July/August 2021

JULY/AUGUST 2021 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 6

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JULY/AUGUST 2021 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 6

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dÖŶāŭŶ ŭāóŶŋũ ŭÖķāŭ ƩėŽũāŭ Öũā ťŋĢłŶĢłė Ģł ŶĞā ũĢėĞŶ ùĢũāóŶĢŋł dÖŶāŭŶ ƩėŽũāŭ ĕũŋĿ heating and plumbing merchants and an analysis of pay trends suggest that the industry is bouncing back strongly from the economic impact of Covid-˚ˢ lockdowns óóŋũùĢłė Ŷŋ ĕĢėŽũāŭ ũāķāÖŭāù ðƘ the Plumbing & Heating Merchant RłùāƗ ̛ NmṘ̜ ťķŽĿðĢłė Öłù heating product sales saw a dramatic increase in the first few months of ŶĞĢŭ ƘāÖũ̍ ¦Ğā ĕŋŽũ ĿŋłŶĞŭ ŋĕ `ÖłŽÖũƘ Ŷŋ ťũĢķ ˛˙˛˚ were ˛˟̍˚ͮ higher than in the same four months last year ̛ƒĢŶĞ ŋłā ķāŭŭ ŶũÖùĢłė ùÖƘ̜̇ ƒĞĢķā merchants sold almost three times Öŭ ĿŽóĞ ŶĞĢŭ ťũĢķ óŋĿťÖũāù Ŷŋ ťũĢķ ķÖŭŶ ƘāÖũ̍ The impact of the Covid pandemic casts a cloud over such comparisons,

but benchmarking ˛˙˛˚ against more normal trading conditions validates the strength of this year’s ŶũÖùĢłė̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞĢŭ ťũĢķ̪ŭ ŭÖķāŭ ˝̍˜% ĞĢėĞāũ ŶĞÖł Ģł ťũĢķ ˛˙˚ˢ̍ There are also reports of a significant rise in demand for ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ̍ ¦Ğā ķÖŶāŭŶ research from Toolstation in its Renovation Nation report reveals that ˚˚% of its customers have had new bathrooms fitted in the last ŶĞũāā ĿŋłŶĞŭ̍ The company says that it has seen

ŽũƑāƘ ŭĞŋƒŭ ŶĞā ĞĢùùāł ùÖĿÖėā ŋĕ ĞÖũù ƒÖŶāũ

water and the associated limescale build-up was having on household ÖťťķĢÖłóāŭ Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̍ ŭŭāŭŭĢłė ŶĞā ùÖĿÖėā ĞÖũù water can cause, they listed appliance failure as by far the ĿŋŭŶ ķĢĴāķƘ óŋłŭāŨŽāłóā ̛˝˟̜ͮ̇ with boiler failure also listed as a ũāėŽķÖũ ĢŭŭŽā ̛˛˟̜ͮ̍ ¦Ğā óŋŭŶ ŋĕ a hard water-related call out was ùāāĿāù ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ Ŷŋŋ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ˠ˝% of respondents anticipating that such a job would cost between £˚˙˙ and £˞˙˙̍ RŶ Ģŭ āŭŶĢĿÖŶāù ŶĞÖŶ ÖðŋŽŶ ĞÖķĕ ŋĕ ­b̵ ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ̵ ̛˚˜ ĿĢķķĢŋł̵̜ óŽũũāłŶķƘ ŭŽĕĕāũ ĕũŋĿ ĞÖũù ƒÖŶāũ̍ NŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ Ģł ŶĞāŭā

łāƒ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ ŭŽũƑāƘ ĞÖŭ ũāƑāÖķāù that nine out of ˚˙ plumbers view hard water as a threat to their óŽŭŶŋĿāũ̪ŭ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̍ !ŋłùŽóŶāù ðƘ ŶĞā !R N1 Ģł partnership with Harvey Water Softeners, the survey asked plumbers about the impact hard

Rising demand for the services of plumbing and heating engineers has also, not surprisingly, resulted in a rise in potential earnings for ŶũÖùā ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķŭ̍ óóŋũùĢłė Ŷŋ Hudson Contract’s latest analysis of pay trends in the construction sector, the cost of hiring a

plumbing contractor has risen by ˝̍˞% in a month, with average weekly earnings increasing to ͎ˢ˟ˠ ùŽũĢłė mÖƘ̍ RŶ Ģŭ ŶĞŋŽėĞŶ the a shortage of skilled labour has also played a part in the rise in āÖũłĢłėŭ̍ NŽùŭŋł !ŋłŶũÖóŶ m' RÖł łĕĢāķù explains: “We are starting to see the impact of people leaving the UK ahead of the EU Settlement Scheme deadline on June ˜˙ and łŋŶ ðāĢłė ũāťķÖóāù ðƘ ĢłóŋĿāũŭ̍ First and foremost, this is affecting London which has the highest concentration of foreign construction workers and the ĿŋŭŶ ŶũÖłŭĢāłŶ ķÖðŋŽũ ĿÖũĴāŶ̍ There is shedloads of construction work about and growing pressure on the availability of both labour Öłù ĿÖŶāũĢÖķŭ̧̍ Recent research by the Office for National Statistics shows that the employment rate in the UK construction sector fell from ˛̍˜ million in ˛˙˚ˠ to ˛̍˚ million at the āłù ŋĕ ķÖŭŶ ƘāÖũ̍

areas accumulate at least ˚̍˞mm of limescale build-up within their internal plumbing over a year, which can increase average fuel costs by ˛˗ͮ Öłù̵óÖŽŭā ðķŋóĴÖėāŭ in pipework and boilers, reducing ĞāÖŶĢłė āƧóĢāłóƘ̍ FĢƑāł ŶĞÖŶ ­b households spend on average £˚˛̍˜˙ a week on fuel, this means that households in hard water areas could be losing a combined total of £˛̍˜ ðĢķķĢŋł Ö ƘāÖũ̍ When asked about the advice they ƒŋŽķù ŋƦāũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ŋł Ğŋƒ Ŷŋ mitigate the impact of hard water, 66% of plumbing professionals said they recommend having boilers serviced annually, while

66% also recommend installing a water softener, which was deemed by ˢ˝% of respondents to be an āƦāóŶĢƑā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł̍ ̵bāƑĢł ÂāķķĿÖł̇ óĞĢāĕ āƗāóŽŶĢƑā ŋĕĕĢóāũ ÖŶ !R N1̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦zŽũ technical helpline receives calls from members on the subject of hard water issues affecting plumbing and heating systems Öķķ ƘāÖũ ũŋŽłù̍ !ŋĿĿŋł ĢŭŭŽāŭ range from shower valves to heat exchangers that have become ĕÖŽķŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā ĢĿťÖóŶ ŋĕ ĞÖũù ƒÖŶāũ on the consumer can be costly and disruptive, which is why using a ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ !R N1 ĿāĿðāũ óÖł Ğāķť ėāŶ ĢŶ ũĢėĞŶ ÖŶ ŨŽŋŶÖŶĢŋł̧̍

a huge rise in the sales of digital ŭĞŋƒāũŭ ̛Žť ðƘ ˚ˡ˛̜ͮ̇ ŭĞŋƒāũ ùŋŋũŭ ̛Žť ðƘ ˚ˡ˚̜ͮ Öłù ŭĞŋƒāũ ŶũÖƘŭ ̛˚˞˜̜ͮ óŋĿťÖũāù Ŷŋ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ťāũĢŋù ķÖŭŶ ƘāÖũ̍ Greg Richardson, head of marketing at Toolstation, óŋĿĿāłŶŭ̆ ̦ ŭ ƒā ĞāÖù ĢłŶŋ ŶĞā summer, we’ve seen demand surge for all types of bathroom products, from digital showers to taps, as customers look to create their ŽķŶĢĿÖŶā ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿ̍ āŭāÖũóĞ ĕũŋĿ our report also suggests that it’s a trend that will continue to grow as the nation looks to invest more disposable income on creating a ťāũĕāóŶ ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿ ŭťÖóā̧̍

In demand

Inside this issue Gadgets & Tools Clean up with a new pressure washer See page ˚ˠ

Vans & Racking Latest vehicles to get you moving See page ˝˙

COMPETITION

10 chances to win a Drayton Digistat!

See page ˝ˢ

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Inside this issue 5 JULY/AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 59 ISSUE 6

Editor’s Viewpoint

by Chris Jones

Installers in demand With the government seemingly determined to return the country to some kind of pre-Covid normality this summer, it seems that we should all have something to look forward to on top of some intermittent sunshine and a day or two by the seaside. The plumbing and heating industry may have fared better than many other sectors since the country first went into lockdown, but there’s no doubt that removing the last remaining shackles on the economy should only help to further encourage the current mini-boom in domestic refurbishment projects.

With their expertise in demand, most plumbing and heating engineers are in a strong position to ask for a little more for their services, reflected by an average rise in weekly earnings of 4.5% in May (see this month’s cover story). The laws of supply and demand naturally mean that a shortage of skills will lead to a rise in the cost of employing trained and qualified professionals, but that same simple equation could also dampen the prospect of delivering more profitable projects. Current concerns of material shortages have already resulted in significant price rises, meaning both extra costs for customers and potential delays on being able to get work booked-in and underway.

The combination of Covid-19 and Brexit, coupled with the current global boom in demand, have inevitably conspired to drive up the cost of essential materials, such as copper and stainless steel. For anyone looking to put together an estimate for a customer whose project may not be started for several weeks, there will have to be a bit of crystal ball gazing when it comes to calculating costs – and some customers may not be quite as flexible as the inflation rate It s a good time to be in the trade, but your business acumen and powers of persuasion are likely to be sorely tested over the coming months.

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Energy

The latest in the development of hydrogen boilers and other low carbon solutions

06 News Review 12 People on the Move

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17 Gadgets & Tools 18 Training Update 20 CIPHE Viewpoint

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Renewable Energy

Light Commercial Heating

How heat pumps can be used in commercial applications as part of a fully integrated system

ow a new IU design could help to save space in apartments and also speed up installation and servicing

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

6

News Review

Young people sceptical of green heating A new survey has found that young people are almost twice as likely as the older generation to doubt the environmental benefits of energy efficiency measures and green heating. Innovation foundation Nesta surveyed more than ˞˙˙˙ people and found that more than a third (˜ˠ%) of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds are “sceptical” about the benefits for the planet of making changes at home – compared to just ˛˛% of those aged ˞˞ and above.

