO OZbY _SP MZL]O^ []ZaTOP L ^ZWTO LYO ^_LMWP [WL_QZ]X QZ] _SP ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR LMZaP LYO NZXQZ]_ WPaPW^ L]P PY^`]PO L^ _SP PY_T]P ʮZZ] L]PL LN_^ L^ L SPL_ PXT__P] []ZaTOTYR L STRSP] Z`_[`_ _SLY LW_P]YL_TaP [WL^_TN PYO-[LYPW ^d^_PX^

¦Ğā ƒÖƘ ĕŋũƒÖũù BT_S `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR TYN]PL^TYRWd MPTYR ^Z`RS_ L^ LY PʯNTPY_ PNZYZXTNLW LYO PYaT]ZYXPY_LWWd Q]TPYOWd XP_SZO [L]_TN`WL]Wd TY NZYU`YN_TZY bT_S SPL_ [`X[^ QZ] TY^_LWWP]^ T_ NLY ZYWd MP RZZO YPb^ _SL_ ^`NS ^d^_PX^ L]P YZb ]PLOTWd LaLTWLMWP ͻ ťĞÖĿłāƒŭ̍óŋ̍ŽĴ̓˚˛˛̓˚ˠ

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03/12/2021 11:05

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łùāũƪŋŋũ Heating Solutions that can cover any type of floor The Overlay range of products from ;ZWd[T[P T^ ^LTO _Z ZʬP] L ʮPcTMWP ^ZW`_TZY _SL_ NLY MP ^[PNTʭPO QZ] L bTOP ]LYRP ZQ L[[WTNL_TZY^ ?SPd NLY MP ʭ__PO ZaP] LY PcT^_TYR ʮZZ] Z] M`TW_ TY_Z L YPb ^ZWTO ʮZZ] TY ZYP ]ZZX Z] _S]Z`RSZ`_ _SP bSZWP SZ`^P ;W`^ _SPd bZ]V bT_S XZ^_ ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR^ Q]ZX NP]LXTN LYO ^_ZYP _TWP^ _Z bZZO PYRTYPP]PO bZZO LYO carpet. ?SP :aP]WLd ^d^_PX T^ WZb-[]ZʭWP LYO `^P^ SPLadbPTRS_ Rd[^`X ʭM]P MZL]O bT_S grooves to hold the pipe in place. No LOOT_TZYLW TY^`WL_TZY T^ ]P\`T]PO LYO L_ ZYWd ˚ˡXX _SPd OZ YZ_ `YO`Wd ]LT^P _SP ʭYT^SPO ʮZZ] SPTRS_ ?SP ^_]`N_`]LW YL_`]P ZQ _SP :aP]WLd MZL]O^ XPLY^ _SL_ _SPd L]P [L]_TN`WL]Wd ^`T_LMWP QZ] SPLadbPTRS_ ʮZZ] ʭYT^SP^ ^`NS L^ NP]LXTN _TWP 1Z] L WTRS_P] ^ZW`_TZY ;ZWd[T[P ZʬP]^ _SP :aP]WLd ;W`^ OP^N]TMPO L^ PTRS_ _TXP^ WTRS_P]

_SLY _SP ^_LYOL]O Rd[^`X MZL]O N`]]PY_Wd used (˚̍˛VR NZX[L]PO _Z ˚˙VR [P] MZL]O ,[L]_ Q]ZX _SP WZb bPTRS_ ZQ _SP []ZO`N_ installation is also made easier as there is no YPPO QZ] LYd [ZbP] _ZZW^ ɧ L >_LYWPd VYTQP T^ PYZ`RS _Z N`_ _SP ʮZZ]TYR _Z ^SL[P ?TWP^ NLY MP ʭ__PO OT]PN_Wd ZY _Z[ ZQ _SP :aP]WLd ;W`^ MZL]O^ ?SP YPb MZL]O^ L]P LW^Z WL]RP] TY L]PL LYO _SLYV^ _Z _SP TY^`WL_TZY NZ]P LYO LW`XTYT`X WTYTYR SLaP MPPY ^SZbY _Z TYN]PL^P _SP [P]QZ]XLYNP Md ˚˞% compared to the traditional Overlay. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˛̓˚ˡ

One package means autobalancing ?SP @13 [LNV^ Q]ZX @[ZYZ] XLVP T_ PL^d for installers to source everything they need for a project from ZYP [WLNP ?SP [LNV^ TYNW`OP _SP >XL_]Tc ;`W^P ^XL]_ NZY_]ZW XLOP Md _SP ^LXP XLY`QLN_`]P] bSTNS means the system T^ LMWP _Z []ZaTOP L`_ZXL_TN MLWLYNTYR L Q`YN_TZY YZ_ [Z^^TMWP bSPY _SP @13 LYO NZY_]ZW^ NZXP Q]ZX OTʬP]PY_ ^`[[WTP]^ ?SP TY_PWWTRPY_ L`_ZMLWLYNTYR Q`YN_TZY continuously monitors temperatures inside a home and regulates each heating circuit TYOTaTO`LWWd ?ST^ XPLY^ _SL_ _SP @13 continually adapts to suit every space and

system it is placed TY bT_SZ`_ ]P\`T]TYR the complicated recalculations or adjustments of XLY`LW MLWLYNTYR It continues to provide automatic MLWLYNTYR _S]Z`RSZ`_ the seasons and adapts to changes in a SZ`^PSZWOɪ^ WTQP^_dWP LYO `^LRP [L__P]Y^ L^ bPWW L^ ^_]`N_`]LW NSLYRP^ ^`NS L^ YPb ʮZZ] NZaP]TYR^ ?ST^ ]P^`W_^ TY L XZ]P PaPY _PX[P]L_`]P LYO QL^_P] @13 ^d^_PX ]PLN_TZY _TXP^ L^ bPWW L^ MPTYR `[ _Z ˛˙% XZ]P PYP]Rd PʯNTPY_ _SLY LW_P]YL_TaP systems. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˚ˢ

For renovations and new build ?bZ ^d^_PX^ NZX[]T^P 2]LY_ɪ^ ]LYRP ZQ @13 ɧ _SP @ʮPc LYO _SP @ʮPc 8TYT -Z_S `^P _SP ^LXP XLYTQZWO LYO L]P OP^N]TMPO L^ PL^d _Z TY^_LWW LYO STRSWd PʬPN_TaP ?SP @ʮPc ^d^_PX T^ PXMPOOPO bT_STY _SP ʮZZ] NZY^_]`N_TZY LYO T^ ^`T_PO QZ] YPb M`TWO^ LYO Pc_PY^TZY^ @ʮPc `^P^ L ʮZb ^N]PPO ^d^_PX L^ Z[[Z^PO _Z L ^ZWTO ^N]PPO ^d^_PX meaning that the drying time is much \`TNVP] bT_S _SP ʮZb ^N]PPO XTc O]dTYR TY thirty days. 8PLYbSTWP _SP @ʮPc 8TYT ^d^_PX NLY MP TY^_LWWPO ZaP] LY PcT^_TYR ʮZZ] LYO T^ ^[PNTʭNLWWd OP^TRYPO _Z ^`T_ ]P_]Zʭ_^ LYO ]PYZaL_TZY^ 4_ SL^ L aP]d WZb []ZʭWP MPTYR just ˚˞XX TY ʭYT^SPO ʮZZ] SPTRS_ bSTNS LWWZb^ QZ] `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR TY^_LWWL_TZY bT_SZ`_ ]P\`T]TYR ^TRYTʭNLY_ NSLYRP^ _Z L ]ZZXɪ^ TYQ]L^_]`N_`]P @^TYR ^PWQ-adhesive [LYPW^ L ^PWQ-WPaPWWTYR ^N]PPO NLY MP WLTO ZaP] _SP @ʮPc 8TYT ^d^_PX bSTNS O]TP^ TY _S]PP OLd^ LQ_P] bSTNS _SP SPL_ ^Z`]NP NLY MP introduced. 2]LY_ɪ^ TY-house design team has

27.indd 1

Pc_PY^TaP Pc[P]TPYNP TY @13 LYO LN]Z^^ L ]LYRP ZQ []ZO`N_^ TYNW`OTYR LT] ^Z`]NP SPL_ [`X[^ bSTNS L]P ZQ_PY [LT]PO bT_S @13 From heat loss calculations and product ^[PNTʭNL_TZY _S]Z`RS _Z []ZO`NTYR Q`WW `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR ^d^_PX OP^TRY^ 2]LY_ NLY SPW[ TY^_LWWP]^ OPaPWZ[ MP^[ZVP [LNVLRP ^ZW`_TZY^ _Z ^`T_ _SPT] N`^_ZXP]^ɪ YPPO^ ?SP _PLXɪ^ L^^T^_LYNP T^ LaLTWLMWP Q]ZX bSPY TY^_LWWP]^ XLVP L \`Z_P _S]Z`RS _Z SLYOZaP] ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛˙

03/12/2021 16:23

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Products in Action Heat pump ŽťėũÖùā Ğāķťŭ Öķķ ũāŭĢùāłŶŭ

!ŋłŶũÖóŶ ĕŋũ ˠ˙˙˙ ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ 3PY]LO =LOTL_Z]^ SL^ NZX[WP_PO a major contract with Newport City Homes in South Wales with more than ˠ˙˙˙ Compact radiators installed by contractor Gibson Specialist Technical Services in Bridgend. The contract began in ˛˙˚ˡ with heating system replacement projects across Newport City Homes social housing OPaPWZ[XPY_ L_ /dʬ]dY LYO came to completion recently with the replacement of the heating systems in Aneurin Bevan Court sheltered housing scheme in /dʬ]dY “We’re delighted to have

28.indd 1

been able to work on this project over the past three years,” says Henrad’s head of marketing Chris Harvey. “It’s a major project and one that has operated well for all the parties involved. “The Henrad Compacts are our best selling radiators and have been selected for a huge number of social housing projects up and OZbY _SP @6 TY _SP WL^_ OPNLOP It’s a pleasure to be involved in a project like this that runs like clockwork and sees the client, the contractor, the merchant and us all happy with the way things work out.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛˚

Air source heat pumps from Vaillant have been installed in a £˚̍˞m project by Jigsaw Homes Midlands to improve the energy PʯNTPYNd ZQ T_^ SZXP^ TY _SP ]PRTZY and to tackle climate change. So far, almost ˞˙ properties in Gedling have received the upgrade, which also included new radiators and a hot water cylinder to replace outdated storage heaters. A smart system to control the heat pumps is also in place.