They are also more likely to be put off by the perceived effort of researching things like low carbon heating systems, double glazing, and insulation, with ˝˚% not knowing where to start looking into energy efficiency measures (compared to ˛˜% of those in the ˞˞-plus age

category). Similarly, nearly half (˝˛%) of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds say it would be difficult to find the right

tradespeople to install a new energy efficiency measure, compared to around a quarter (˛ˠ%) of older people. However, those aged ˞˞ and over are more likely to have positive perceptions of gas as a fuel – with ˞ˡ% associating it with reliability compared to just a third of ˚ˡ to ˜˝-year-olds.

Madeleine Gabriel, a director at Nesta and one of the report authors, says: “Contrary to what many people might have assumed, it seems it’s younger people who will need the most support, guidance and education as the UK seeks to drastically cut household carbon emissions, which needs to happen if we’re to achieve net zero by ˛˙˞˙.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˚

Heat pump production Second term for CIPHE president

Responding to a growth in demand, Vaillant has announced plans to begin manufacturing heat pumps at its manufacturing facility in Belper, Derbyshire. From ˛˙˛˛, the capacity will be increased to include production of the company’s aroTHERM plus air to water heat pump.

Joe Dunn, plant director of Vaillant Industrial UK, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our existing team to develop our skill sets, ready for our product ùĢƑāũŭĢƩ óÖŶĢŋł̇ Öłù óũāÖŶā łāƒ ũŋķāŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ķŋóÖķ ÖũāÖ̍ As the demand for renewable heating technologies grows at an unprecedented rate in the UK, the Vaillant manufacturing facility will be well placed to meet the demands of the market.”

To support an increase of heat pump installers in the ­ḃ ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ ŋƦ āũŭ ƑŋóÖŶĢŋłÖķ óŋŽũŭāŭ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ product training, which can be undertaken online or in one of six Centres of Excellence and other partner training locations across the UK.

Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, Melville Gumbs EngTech MCIPHE RP (pictured) is set to lead the CIPHE as national president for a second year running. Dr Henry Hung EngTech HON FCIPHE RP will also continue his role as vice president.

In his speech at the close of the recent AGM, Mel praised the way manufacturers had made the switch to online learning and how the industry had been using social media to connect, discuss, showcase work and highlight bad practice.

As Mel enters his second Presidential year, he is ķŋŋĴĢłė ÖĞāÖù ÖŶ ƑÖũĢŋŽŭ ĢŭŭŽāŭ ÖƦ āóŶĢłė ŶĞā ŭāóŶŋũ̍ zĕ high priority is the road to net zero, which is raising various questions around roll-out, infrastructure, installer training, and the maintenance of existing gas boiler stock.

“Our industry is facing the prospect of a Green Revolution,” said Mel, speaking at the Institute’s virtual AGM. “The modern plumber is facing learning a lot of new skills just to keep working and the CIPHE’s role in helping to up-skill the industry will be pivotal.”

Caught for illegal gas work A gas installer has been fined at Manchester Magistrate’s Court after carrying out gas work when falsely claiming to be gas safe registered.

The court heard how Paul Chappells carried out gas work in October and November ˛˙˚ˡ at two properties in Hyde and Poynton, but did not hold the necessary registration to complete the work.

Nā ũāťķÖóāù Ö ėÖŭ Ʃ ũā Öłù óÖťťāù ŋƦ the supply at the property in Poynton and replaced a gas boiler at the property in Hyde. The work on the boiler was later found to be of a ťŋŋũ ŭŶÖłùÖũù Öłù ƒÖŭ ĢùāłŶĢƩ āù Öŭ

‘at risk’ by a Gas Safe Inspector.

The HSE found that the installer was not registered with Gas Safe at the time the work was undertaken at either property, despite advertising as Gas Safe registered on his social media account.

Paul Chappells of Withington, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation ˜̛ˠ̜̇ ˛˟̛˚̜ and two counts of regulation ˜(˜) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations ˚ˢˢˡ. He was sentenced to a community order of ˛˞˙ hours unpaid work of ˚ˡ months duration, ˚˞ rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay costs of ͎˚˙˙˙.

Animation to help provide the facts A new animation, available now to view on YouTube, has been created by Worcester Bosch to help installers who want to advise customers on their future domestic heating options. ‘The Future of Home Heating’ is a short, informative video for installers to present to customers, which takes a look at the facts behind some of the headlines.

Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, explains: “We are already hearing from installers and heating engineers that their customers are raising concerns about a natural gas boiler ban. Some are even replacing boilers that are still only halfway through their lifetime.

“We are committed to a sustainable future and we want to ensure that installers have the right information and guidance to inform their customers about domestic heating.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˛

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

8

News Review

Plumber’s idea attracts global interest óŋŶŶĢŭĞ ťķŽĿðāũ ŶŽũłāù ĢłƑāłŶŋũ Öłù āłŶũāťũāłāŽũ ĞÖŭ ŭāóŽũāù ŶĞā ðÖóĴĢłė ŋĕ ŭŋĿā ŋĕ ŶĞā ƒŋũķù̪ŭ ðĢėėāŭŶ āłāũėƘ ŭāóŶŋũ óŋĿťÖłĢāŭ Ŷŋ ùāƑāķŋť ĞĢŭ ťĢťā ũāťÖĢũ ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ĕŋũ ĢłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ ŋŭŭ 'ĢóĴĢłŭŋł̇ Ö ŭāķĕ̟āĿťķŋƘāù ťķŽĿðāũ ðÖŭāù Ģł ŶĞā óŋŶŶĢŭĞ ŋũùāũŭ̇ óũāÖŶāù ĞĢŭ ťĢťā ũāťÖĢũ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ ˚˝ ƘāÖũŭ Öėŋ̍ Rł ˛˙˙ˢ he set Žť bĢðŋŭĞ dŶù Öłù ťÖŶāłŶāù ŶĞā óķÖĿťŭ ŶĞÖŶ ťũŋƑĢùā Ö ŨŽĢóĴ ĕĢƗ ĕŋũ ùÖĿÖėāù ŋũ ķāÖĴĢłė ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ƒÖŶāũ ťĢťāŭ̍ ¦Ğā ŭŽóóāŭŭ ŋĕ ŶĞā ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ ŋł ŶĞā ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ŭĢùā ĞÖŭ ķāù Ŷŋ ėũŋƒĢłė ĢłŶāũāŭŶ ĕũŋĿ ĢłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ ŭāóŶŋũŭ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ėķŋðÖķ ťÖũŶłāũŭ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ¦ŋŶÖķ̇ NÖũðŋŽũ 1łāũėƘ̇ !pzz!

RłŶāũłÖŶĢŋłÖķ̇ Öłù NƘùũÖŶĢėĞŶ̍ ¦ŋ ĿāāŶ ŶĞÖŶ ùāĿÖłù̇ ŋŭŭ ĞÖŭ óũāÖŶāù Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĢłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ óķÖĿťŭ ƒĞĢóĞ Öũā łŋƒ āłŶāũĢłė ŶĞā ƩłÖķ ťĞÖŭā ŋĕ ũāŭāÖũóĞ Öłù ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ̇ ƒĢŶĞ Ʃāķù ŶũĢÖķŭ ùŽā Ŷŋ ŶÖĴā ťķÖóā Ģł ŶĞā pŋũŶĞ āÖ ŋƑāũ ŶĞā łāƗŶ ˚8 months. bĢðŋŭĞ ĞÖŭ ŭŋķù Ŀŋũā ŶĞÖł ˚˙˙̇˙˙˙ ùŋĿāŭŶĢó óķÖĿťŭ ŭŋ ĕÖũ̍ ŋŭŭ 'ĢóĴĢłŭŋł ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦RŶ̪ŭ ðāāł āƗóũŽóĢÖŶĢłėķƘ ùĢƧóŽķŶ Ŷŋ ėāŶ Ŷŋ ŶĞĢŭ ťŋĢłŶ̇ ðŽŶ ĢŶ̪ŭ ėũāÖŶ łŋƒ Ŷŋ ðā ƒŋũĴĢłė ƒĢŶĞ ŭŋĿā ŋĕ ŶĞā ðĢėėāŭŶ łÖĿāŭ Ģł ŶĞā āłāũėƘ ŭāóŶŋũ Ŷŋ ùāƑāķŋť bĢðŋŭĞ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ ĕŋũ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĢłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ̧̍

PLUMBERS IN THE NEWS

Installers can take their pick of either a Testo ˜˙˙ ƪŽā ėÖŭ ÖłÖķƘŭāũ kit or an Apple Watch Series 6 in ATAG Commercial’s new ťũŋĿŋŶĢŋł̇ ¦ÖũėāŶ ˜˙̍ DũŋĿ `ŽķƘ ŽłŶĢķ ŶĞā āłù ŋĕ ˛˙˛˚, installers will ðā ÖƒÖũùāù ťŋĢłŶŭ ĕŋũ āÖóĞ Çd̟Ḋ Çd̟ ŋũ āũĢāŭ ðŋĢķāũ ŶĞāƘ ũāėĢŭŶāũ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ̪ŭ ŭāũƑĢóā ùāťÖũŶĿāłŶ̍ ÂĢŶĞ ˜˙ points, installers can then claim a prize. !ŋĿĿāłŶĢłė ŋł ŶĞā ĢłĢŶĢÖŶĢƑā̇ Emiliano Gabrielli, MD at ATAG !ŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā ¦ÖũėāŶ ˜˙ ťũŋĿŋŶĢŋł Öķķŋƒŭ Žŭ Ŷŋ ŭŽťťŋũŶ ŋŽũ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ Öłù ũāƒÖũù ŶĞāĿ ĕŋũ ŶĞāĢũ ķŋƘÖķŶƘ̍ Âā̪ũā óŋłĕĢùāłŶ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ƒĢķķ ÖťťũāóĢÖŶā Öłù āłıŋƘ ŶĞā ũāƒÖũùŭ ŋł ŋƦāũ̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ŶĞā ũāķĢÖðĢķĢŶƘ Öłù āĕĕĢóĢāłóƘ ŋĕ ŶĞā ðŋĢķāũŭ ŶĞāĿŭāķƑāŭ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˜