Before work started on the installation, residents were invited to attend a special demonstration roadshow to learn how air source heat pumps work. ?SP SZXP^ ʭ__PO bT_S _SP Vaillant heat pumps were TOPY_TʭPO L^ MPTYR ^`T_LMWP O`]TYR

LY PYP]Rd PʯNTPYNd TX[]ZaPXPY_ survey by Jigsaw Homes. This included a range of measures including loft, cavity wall or external wall insulation, and replacement of older windows and doors. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛˛

FÖŭ ŭŶŋƑāŭ Ģł !ŋũłƒÖķķ̪ŭ ķŽƗŽũƘ ŭāÖŭĢùā ĞŋŶāķ ;ZWZ MLWLYNPO ʮ`P RL^ ^_ZaP^ Q]ZX /=@ SLaP MPPY ^[PNTʭPO for a £˚̍˝ million development of seven new beach lofts at the Watergate Bay Hotel on the north coast of Cornwall. The WZQ_^ SLaP ʮZZ]-to-ceiling windows with panoramic sea views and have been designed to feel like modern city lofts. ?SP /=@ ;ZWZ RL^ ^_ZaP^ bP]P NSZ^PY QZ] _SPT] NZY_PX[Z]L]d OP^TRY ʭ__TYR TY bT_S _SP ZaP]LWW OP^TRY and aesthetic of the beach lofts. In addition, they were selected for their ‘A’ energy rating, ˢ˛ PʯNTPYNd LYO _SP convenience of gas with easy remote-control operation. They have all-year-round use and are suitable for chilly autumn days and cool summer evenings. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛˜

03/12/2021 15:13

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

ÂÖŶāũ NāÖŶĢłė ͽ !ƘķĢłùāũŭ

Renewable solution ŶĞÖŶ Ʃ Ŷŭ ũĢėĞŶ Ģł ,^ OPXLYO QZ] ^`^_LTYLMWP _PNSYZWZRTP^ TYN]PL^P^ PaP]d [L]_ ZQ L SZXPɪ^ [W`XMTYR LYO SPL_TYR ^d^_PX T^ `YOP] _SP XTN]Z^NZ[P 1Z]_`YL_PWd bL_P] SPL_TYR _PNSYZWZRd LYO ]PYPbLMWP^ NLY Zʬ P] _SP [P]QPN_ PYP]Rd Pʯ NTPY_ LYO NZ^_ Pʬ PN_TaP NZXMTYL_TZY L^ ATN_Z]TL 2`_TP]]Pe Q]ZX Ariston explains.

enewable technology is the talk of the heating and hot water TYO`^_]d L_ _SP XZXPY_ particularly since the UK government outlined proposals for £˞˙˙˙ grants to support home heat pump installations as part of the Heat and Buildings Strategy in October. This follows ˛˙˛˙’s interim plans to ʭ _ ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ heat pumps a year by ˛˙˛ˡ L^ [L]_ of the ten-point plan to Victoria Gutierrez reach Net Zero by ˛˙˞˙. Head of marketing at Ariston Given the current focus ZY ^`^_LTYLMTWT_d bSL_ does this mean for water heating products? Bearing in mind that approximately ˚˛% of a home’s PYP]Rd T^ `^PO ZY SPL_TYR bL_P] ]PYPbLMWP _PNSYZWZRTP^ lend themselves to reducing running costs and fuel bills ɧ L^ bPWW L^ MZZ^_TYR PYP]Rd Pʯ NTPYNd ?ST^ SL^ WPO _Z _SP OPaPWZ[XPY_ ZQ SPL_ [`X[ bL_P] SPL_P]^ bSTNS successfully integrate modern air source heat pump technology with an unvented cylinder.

Nŋƒ ĢŶ ƒŋũĴŭ Heat pump water heaters use electricity to extract heat from _SP LT] LYO XZaP T_ Q]ZX ZYP [WLNP _Z LYZ_SP] TY^_PLO ZQ

generating heat directly. Electricity has LW]PLOd MPPY TOPY_Tʭ PO L^ L NWPLYP] R]PPYP] SPL_TYR ^Z`]NP L^ PcPX[WTʭ PO Md the emergence of electric vehicles). With the UK government investing heavily TY ]PYPbLMWP PYP]Rd bSTWP ]PO`NTYR coal-ʭ ]PO [ZbP] ^_L_TZY^ TY _SP \`P^_ QZ] YP_ eP]Z `_TWT^TYR PWPN_]TN bL_P] SPL_TYR products is the future. ?SP []ZO`N_^ _SPX^PWaP^ Pʬ PN_TaPWd work like an everyday fridge-freezer in ]PaP]^P _LVTYR SPL_ Q]ZX _SP ^`]]Z`YOTYR air and transferring it – at a higher temperature – to heat water in a storage _LYV Z] NdWTYOP] ?SP WL_P^_ `YT_^ ^`NS L^ the Nuos Plus Wi-1T Q]ZX ,]T^_ZY SL]YP^^ LWW _SP MPYPʭ _^ ZQ \`TNV LYO Pʯ NTPY_ SZ_ bL_P] OPWTaP]d LWZYR^TOP _SP MPYPʭ _ ZQ NZPʯ NTPY_^ ZQ [P]QZ]XLYNP .Z; up to ˜̍˚˝ – making them an excellent alternative to traditional electric storage water heaters. ?SP^P YPb ^`^_LTYLMWP _PNSYZWZRTP^ enable more properties (especially _SZ^P TY Zʬ -gas areas) to incorporate renewable energy without having to invest in multiple units. /P^TRYPO ^[PNTʭ NLWWd QZ] _SP []ZO`N_TZY ZQ SZ_ bL_P] ZYWd SPL_ pump water heaters can operate at air temperatures as low as -˚˙{. ?ST^ YZ_ only helps reduce household utility NZ^_^ _SPd NLY LW^Z MP ^T_PO bT_S PL^P _d[TNLWWd TY `_TWT_d ]ZZX^ RL]LRP^ Z`_ buildings and specially constructed NZX[L]_XPY_^ Z] N`[MZL]O^ <`TP_ NWPLY LYO PL^d _Z Z[P]L_P _SP^P products are already proving popular in []Z[P]_TP^ TY Zʬ -gas areas – although _SPd L]P ^`T_LMWP QZ] SZXP^ ZQ LWW LRP^ whatever their location.

ťāóĢƩ óÖŶĢŋł 1]ZX LY TY^_LWWL_TZY [P]^[PN_TaP SPL_ pump water heaters can be easily TY_PR]L_PO TY_Z PcT^_TYR []Z[P]_TP^ L]P ʮ PcTMWP LYO aP]^L_TWP bSTWP LW^Z extremely reliable. The products are ^TXTWL] _Z `YaPY_PO NdWTYOP]^ LWMPT_ bT_S ZYP N]`NTLW OTʬ P]PYNP ɧ O`N_TYR T^ ]P\`T]PO _Z O]Lb LT] TY LYO WP_ _SP exhaust air out. These two ducts need _Z MP ^`T_LMWd OT^_LYNPO TY Z]OP] to prevent any air that has already been drawn in and cooled from being recirculated (which would impact ZY PYP]Rd Pʯ NTPYNd ,Yd O`N_TYR also needs to be suitably insulated – otherwise the air cooling the pipes can cause condensation to form. Heat pump water heaters also MZL^_ ^TRYTʭ NLY_ PNZYZXTN ^LaTYR^ when compared to other forms of /3B _PNSYZWZRd ,Q_P] LWW _SP^P `YT_^ MPYPʭ _ Q]ZX Pc_PYOPO Z[P]L_TYR _PX[P]L_`]P ]LYRP^ bSTWP Zʬ P]TYR exceptional energy savings of up to ˡ˙% when compared to traditional

30.indd 1

S ¦Ğā ͖ ũÖŶāù pŽŋŭ ķŽŭ ÂĢ-DĢ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũ ĕũŋĿ ũĢŭŶŋł ĞÖŭ Ö !z ŋĕ Žť Ŷŋ ˜̍˚˝

cylinders of the same capacities. They are also considerably cheaper than solar powered DHW systems.

āłāƩ Ŷŭ ŋĕ ÂĢ-Fi Plumbing and heating engineers will already be familiar with advances in smart control technology TY MZTWP]^ dP_ _SPd ^SZ`WO be aware that modern water heating products are also embracing Wi-Fi connectivity. This enables end users to take total control of their hot water Q]ZX _SPT] ^XL]_[SZYP `^`LWWd aTL LY L[[ bT_S Q`YN_TZY^ such as daily and weekly programming available – as well as the creation of weekly schedules. In the case of our own Nuos Plus Wi-1T NZY_]ZWWLMTWT_d T^ Q`]_SP] MZZ^_PO Md TY_PWWTRPY_ built-in software that learns users’ water usage habits and automatically creates a preSPL_TYR ^NSPO`WP >Z SLaTYR ^[PY_ L bPPV WPL]YTYR _SP `YT_ _SPY TX[WPXPY_^ T_^ ʭ YOTYR^ to activate a completely _LTWZ]PO TY_PWWTRPY_ SPL_TYR []ZR]LXXP 1Z] PcLX[WP _ST^ could ensure water is always available for a shower on a bZ]VOLd XZ]YTYR QZ] _SP washing up in the evening

S ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ŨŽÖ ũĢŭŶŋł p1¦ Öťť̇ Žŭāũŭ óÖł ĿÖłÖėā ŶĞāĢũ ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũ ùĢũāóŶķƘ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞāĢũ ŭĿÖũŶťĞŋłā

LYO _SPY L bL^S MPQZ]P MPO with the pattern adjusted for weekend behaviour. Such advanced levels of control mean there will be no waste of water – and no unnecessary energy consumption. >Z SPL_ [`X[ bL_P] heaters have emerged as the perfect combination of green _PNSYZWZRd PL^P ZQ TY^_LWWL_TZY and controllability. With the @6 YZb ʭ ]XWd ZY _SP ]ZLO _Z L ^`^_LTYLMWP Q`_`]P TY^_LWWP]^ should be embracing these []ZO`N_^ [L]_TN`WL]Wd L^ _SPd Zʬ P] _SPT] N`^_ZXP]^ L XPLY^ of reducing energy bills and their carbon footprint. ͻ ťĞÖĿłāƒŭ̍óŋ̍ŽĴ̓˚˛˛̓˛˝

03/12/2021 11:23

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Water Heating & Cylinders

The importance of heat pump cylinder design Hot water storage is going to a be a key requirement of any successful heat pump system, but type of cylinder used can also XLVP L MTR OTʬ P]PYNP _Z [P]QZ]XLYNP LYO Pʯ NTPYNd 3P]P 5L^ZY 3ZM^ZY Q]ZX McDonald Water Storage highlights the MPYPʭ _^ ZQ NZ[[P] `YaPY_PO NdWTYOP]^

Jason Hobson Divisional director, McDonald Water Storage

he government has set out ambitious plans for a green industrial revolution to create and support up to ˛˞˙̇˙˙˙ British jobs, with part of this plan to make our homes greener, warmer and more energy Pʯ NTPY_ 6Pd _Z _ST^ [WLY T^ _SP O]TaP _ZbL]O^ PWPN_]Tʭ NL_TZY LYO _SP removal of gas from new build homes from ˛˙˛˞, which clearly has a knock-ZY Pʬ PN_ _Z bSL_ SL[[PY^ TY _SP ]P_]Z-ʭ _ XL]VP_ While there is ongoing debate over the viability of other low carbon technologies such has hydrogen and hydrogen-ready boilers, there is general consensus that heat pump technology will be a key driver in achieving carbon ]PO`N_TZY

Stored hot water The increase of ‘greener’ heating technology will see heat pumps become one of the preferred methods, which will require hot water storage to maximise their [Z_PY_TLW MPYPʭ _ 3ZbPaP] L standard indirectly heated cylinder will not work with the heat pump input as the heat exchanger is simply not large enough to extract ^`ʯ NTPY_ SPL_ Q]ZX _SP WZbP] _PX[P]L_`]P^ ^`[[WTPO A traditional gas boiler operates at ˠ˙-ˡ˙°C, therefore providing a higher kW output through a standard indirect coil than a heat pump, which generally operates at ˞˞{. ,^ _SP SPL_ [`X[ T^ L lower temperature heat source, it is essential to maximise the heat transfer to the water held within _SP NdWTYOP] Many consulting engineers and even heat pump manufacturers recommend ˜m2 surface area of _SP SPL_TYR NZTW 8PL^`]TYR L SPL_ exchanger performance purely by

32.indd 1

its surface area is inaccurate, especially when comparing coil types such as a plain, NZ[[P] TY_PR]ZY ʭ YYPO Z] stainless steel corrugated heat PcNSLYRP] The internal coil design in a SPL_ [`X[ NdWTYOP] OTʬ P]^ Q]ZX an indirect or solar cylinder, with most heat pump cylinders incorporating either a double or _]T[WP [L^^ NZTW BSL_ T^ N]T_TNLW is that the purpose designed heat exchanger provides optimised heat exchange, low pressure drop and allows higher ʮ Zb ]L_P^ _Z LWWZb _SP SPL_ pump to perform to its most Pʯ NTPY_ ?SP NdWTYOP] T^ ʭ __PO bT_S LY integral immersion heater and thermostat, which raises the stored water temperature to the ˟˙°C during its pasteurisation cycle, in line with guidance from the Hot Water Association 3B, LaZTOTYR _SP ]T^V ZQ 7PRTZYPWWL ?SP _SP]XZ^_L_ brings the immersion heater on at a temperature just below

The internal coil design in a heat pump cylinder ùĢƦāũāŭ ĕũŋĿ Öł indirect or solar cylinder, with most heat pump cylinders incorporating either a double or triple pass coil

performance of varying metals, it was noted that copper had over nine times better thermal conductivity at ˛˜˜, compared to stainless which was only ˛˟, showing why copper is the perfect choice for transferring SPL_

Bespoke requirement When designing new build properties, the house layout []ZaTOP^ ^`ʯ NTPY_ ^[LNP QZ] the heat pump and cylinder TY^_LWWL_TZY @YQZ]_`YL_PWd this is not necessarily the NL^P bSPY T_ NZXP^ _Z ]P_]Zʭ _ L[[WTNL_TZY^ In a recent BEIS heat pump trial, where free heat pump TY^_LWWL_TZY^ bP]P MPTYR Zʬ P]PO to trials in the North East and South East of England, it was noted that in the North East, whilst over ˝˞˙˙ people in Newcastle applied for the trial, only ˚˜ went ahead due to the ]P_]Zʭ _ bZ]V ]P\`T]PXPY_^ One of the major contributory QLN_Z]^ TY ]P_]Zʭ _ SPL_ [`X[ installation is the siting of the hot water cylinder, as many properties had previously removed the traditional cylinder and gas boiler in QLaZ`] ZQ NZXMTYL_TZY MZTWP]^ Being able to manufacture L MP^[ZVP NdWTYOP] _Z ʭ _ _SP available space is crucial to the []ZUPN_ []ZNPPOTYR BSTWP _SP]P are many heat pump cylinders manufactured to standard NZYʭ R`]L_TZY^ _SP]P L]P L S`RP number of installations which require slimline or horizontal cylinders, and having the ʮ PcTMTWT_d _Z []ZO`NP NdWTYOP]^ in a variety of diameters, heights or even with tailor made tapping positions, makes the installers job easier and allows the installation to go LSPLO

Setting the standard the heat pump maximum and ^bT_NSP^ T_ Zʬ L_ MP_bPPY ˟˙˟˞°C, maximising the direct energy extracted by the heat pump and ensuring it is safe to `^P L_ _SP _L[

!ŋťťāũ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ Copper and stainless steel are the two most common materials used in hot water cylinder manufacturing and their associated heat PcNSLYRP]^ _ZOLd ?ST^ is primarily due to their high levels of resistance to NZ]]Z^TZY It is a well-known fact, that between the two materials, copper provides a superior SPL_ _]LY^QP] /`P _Z T_^ high thermal conductivity, it MPNZXP^ XZ]P MPYPʭ NTLW _Z `^P where maximising lower grade heat supplied from most heat [`X[ XLY`QLN_`]P]^ During recent testing conducted to establish the

The HWA recently introduced L ^[PNTʭ N SPL_ [`X[ ^_LYOL]O to sit alongside EN ˚˛ˡˢˠ (for MZTWP] SPL_PO TYOT]PN_ NdWTYOP]^ LYO _Z PY^`]P _SL_ _SP @6 carbon footprint reduction achievable by a transition to heat pump use will be maximised by the matching with correctly designed hot bL_P] NdWTYOP]^ Within the standard, there is guidance to the test criteria so that installers will be able to compare the wide array of available cylinders on a WTVP QZ] WTVP ML^T^ BT_S SPL_ pumps varying in the way they operate, it will ultimately allow installers to match the correct cylinder to the chosen heat [`X[

Find out more For more information and more _T[^ ZY _SP 0.:ʮ Zb ]LYRP ZQ standard and bespoke designed cylinders, visit the online ]PLOP] WTYV MPWZb ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˛̓˛˞

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Water Heating & Cylinders All you need in a hybrid package .ZXXP]NTLW SZ_ bL_P] ^[PNTLWT^_ ,OaPNZ SL^ TY_]ZO`NPO _SP 1`^TZY 1;3-> ]LYRP ZQ WZb NL]MZY LWW-PWPN_]TN [LNVLRPO SdM]TO SZ_ bL_P] ^d^_PX^ 1`^TZY NZXMTYP^ _SP NZX[LYdɪ^ 1;T˜˛ LT] ^Z`]NP SPL_ [`X[ L STRS-[]P^^`]P ,?>3 NLWZ]Tʭ P] bT_S PWPN_]TN TXXP]^TZY NZY_]ZW^ LYO XP_P]TYR _Z []ZaTOP L ^`^_LTYLMWP LYO NZ^_-Pʬ PN_TaP ^d^_PX QZ] YPb M`TWO LYO ]PQ`]MT^SXPY_ []ZUPN_^ 1`^TZY T^ LaLTWLMWP TY ˚˟ pre-^[PNTʭ PO aL]TLY_^ bT_S ˟ or ˚˙kW preheat and ˢ or ˚˛kW electric top-`[ bT_S NL[LNT_TP^ ]LYRTYR Q]ZX ˛˙˙ to ˞˙˙ litres, all rated at ˚˙ ML] QZ] STRS[]P^^`]P L[[WTNL_TZY^ ɭ1Z] Z]RLYT^L_TZY^ bT_S ^XLWW _Z XPOT`X basin and sink led hot water demands and a OP^T]P _Z PXM]LNP L XZ]P ^`^_LTYLMWP M`^TYP^^ XZOPW _SP 1`^TZY 1;3-> ]LYRP []ZaTOP^ L ^TYRWP PL^d-to-LNNZXXZOL_P STRSWd Pʬ PN_TaP ]P^[ZY^P ɮ ^Ld^ _PNSYTNLW OT]PN_Z] -TWW >TYNWLT] ɭ-d NSZZ^TYR ZYP ZQ _SP^P [LNVLRPO SdM]TO bL_P] ^d^_PX^ dZ` RLTY Z[_TX`X Pʯ NTPYNTP^ WZbP] dZ`] NL]MZY PXT^^TZY^ LYO NLY MP L^^`]PO -`TWOTYR =PR`WL_TZY^ L]P MPTYR XP_ ɮ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˛̓˛˟

ŽƦ āũ ŶÖłĴŭ Ŷŋ ŭŽĢŶ ÖłƘ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł An new A class rated ˛˝W_] bLWW S`YR M`ʬ P] _LYV T^ _SP WL_P^_ LOOT_TZY _Z ,OaLY_Ldɪ^ P^_LMWT^SPO ]LYRP ZQ M`ʬ P] _LYV^ LYO WZb WZ^^ SPLOP]^ ?SP YPb `YT_ SL^ MPPY OP^TRYPO _Z ʭ _ MP_bPPY _SP PcT^_TYR ˚˜ `[ _Z ˞˙ltr models, LWW TOPLWWd ^`T_PO _Z SPL_ [`X[ installations. ,OOT_TZYLWWd ,OaLY_Ld Zʬ P]^ L Q`WW ]LYRP ZQ X`W_T-connection NL]MZY ^_PPW M`ʬ P] tanks with sizes Q]ZX ˚˙˙ltr (wall S`YR LYO ʮ ZZ] ^_LYOTYR Z[_TZY^ LYO ʮ ZZ] ^_LYOTYR ^TeP^ Q]ZX ˛˙˙ to ˞˙˙˙ltr.

8`W_T-NZYYPN_TZY^ ZY _SP WL]RP] M`ʬ P] _LYV^ []ZaTOP L XTYTX`X ZQ ^Tc []TXL]d ʮ Zb LYO ]P_`]Y NZYYPN_TZY^ QZ] the ˚˙˙W_] ^TeP^ XZaTYR `[ _Z PTRS_ Q]ZX ˛˙˙W_] `[bL]O^ , Q`]_SP] XLTY NZYYPN_TZY T^ []ZaTOPO ZY _SP _Z[ ZQ PLNS `YT_ ?PX[P]L_`]P []P^^`]P ^PY^TYR XZYT_Z]TYR Z] []Z_PN_TZY can be achieved with the ½in Q]ZY_ QLNTYR NZYYPN_TZY points on all models. -`ʬ P] _LYV^ Q]ZX ˚˜ to ˚˙˙˙ltr are YZ]XLWWd LaLTWLMWP QZ] TXXPOTL_P OPWTaP]d bT_S WL]RP] XZOPW^ (˚˞˙˙W_] `[bL]O^ LaLTWLMWP _Z Z]OP] ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˛̓˛ˠ

Easy upgrade for an existing thermal store Electric thermal stores have proved to be LY Pʬ PN_TaP ^ZW`_TZY QZ] XLYd @6 L[L]_XPY_^ P^[PNTLWWd TY `]MLY L]PL^ M`_ bT_S ^ZXP ZQ _SP^P Z]TRTYLW TY^_LWWL_TZY^ YZb ]PLNSTYR _SP PYO ZQ _SPT] WTQP ,OaLYNP ,[[WTLYNP^ SL^ TY_]ZO`NPO L simple replacement model. The Advance 0?> `^P^ _SP ^LXP _PNSYZWZRd ɧ _SP]XLW store with two ˜VB TXXP]^TZY SPL_P]^ ɧ M`_ bT_SZ`_ LY `YYPNP^^L]TWd NZX[WPc NZY_]ZW ^d^_PX ZQ_PY L QPL_`]P ZQ ZWOP] models. /P^TRYPO _Z []ZaTOP ZYP ^SZbP] [W`^ ZYP ML_S bT_S ZYP ZaP]YTRS_ Zʬ -peak NSL]RP _SP _SP]XLW ^_Z]P T^ XLOP Q]ZX stainless steel and comes with a ˚˙-dPL] R`L]LY_PP 0LNS NdWTYOP] SL^ L bL]]LY_d bSTNS NLY MP PL^TWd ]PRT^_P]PO bT_S ,OaLYNP ^Z TY^_LWWP]^ L]P ]PXTYOPO PaP]d dPL] ZQ _SP YPPO QZ] L ^P]aTNP 4Q YZ ZaP]ʮ Zb QLNTWT_d T^ LaLTWLMWP _SP 0?> T^ NLY MP QLN_Z]d ʭ __PO bT_S LY T^ZWL_TZY VT_ _Z PYLMWP ^S`_ Zʬ ZQ _SP TYNZXTYR ^`[[Wd TY NL^P ZQ PXP]RPYNd The kit is pre-[W`XMPO LYO []P- wired and

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operates with a standard ˞ LX[ ^`[[Wd Two sizes are available, a ˚˟˙W_] QZ] ^TYRWP ML_S]ZZX []Z[P]_TP^ LYO L ˛˚˙ltr QZ] _bTY ML_S]ZZX Z] bT_S LY ZNN`[LYNd ZQ STRSP] _SLY _bZ [P] []Z[P]_d ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛ˡ

05/12/2021 09:41

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Training & Education

Preparing for a low carbon future With moves to encourage homeowners to invest in heat pumps and other low-carbon heating solutions, installers are set to play a vital part in government plans to decarbonise heat in the @6 3P]P 2]Tʬ ?SZXL^ Q]ZX 2?0. Pc[WLTY^ _SP Z[[Z]_`YT_TP^ available to those professionals who are prepared to upskill.

he role of heat pumps in the low carbon future has been a hot topic in recent weeks as world leaders met at the COP˛˟ Climate Summit in Glasgow. The UK government used the opportunity to publish its Heat and Building Strategy which sets out plans to cut NL]MZY PXT^^TZY^ R]LO`LWWd M`_ ^TRYTʭ NLY_Wd Q]ZX the UK’s ˜˙ million homes and workplaces through low carbon heating systems, mainly focusing on heat pumps. Some people have rightly pointed out that heat pumps are not a ‘silver bullet’ solution. The potential _Z bZ]V Pʯ NTPY_Wd LYO NZ^_-Pʬ PN_TaPWd TY _SP bTOP range of housing stock we have in this country is an ongoing discussion, but there is no doubt that a combination of technologies will be required if lowcarbon heating is to achieve its potential. Existing plumbing and heating engineers are best

Griff Thomas Managing director at GTEC

placed to meet this demand, already possessing a vast range of useful skills that can easily be added to. The changing landscape, therefore, should be viewed as an opportunity. Most renewable courses are designed for this group, topping up existing knowledge rather than starting from scratch. I have heard some critics of heat pumps talk of ‘unskilled installers’ – that’s simply not true. Heat pump ʭ __P]^ L]P `^`LWWd M`TWOTYR ^P]aTNP^ engineers with experience and \`LWTʭ NL_TZY^ MPSTYO _SPX =PNZRYT^PO _]LTYTYR QZWWZbPO Md 8.> NP]_Tʭ NL_TZY should help to prove this.