Benchmark joins Toolbelt app ÖƗĢ ĞÖŭ ĢłŶāėũÖŶāù ŶĞā new Benchmark app with ĢŶŭ ¦ŋŋķðāķŶ Öťť̇ ŶĞā ùĢėĢŶÖķ ťķÖŶĕŋũĿ ŶĞÖŶ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ Žŭā ƒĞāł ŋł ŭĢŶā̍ ÖƗĢ Works installers will be able to access the Benchmark checklist ùĢėĢŶÖķķƘ̇ Öķŋłė ƒĢŶĞ FÖŭ Safe notifications, ƒÖũũÖłŶƘ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł Öłù ũāėĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł̇ Öłù ŋŶĞāũ ŋłŭĢŶā ŭŽťťŋũŶ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ̇ Öķķ Ģł ŋłā óŋłƑāłĢāłŶ ťķÖóā̍ āóāłŶķƘ ķÖŽłóĞāù̇ ŶĞā Benchmark app makes it Ũ Ž Ģ ó Ĵ ā ũ Ö ł ù ā Ö ŭ Ģ ā ũ Ŷ ŋ ũ ā ó ŋ ũ ù óŋĿĿĢŭŭĢŋłĢłė Öłù ŭāũƑĢóĢłė ùÖŶÖ ŶĞÖŶ ťũāƑĢŋŽŭķƘ ĞÖù Ŷŋ ðā Ʃķķāù Ģł ðƘ ĞÖłù̍  Рā ł ¦ ŋ ŋ ķ ð ā ķ Ŷ Ž ŭ ā ũ ŭ Ģ ł ť Ž Ŷ information into the Benchmark ĕāÖŶŽũā̇ ŶĞĢŭ ÖóŶŭ Öŭ Ö ̨ðŋĢķāũ ťÖŭŭťŋũŶ̪ ũāóŋũùĢłė ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̇ ŭāũƑĢóĢłė Öłù óŋĿĿĢŭŭĢŋłĢłė ùÖŶÖ Ģł ŋłā óāłŶũÖķĢŭāù

ťķÖŶĕŋũĿ̍ ­ŭĢłė ŶĞĢŭ Öťť̇ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ óÖł āÖŭĢķƘ Ĵāāť track of installations ó ŋ Ŀ ť ķ ā Ŷ ā ù Ŷ ŋ Ŷ Ğ ā āłóĞĿÖũĴ ŭŶÖłùÖũù̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ŋłāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŭŶĢķķ łāāù Ŷŋ ðā ùŋłā̍ 'ÖƑĢù !ŋŋĴ̇ ũāŭĢùāłŶĢÖķ ŭÖķāŭ ùĢũāóŶŋũ ÖŶ ÖƗĢ̇ óŋĿĿāłŶŭ̆ ̦ÂĢŶĞ Ö ķÖũėā ťũŋťŋũŶĢŋł ŋĕ ÖƗĢ ÂŋũĴŭ ĿāĿðāũŭ ÖķũāÖùƘ ÖóŶĢƑāķƘ ũāėĢŭŶāũĢłė ðŋĢķāũŭ ŽŭĢłė the Toolbelt App, the incorporation of the Benchmark Checklist will āłóŋŽũÖėā ŋŽũ ƑÖķŽāù ÖƗĢ ÂŋũĴŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ Ŷŋ ťũĢŋũĢŶĢŭā ŭÖĕāŶƘ Öłù ŨŽÖķĢŶƘ ðƘ ŶÖĴĢłė Ö ƒĞŋķā ķĢĕā ÖťťũŋÖóĞ Ŷŋ ðŋĢķāũ óÖũā̇ ƒĢŶĞ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł Öłù ŭāũƑĢóĢłė ĞĢŭŶŋũƘ ĕŋũ āłėĢłāāũŭ ũāÖùĢķƘ ÖóóāŭŭĢðķā ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā Öťţ̌̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˝

Trainee grants extended until next year ¦Ğā 1ùŽóÖŶĢŋł Öłù ĴĢķķŭ DŽłùĢłė ėāłóƘ ̛1 D ̜ ũāóāłŶķƘ ÖłłŋŽłóāù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ĢłóāłŶĢƑā ėũÖłŶ ŋĕ ͎˚˙˙˙ ĕŋũ āĿťķŋƘāũŭ who participate in the Traineeship ũŋėũÖĿĿā ĞÖŭ ðāāł āƗŶāłùāù ĕũŋĿ `ŽķƘ ˛˙˛˚ Ŷŋ `ŽķƘ ˛˙˛˛̍ pÖŶĢŋłÖķ ŶũÖĢłĢłė ťũŋƑĢùāũ `¦d Ģŭ āłóŋŽũÖėĢłė āĿťķŋƘāũŭ Ŷŋ ŶÖĴā ÖùƑÖłŶÖėā ŋĕ ŶĞĢŭ ŋťťŋũŶŽłĢŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā ėũÖłŶ óÖł ðā óķÖĢĿāù ĕŋũ Traineeship work placements with a ŭŶÖũŶ Öłù óŋĿťķāŶĢŋł ùÖŶā ðāŶƒāāł ˚ September ˛˙˛˙ Öłù ˜˚ `ŽķƘ ˛˙˛˛̇ Öłù Öł āĿťķŋƘāũ óÖł óķÖĢĿ ŶĞā ėũÖłŶ ĕŋũ Žť Ŷŋ ˚˙ ŶũÖĢłāāŭ ŶĞāƘ ŶÖĴā ŋł̍ `¦d ¦ũÖĢłāāŭĞĢť Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ŷŋ ƘŋŽłė ťāŋťķā Öėāù ˚˟ to ˚ˡ̍ ¦Ğā ťũŋėũÖĿĿā ÖĢĿŭ Ŷŋ ùāƑāķŋť āĿťķŋƘÖðĢķĢŶƘ ŭĴĢķķŭ̇ ÖķŋłėŭĢùā

ÖùùĢŶĢŋłÖķ 1łėķĢŭĞ̇ ĿÖŶĞŭ Öłù ùĢėĢŶÖķ ŭĴĢķķŭ̇ óŋĿðĢłāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö ƒŋũĴ ťķÖóāĿāłŶ ķÖŭŶĢłė Ö ĿĢłĢĿŽĿ ŋĕ ˠ˙ ĞŋŽũŭ̍ `¦d óŽũũāłŶķƘ ùāķĢƑāũŭ ĢŶŭ ¦ũÖĢłāāŭĞĢť ťũŋėũÖĿĿā Ģł dŋłùŋł̇ bāłŶ̇ pŋŶŶĢłėĞÖĿ̇ zƗĕŋũù Öłù ĢũĿĢłėĞÖĿ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ťķÖłŭ Ŷŋ āƗťÖłù ŶĞĢŭ ŋƑāũ ŶĞā łāƗŶ ˚˛ months. For more information or to make Öł āłŨŽĢũƘ̇ Žŭā ŶĞā ũāÖùāũķĢłĴ ðāķŋƒ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˞

ͻ !ŋŽłŶƘ 'ŽũĞÖĿ ťķŽĿðāũ 'ÖƑĢù ŋŽŶķāùėā ƒÖŭ ķāĕŶ ƒĢŶĞ ̨ÖðŭŋķŽŶāķƘ łŋŶĞĢłė̪ ÖĕŶāũ ŶĞĢāƑāŭ ŭŶŋķā ŶĞŋŽŭÖłùŭ ŋĕ ťŋŽłùŭ ƒŋũŶĞ ŋĕ Ŷŋŋķŭ ĕũŋĿ ĞĢŭ ƑÖł ÖŶ Ö pŽłāÖŶŋł ĞŋŶāķ̇ ƒĞāũā Ğā ƒÖŭ ŭŶÖƘĢłė ƒĞĢķā ƒŋũĴĢłė ŋł Ö ŭĢŶā Ģł FÖķķāƘ !ŋĿĿŋł̍ ¦Ğā ŶĞĢāƑāŭ Öķŭŋ ŶŋŋĴ Ö DÖŶĞāũ̪ŭ 'ÖƘ ėĢĕŶ ĕũŋĿ ĞĢŭ óĞĢķùũāł̍ 'ÖƑĢù ŭÖƘŭ ŶĞā theft has left him worse off ŶĞÖł ùŽũĢłė ŶĞā ťÖłùāĿĢó̇ Öłù Ğā ĞÖŭ ũāťŋũŶāù ŶĞā ŶĞāĕŶ Öłù ùÖĿÖėā Ŷŋ ĞĢŭ ƑÖł Ŷŋ Warwickshire Police. ͻ A couple has been jailed after a spree of burglaries committed while pretending to be plumbers carrying out essential work in the homes of elderly people. William Smith and Keira Baugh were caught when Keira left a tissue behind in one of the victim’s homes Öłù ŋƧóĢÖķŭ ƒāũā Öðķā Ŷŋ ėāŶ Ö DNA match on it. ͻ ķÖł mÖóũŋł ŋĕ Fũāāł Öłù āķĢÖðķā NāÖŶĢłė ĿÖùā ķŋóÖķ ĞāÖùķĢłāŭ Ģł ÈŋũĴ ðƘ ðāóŋĿĢłė ŋłā ŋĕ ŶĞā ĕĢũŭŶ ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ ŋƒłāũŭ Ģł ŶĞā ­b Ŷŋ ŶŽũł ĞĢŭ ƒŋũĴ ƑāĞĢóķā ĢłŶŋ Ö ̨ƑāėāŶÖũĢÖł ƑÖł̪̍ ¦Ğā ŋĢķ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭťāóĢÖķĢŭŶ óŋłƑāũŶāù ĞĢŭ Á ƑÖł Ŷŋ ƒŋũĴ ŋĕĕ ĞƘùũŋŶũāÖŶāù ƑāėāŶÖðķā ŋĢķ ̛NÁż̜ Ö ĕŽāķ óŽũũāłŶķƘ ðāĢłė ŶũĢÖķķāù ĕŋũ ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ĞāÖŶ ťũŋùŽóŶĢŋł̍ ķÖł Ģŭ łŋƒ ťÖũŶ ŋĕ Ö ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ŶũĢÖķ ŽŭĢłė ŶĞā ĕŽāķ Ŷŋ ťũŋƑĢùā ĞāÖŶ Ģł ĞĢŭ ŋƒł ĞŋĿā̍ ͻ StokeOnTrentLive has featured the vocal stylings of plumber Nick Emery, who has gone viral with a video of him singing with joy that roadworks have been removed from Joiners Square roundabout, which he faced on ŶũĢťŭ Ŷŋ ĞĢŭ ŭŽťťķĢāũŭ̇ óũāƒƩƗ and Toolstation. ‘There are no more lights on Vicky Road’ – sung to the tune of ‘She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain’ – has now amassed more than ˚˚̇˙˙˙ views on Facebook. ͻ ũŋÖùŭŶÖĢũŭ ťķŽĿðāũ ķāƗ māÖù ĞÖŭ ĕŋŽłù Ö łŋƑāķ ƒÖƘ Ŷŋ ŶũÖƑāķ Ŷŋ ƒŋũĴ̍ ¦Ğā ˛˚̟ƘāÖũ̟ ŋķù Ģŭ óŽũũāłŶķƘ ƒŋũĴĢłė ŋł Ö ŭāÖĕũŋłŶ ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ Ģł łāÖũðƘ ÖĿŭėÖŶā Öłù Ğŋťŭ ŋł Ö ťÖùùķāðŋÖũù āÖóĞ ĿŋũłĢłė̍ ̦R óŋŽķù ŨŽĢŶā āÖŭĢķƘ ėāŶ Ö óÖũ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ŭĢŶā̇ ðŽŶ ùāóĢùāù Ŷŋ óŋĿĿŽŶā ðƘ ťÖùùķāðŋÖũù ĕũŋĿ ũŋÖùŭŶÖĢũŭ Ŷŋ ÖĿŭėÖŶā ðāÖóĞ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ıŽŭŶ Ö ĕāƒ ƘÖũùŭ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ̧̇ ķāƗ Ŷŋķù ¦Ğā Rŭķā ŋĕ ¦ĞÖłāŶ pāƒŭ̍ ̦R ėāŶ Ŷŋ ŶÖĴā Ģł ŶĞā ðāÖŽŶĢĕŽķ óŋÖŭŶķĢłā Öłù āƑāł ĞÖƑā Ö ùĢť ðāĕŋũā R ŭŶÖũŶ ĿƘ ùÖƘ̧̍