MCS guidance Although not a legal requirement like 2L^ >LQP 8.> NP]_Tʭ NL_TZY T^ YPNP^^L]d for installers who want full access to the renewables market. I’m sure most installers would agree, Gas Safe is not an easy process, but it is necessary not only for legal reasons. Customers will be looking for MCS approved installers to guarantee a high quality of workmanship, customer care and competency. If they are applying for any funding from the government, which will probably be the case for most over the next few years, they will ]P\`T]P LY 8.> NP]_Tʭ NL_P Help is at hand for those who have MPPY [`_ Zʬ Md _SP [L[P]bZ]V 8.> Made Easy is an online tool designed to guide installers through MCS NP]_Tʭ NL_TZY bT_S _SP []ZNP^^ M]ZVPY down into manageable chunks and expert advice at every stage. It includes a webinar and supporting documents written and presented by people who contributed to the MCS ˙˙˚ standard.

Heat pump growth ?SP]P T^ L ʭ YP MLWLYNP _Z MP SLO between consumer demand for heat pumps and encouraging installers to upskill. Installers have been bitten in the past by schemes that have not delivered on their promises. However, the Heat and Building Strategy aims to bring the cost of heat pumps down to incentivise uptake through several strategies, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which should boost demand for heat pumps over the next few years. Additionally, an interim update to ;L]_ 7 ZQ _SP -`TWOTYR =PR`WL_TZY^ bTWW be brought in ˛˙˛˛, which will require at least a ˜˚% reduction in emissions

34.indd 1

compared to current standards, increasing to ˠ˞% in ˛˙˛˞. The heating element of this will be achieved _S]Z`RS STRS Pʯ NTPYNd PWPN_]TNLW heating instead of gas central heating. 3PL_ [`X[^ ʭ _ _SP MTWW [L]_TN`WL]Wd LT] source heat pumps, and the market is expected to grow as a result.

Looking ahead To meet the UK’s low carbon ambitions, we need more installers. Around ˚˙˙˙ new heat pump installers qualify each year, add this to the ˝˙˙˙ or so existing installers and it would take a very long time to reach the ˞˙̇˙˙˙ required to install ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ heat pumps by ˛˙˜˙ – a target set by the government in the ˚˙ Point Plan QZ] L 2]PPY 4YO`^_]TLW =PaZW`_TZY It’s not just heat pump installers that are lacking – we need multiskilled installers that can design low-carbon heating systems based on a building’s needs and deliver a variety of renewable technologies, including solar thermal, solar PV and battery storage alongside heat pumps. Training centres are ready to deliver high quality heat pump training to experienced engineers, equipping them with the knowledge to thrive in the future low-carbon heating market. Upskilling is relatively quick and easy for installers with existing experience and help is at hand with 8.> NP]_Tʭ NL_TZY ɧ _SP Q`_`]P T^ SP]P and it’s time to train-up or get left behind.

Find out more GTEC is a specialist renewables training provider based in Hawes, North Yorkshire, which also delivers the MCS Made Easy programme. For more information, enter the online readerlink below in your browser: ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˛ˢ

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Training & Education

Taking the right course In an increasingly competitive market, ongoing training can help to give plumbing and heating engineers the edge. Purdie Proudman from Geberit highlights how the company is making it easier for the trade to gain access to courses.

e all know the MPYPʭ _^ ZQ _]LTYTYR – whether you are a one-man band or working as part of a team, those who stand still will get left behind. Keeping up to date with new TY^_LWWL_TZY XP_SZO^ ]Pʭ YTYR ^VTWW^ and plugging any knowledge gaps are all vital ways to stay ahead of the competition – even before you consider the potential impact of the green revolution on our industry. It would be easy to dismiss training as another inconvenience in the busy working schedule. It takes years of hard work to qualify, not to mention the annual renewals required for Gas Safe registered engineers, and with so much competition for work in local markets it may not seem practical to invest more time in training. In fact, we often hear installers tell us ‘a day in a training room is a day without earning’ - but it’s important to consider the long term impact on the bottom line. With greater knowledge and skills, it might be possible to take on bigger jobs and open up new opportunities. Understanding new products and new installation methods can also enable time savings on future jobs. Remote and online training opportunities have also come to the fore since Covid, making it more accessible for more people. By setting aside a little time up front, you can open doors to smarter, quicker LYO XZ]P []Zʭ _LMWP bZ]V ?SP VPd T^ _Z think of it as an investment of time, not L^ TYNZYaPYTPY_ _TXP Zʬ _SP _ZZW^

What’s new?

Purdie Proudman

Marketing manager, Geberit Piping Solutions

The pandemic has inevitably brought challenges, but we are repeatedly ƩłùĢłė ƒÖƘŭ Ģł which it has accelerated progress too and this is evident in our own training provision

One of the biggest reasons why training is so important is that nothing in our industry stands still. Ongoing development from manufacturers is continuously pushing the boundaries with new innovations and new solutions, all of which requires fresh thinking, and sometimes new skills from those using them. At Geberit we continuously invest in developing the future of our products and training, giving installers the opportunity to understand how to get the most from that development. By improving your own knowledge of the industry, you can equip yourself with the information (and the NZYʭ OPYNP YPPOPO _Z Zʬ P] LOaTNP _Z customers and enhance your own reputation. ?SP]P L]P ZQ NZ`]^P LYd Y`XMP] ZQ training routes for installers, from specialist training providers to regulatory bodies. However, when it comes to understanding the nuances of new and evolving products, there is no substitute for manufacturer training, which will combine best practice XP_SZO^ bT_S _SP ^[PNTʭ N []ZO`N_ knowledge required to maximise the quality, speed and integrity of every single installation. It should also cover an introduction to the latest technology and newest techniques. Manufacturer training also provides installers with an opportunity to ask about the tools required for the job, including ways you can mitigate the inevitable cost of new equipment, as well as the maintenance and calibration

]P\`T]PXPY_^ _Z XLVP ^`]P _SZ^P _ZZW^ ]PXLTY ʭ _ QZ] [`][Z^P At Geberit, we are extremely proud of our CIPHE-accredited _]LTYTYR LNLOPXTP^ TY BL]bTNV LYO /`MWTY ,^ bPWW L^ Zʬ P]TYR hands-on training in our BMF-accredited centre of excellence, aT^T_Z]^ LW^Z MPYPʭ _ Q]ZX Z`] _bZ-storey hydraulic tower and state-of-the art showroom.

Distance learning ?SP .ZaTO [LYOPXTN SL^ TYPaT_LMWd M]Z`RS_ NSLWWPYRP^ M`_ bP L]P ]P[PL_POWd ʭ YOTYR bLd^ TY bSTNS T_ SL^ LNNPWP]L_PO progress too and this is evident in our own training provision. We rolled out digital training sessions for our supply and O]LTYLRP ^d^_PX^ O`]TYR _SP ʭ ]^_ WZNVOZbY TY ˛˙˛˙ and as a result we were able to deliver sessions to more individuals in a given month than was ever possible beforehand. ?ST^ ^P]aTNP SL^ MPPY Pc_PYOPO LYO bP L]P YZb LMWP _Z provide a hybrid of digital and hands-on training that reduces the need to travel and can limit any impact on business operations. We keep our training hands-on by ensuring that anyone attending has their own products in advance or, alternatively, we arrange for the sample products and tools to MP WZLYPO Z`_ ?ST^ XPLY^ [L]_TNT[LY_^ SLaP _SP PcLN_ ^LXP tools and equipment as those delivering the sessions. It’s a new era for robust, comprehensive training that makes it easier for installers to access the skills and VYZbWPORP _SPd YPPO _Z VPP[ LOaLYNTYR ?SP]P L]P YZ _]LaPW NZ^_^ YZ YPPO QZ] LY ZaP]YTRS_ ^_Ld LYO WP^^ _TXP Zʬ _SP tools. For larger employers it means that they can get more ^_Lʬ _]LTYPO TY ZYP RZ ,YO LWW bT_SZ`_ NZX[]ZXT^TYR _SP quality of the training. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˜˙

Become an expert in refrigeration circuits Installers who want to respond to the predicted growth in demand for the installation of refrigerant ʭ WWPO SPL_ [`X[^ L]P TYaT_PO _Z _LVP `[ _SP opportunity for some hands-on training with -`^TYP^^ 0ORP ,YdZYP bSZ T^ LW]PLOd \`LWTʭ PO L^ L RL^ ʭ __P] LYO Z] [W`XMP] bTWW YPPO _Z RP_ ^ZXP additional training on low temperature emitter ^d^_PX^ LYO _SP NZX[LYd Zʬ P]^ _LTWZ]PO _]LTYTYR courses to enable installers to service, troubleshoot and install the water and refrigeration circuits of heat pumps, including split heat pump units. Courses are designed to provide installers with all _SP YPNP^^L]d VYZbWPORP LYO \`LWTʭ NL_TZY^ _Z RP_ ahead of the competition. Specialising in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump training, Business Edge operates its own assessment centre and can boast over ˜˙ years of Pc[P]TPYNP TY N]PL_TYR \`LWTʭ PO PYRTYPP]^ LYO technicians. All courses are accompanied by fully illustrated colour training and reference manuals b]T__PY Md Z`] NZ`]^P TY^_]`N_Z]^ ?SP NZX[LYd SL^ fully-equipped training facilities at its headquarters in Waterlooville near Portsmouth, plus Bletchley YPL] 8TW_ZY 6PdYP^ LYO ?TaP]_ZY TY /PaZY ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˜˚

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Hands-on learning >_LXQZ]O 2L^ ?]LTYTYR Zʬ P]^ Q`WWd-accredited training courses and assessments for all personnel within the gas heating and plumbing industry. Courses are staged at the purpose built training centre, which is fully equipped with the latest _PNSYZWZRd _Z Zʬ P] []LN_TNLW WPL]YTYR Class sizes are kept small in order to deliver a more focused and personal approach, and training and assessment is carried out in a relaxed and friendly environment. All trainers and L^^P^^Z]^ L]P \`LWTʭ PO RL^ PYRTYPP]^ .Z`]^P^ ZY Zʬ P] TYNW`OP% XLYLRPO WPL]YTYR []ZR]LXXP ACS CCN˚ reassessment, LPG changeover, water regulations, unvented hot water, and S and Y-plan wiring courses. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˜˛

06/12/2021 17:58

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Training & Education CPD points on radiators

Insight into ground source The Ground Source Heat Pump Association has launched an online training scheme to increase understanding of heat pumps, improve the skill levels of people already working in the UK heat pump industry, and advise people who are seeking new careers in the industry. The online training scheme, consisting of four modules, will go live early in 2022. It will provide people with practical advice and essential information on every aspect of ground source heat pumps. There will also be live online Q&A sessions with senior industry professionals. The scheme will focus on all types of ground source heat pump systems – commercial, residential, mixed use and retroﬁt – and is aimed at architects, consultant engineers, contractors, facility managers, energy managers and students, as well as anyone who has an interest in heat decarbonisation and net zero. The course will cover a range of topics including systems approach, building demands and matching to energy source, geology, system hydraulics, design software, combining heat pumps with other technologies, the interface with the supply chain, commissioning and case studies. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/33

Available online or in person, the CIBSE and RIBA accredited CPD programmes from Stelrad Radiators offer installers flexibility to learn at their own convenience. There are three CPDs available: ‘A guide to heating your home with heat emitters on low temperature systems’, ‘The evolution of the central heating radiator with a focus on safety radiators’ and ‘The difference in tubular radiators, specifications and dimensions which impact the heat available’. They all take around an hour to complete and they are free. Installers should go to the Stelrad website to open the desired programme, digest the information and take the test at the end of the presentation. Those who pass will receive a certificate to take credit for the earned CPD points. “We’re finding people enjoy boosting their CPD totals at times that suit them – evenings and weekends seem to be particularly popular - and we’re delighted to be able to provide these options via the website,” says Stelrad’s head of marketing, Chris Harvey. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/34

Courses for professionals and apprentices The Energy Training Centre at Evesham College provides training and assessment that supports individuals looking to develop their careers in the gas engineering trade. The purpose-made facility runs training programmes that are tailored to the needs of those working in gas, electrics, plumbing, heating and renewable energy. It serves small businesses across the Midlands, beneﬁtting from free onsite parking and easy access to the Midlands motorway network.

The centre trains apprentices at the college alongside the specialist training for professionals and employers. It is equipped with the latest resources and systems to ensure training meets the ACS, OFTEC and WRAS requirements. Roy Thomson, WCG centre coordinator for the Energy Training Centre, and his colleague Russell Joseph have more than 40 years experience combined to beneﬁt delegates at the centre. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/36

Low carbon scheme offers opportunities

Centre’s good grades Steve Willis Training is highlighting the favourable outcome of a recent visit by Ofsted inspectors, who conducted an examination of the Burgess Hill and Portchester centres. They oversaw classes, met teaching and support staff, and assessed the facilities. Ofsted inspectors found Steve Willis Training to be performing at a high standard with the overall effectiveness being graded ‘Good’, with a particular emphasis on behaviour and attitudes grading as ‘Outstanding’. They also found ‘apprentices thrive in the calm and respectful environment, arising from the high expectations their trainers have of them.’ The report adds that the centre has benefitted from heavy investment, with well-equipped facilities that reflect current industry requirements. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/37

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The release of the government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy has highlighting the need for heating engineers to upskill in preparation for the growing demand for low carbon heating systems, and controls manufacturer Drayton is urging installers to take advantage of the training available to them now. Remi Volpe, MD at Drayton, comments: “To help installers make this transition, we are continually looking at how we can oﬀer the training and support they need. Our 9º Know How online training academy, available to 9º Network members, provides free, accessible training on our wide range of products like Wiser, which is an ideal heating control solution for heat pump systems. Additionally, our Drayton Community Facebook group brings together heating engineers from around the country, providing a forum for them to engage and educate each other on these big topics.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/62

Connection in South West Installers in the South West can take advantage of training at Unitherm Heating Systems, based in Exeter. A wide range of courses are on oﬀer, with a particular focus on heat pump installation. This includes training on the LG manufacturer course, which shows how to install LG Therma V air to water heat pumps, and a Logic heat pump course. The centre also oﬀers a selection of pre-requisite courses such as Unvented Hot Water, enabling installers to take all the courses they require at the same place.

Installers can select a fourday course on Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps – LCL Awards Level 3 Award (National Certification). There are pre-requisite qualifications required for entry to the Logic ASHP course, and if these have lapsed or the candidate doesn’t hold them, then they can renew these at Unitherm’s Training Centre – including Hot Water Systems and Safety (unvented hot water), Energy Efficiency and WRAS . ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/35

Managed learning for future gas engineers The full range of Gas Managed Learning Programmes (MLP) are now available from EG Training Services. Based in Dartford, Kent, the training provider is able to offer: • Domestic Service, Maintenance & Installation Core, with pathway options of Central Heating, Cookers, Fires or Warm Air • Domestic Meter Installer • Emergency Service Provider & Meter Installer • Industrial/ Commercial Service, Maintenance & Installation Core, with pathway options of Commercial Heating, Commercial Catering, or Commercial Laundry. All of the above courses consist of a core requirement followed by a choice of appliance pathways to suit the trainee’s objectives. On successful completion of the MLP, candidates can then move on to the required ACS assessments for the work that they wish to undertake. The MLP consists of a specified amount of hours of ‘off job’ formal training, and a specified amount of on-the-job training alongside a qualified gas engineer. Trainees will need to commit to producing a portfolio of workplace evidence that they have undertaken under the guidance of their Gas Safe registered mentor. EG Training will provide the guidance and support for this portfolio to enable the portfolio to be completed to the required standard. Candidates are advised that they should have work placements in place before applying for any of the courses. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/63

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Training & Assessments 37 1st TRAINING LTD ASSESSMENT & TRAINING CENTRE Domestic and Commercial, ACS, NG, LPG and appliances, Un-vented hot water TEL: Huntingdon (01480) 450 872 www.1st-training.co.uk 1st Training Ltd info@1st-training.co.uk phamnews.co.uk/122/112

GAS ENGINEERS & PLUMBERS NEED ACS ASSESSMENTS? AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP TRAINING & ASSESSMENT we will be ready to deliver ASHP Training & Assessments to you by February 2022. As always, our prices will be unbeatable! Last year we helped over 100 Plumbers get their Gas Qualifications. It`s not as difficult as you may think, give us a call and let us help you. You don`t necessarily need Plumbing Qualifications to do our PLUMBER TO GAS COURSE. ECS can help you, call us now 01226 741800 or visit www.ecsgastrainingltd.com

phamnews.co.uk/122/113

Approved Training Courses in Gas, Electric, Plumbing & Heating & Renewable Energy phamnews.co.uk/122/110 Established in 1997 Basildon, Essex SS13 1EU

Small relaxed and friendly classes

o rt e be urs at um Co v Pl as 0 + G 200 £

If you want free friendly advice just call me, Graham Hawkes 07775 506124 anytime for an informal chat

WE ARE SITUATED JUST 5 MINUTES FROM JUNCTION 36 M1 WHY NOT VISIT US ON ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS AND ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WANT CALL US FOR DATES

ECS Gas Training 10 Market Street, Hoyland Barnsley S74 9QR

Tel: 01226 741800 phamnews.co.uk/122/117

For more information visit www.gas-training-and-assessment.co.uk Telephone 01268 727797 or Email gastraining@btconnect.com phamnews.co.uk/122/114

MIDLANDS GAS ASSESSMENTS

Unit 1, Mainstream Way, Nechells, BIRMINGHAM B7 4SN email: mgabrum@tiscali.co.uk www.mgabrum.co.uk Domestic Natural Gas & LPG Changeover, Energy Efﬁciency and Water Regulations. Un-vented, Part P Electrics, Training & Assessments.

0121 333 3903

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PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Heating Controls

The benefits of fully connected underfloor heating control With smart heating controls installers can ensure that their customers can save energy and enjoy the high comfort levels of underfloor heating. Remi Volpe from Drayton highlights some of the key benefits.

nce considered to be a more luxurious heating solution, over the past few years underfloor heating has become more affordable and easier to retrofit, making it a much more attractive and accessible option for homeowners. As a result, figures from the Annual State of the Market 2021 report from Delta-EE found that annual purchases of connected underfloor heating controls across Europe grew by 40% in 2020, with a further 20% uplift expected per annum over the next three years. It is also expected that the UK’s transition towards renewable heat sources – with a target to reach 600,000 heat pump installations in the UK by 2028 – will be a driving factor in increasing sales of underfloor heating, as it is often installed alongside solutions such as an air source heat pump. Over the next few years, installing underfloor heating alongside a renewable heat source is going to become more attractive than ever before, with the launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme providing funding towards a heat pump, leaving homeowners with more flexibility to invest in underfloor. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that underfloor heating presents heating installers with an area of opportunity.

Remi Volpe

Drayton managing director

A smart heating system like Wiser can control different heat sources from a single app... which enables installers to offer their customers a seamless and simpliﬁed user experience

Mixed systems In previous times, in households where underfloor heating was installed alongside an additional heat source, for example using underfloor to heat downstairs and radiators for upstairs, installers once would have had to fit two separate heating controls – one

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 The Wiser Underﬂoor Heating Controller has the capacity to control up to six zones

for each system. Not only would this drive up the time and cost of the installation, but it also meant that the homeowner’s management of their heating would be very disjointed. However, there are now heating controls available on the market that can control all elements of the system regardless of the heat source. For example, our Wiser range has now been expanded to include the new Underﬂoor Heating Controller, Electrical Heat Switch and a dedicated heat pump setting. Not only does that help installers to streamline the products they are trained on and familiar with – no longer needing to have a heating control solution for each separate part of the system – it also helps to minimise the stock they need to keep in the van, ready to recommend for any system they’re working on. Additionally, a smart heating system like Wiser can control

different heat sources from a single app. Not only does this simplify the job for the heating engineer, making installation and commissioning easier, but it also enables installers to offer their customers a seamless and simplified user experience when it comes to managing their heating.

Energy efficient When it comes to underfloor heating, this can be a much more efficient solution compared to radiator systems. As well as benefitting from lower flow temperatures, which helps contribute towards energy efficiency, the way in which underfloor heats the space can also benefit homeowners. By heating from the bottom up, homeowners are able to enjoy the warmth generated by underfloor as is rises through the main living space, compared to a radiator system where the heat often rises to the very top of the room above head height. This means that for radiator systems, homeowners are often having to run their heating for longer in order for the whole room to reach the desired comfort levels, or are having to turn their heating up to a higher setpoint. While this more effective way of heating the room can be enough of a draw to attract homeowners to this solution,

installers can improve efficiency levels one step further by recommending a smart control for the system that features energy saving modes, helping their customers benefit from reduced energy use and lower energy bills. For example, the smart modes found on the Wiser Home app can be utilised regardless of whether the smart control is fitted to a system that relies on a gas boiler, a heat pump, or works with an electric heat source. By giving customers access to features such as Eco Mode, which combines optimum stop and weather compensation to adapt heating schedules according to changing weather conditions, installers can help with additional energy savings and reduce energy bills further. By being clued up on how the right heating control can enhance an underfloor heating system, it’s safe to say that installers working on these types of jobs will be in a prime position to deliver top-quality work and keep their customers satisfied. By selecting a solution like the Wiser Underfloor Heating Control, heating engineers can deliver a high level of comfort and easier heating control for the end user whilst also simplifying installation. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/38

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Heating Controls

How to help customers on their net zero journey The decarbonisation of heat is now a national priority and smart controls have an important part to play in helping householders to making their SZXP^ XZ]P PYP]Rd PʯNTPY_ 8L]_TY BTW^ZY Q]ZX =P^TOPZ Pc[WLTY^ XZ]P

onsumers are becoming increasingly environmentally focused and are now seeking the products and solutions which can help them to reduce their impact on the planet, while also minimising the cost of heating their homes. However, when it comes to upgrading a heating system, whether that be with a boiler, or a heat pump, it’s worth remembering that smart controls can play an important part in ensuring a home is maximising its energy PʯNTPYNd LYO LW^Z [WLdTYR L role in helping to reduce heating bills. In recent months, heat pumps have gone from a littleknown technology to playing a central role in the government’s plans to decarbonise the nation’s heating systems. The heat pump market is expected _Z R]Zb ^TRYTʭNLY_Wd ZaP] the next few years, as more homeowners start to look at potentially upgrading their heating systems using a lowcarbon technology. As a result, there’s a real opportunity for installers to promote the MPYPʭ_^ ZQ L SPL_TYR NZY_]ZW that can not only work with an existing system, but is also ZʬP]TYR SZXPZbYP]^ L Q`_`]Pproofed solution too.

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Martin Wilson Sales director at Resideo

CUT TO THE CHASE Đ With many people working at home from one room during the day, heating an entire house is MRIƾGMIRX ERH GSWXP] Đ Smart controls will respond XS ƽYGXYEXMSRW MR SYXWMHI temperature, helping to maintain indoor comfort levels and reducing energy use Đ The Honeywell Home evohome is compatible with both traditional boilers and heat pump systems

Home working

Weather watch

BT_S XZ]P [PZ[WP bZ]VTYR from home, fuel bills have risen and made us think more carefully about how we heat Z`] SZXP^ BT_S XLYd ZQ `^ working from one room during the day, heating an entire SZ`^P T^ TYPʯNTPY_ LYO NZ^_Wd 8Z]P _SLY PaP] SZXPZbYP]^ are looking for ways to make savings and increase comfort by having more control over their home heating. However, the heating systems that customers currently have in place may lack the functionality to respond to these changes. This is where a smart control can make a real OTʬP]PYNP 1Z] PcLX[WP Z`] Honeywell Home evohome with smart zoning technology uses radiator controllers to wirelessly measure and control temperatures for up to ˚˛ zones individually, without needing to disturb décor during installation. By having this smart zoning feature available, customers can control the temperature in rooms they aren’t using, therefore saving energy and money. The evohome works with both boilers and heat pumps, and with homeowners willing to purchase smart thermostats to save money, _ST^ ZʬP]^ TY^_LWWP]^ L aLW`LMWP opportunity to upsell.