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

10

News Review

Burnley apprentice wins training title

OBITUARY: Andy Watts MBE

dāƑāķ ˛ ťķŽĿðĢłė ÖťťũāłŶĢóā ¦ŋĿ Öóā ĞÖŭ ðāāł óũŋƒłāù NR dāÖũłāũ ŋĕ ŶĞā ÈāÖũ ĕŋķķŋƒĢłė Ö ķĢƑā ŭĢƗ-hour practical ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł ŶĞÖŶ ŭĞŋƒóÖŭāù ĞĢŭ ŭĴĢķķŭ̍ 'Žā Ŷŋ ŭŶÖũŶ ĞĢŭ dāƑāķ ˜ plumbing diploma in September, Tom attends Burnley College in Lancashire one day a week and is an apprentice with Pinnacle ķŽĿðĢłė ͽ FÖŭ āũƑĢóāŭ̍ !ŋĿĿāłŶĢłė ŋł ŶĞā ƒĢł̇ ¦ŋĿ ŭÖĢù̆ ̦R ùĢùł̪Ŷ āƗťāóŶ Ŷŋ ėāŶ Ŷŋ ŶĞā Ʃ łÖķŭ ķāŶ Öķŋłā ƒĢł ĢŶ̇ ŭŋ ĢŶ ĿāÖłŭ Ö ķŋŶ̍ R̪Ŀ ũāÖķķƘ ťũŋŽù̇ Öłù ĿƘ ðŋŭŭ Ģŭ ũāÖķķƘ ťũŋŽù ŋĕ Ŀā̇ ĢŶ̪ŭ ıŽŭŶ ÖĿÖơĢłė Ŷŋ ƒĢł̧̉ ŭ ƒĢłłāũ ŋĕ ŶĞā óŋĿťāŶĢŶĢŋł̇ ¦ŋĿ ũāóāĢƑāŭ ŶĞŋŽŭÖłùŭ ŋĕ pounds worth of prizes, including a cash prize of £˚˙˙˙ and an installer pack from platinum sponsor Fernox, and a boiler from Worcester Bosch, among other prizes donated by the competition sponsors. Žłłāũ-Žť ƒÖŭ `ŋā FŽððĢłŭ ĕũŋĿ āŶũŋó !ŋķķāėā ÖũłŭŶÖťķā ƒĞŋ ũāóāĢƑāù ͎˞˙˙ and an installer pack from Fernox.

Integrated website ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ķÖŽłóĞ ŋĕ ĢŶŭ łāƒ ƒāðŭĢŶā̇ zD¦1! Ģŭ ŋƦ āũĢłė Žŭāũŭ Ö Ŀŋũā ĢłŶāėũÖŶāù āƗťāũĢāłóā ƒĢŶĞ Öł ŋłķĢłā ťŋũŶÖķ ťũŋƑĢùĢłė Öóóāŭŭ Ŷŋ Öķķ ŭāũƑĢóāŭ Öłù ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł ƑĢÖ ŋłā óāłŶũÖķ ĞŽð̍ ¦Ğā upgraded site merges the former joinoftec.com, oftecdirect. com, oftec.org and ofteconline.com, and includes all the ĕŽłóŶĢŋłŭ ťũāƑĢŋŽŭķƘ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā̇ ƒĢŶĞ Ö ĕāƒ łāƒ ÖùùĢŶĢŋłŭ̍ āėĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł ŭāũƑĢóāŭ ùĢũāóŶŋũ ùũĢÖł dĢėĞŶƒŋŋù ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā launch of the new site and portal is a major step forward in our ťķÖłŭ Ŷŋ ĢłóũāÖŭā ŶĞā ŋłķĢłā ŭāũƑĢóāŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ŷŋ ŋŽũ ũāėĢŭŶāũāù ŶāóĞłĢóĢÖłŭ Öłù ŶĞā óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ŶĞāƘ ŭāũƑā̍ Âā Ğŋťā ŶĞā łāƒ ŭĢŶā ƒĢķķ Ğāķť ũāùŽóā ŶāóĞłĢóĢÖłŭ̪ ÖùĿĢłĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł ŶĢĿā Öłù ťũŋƑĢùā Ö Ŀŋũā āƧ óĢāłŶ̇ āƦ āóŶĢƑā āƗťāũĢāłóā ĕŋũ Öķķ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙˟

The CIPHE has announced the sad passing of its former CEO, łùƘ ÂÖŶŶŭ̍ ķĢƑāũƘĿÖł ŋĕ ŶĞā Worshipful Company of Plumbers and a respected stalwart of the plumbing and heating industry, he died at the age of ˠ˟ after āƗťāũĢāłóĢłė ŭāƑāũā ũāŭťĢũÖŶŋũƘ ùĢƧ óŽķŶĢāŭ̍ Leading the Institute for some ˜˞ years, Andy was a great ambassador for the plumbing industry and was honoured by the Žāāł ƒĢŶĞ Öł m 1 ĕŋũ ŭāũƑĢóāŭ Ŷŋ the sector in ˚ˢˢ˝.

A consummate communicator, Andy was instrumental in the creation of the World Plumbing !ŋŽłóĢķ Öłù Ğāķù ŶĞā ŋƧ óā ŋĕ Â !

Secretary from ˚ˢˢ˟ to ˛˙˙ˡ. The  ! 1ƗāóŽŶĢƑā ŋÖũù ðāŭŶŋƒāù ĢŶŭ highest honour, the Distinguished āũƑĢóā ƒÖũù̇ Žťŋł łùƘ Ģł ˛˙˚˚. łùƘ ƒÖŭ Ö ùũĢƑĢłė ĕŋũóā ðāĞĢłù the WPC forging a close working relationship with the World Health Organisation.

Passing on his condolences, ó Ž ũ ũ ā ł Ŷ ! R N 1 ! 1 z b ā Ƒ Ģ ł ÂāķķĿÖł ŭÖĢù̆ ̦R ƒĢķķ ðā ĕŋũāƑāũ grateful to Andy for all the support and encouragement he

ėÖƑā Ŷŋ Ŀā Öłù āŭťāóĢÖķķƘ ƒĢŶĞ my ‘apprenticeship’ during my early years at the Institute. He worked tirelessly to promote standards in the public interest and in the ongoing campaign to ŭāā ũāėĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł ĕŋũ ŶĞŋŭā ĢłƑŋķƑāù in the plumbing and heating industry. The outpouring of grief across the world reflects the impact that Andy made globally Öłù ũāÖƧ ũĿŭ ŶĞÖŶ Ğā ƒĢķķ łāƑāũ ðā ĕŋũėŋŶŶāł̧̍

Marking a ˚˙˙ year milestone This year sees Mira Showers mark its ˚˙˙th birthday and to thank installers for their continued loyalty and support, ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ Ģŭ ŋĕĕāũĢłė āƗóķŽŭĢƑā rewards, training, and support through ĢŶŭ RłŭŶÖķķāũ z ŭóĞāĿā̍ ¦Ğā ĕũāā Ŷŋ ıŋĢł programme is designed for independent ŶũÖùā ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķŭ Öłù ŋƦ āũŭ ťũĢŋũĢŶƘ technical support, training and business ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ Ŷŋŋķŭ ̞ ťķŽŭ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ merchandise, installer kit, and retail ƑŋŽóĞāũ ũāƒÖũùŭ̍ ¦Ğā āƗóķŽŭĢƑā ũāƒÖũùŭ ťũŋėũÖĿĿā lets members earn points simply by uploading details of their installations Ŷŋ ŶĞā RłŭŶÖķķāũ z ƒāðŭĢŶā ĕũŋĿ Öóũŋŭŭ

a selected range of products. This includes its full digital range, with the eligible product list being expanded all the time.

Also in honour of its centenary, Mira has set a target of raising £˚˙˙̇˙˙˙ for its ˛˙˛˚ óĞÖũĢŶƘ ťÖũŶłāũ̇ Žā Ƙùāũ̍ Based in Cheltenham since ˚ˢ˜ˠ, the shower manufacturer introduced the Ʃ ũŭŶ ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶĢó ŭĞŋƒāũ ƑÖķƑā Ģł ˚ˢ˞ˢ and was purchased by Kohler, the Amercian bathroom company, in ˛˙˙˚.

The company introduced the Mira Flight shower tray in ˛˙˙˝ Öłù ĢłƑāŭŶāù in a new state-of-the-art shower tray manufacturing facilitiy in Hull in ˛˙˚˛.