The impact of climate change has made British weather even more unpredictable, with a mild autumnal day quickly tuning to a chilly frost in the space of a few hours. Advances in technology mean homeowners can rely ZY ^XL]_P] NZY_]ZW ZʬP]TYR^ to navigate temperature ʮ`N_`L_TZY^ ɧ XZYT_Z]TYR outside weather temperatures and communicating with the heating system to adjust the temperature within the property – so that the system T^ ]`YYTYR L^ PʯNTPY_Wd L^ possible. The smart weather feature on the evohome system for example will follow the set programme on cooler days, but when it warms up outside it will automatically turn the SPL_TYR Zʬ LYO ^LaP PYP]Rd It does this by monitoring outside temperature, room temperature and setpoint, and act when heat demands are very low. Using patented Advanced Load Scaling technology, this WTXT_^ TYPʯNTPY_ STRS ]P_`]Y temperatures and runs the MZTWP] TY T_^ XZ^_ PʯNTPY_ mode. In addition, air source heat pumps rely on the outside air to generate heat. Smart controls are therefore vital to ensuring that heat pumps deliver

optimum comfort in the most PYP]Rd PʯNTPY_ bLd LYO T_ɪ^ essential that they are correctly set up by the installer and used in the right way by occupants. This is even more relevant when using more sophisticated controls so that the bill payer NLY ]PL[ _SP Q`WW ʭYLYNTLW LYO PYaT]ZYXPY_LW MPYPʭ_^ ZQ SPL_ pump technology.

Staying in control BT_S L ^_]ZYR [`^S Q]ZX _SP government to tackle climate change, more and more people are starting to consider energy PʯNTPY_ SPL_TYR ^d^_PX^ This presents installers with the perfect opportunity to put customers back in command of their heating system, with the ability to monitor and control their heating remotely from a smartphone or other connected OPaTNP ^PWPN_ OTʬP]PY_ temperatures for separate rooms, and unlock potential savings whether they opt for a heat pump or boiler. The Honeywell Home evohome is compatible with both traditional boilers and heat pumps. It can be used to NZY_]ZW `YOP]ʮZZ] SPL_TYR while settings for stored hot water and radiators can also be managed – making it a highly versatile solution for both now and the future. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓˚˛˛̓˜ˢ

03/12/2021 15:05

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Heating Controls 41

Put users in the driving seat A smart heating control is an integral part of an efficient heating system. Vaillant says its senso range of controls offer increased connectivity, a smart modern design, and ease of use. Here, we run through some of their main features. The latest controls offer advanced features that increase the efficiency of home heating systems. They include the ability to control several heating zones, which can help to avoid unnecessary energy being wasted when homeowners are predominantly using one area of their property. The sensoHOME and sensoCOMFORT can control multiple heating zones, giving installers an easy upsell to customers, but also offering a valuable way to increase efficiencies too. The wired sensoCOMFORT can control up to five heating zones with individual room temperatures. Meanwhile, the wired sensoHOME can support up to two heating zones when used with the VR66/2 wiring centre and a VR92 remote control. However, with the VR66, a wiring centre isn’t required if used with a combi boiler.

App connectivity

Both models feature load and weather compensation functionality, meaning the boiler only works as hard as it needs to in order to reach the correct temperature, without wasting energy to get there.

The time prgoramme assistant is designed to give homeowners greater control of their heating. Once the initial set up and the guided commissioning has been completed, installers can help homeowners set up their desired heating programme. The assistant helps the homeowner

select their heating schedule by asking six simple questions, for example ‘what time does the homeowner get up in the morning’ and ‘what time do they go to bed’. With this, the senso control develops a heating schedule customised around the homeowners’ needs. And if more time slots are needed in the day, people can adjust their requirements using the weekly planner function, where a total of 12 time slots can be added for each day. Grant Gundelfinger, a heating engineer from the Mayfly Group, comments: “The design of the senso range means

thermostat, the Uflex Neostat V2 is suitable for single and multi-zone installations. With flexible programming, key locking function and self-learning preheat, it provides sophisticated operation while also being straightforward to use. When paired

to the neoHub via a Wi-Fi connection, the Uflex Neostat V2 can then be controlled remotely through the neoHub app. The second new programmable room thermostat, the Uflex Edge, shares many of the features of the Uflex Neostat, but has additional functionality which allows for greater automation within the home. Pairing with wireless air sensors, the Uflex Edge can accurately sense temperature changes within a room and is ideally suited to open plan properties. The Uflex Edge also has Modbus connectivity to allow the thermostat to integrate with third party home automation and building management systems. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/41

Easy set up

Flexible way to stay on top of underfloor Two new controls have joined the Grant Uflex underfloor heating range, which are available to suit both the Uflex and Uflex Mini underfloor systems (see page 27). The Uflex Neostat V2 and Uflex Edge are user friendly thermostats with a clear display, easy navigation and a stylish look. Both operate with the Uflex UH8 Wiring Centre to provide complete control of an underfloor heating system. Being both a programmer and a room

Lowering energy costs in a variety of buildings Polymer specialist Rehau has upgraded its NEA Smart 2.0 range to help contractors and developers deliver efficiency on each project, whether it is residential, commercial or mixed-use buildings. The device gives continued flexibility and adaptability as building use and occupant habits change over time. Suitable for new build and retrofitting for up to 60 rooms, the NEA Smart 2.0 uses an intelligent algorithm to regulate temperature and improve efficiency. Data learnt from occupant habits, in addition to remote sensors installed indoors and outside for weather compensation, allows the system to reach temperature efficiently.

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it’s incredibly intuitive. Not only is installation straightforward, it’s also quick. But the real bonus is for homeowners who can take advantage of a heating control that can help make their heating systems more efficient through advanced modulation with the boiler for optimal performance.”

An optimised start feature has also been integrated. This begins to heat or cool ahead of the programmed time to reach the desired temperature in a controlled way, to make sure the space is comfortable for occupants at the right time without excess energy usage. A manual and automatic boost function is also available should the desired temperature need to be reached sooner. Franz Huelle, head of technical at Rehau Building Solutions, says: “The upgrades to NEA Smart 2.0, will provide an easy to install and flexible system that lowers energy costs in a variety of building types.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/42

The new sensoNET internet gateway (VR921) can be used with wired and wireless versions of both the sensoHOME and sensoCOMFORT, to enable remote app control via the sensoAPP, giving homeowners control of all individual circuits within the heating system via WiFi. To further enhance the support on offer to customers and also help installers monitor and manage their customer installations, Vaillant has developed a new app – myVAILLANT pro. With the ability to remotely monitor a homeowner’s heating system, including controls, myVAILLANT pro means installers can offer even better customer service, while providing peace of mind. Vaillant’s weather compensation senso controls are designed to work seamlessly with its heat pumps, including the aroTHERM plus. IHeat pump installers simply need to fit a sensoCOMFORT pack for the number of heat zones, and everything else is supported by the guided commissioning. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/40

Central heating and humidity New from Wunda is the WundaSmart control that offers users accuracy, efficiency and high levels of encryption to keep data private. Users manage the heating via app, voice or a control panel. The WundaSmart uses wireless thermostats positioned away from radiators and additional temperature sensors built into the radiator heads. Together, they measure room temperature, as well as humidity. There are two thermostat designs – a tamper-proof one that can be hidden, and the WundaSmart Screen Thermostat with E Ink display and heating controls. The system also uses low energy seeker signal RF (Radio Frequency) system to link devices, rather than the more commonly used Zigbee or Z-Wave system, which can lead to range issues. In addition, the control does not rely exclusively on cloud storage, which means that even if the Wi-Fi goes down, users can still control the system through a LAN (Local Area Network). ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/43

03/12/2021 16:43

PHAM NEWS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Product Spotlight

Advice on safe electrical work

 It’s good practice to match the output voltage of the proving unit with the voltage range of the instrument to be proved

Good advice

When it comes to working safely with electricity, there really is no room for error, even if it’s not a main part of your job. Steve Dunning, MD of Martindale Electric, explains why safe isolation should be at the forefront of installers’ minds.

ith electricity cited as the root cause of about 1000 accidents at work each year, along with increasing ﬁnancial penalties and custodial sentences extending to employees as well as company directors, developing safe isolation processes that safeguard people has never been more important. Safe isolation may not be a process which immediately leaps to mind for those plumbing, heating and gas engineers for which electrical work is ancillary to their dayto-day job. However, you may be installing heating controls, electric showers or heat pumps and other renewable technologies which require an electrical power source. If this is the case, voltage indicators should already be an integral part of your electrical safety processes. They do exactly what they say: they indicate the presence of voltage. The best voltage indicators for safe isolation should be made to BS EN 61243-3 for full compliance with the current GS38 standard. They should be engineered with safety in mind, eliminating batteries and switches that could lead to false indications, and come with bright, clear displays for voltage reading, such as the Martindale Electric VI13800 and VI15000 voltage indicators. A durable design that can take some rough handling should also be a consideration.

No room for error

Even if you follow this advice and even bearing in mind that voltage indicators are designed with inherent reliability, can you 100% guarantee that your voltage indicator is working correctly every time? It only needs to fail once for the consequences to be potentially disastrous; never forget that 16% of deaths in the workplace are linked to electricity. For maximum safety, it is vital to verify the performance of your voltage indicator. It’s as important as conﬁrming that the appliance or circuit being tested is dead, and that there is no possibility of it becoming live while you are working.

42.indd 1

Steve Dunning

Managing director of Martindale Electric

Prove it

BY NUMBERS

1000

Number of accidents at work each year linked to electricity

16%

Number of deaths in the workplace linked to electricity

GS38 Voltage indicators for safe isolation should be made to BS EN 61243-3 for full compliance with the GS38 standard

440v A three-phase voltage indicator should be proved at 440V

Before testing the circuit, voltage indicators should therefore be proved using a proving unit, then test the circuit, then test the voltage indicator against the unit once again to prove that the tester is still functioning properly. The device will verify the performance of the voltage indicator. If you use a battery powered voltage indicator then proving the unit is working and the battery is not ﬂat couldn’t be more important. Furthermore, a lack of positive indication does not always prove absence, which is why the cross-check with a proving device could quite literally be a lifesaver. Essentially a proving unit is a portable device that serves as a voltage source designed speciﬁcally to verify that voltage indicators are working correctly. Some people still rely on testing electrical test tools, such as voltage indicators, against a live source, but this is not always a safe or convenient option. A proving device has been designed to provide a live source wherever you are working - with no need to leave the working area – and is considerably safer. Proving units are very quick and easy to use. In the case of the Martindale PD440-S 440V AC proving device, for example, you simply place one probe of the voltage indicator under test into the left hand socket of the proving unit until it makes

contact with the terminal. Then place the other probe into the right hand terminal of the proving unit and gently press down. This will result in the high voltage indicator illuminating to show the unit under test is functioning correctly.

As an added tip, during testing of your voltage indicator, it is recommended to flex the voltage indicator cable along its length - particularly at the entry points to the handheld elements - to confirm that the cable has not fractured. It is advisable to use a dedicated proving unit matched to the voltage indicator in order to fully test that all LEDs on all ranges of the voltage indicator are working - safeguarding against incorrect readings due to a faulty LED, for example. Also, it is important not to over-prove: a three-phase voltage indicator should be proved at 440V whereas a common 2pole indicator with a 690V range should be proved at 690V. By incorporating a proving device into an electrical safety process, that process becomes inherently more robust and reliable. Although a relatively simple addition to the process, when working with or near electrical systems and equipment, a proving device can significantly reduce the risk of electrical injury to you and others around you. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/44

Win a Safety Isolation Kit!

Martindale is giving a lucky reader one of its Safety Isolation Kits which helps you work safely when working on electrical plant or equipment. Turn to page 45 for details on how to enter.

Martindale Electric recently launched its ALIVE campaign, which outlines ﬁve simple steps for staying alive when working around electricity. Downloadable resources for heating and plumbing engineers are available using the readerlink above.

APPROVED KIT Before starting, make sure your equipment is meeting all legal safety standards. Always ensure that the Voltage Indicators (VI) you are using comply with BS EN61243-3, such as the VI13800 voltage indicator from Martindale Electric, which has been speciﬁcally designed to meet this standard.

LOCK OUT Identify the point of isolation – lock it off and place warning tags onto the equipment. A basic lock-off kit should include a selection of MCB Lock Off devices, a padlock with a unique key, a hasp if more than one person is working on a system, as well as lock-out tags and warning labels.

INITIAL PROVE Test your VI against the proving unit to make sure it is working properly. It is recommended to use a dedicated proving unit matched to the VI to fully test that all LEDs on all ranges are working. A proving unit is safer than the mains and provides a live source wherever you are working.

VOLTAGE TEST Use your VI to make sure dangerous voltage levels are not in the circuit you are about to work on. The next step is to test for dangerous voltages on any circuit conductor to be worked on, whether single or three-phase. Verify that the circuit you intend to work on is the correct circuit which you have safely isolated.

ENSURE Prove the VI against the proving unit again before starting to work on the circuit. Re-test your VI is functioning and working correctly to make sure that no damage has occurred, or fault appeared on your equipment.

03/12/2021 14:21

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Product News 43 Helping installers prepare for a greener future Looking to the future of home heating, Worcester Bosch has announced the launch of an air to water heat pump and a new hybrid heat pump and boiler system. The 7001iAW is an air to water heat pump that can provide both cooling and heating, while the Hybrid 7000iAW system is compatible with a range of heat pumps and combi boilers. The 7001iAW air to water heat pump has a monobloc design to house all refrigeration circuit components. It also features a pre-configured AWE indoor unit for easy installation, and can be fitted with optional standalone Green Storage WB Range Heat Pump cylinders from 150 to 300 litres. Suitable for small to medium

Comfort and control ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply visit phamnews. co.uk/122/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

properties, the Hybrid 7000iAW system continually monitors temperatures to operate either the heat pump or the boiler for best overall efficiency. There is no requirement for additional DHW storage due to hot water being generated by the boiler alone. Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication & product management, comments: “Although many know us as the UK’s leading boiler manufacturer, we do in fact offer a full suite of heating and cooling technologies, including heat pumps and

hybrid solutions. As the country continues to look towards a greener future, we are pleased to introduce further sustainable products to give users more choice than ever on how they can heat their homes. “The 7001iAW air to water heat pump and the Hybrid 7000iAW will also be a welcome product for installers, who are able to increase their product offering to customers requiring more sophisticated, high-tech options at home.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/45

More panel designs for a perfect finish Specialist shower panel supplier Mermaid Panels has announced the introduction of 28 additional designs to its Elite collection of bathroom panels. Designed to offer an alternative to tiles, the Elite features a waterproof core and postformed edges, removing the need for trims or grouting. Easy to fix directly and securely to existing surfaces, including plaster and tiles, the shower panels offer a tongue and groove system to create a smooth, seamless watertight join. The new collection includes seven tile-inspired panel designs which align like tiles, but without the need for unsightly grouting. Available in three sizes, the Elite panels can be cut on site and are sold separately or as

New boiler range is hydrogen-ready

part of a two or three-sided kit which comes complete with adhesive and sealant. Keely Greenhalgh, national sales manager, comments: “For homeowners seeking a more coordinated or statement design, Elite panels can even be used to replace a bath panel

for a pop of pattern or accent of luxury. Each décor has been carefully designed, with the greatest attention to detail to ensure a realistic finish that emulates the look and feel of natural materials such as wood, marble and stone.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/46

Professional protection for external heat pump pipework The company behind Condensate Pro, the product designed to protect condensate pipes freezing in low temperatures, has launched ‘Primary Pro’, described as a simple and cost-effective way to protect external heating pipework. Designed to provide effective insulation and a professional finish, the Primary Pro range includes bespoke 28mm x 19mm UV-stable and weatherproof insulation and a ‘bond & seal’ sealant. The easy-to-cut insulation has been specially designed for mitring and bonding and fits

43.indd 1

Described as a ground-breaking solution in personal hygiene and comfort, the new In-Wash Nova is the latest shower toilet from Roca, available at a more accessible price point. Featuring an intuitive remote control, it provides adjustable water temperature and flow settings and also comes with a side panel to regulate the basic cleaning and drying functions. The integrated nozzle cleans itself before and after each use and the water flowing through it undergoes a filtering process that treats it before being used. The tip of the nozzle is removable, allowing a manual cleaning and disinfection in an easy and hygienic way. In-Wash Nova also features a presence sensor that blocks the cleaning and drying functions while the seat is free, avoiding its accidental activation. For convenience, the LED light in its side panel can be programmed to stay on for eight hours, to be a guide in the middle of the night. Installation simply requires a water outlet and a conventional power connection and options include both close-coupled and wall-hung variants. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/48

around valves and other fittings. “Primary Pro offers installers a quick, neat and cost-effective way to provide the very best insulation on external heating pipework, improving the aesthetics and protection performance over traditional lagging or plastic boxing,” explains installer and inventor Dave Smith. “Our products are ideal for use on the external pipework associated with air source heat pump installations. Insulating and sealing the pipework is so important to make sure every bit

of heat and energy is not wasted. “The beauty of it is that it is so simple to maintain throughout the life of the system by applying our water-based maintenance coat as and when needed,” adds Dave. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/47

Unica MAX is the name of a new hybrid enabled, hydrogen-ready gas condensing boiler from Vokèra by Riello. Available in a choice of combi and system models, the boiler features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel heat exchanger. Designed to accept 20% hydrogen, the new Unica MAX will adapt to burn the methanehydrogen blend if and when the local network makes the transition. The boilers have active combustion control (ACC) so they can adapt the air/gas mix according to the gas quality available. The boiler can also be linked with an air source heat pump, with the system automatically switching between them depending on which will deliver the most energy efficient heating at the time. At the heart of the new boiler is a colour LCD user interface. The full text menu-driven control enables both the installer and end user to quickly navigate through the boiler’s parameters and settings, including an optional embedded time clock to set on and off times. The display will also provide installers with full diagnostics for ease of service and maintenance. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/49

03/12/2021 14:25

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Product News

The future of pure hydrogen boilers is coming

USB charge points for the bathroom

Further details of Viessmann’s 100% H2-ready boiler programme have been revealed. These boilers are capable of operating using pure hydrogen as its fuel, and the first boilers will be installed in early 2023 as part of the SmartQuart hydrogen grid project in Kaisersech, Germany. The prototypes are currently running on the test beds in the research and development center at the company’s headquarters in Allendorf, Germany. They are based on condensing boilers for natural gas and have been adapted to the requirements for operation with pure hydrogen. The main modifications include, in particular, the adaptation of the burner and the new development of the combustion, flame monitoring and control system. The technical concept allows for a further boiler to be launched, possible to operate with natural gas, natural gas/hydrogen mixtures as well as with pure hydrogen, meaning boilers are ready for pure hydrogen in the future, and they can be operated as conventional gas boilers before the gas supply is changed over. For operation with the new fuel source, only the burner assembly needs to be replaced, for which a cost-effective retrofit kit is being developed for a quick and simple conversion by a specialist installer. After the prototype testing, the next phases are qualification, endurance testing and ultimately deployment of the new devices in actual heating systems. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/50

To meet the demand for charging points in the house, Knightsbridge has designed a shaver light with a concealed dual USB charger as well as an integral dual voltage shaver socket. Displaying elegant curves to complement modern bathroom tastes, the SL6USB LED Shaver Light is available in three ﬁnishes: chrome, white and matt black. Constructed from robust polycarbonate, this 230V 6W shaver light is easy to clean and produces a warm white light. It is also rated to IP20. It complements the company’s 230V LED shaver/ shelf light with a USB port and a single voltage shaver socket. The glass shelf can support loads

Seven functions in one bathroom fan The new Monsoon Energysaver IntelliSense i7 is a seven-in-one bathroom fan from National Ventilation that offers a variety of running options. With a choice of intermittent or continuous running, this ultraquiet smart unit runs quietly at low speed, at just 17dB(A). The fan also offers an intelligent humidity sensor, a useful overrun timer and presence sensor, an airing function to avoid stuffy odours in the bathroom, while also offering a high performance of up to 110m3/hr. Versatile enough to ventilate bathrooms, toilets and utility areas, the

Easy way to pick out the right tap aerator

of up to 2kg for the usual shaving paraphernalia, while the unit itself has a polished chrome finish and an opal diffuser. If no USB is required, Knightsbridge offers the SLIGHT2, a white polycarbonate LED shaver light with a dual voltage socket, covering all the essentials. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/51

new fan has six core ventilation modes including: three continuous ventilation modes, three intermittent modes, plus one heat mover mode that allows the fan to transfer surplus heat to an adjacent room. Suitable for installation in wet areas (IP44) such as WCs and bathrooms, the fan offers further installation flexibility since it is suitable for both wall or ceiling mounting. Robin Francis, managing director at National Ventilation, comments: “It also offers reduced energy consumption due to a low-voltage motor – using about a third less than conventional bathroom fans. Plus, the IntelliSense i7 is only manufactured with materials that have a low environmental impact. All in all, the IntelliSense i7 fan is the intelligent choice.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/ phamnews.co.uk/122/52

Electric heating options

Neoperl has introduced EasyMatch, an app that helps you identify the correct water saving aerators for the job at hand. All that is required is to open the app, remove the incumbent aerator and housing and answer a few questions about the removed aerator (like its diameter and patterning and air slots). The app will automatically determine a suitable range of models as a replacement. In special cases, the query may be forwarded to Neoperl experts to provide speedy feedback via text message. Changing the incumbent stream device or aerator is simple and takes just a few minutes. The new EasyMatch app is available for IOS from the Apple store and for android from the Google Play store, free of charge. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/53

Accessories add that finishing touch Featuring a minimalist, modern design, Roca’s Tempo collection of contemporary bathroom accessories includes robe hooks, soap dishes, toothbrush and tumbler holders, towel rails and racks, plus toilet roll holders. Offering both free standing and wall-mounted options, the collection is available in four finishes – rose gold, titanium black, brushed titanium black, and chrome. The black options – titanium black and brushed titanium black – are presented as bolder choices that can add style and sophistication to the room, while the rose gold coloured accessories are resistant to wear and tear thanks to anti-corrosive plating. Tempo’s single towel rails are available in three lengths - 300, 450 and 600mm – and there is also the option for a double version in the 400mm as well. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/54

44.indd 1

Specialist electrical goods supplier ElectricalDirect has added a number of new heating solutions to its range. The new additions include electric radiators, underfloor heating and portable heaters, all in stock and available for next-day delivery. Included in the new line-up are underfloor heating components from Heat Mat. The new stock spans everything from the Heat Mat NG Touch touchscreen thermostat, through to the Heat Mat electric underfloor heating mat. Several new electric radiators are also available, including the Rointe D Series electric radiator with Wi-Fi (pictured). Featuring smart technology, users can adjust radiators from anywhere, with the Rointe Connect LITE app. ElectricalDirect’s range also includes the easy-to-install Dimplex PLX200E 2.0kW electric panel heater with adaptive start controls and ‘open window detection’ to reduce energy wastage. The portable Jet Heat industrial electric fan heaters are designed to provide comfortable heat in storage rooms, construction sites, workshops, warehouses and more. These 3kW and 9kW heaters are ideal for smaller, poorly ventilated areas as the fans do not consume oxygen and are completely odourless. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/55