Promotions will deliver rewards Members of Worcester Bosch’s Excelerate ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ ķŋƘÖķŶƘ ŭóĞāĿā óÖł ðāłāƩ Ŷ ĕũŋĿ two new promotions. ¦Ğā Ʃ ũŭŶ ťũŋĿŋŶĢŋł ĕŋũ ŶĞā FũāāłŭŶÖũ Ģ boiler runs until ˜˚st August ˛˙˛˚.

Installers need to purchase, install and ũāėĢŭŶāũ āÖóĞ FũāāłŭŶÖũ Ģ ðŋĢķāũ ƑĢÖ Worcester’s online Excelerate portal and set up a Worcester Bosch promotion account to start enjoying the rewards, which includes gift cards with access to up to ˢ˙ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ũāŶÖĢķāũŭ̍ Meanwhile, the ‘Fit ˟’ promotion enables Excelerate members to claim cash back based on the amount of additional boilers they purchase and install within the promotional period of ˚st July and ˜˙ŶĞ pŋƑāĿðāũ̍ Rł ŋũùāũ Ŷŋ óķÖĢĿ óÖŭĞ back, installers must register each purchase through their Excelerate account and must install either three or six boilers to qualify for the promotional

ŋƦ āũ̍ ¦Ğā óÖŭĞðÖóĴ ŋƦ āũŭ ĢłóķŽùā̆ ͎˚˞˙ cashback onto a Worcester Bosch branded Mastercard after three boilers; and ͎˛˞˙ cashback onto a Mastercard for six additional boilers. pĢóŋķÖ DĢŭĞāũ̇ ĿÖłÖėāũ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦Âā hope to see many installers across the UK ŶÖĴĢłė ĕŽķķ ÖùƑÖłŶÖėā ŋĕ ŶĞā óÖŭĞðÖóĴ ŋťťŋũŶŽłĢŶĢāŭ ŋł ŋƦ āũ̧̉ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙ˠ

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News Review 11 Plumber’s app makes product delivery a snap A former plumber has created an app designed to make getting parts and spares quick and easy, with delivery to site in less than an hour.

Viktor Muhhin, founder of the new Snap-It app, says the on-demand delivery service will help installers improve efficiency and increase productivity.

By partnering with wholesalers and independent stores across London, the app gives users access to over ˞˙ suppliers and ˟˙̇˙˙˙ plumbing and heating products. According to Viktor Muhhin, this means installers have a better chance of ĕŽķƩķķĢłė ŶĞāĢũ ŋũùāũ ŶĞÖł ÖŶ Ö ðũĢóĴŭ Öłù ĿŋũŶÖũ ũāŶÖĢķāũ̇ with delivery said to occur within ˜˙ to ˝˙ minutes. The app currently operates within the M˛˞, but there are plans to expand to other key cities across the UK. “Snap-It delivers materials to tradespeople on-demand, allowing them to complete more jobs and increase annual earnings, whilst generating incremental revenue for partnered retailers,” explains Viktor. “Most ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶķƘ̇ ŶĞā āłù óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ĞÖƑā ŶĞāĢũ ũāťÖĢũŭ ƩƗāù there and then!” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙ˡ

Navien Choice is the name of a new trade customer loyalty scheme open to gas and oil boiler installers.

The points-based scheme offers a range of awards, from wireless speakers and pizza ovens, through to PlayStation ˞ consoles, iPhones, and holiday vouchers.

Points are accrued for every NCB-CE combi, NCB-CE system and d! ˠ˙˙ Blue Flame oil boiler installers register. Points can then either be ‘banked’ or redeemed for instant rewards, with participants able to claim a Sony wireless speaker after registering just one NCB combi gas boiler.

Installers simply need to register their boilers as usual, via the Navien Installer app, by scanning the barcode on the product’s serial label.

Carbon monoxide charity’s new name UK safety charity, The Gas Safety Trust, has changed its name to The CO Research Trust to better reflect the nature of the work it carries out.

Speaking as the organisation’s new chair of the board of trustees, Baroness Finlay comments: “Our vision is a world where people are not exposed to carbon monoxide, the effects of which can be devastating. We fight CO exposure through funding scientific research as we believe that this will make the greatest difference. The new name more accurately conveys the focus of our work.”

Alongside the name change, the Trust has launched a new website to provide a showcase for all the projects which have been funded by the charity to date, and the research, reports, and workshops that are currently in progress. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˙ˢ

Call to use water labels to educate users In the wake of the climate commitments made by Gˠ leaders at the Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) is calling for the bathroom industry to support its Water Matters message. The Association believes the bathroom industry has an important role to play in helping people reduce their carbon emissions by using water wisely.

UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says: “It was great to see that climate change was a major focus at the Summit. The world leaders present committed to cut emissions and pledged to meet net zero

emissions by ˛˙˞˙.

“We know that when we heat water in our homes, it has an ĢĿťÖóŶ ŋł āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ Öłù our carbon footprint. Over 6˙% of water used in the domestic environment is used in the bathroom, and ˛˞% of energy used in the home is associated with heating hot water, with ˚8% of UK carbon emissions emanating from the home.

“If as an industry we promote the use of products ŶĞÖŶ óÖũũƘ ŶĞā ­łĢƩāù ÂÖŶāũ dÖðāķ̇ óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ óÖł then make an informed choice about the bathroom products they select for their homes.”

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

NEW APPOINTMENTS

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

People on the Move The Baxi Assure sales team has been strengthened with the addition of two new specification managers. David Lucas (pictured), covering the North, and Matthew Swatridge, in the South, will act as a single point of contact to assist new build developers, social landlords and contractors to access the complete suite of Baxi Assure products and services.

Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has appointed Asa Finnigan as its new national contract sales director. In his new role, Asa will use his 2 years of experience to oversee the contract sales team and support Graham’s current and new business opportunities within the new build, social housing and commercial sectors.

The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers has appointed Oliver Lancaster as its new CEO. Oliver joins the institution from Wales & West Utilities, where he has worked since 2009, most recently as net zero relationship manager. He is a fellow of IGEM and an engineering technician member of the institution.

Trade association OFTEC has announced three new appointments to its technical and inspection teams. Kevin Steadman (pictured) joins as lead technical o cer while John Vinter joins as inspection services manager. In a third appointment, OFTEC has welcomed Andrew Borland as a regional inspector for Scotland.

The new sales director at INTU Your Home is Lee Miles, whose job it will be to develop the INTU brand and strengthen its relationship with the trade while amplifying the consumer side. Lee has a wealth of experience in the industry, having started out at Armitage Shanks over 30 years ago.

Esi Controls, now part of the Swedish based AddTech Group, has appointed Ryan Green to the role of national sales manager. Ryan has been with the company since 2016 and will be looking to continue the growth of ESi’s heating controls business with the support of former sales director Tristan James who was recently promoted to MD.

ONLINE For further information about any of the stories featured in this issue, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/721/ followed by the relevant enquiry number

12 (Horror/People) copy.indd 1

Ed Norris has been named national sales and development manager for Mereway Bathrooms. Ed will take responsibility for customer service, sales development and product innovation, with a specific remit for driving growth in sales. Most recently he was employed by the law firm, Eversheds Sutherland.

The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) has named Chris Yates as its new chief executive. He will take over in early September from Russell Beattie, who had delayed his original departure date due to the COVID situation. Chris has extensive experience in the low carbon and renewable heating and ventilation sector.

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14

Your Views

The Tweet Spot ...

Recent tweets that caught our attention Follow us on Twitter @PHAMnews

This month’s £100 letter

Telling the truth about renewables I write with reference to an item I read on a recent PHAM e-newsletter headed ‘EUA report predicts low carbon backlash’.

We are a small renewable energy company who install heat pumps, battery storage and solar P systems. We also provide R and occasionally solar thermal systems. We have been operating for 11 years and have seen the development of heat pump heating systems.

We set our company up to help with de-carbonisation, so do not consider ourselves to be traditional heating engineers or electricians rather, we use those skills and technologies to find solutions to help decarbonise.

I have noticed recently that the UA, a lobbying operation for the gas boiler manufacturers and energy supply companies who desperately want to keep selling gas for as long as possible, is starting to get more and more coverage in trade publications and the wider press. The danger of articles like this is that they cleverly attempt to appear as independent and impartial, while choosing questions for their surveys that give the answers they want to use to propagate a particular message. ne survey question highlighted in the report asks people if they would support the development of low carbon gas boilers that can easily be swapped for an existing boiler, but they might just as well have asked would you support a really cheap way of dealing with climate change that doesn t inconvenience you . It s too simplistic and I am only really surprised that 11% of people saw through it and said no or that 1 % were unsure.

I suspect if the same people were asked would you support attempts to develop heat pump heating solutions that have the potential to be 100 carbon neutral and can easily be swapped with your boiler , the answer would be the same or probably better.

I could go on, but please can your editorial team

Controls gobbledygook Regarding David Newton’s letter in June’s PHAM News about smart controls: ‘Simplicity is the missing element in heating controls’.

I agree 100 . When wireless controls first came on the market, I booked a course to learn how they worked.

Unfortunately, it was cancelled and moved to a new venue.

I then booked again, only to be told that once again it was moving to a new venue. After the third cancellation, they returned my fee. I then asked, why all the cancellations I was informed that it was due to lack of numbers, but how would installers know about the course if the company had not advertised it As a result, I kept clear of wireless controls – after all, if things go wrong, who is the customer going to phone Fast forward in time last year I fitted some radiators and two months later I got a complaint from the customer saying that they were not heating all over. A quick check traced the fault to a wireless thermostat programmer.

As this customer had a contract in place with an energy supplier, they contacted them. An engineer arrived who poked a few buttons and then disappeared. Another engineer then arrived, blamed the system and tried to sell them a different system, after which the same problem arose again. Following a further call, another engineer arrived who finally changed the thermostat programmer.

While this was all going on I contacted the manufacturer

14.indd 1

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

bear in mind that information from the UA is not unbiased and, while I appreciate that you aren t an investigative news publication, all of our children s futures depend on the right messages getting out to the wider installation population so that renewables can develop as everyone agrees they must. The UA is looking to exaggerate the challenges associated with finding low carbon solutions (which keeping as much gas oil as possible for as long as possible is not). I am reminded of the latter days of smoking advertising and expect to see more of this deathrattle activity from the fossil fuel vendors using apparently impartial entities to push an agenda of fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Whether the established industry likes it or not, we simply have to embrace more renewable technology over the next five years. We absolutely all understand the affordability gap between sticking in a replacement combi boiler compared to a heat pump, but with a government-declared climate emergency we all need to be moving towards being on a warfooting to deal with the challenges.

Government subsidy will, I am sure, be required to bridge the gap, but we need to be finding solutions, not trying to create reasons to stay with the status quo or maintain it as long as possible.

Although I suspect the UA will disagree, I do think it is the role of a properly advised government to guide us as a country to do what must be done for the greater good even if it is unpopular to some of our population. ot everyone is going to be happy moving to electric vehicles either, but it has to happen so we might as well stop moaning and find solutions. f course most people will say if asked that they would prefer not to pay more for their heating system compared to paying more but that isn t the real comparison. aybe try asking people if they would pay a bit more rather than see catastrophic climate change effects on their grandchildren.

The wording of surveys and reports like this matters.

Mike Stephenson H2-ecO Limited, Poole

and requested technical information on the thermostat programmer, only to be sent four pages of gobbledygook.

Could it be I was not talking the controls language I then wrote a rude reply and finally received the information I had requested before The customer then purchased a new set of wireless controls and did not understand the booklet sent with them. I used my copy to help out. eedless to say, I will not buy this company s controls.

If manufacturers want their products sold, what is stopping them from setting up a network of trained installers RS Watt Aberdeen

Let us know what you think...

The editor welcomes letters from readers on all aspects of the industry.

Letters can be sent by email or post but must have a return name, plus your phone number and return address (not for publication).

Please address your letters to: The Editor, PHAM News 1b Station Square, Flitwick, Beds MK45 1DP or email to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

05/07/2021 11:35

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ķÖłłĢłė ĕŋũ ŶĞā DŽŶŽũā

The smart way to heat our homes Continuing his regular column, Neil Hope from NIBE Energy ƘŭŶāĿŭ ķŋŋĴŭ ÖŶ ŶĞā ťŋŶāłŶĢÖķ ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ óŋĿðĢłĢłė ĞāÖŶ pumps with smart accessories and solar PV.

W

e often talk about low carbon homes which deliver smaller environmental footprints for consumers, and smart homes which deliver improved controllability and comfort. But now we must bring the Ŷƒŋ ŶŋėāŶĞāũ ̞ ŋƦāũĢłė ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ smart low carbon homes!

It is not just your clients that will ũāÖť ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ óŋĿðĢłĢłė technologies - the environment and the wider economy will too. A multisolution approach delivers greater carbon savings, lower energy bills and enhanced energy security – three things that are important on the road to net zero. We know that we’re shifting away from fossil fuel boilers towards low carbon heat pumps, but it is not enough to simply install a new heating system; you will also need to understand what accessories complement it, how it interacts with the wider energy system, and which combinations are most suitable for your clients.

ÂĞÖŶ Öũā ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ óŋĿðĢłĢłė ŭŋķÖũ Á ƒĢŶĞ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ̎ Great progress has been made towards decarbonising the National Grid, with renewable generation meeting over ˝˙% of the UK’s total electricity generation in ˛˙˛˙.

However, there is still some way to go.

Combining PV with a heat pump means that consumers can power their heating system using free energy from the sun and reducing their carbon footprint. Solar PV can help to cover the electricity consumption of heat pumps, removing any worries the household may have around rising electricity prices. Better yet, they can also earn a revenue through the Smart Export Guarantee for supplying a surplus portion of electricity back to the National Grid. Solar-powered NIBE ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ Öķŭŋ ŋƦāũ ėũāÖŶāũ óŋłŶũŋķ over household energy consumption via the NIBE Uplink technology, automatically adjusting the indoor climate for optimal comfort.

ÂĞÖŶ Öũā ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ ŭĿÖũŶ ĞŋĿā ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ̎ People are looking for smart ways to make life simpler, and advancements in technology mean that we can now help people to save time, energy and money through the use of smart

Neil Hope Head of installer development at NIBE home accessories that deliver comfort through connectivity. It’s all about making it simpler to be smart with our energy use, matching what people use with what they actually need.

Smart home technology grants households the freedom to continue their daily routines, whilst still reducing costs and carbon via their heat pump system. These smart home accessories can be easily mounted onto the wall and connected in a mesh network arrangement, communicating with each other and a heat pump to create a simpler but more advanced home. Automatically adjusting the temperature, humidity and CO˥ levels for high comfort and low energy consumption, the smart technology becomes a natural part of the connected home.

ÂÖłŶ Ŷŋ ĿÖĴā ŭŽũā ŶĞÖŶ ƘŋŽ óÖł ŋƦāũ Ö ĞŋķĢŭŶĢó ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł̎ Your journey starts with NIBE Pro. Our streamlined installer partnership scheme brings all the aspects of the ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť óāũŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł ťũŋóāŭŭ Žłùāũ one umbrella so that it’s as straightĕŋũƒÖũù Öŭ ťŋŭŭĢðķā̇ ŋƦāũĢłė ƘŋŽ guidance and assistance throughout.

Unlocking a rewarding career path well into the future, NIBE Pro also allows you to continuously develop and progress over time, with the added bonus of the training costs being fully redeemable through the NIBE Pro voucher scheme. Why not drop me a line or give NIBE a call to Ʃłù ŋŽŶ Ğŋƒ ƘŋŽ óÖł ðāóŋĿā Ö pR 1 Pro Installer?

DĢłù ŋŽŶ Ŀŋũā ÖðŋŽŶ pR 1̪ŭ ķÖŶāŭŶ ũÖłėā ŋĕ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ ðƘ ƑĢŭĢŶĢłė̆ ƒƒƒ̍ łĢðā̍óŋ̍ŽĴ̓ťũŋùŽóŶŭ ŶÖũŶ ƘŋŽũ ıŋŽũłāƘ ŶŋùÖƘ ðƘ ƑĢŭĢŶĢłė̆ ƒƒƒ̍łĢðā̍óŋ̍ŽĴ

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16

Energy Matters

SPONSORED BY

Hydronic solutions for the heating & plumbing industry

Report sets out solar PV potential

Encouraging results from fuel trials

A new report published by Solar Energy UK sets out the policy and regulatory changes required to treble the UK’s solar PV capacity over the next eight years. The ‘Lighting the Way’ report argues that ˝˙GW of operational capacity would be needed by the end of the decade for the UK to remain on track for a net zero carbon economy.

Under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario, UK solar PV capacity is set to more than double over the next decade. However, this would still leave the country more than ˚˚GW shy of the level required to meet the UK’s climate change commitments. It is claimed that trebling our solar energy capacity by ˛˙˜˙ could cut total UK carbon emissions by ˛˚̍˛ million tonnes per year as fossil fuels are replaced with cleaner power, equating to ˝̍ˠ% of the emissions in ˛˙˚ˢ.

This level of deployment would also deliver thousands of skilled jobs, and an estimated £˚ˠbn in additional economic activity.

Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett says:

Early results from UK-wide trials of a renewable alternative to kerosene are said to suggest that the new liquid fuel works in virtually all existing oil heating systems, with only simple ĿŋùĢƩóÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ ¦Ğāũā Öũā ˚ˢ sites across the country running Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in a range of heating and cooking appliances in both domestic and commercial settings.

The trials are coordinated by OFTEC and the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association

̦ ŋķÖũ Ģŭ ÖƦŋũùÖðķā̇ ũāķĢÖðķā̇ Öłù immensely popular with the public.

Every additional unit of solar energy generated in the UK cuts the amount of coal and gas we burn today. It can and must play a bigger role in the UK’s green economic recovery.” ̵¦Ğā ũāťŋũŶ ŋŽŶķĢłāŭ ŭāƑāũÖķ policies that would boost PV deployment, including business rates reform, and also considers ŶĞā ĢĿťÖóŶ ŋĕ ĕŽłùĢłė ŋĕ ũāŶũŋƩŶŶāù solar on homes and public buildings, plus changes to solar ťÖũĴ ťķÖłłĢłė ùāƩłĢŶĢŋłŭ̇ ÖĿŋłė other recommendations. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚˙

altecnic.co.uk

(UKIFDA), and there are plans to expand the project over the coming months to enable a further ˚˙˙ homes to join the trial for the ˛˙˛˚̓˛˛ winter heating season.

OFTEC CEO Paul Rose comments: “The initial trial results are highly encouraging and add further evidence to our ðāķĢāĕ ŶĞÖŶ NÁz ŋƦāũŭ ŋĢķ ĞāÖŶāù households an attractive, low cost, low disruption solution to decarbonisation. ̵̦!ŋłƑāũŶĢłė ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ ĕũŋĿ heating oil to HVO is a simple process that costs around £˞˙˙ compared to the thousands of pounds it currently costs to install a completely new low carbon heating system and the associated fabric improvements required.”

It is claimed that HVO delivers up to ˢ˙% carbon savings compared to kerosene. ̵zD¦1! Öłù ­bRD' ĞÖƑā ŭāŶ Žť a new website for consumers to inform them about the new fuel: www.futurereadyfuels.info

Ambitious targets key to hydrogen success The UK could miss out on millions in investments and tens of thousands of jobs in the next ten years unless the government raises its hydrogen production targets, claims a new report from the Hydrogen Strategy Now group.

The group’s ‘State of the Hydrogen Nation’ survey is designed to analyse the views of industry leaders on the

progress and potential of the UK hydrogen sector. Almost half of the respondents agreed that a lack of a clear Hydrogen Strategy has seen the UK miss out on valuable investments into UK hydrogen projects, while ˡ˚% said the UK was failing to meet its hydrogen potential.

Chris Jackson, chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association,

says: “A clear takeaway from this survey is that the government óŋŽķù óũāÖŶā ėũāÖŶāũ óŋłƩùāłóā and interest in the UK market ðƘ ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶķƘ ĢłóũāÖŭĢłė ĢŶŭ hydrogen production targets. If the government’s ambition is to create a world-leading hydrogen market, then having world leading targets is key.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚˚

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Gadgets & Tools Plastic cuts with a twist of the wrist The Rocut Plastic Pro from Rothenberger cuts PE, PP and PVC pipes, resulting in Ö łĢóā óķāÖł ƩłĢŭĞ̍ ¦Ğā ŭĢĿťķā ĞĢłėāù ðŋùƘ ÖóóāťŶŭ Ŷƒŋ ťĢťā ťũŋƩķāŭ Öłù ŶĞā re-engineered blade cuts cleanly and squarely without deforming the pipe.