03/12/2021 14:45

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Product News Premium shower now in black An elegant black metal finish has been added to the premium Midas 220 mixer shower collection from Aqualisa. The Midas 220 in Black makes a bold, contemporary statement and satisfies the growing consumer demand for black bathroom products and accessories. The Midas 220 in Black series is equipped with a thermostatic brass body and brass handles, and each model complies with Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) criteria for quality. Three options are available in the new collection: a single outlet bar mixer shower with adjustable shower head; a dual outlet shower column mixer with 245mm drencher and adjustable head; and bath shower mixer with adjustable shower head. The single outlet option is a fully thermostatic valve with cool touch surface technology and offers a five-spray mode handset. The dual outlet version is a brass, wall-mounted exposed bar valve with cool touch surface technology

and includes an integrated diverter for a conventional adjustable handset shower, or an exhilarating overhead drencher shower from a generous 245mm fixed deluge head. The bath mixer option is a spacesaving choice that provides the combination of shower and bath fill for a flexible family bathroom

experience. The quality engineered, brass deck-mounted valve delivers excellent ﬂow rates to ﬁll the bath quickly, as well as ensuring a powerful and invigorating shower – all with the safety assurance of thermostatically-controlled temperature and cool touch surface technology. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/56

New look for the Specialist line-up of products To create a consistent look across the entire brand, WD-40 has redesigned its Specialist range to mirror the flagship product, WD-40 Multi-Use. The company’s research suggests this cohesive look meant professionals were 26% faster at finding the product they were searching for when browsing either online or in store. Each product’s new can is fitted

Win a Martindale Safe Isolation Kit

PHAM News and Martindale Electric have teamed up to give one lucky reader a free Martindale VIPDLOKPRO138-S Safe Isolation Kit It is important for any plumbing and heating engineer to make sure they are safe when working in or around electricity. The most comprehensive solution for safe isolation, the Martindale VIPDLOKPRO138-S lock out kit, contains the VI13800 voltage indicator, matching PD440S proving device, and LOKKITPRO, which contains a wide range of Martindale locking off devices, all supplied in two convenient soft carry cases.

SAFETY SIMPLIFIED

The kit simpliﬁes compliance with Health & Safety recommendations for safe working practices when maintaining or installing electrical plant and equipment. The VI13800 voltage indicator and matching PD440S proving unit are supplied in the TC71 combination carry case, keeping them together to ensure that the proving device is always at hand. with Spray-2-Ways technology, and a Smart Straw, enabling broad coverage for heavy duty use along with precision application for those hard-to-reach areas, minimising over-spray and waste.

Assist range offers more accessibility

45.indd 1

COMPETITION

The 360º valve allows the product to be conveniently used in any direction, even upside down, with no compromise on performance or results. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/57

The latest development in accessible showers and accessories from Mira is the Mira Assist range, designed to increase safe use for those with reduced mobility and limited dexterity, and offers developers ease of access solutions for housing developments. The range includes easy-to-grip assistive controls, as well as longer lever handles to ensure it is even easier to operate. The fast-fix kit includes fixings and templates to ensure installation is quick and more secure. Every Mira Assist mixer comes with patented CoolShield technology that has been tested and approved by WRAS, and is TMV2 compliant to ensure quality and safety over time. All of this comes alongside the Mira Nano-T Cartridge, which delivers precise thermostatic control. Continuing the theme of safety-first, the Mira Assist Bath Shower Mixer shares all the features of the shower variant with added thermostatic control and maximum temperature stop to make bathing safe for all users. The Mira Assist Bath Pillar Taps are said to offer ease of access while not compromising on quality or user experience. There is also a Basin Pillar Tap variant that can be installed both in the bathroom and in other basins around the home. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/122/58

Martindale recently launched its ‘ALIVE’ campaign, which provides the foundations of working with electricity, and the VIPDLOKPRO138-S is the best package to help ensure safe working practices. For more details visit the website:

martindale-electric.co.uk/5-steps-safe-isolation

HOW TO ENTER: One person will win the VIPDLOKPRO138-S lock out kit. For a chance to win, email your answer to the question below. The winner will be selected from a draw of all the correct answers received. Only one entry is allowed per person.

MARTINDALE Electric appears in the Product Spotlight feature in this issue of PHAM News. What page does it appear on?

(a) page 12 (b) page 32 (c) page 42

Email your answer to editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk with ‘MARTINDALE’ in the subject line and include the following:

* Your name * Your company’s name * Contact telephone number * Please type ‘YES’ or 'NO' after your answer to indicate if you are happy to receive email offers from MARTINDALE Please email your entry before the closing date of 17th January 2022

martindale-electric.co.uk

03/12/2021 14:53

46 PHAM INFO DECJAN22:Layout 1 03/12/2021 16:22 Page 46

PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Vans & Racking Less stress for drivers behind the wheel of an e-vehicle

The switch to electric is slow but steady As the ˛˙˜˙ deadline for the phase-out of new petrol and diesel vans approaches, the latest statistics from The Van Insurer show that van drivers are making a slow but steady switch to electric options. The insurance price comparison specialist analysed its quote data over a three-year period, from ˛˙˚ˢ to ˛˙˛˚ LYO TOPY_TʭPO L ^`M^_LY_TLW overall increase in electric van quotes of ˜˙˟%. The statistics also show a steady year-on-year rise in van drivers making the switch from petrol and diesel to electric models. The period between ˛˙˚ˢ and ˛˙˛˙ saw an increase of ˠ˚%, which nearly doubles to ˚˜ˡ% between ˛˙˛˙ and ˛˙˛˚. While the data looks promising, T_ ^`[[Z]_^ ]PNPY_ ʭYOTYR^ Q]ZX the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), highlighting

that more needs to be done if the industry is to hit its zero-emissions target. According to SMMT, e-vans accounted for just ˙̍˜% of commercial vans on the road in ˛˙˛˙, with petrol and diesel vans comprising ˜.˚% and ˢ˟̍˟% of the market, respectively. According to The Van Insurer, electric quotes comprised just ˙̍˚˞% of overall customer quotes in ˛˙˚ˢ, rising to just ˙̍˛˛% and ˙̍˞˚% over the subsequent two years. Ed Bevis, commercial and marketing manager at The Van Insurer, says: “We’re encouraged to see that our customers are taking heed of the encroaching

zero emissions target and making the switch from diesel and petrol to electric. However, L^ ]PʮPN_PO Md []PaTZ`^ ^PN_Z] LYLWd^T^ PWPN_]TʭNL_TZY ZQ _SP @6ɪ^ aLY ʮPP_ SL^ L WZYR bLd to go if the sector is to meet the government’s deadline. “The good news is that The Van Insurer can provide quotes for every van, regardless of make, age and model. We are looking forward to helping more drivers make the switch to electric and hope to see the stats continue to rise, albeit at a faster pace, as we head towards ˛˙˜˞.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˞ˢ

A new study by Fiat Professional has revealed the quieter driving cabin of an electric van makes drivers feel less stressed when compared to driving a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. The Van Delivery Stress Test, L ʭ]^_ ZQ T_^ VTYO ^_`Od TY aLY^ was commissioned to gain a greater understanding of the physiological and psychological impact on drivers when NZX[L]TYR _SP OTʬP]PY_ WPaPW^ of cabin noise in an electric and internal combustion engine light commercial vehicle. The trial focused on the noisiness of the cabin and its link to stress. Drivers’ biometric responses showed that Fiat’s E-Ducato was less stressful than its ICE counterpart. Overall, it found drivers produced ^TRYTʭNLY_Wd WZbP] WPaPW^ ZQ sweat, had a lower heart rate, and lower body temperature when compared to the ICE van. Acoustically, the diesel engine was ˚˙dB louder than the E-Ducato – nearly four times

the volume of the electric van – which is approximately the OTʬP]PYNP MP_bPPY ^ZXPZYP talking from ˚m away versus shouting from the same distance. The diesel van was also ˞˞% sharper than its EV twin. In _SP ʭPWO ZQ [^dNSZLNZ`^_TN^ sharpness and shrillness are commonly associated with how annoying a noise is considered, with there being a logical correlation between annoyance and stress. A common example of a sharp, shrill sound is the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Dr Duncan Williams, psychoacoustician, says: “We already know that noise on the roads is a real problem for people who L]PYɪ_ [L]_ ZQ _SP _]LʯN M`_ ʭYOTYR Z`_ SZb O]TaP]^ ]P^[ZYO behind the wheel is still very new territory. “The results clearly show, especially the readings taken from a smart watch, a strong correlation between the quietness of the E-Ducato and lower levels of stress in comparison to an ICE van.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˟˙

years of safety data is available for the remaining ˚˚˛ miles of ALR motorway introduced before ˛˙˛˙. In addition, the committee wants existing ALR motorways to MP ]P_]Zʭ__PO bT_S ]PQ`RP L]PL^ no more than one mile apart. The report states that dynamic hard shoulder motorways

‘apparently confuse drivers’ because the hard shoulder is opened at unpredictable times to XLYLRP _]LʯN 4Y^_PLO T_ ^Ld^ L more consistent approach, with the road open at set times, could clarify the situation for drivers while not completely removing the hard shoulder.

Hydrogen vans on the horizon More safety A hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is entering the LCV line-up from Vauxhall. The YPb ATaL]Z aL]TLY_ ZʬP]^ L ]LYRP of up to ˛˝ˢ miles and the same load capacity as its combustion and battery-electric models. Initially this new edition will be sold in left-hand-drive markets by German sister brand Opel and is set to make its UK debut in ˛˙˛˜. The Vivaro-e Hydrogen combines a ˝˞kW fuel cell with three ˠ˙˙bar hydrogen tanks and uses the same front-mounted ˚˜˝bhp electric motor as the Vivaro-e BEV. The ˚˙̍˞kW lithium ion battery can be charged via regenerative braking, and the plug-in NL[LMTWT_d ZʬP]^ _SP Z[[Z]_`YT_d

data needed for smart motorways

to recharge externally if necessary, providing ˜˚ miles of pure battery electric range. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˚˛˛̓˟˚

The rollout of smart motorways should be suspended until there is more safety data available, according to a report from MPs. In March ˛˙˛˙, the government said that new smart motorways should be all-lane running (ALR) – meaning the hard shoulder would be permanently in use by XZaTYR _]LʯN However, the House of Commons Transport Select Committee said this plan is ‘premature’ and recommends L [L`^P ZY _SP ]ZWWZ`_ `Y_TW ʭaP

Information Centre Snickers Workwear Climate Control - Baselayer Underwear

New Snickers Workwear Body-Mapping Pile Jacket

Dressing for the cold is like building a house – start with a good foundation. The Snickers Workwear Baselayer clothing for professional tradesmen and women uses high-tech breathable fabrics for ventilation and body moisture transport for sustainable warmth and comfort. The cutting-edge AllroundWork, FLEXIWork and LITEwork designs and fabrics will keep you warm and dry. Make sure you get the right protection, visibility, flexibility, durability and ventilation. Visit snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

Taking working comfort and layering systems to a whole new level. The Snickers Workwear climate control system includes functional base layers, insulating mid layers and weatherprotective outer layers. These technically advanced working clothes allow craftsmen and craftswomen to adjust to changing weather conditions on site so they’re always working e ectively – with maximum comfort and protection. Check out the website www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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Directory 47 Controls

Radiators

Recruitment

Instruments for control, regulation & protection

CALLING ALL ACS ACCREDITED GAS ENGINEERS PH Jones are ac vely recrui ng for both Permanent & Direct Contractor posi ons in Service & Repair, Installa on and Renewables See our advert on PAGE 13 for FULL details and how to apply! APPLY NOW & OUR TEAM WILL BE IN TOUCH! www.centrica.com/careers PH Jones

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Heating Controls Next Day Delivery Available on 100s of Controls Thermostats, Programmers, TRVs,Underfloor

The Copper King phamnews.co.uk/122/123

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Leak Detection Spray

Water Heaters

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Plumbpal Products

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