This second generation design cuts ˜˞ and ˝˛mm pipe and is capable of cutting wall thickness of up to ˜̍˞mm. The cutter needs ˝˛mm of working area, so it may not be suitable for cutting in situ pipes in close quarters – in this case you might need a ratchet cutter.

To use the Rocut, simply place the pipe in the cutter, give it a squeeze and turn till the cut is complete. The blade is easy to change and a spare blade is supplied with the cutter. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚˛

Don’t let go of the little things We all manage to drop small things in hard-to-reach places, which is why RAK has developed its Magnetic Pickup Tool with ŶāķāŭóŋťĢłė ƪÖŭĞķĢėĞŶ̍ ­ŭāĕŽķ ŋł the job when screws and other metal items slip down cracks in the work area, but it’s also useful in a myriad of other situations, especially the van.

The powerful magnetic head is good for retrieving items such as nuts, bolts, and screws, and the strong magnetic base lets you use it as a hands-free light. Simply place it on a magnetic surface, like the side of a boiler or on a toolbox, and ÖùıŽŭŶ ŶĞā ƪāƗĢðķā łāóĴ̍ ¦Ğā ƪāƗĢðķā ˜˟˙° telescoping neck is extendable to ˛˛in for maneuvering around hard to reach places, and three super bright LED lights illuminate dark, tight, hard-to-reach places for greater visibility. It’s powered by four LR˝˝ batteries (the little disk-like coin cells),which are included in the purchase price. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚˜

Go-anywhere, do-anything pressure washer Pressure washers can be incredibly useful for any number of tasks, and now Makita has created one that doesn’t require plugging in. The new ˜˟V LXT Cordless Brushless Pressure Washer features a ˞˙ litre storage tank, enabling users to tackle dirt and grime anywhere – be it your van, your tools, or the site you’ve been working on, such as a customer’s walkway or pavement.

Featuring a selfpriming

function to extract water from an external water source, such as a rainwater tank, the new Pressure Washer can be supplied with water not only from a tap, tank or bucket, but features a storage case that doubles up as a ˞˙-litre capacity water tank to create a functional pressure washer without the need for a mains water supply.

Powered by two ˚8V LXT batteries in series to supply energy to a powerful ˜6V brushless motor, this cordless pressure ƒÖŭĞāũ ŋƦāũŭ Žť Ŷŋ ˜˝ minutes of run time when used with two 6.˙Ah LXT batteries. With two pressure selections, the solution delivers a maximum water ƪŋƒ ŋĕ ˜ˡ˙ litres per hour.

Standard accessories are supplied with the washer, with other accessories available (sold separately) like the curved underbody spray lance, extension pipe set, wash brush and foam nozzle, perfect for cleaning vehicles. The rotating brush head accessory is ideal for cleaning smooth surfaces such as glass or garage doors. ͻ phamnews. co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚˝

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

18

Training Update

dāÖũłĢłė ÖðŋŽŶ ƒÖŶāũ ŶũāÖŶĿāłŶ Cambridge Regional College (CRC) is being supplied with products, technical advice, and training ĕũŋĿ DāũłŋƗ Ŷŋ ŭŽťťŋũŶ ĢŶŭ łāƒ Level ˜ City & Guilds plumbing and domestic heating ÖťťũāłŶĢóāŭĞĢť̍ ŶŽùāłŶŭ ƒĢķķ ėāŶ the chance to install TF˚ ĢėĿÖ ƩķŶāũŭ Öłù ŶũāÖŶ ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ŽŭĢłė ŶĞā 1Ɨťũāŭŭ Öłù ˞˙˙ml ‘F’ ranges of chemical water treatment products.

The CRC course emphasises the importance of delivering energy āƧóĢāłŶ ðŽĢķùĢłėŭ Öłù understanding product solutions that can help achieve this aim.

The college will have access to DāũłŋƗ̪ŭ óŋĿťķāŶā ũÖłėā ŋĕ products to ensure students

RłŶũŋ Ŷŋ ðŽĢķùĢłė óŋłŶũŋķŭ

understand the solutions available that will help them not only óŋĿťķƘ ƒĢŶĞ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ ŭŶÖłùÖũù ˠ˞ˢ˜̆˛˙˚ˢ, but also maintain optimum system performance for ĢĿťũŋƑāù āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ̍ Matthew Travell, plumbing lecturer at CRC, says: “We are ùāķĢėĞŶāù ŶĞÖŶ DāũłŋƗ ĞÖŭ āƗŶāłùāù ĢŶŭ ŭŽťťŋũŶ Ŷŋ ŭŽťťķƘ quality products to our Level ˜

plumbing apprenticeship ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋł̍ ¦Ğā óŋŽũŭā Ģŭ helping to raise the bar and ensure ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā łāƗŶ ėāłāũÖŶĢŋł ÖùŋťŶŭ Ö best practice approach as standard. As part of this, they will gain an understanding of the importance of water treatment in maintaining central heating system health and improving the āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ŋĕ ðŽĢķùĢłėŭ̧̍

requirements for the installation ŋĕ 11 ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ĢùāłŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł of equipment, arrangements

and operating modes, design, ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̇ ĢłĢŶĢÖķ ƑāũĢƩóÖŶĢŋł and handover, in conjunction with the latest IET Code of Practice.

The battery storage training course is aimed at practicing electricians, electrical technicians and engineers who hold a formal Level ˜ āķāóŶũĢóÖķ ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋł Öłù óŽũũāłŶ ˠ˟ˠ˚ and are recognised by the Microgeneration !āũŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł óĞāĿā ̛m! ̜̍ The training and assessment takes two days and is delivered from GTEC’s Yorkshire training centre. For companies with eight or more candidates, GTEC can provide onsite training to suit the ŭťāóĢƩó łāāùŭ ŋĕ Ö ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˚˟

ŶŋũĢłė Žť ðÖŶŶāũƘ Ĵłŋƒķāùėā Renewable energy training provider, GTEC, has launched a battery storage training óŋŽũŭā̇ ŋƦāũĢłė āķāóŶũĢóĢÖłŭ Öłù renewable installers the chance to upskill to install Electrical Energy ŶŋũÖėā ƘŭŶāĿŭ ̛11 ̜̇ āÖũłĢłė an RQF Level ˜ ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋł in the design, installation and commissioning of electrical energy storage systems from LCL Awards.

It covers all the essential

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is encouraging those regularly involved with building management to improve their ðÖŭĢó Ĵłŋƒķāùėā ŋĕ ŽĢķùĢłė 1łāũėƘ mÖłÖėāĿāłŶ ƘŭŶāĿŭ ̛ 1m ̜ with its introductory BCM˙˙ course.

‘Introduction to Building Controls and HVAC’ is a one-day course aimed at those who do not require the full technical detail of the building controls courses BCM˙˚̟ !m˙˟, or who are new to this area of the industry. The course provides full coverage of day-to-day involvement in building controls and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).

Anyone who successfully completes the BCM˙˙ āƗÖĿ ƒĢķķ ðā āķĢėĢðķā Ŷŋ ÖťťķƘ ĕŋũ ŶĞā 1ķāóŶũŋŶāóĞłĢóÖķ !āũŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł óĞāĿā ̛1! ̜ Building Controls Associate card, provided the applicant has also óŋĿťķāŶāù Öł 1! 1ķāóŶũĢóÖķ ÖĕāŶƘ ­łĢŶ ÖŭŭāŭŭĿāłŶ Öłù Ö óŽũũāłŶ 1! NāÖķŶĞ̇ ÖĕāŶƘ Öłù 1łƑĢũŋłĿāłŶÖķ ̛N 1̜ ÖŭŭāŭŭĿāłŶ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˚˞

dŋŋĴ ŋŽŶ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ÂÖŶāũ ÂÖėŋł

NÖłŭėũŋĞā̪ŭ ÂÖŶāũ ÂÖėŋłŭ ĞÖƑā ũāóāłŶķƘ ƑĢŭĢŶāù ŭĢƗ ĿāũóĞÖłŶŭ Ģł ŶĞā North of England, showcasing the company’s latest showers, ŭĞŋƒāũťĢťāŭ̇ óŋłŶũŋķŭ̇ Öłù ĿĢƗāũ ŶÖťŭ Ģł Ö ƒĢùā ũÖłėā ŋĕ ŭŶƘķāŭ Öłù ƩłĢŭĞāŭ̍ ũĢĿÖũĢķƘ óũāÖŶāù Öŭ Ö ĿŋðĢķā ŶũÖĢłĢłė Ŷŋŋķ̇ ŶĞā Ŷƒŋ ÂÖŶāũ ÂÖėŋłŭ Öũā ƩŶŶāù ƒĢŶĞ ťũāŭāłŶÖŶĢŋł ŭóũāāłŭ ĕŋũ Öł ĢłŶāũÖóŶĢƑā ŶũÖĢłĢłė āƗťāũĢāłóā ĕŋũ ťķŽĿðāũŭ Öłù ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ̍ ŽÖķĢƩāù ŶũÖĢłāũŭ ÖóóŋĿťÖłƘ ŶĞā ƑāĞĢóķāŭ Ŷŋ ensure every customer receives in-depth support and tailored advice.

1ÖóĞ ÂÖėŋł ĞÖŭ ðāāł ŶũÖłŭĕŋũĿāù Ŷŋ āƗĞĢðĢŶ ŶĞā ƑÖũĢāù ũÖłėā ŋĕ ŶũÖùā products, while highlighting their ease of installation and maintenance.

With working water units on board, installers can view Hansgrohe’s latest shower technology and spray innovations, and also access technical ťũŋùŽóŶ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł̍ mŋũā ùÖŶāŭ Öũā āƗťāóŶāù Ŷŋ ðā Öùùāù Ŷŋ ŶĞā óÖķāłùÖũ̇ ŭŋ Ĵāāť Öł āƘā ŋł NÖłŭėũŋĞā̪ŭ ŭŋóĢÖķ ĿāùĢÖ óĞÖłłāķŭ Ŷŋ Ʃłù ŋŽŶ ƒĞāł ŶĞā Water Wagon will be in your area.

!z Öłù Ʃũā ŭÖĕāŶƘ ŽłĢŶŭ ðÖóĴ ŋł ŶĞā ũŋÖù ÖėÖĢł

Now that Covid restrictions are coming to an end, Aico’s Mobile Training and Demonstration Units are back out on the road, helping Ŷŋ āùŽóÖŶā ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ Öłù ŶĞā ťŽðķĢó ŋł Ʃũā ŭÖĕāŶƘ Öłù óÖũðŋł ĿŋłŋƗĢùā ťũŋŶāóŶĢŋł̍ 1ÖóĞ ŋĕ ŶĞā ŽłĢŶŭ Öũā ĕŽķķƘ āŨŽĢťťāù ĕŋũ hands-on activities, providing customers with a complete overview ŋĕ Ģóŋ̪ŭ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ Öłù ŶāóĞłŋķŋėĢāŭ ƒĞĢķā Öķŭŋ ùāķĢƑāũĢłė ĢŶŭ 1ƗťāũŶ Installer training.

Aico’s return to in-ťāũŭŋł ŶũÖĢłĢłė ĞÖŭ ŭāāł ĢŶ ƑĢŭĢŶ ùĢƦāũāłŶ locations across the UK, including City Electrical Factors in Dartford, Edmundsons Electrical in Torquay, and Fife College. Colleagues have strictly followed the government Covid-19 guidelines in order for their customers to use the Mobile Units and facilities safely.

The Mobile Units will be visiting various locations across the UK on Ö ũāėŽķÖũ ðÖŭĢŭ̇ ƒĞāũā ũāėĢŋłÖķ ŭťāóĢƩóÖŶĢŋł ĿÖłÖėāũŭ ƒĢķķ ùāķĢƑāũ training to contractors and students. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˚ˠ

DķāƗĢðķā ŋłķĢłā ķāÖũłĢłė ĕŋũ pÁ ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋł London based Choice Training, a plumbing ÖťťũāłŶĢóāŭĞĢť óŋķķāėā̇ ĞÖŭ ķÖŽłóĞāù Ö ƪāƗĢðķā online NVQ course programme called ‘Your Choice’. It includes four NVQ City & Guilds accredited courses: Level ˛ and Level ˜ NVQ diploma heating and ventilating industrial and commercial; Level ˛ NVQ diploma in plumbing and heating, and Level ˜ NVQ diploma in plumbing (solar pathway).

The idea behind Your Choice is to make ķāÖũłĢłė ƪāƗĢðķā ŭŋ ŶĞÖŶ ŭŶŽùāłŶŭ óÖł ƩŶ ĢŶ around other work/life commitments. They can learn from home and at their own pace, ƒĞĢķā ėÖŶĞāũĢłė ŶĞā ťũÖóŶĢóÖķ āƗťāũĢāłóā and evidence that they need to become fully ŨŽÖķĢƩāù̍ All of the course learning resources are available on the website, with students just needing to go onsite for each of the ˚˞ practical ķāŭŭŋłŭ Öłù ŶĞā āƗÖĿŭ̍ ŶŽùāłŶŭ ƒŋũĴ ŶŋƒÖũùŭ óŋĿťāŶāłóƘ ƒĢŶĞĢł ŶĞāĢũ óĞŋŭāł Ʃāķù̇ ƒĢŶĞ ÖùƑĢóā̇ ėŽĢùÖłóā̇ Öłù ťũÖóŶĢóÖķ āƗťāũĢāłóā from dedicated assessors at Choice Training, who will be available by telephone and email. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˚ˡ

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

20

CIPHE Viewpoint

How to overcome water pressure challenges The challenges posed by low or high water pressure include impacts on system performance and longevity. Jerry Whiteley from the CIPHE discusses some of the potential issues and outlines what installers can do to overcome them.

W

ater pressure is required to be between a minimum of ˙̍ˠ to a maximum of ˚̍˞ bar according to the service standard set out by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat). Therefore, low-pressure is characterised as a water system which falls below ˚ bar, while anything above this is considered high-pressure.

There are a number of reasons ŶĞÖŶ ťũāŭŭŽũā ùĢƦ āũŭ̇ ðŽŶ avoiding extremes in either too high or too low water pressure should be the goal.

High or low?

The cause of low water pressure in some cases can be due to area supply issues, such as a burst pipe or emergency repairs. If a property previously had no issues with water pressure and suddenly has a drop in pressure, then it is worth checking with ŶĞā ķŋóÖķ ƒÖŶāũ ŭŽťťķĢāũ Ʃ ũŭŶ̍ On the other hand, issues of low pressure may be a longerterm problem. If so, it may be that poor system design, incorrect diameter of the pipes, or even factors that are geographical or down to the ĞŋŽŭĢłė ŶƘťā Öũā ÖƦ āóŶĢłė ŶĞā water pressure. Older properties had a cistern-fed cold-water system, normally feeding the bathrooms, and these have

larger diameter pipes for low ťũāŭŭŽũā Öłù ƪ ŋƒ̍

Poor system design

Jerry Whiteley Technical manager at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

It is important to be aware that changing to higher pressure might identify weak joints and cause water damage... and it is the installer’s responsibility should a leak occur

Multiple storey properties in extreme cases can have systems that are unable to cope with the height of the building, if there Ģŭ ĢłŭŽƧ óĢāłŶ ĿÖĢłŭ ƒÖŶāũ pressure. In these scenarios, the Ŷŋť ƪ ŋŋũŭ ŋĕ ŶĞā ťũŋťāũŶƘ óÖł have low pressure or sometimes do not have a water supply at all. In regions with hilly terrain or areas that are more built-up, devices may need to be used to help improve the pressure.

It isn’t just low pressure that can be an issue however; high pressure can be equally as problematic. An indicator that water pressure is too high is noise within the pipework, which is caused by the water moving too quickly through the pipes.

Not only is the noise undesirable, but high water pressure can increase wear and tear within the pipework. This can erode components, shortening the ķĢĕāŭťÖł ŋĕ ťķŽĿðĢłė Ʃ ƗŶŽũāŭ and increasing the likelihood of costly leaks and pipe bursts.

home. Before attempting to resolve pressure concerns and before any installation, the local water supply must also be checked.

The installation of a booster pump is often a straightforward solution for low pressure scenarios, as it increases water pressure by forcing the water Ŷŋ ƪ ŋƒ ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā ťĢťāŭ ÖŶ Ö faster rate. It is worth keeping in mind that water authorities limit this to ˚˛ litres per minute, anything more and you must notify them beforehand.

Alternatively, an accumulator tank which stores cold water can be installed. An accumulator gathers water during low demand periods, for example overnight, and holds the volume of water under boosted pressure until it is required.

Generally, high-pressure properties are easier to solve when compared with the low-pressure counterpart.

A pressure reducing valve installed on the main water supply pipe, for example, can help to regulate the water pressure as desired.

make is forgetting that the pipework is designed for low pressure, larger diameters and Ʃ ŶĿāłŶŭ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ Ö ŭĞŋƒāũ̍ Connecting to an existing low pressure system is likely to result in poor water supply and poor quality, leading to a system design rethink. It is important to be aware that changing to higher pressure might identify weak joints and cause water damage. As such, systems must be tested in line with Water Regulations as it is the installer’s responsibility should a leak occur.

Technical support With installers often being the Ʃ ũŭŶ ťŋũŶ ŋĕ óÖķķ ƒĞāł Öłù Ģĕ homeowners experience water pressure issues, it is critical that plumbing and heating engineers Öũā ŨŽÖķĢƩ āù̇ óŋĿťāŶāłŶ Öłù able to resolve any problems óŋłƩ ùāłŶķƘ̍ ¦Ğā !R N1 óÖł ŋƦ āũ ĢŶŭ ĿāĿðāũŭ ĢłĕŋũĿÖŶĢŋł and assistance across an array of plumbing and heating topics to support installers with queries surrounding technical issues, including water pressure.

Finding a solution Resolving water pressure issues, whether too high or too low, is łāóāŭŭÖũƘ̍ ¦Ğā Ʃ ũŭŶ ŭŶāť Ģŭ Ŷŋ ensure the water pressure is measured to obtain an accurate reading of the supply to the

Don’t get caught out In some instances, it may be necessary to convert a system from low pressure to high pressure. A common misjudgement that installers

For more information about the CIPHE, or to become a member, please contact the team via email: membership@ciphe.org.uk or call 01708 472791

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Renewable Energy 23

Training is the key to sustainability success Sustainability is top of the agenda for the entire heating industry and with ŶĞÖŶ ƒĢķķ óŋĿā óĞÖłėā ĕŋũ ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķŭ Ģł ŶĞā ŭāóŶŋũ̍ `āƦ NŋŽŭā ĕũŋĿ ÖƗĢ outlines the latest aspects heating engineers need to know when it comes to technologies and their role in the future heating mix.

S

ince ˛˙˚ˢ, when the UK government set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from across the UK economy by ˛˙˞˙, decarbonisation strategies and renewed sustainability targets continue to be made. Now, at the time of writing this article, the industry eagerly awaits the BEIS Heat in Buildings Strategy.

This will add detail on how the committed emissions reductions will be delivered in respect to heat. For instance, how to meet ũāƑĢŭāù ŶÖũėāŶŭ óŋłƩũĿāù Ģł ˛˙˛˚ to reduce emissions by ˠˡ% by ˛˙˜˞. The overall goal will be to outline the key steps required to make these key decisions on heat decarbonisation in the ˛˙˛˙s.

For heating engineers working in the domestic heating market, what we know so far is that ŶĞāũā Öũā Ö ĕāƒ ùĢƦāũāłŶ ťŋŭŭĢðķā solutions to help transition the existing housing stock from natural gas to low carbon alternatives. This includes heat pumps and hydrogen-ready appliances like boilers.

Heat pumps One option for decarbonising heating systems in homes across the UK are heat pumps. While heat pumps are clearly set to play a key role in new build homes thanks to the Future Homes Standard, proposed to come into āƦāóŶ Ģł ˛˙˛˞̇ ŶĞāũā Ģŭ ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ potential for homeowners to

Hybrid solution

Jeff House

Head of external affairs at Baxi

ÖùŋťŶ Ö ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť Öŭ Ö ũāŶũŋƩŶ solution, especially for homes not connected to the gas grid.

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) óÖł āƧóĢāłŶķƘ ĞāÖŶ Ö ĞŋĿā ŽŭĢłė electricity instead of natural gas. However, a lack of heat ťŽĿť ŨŽÖķĢƩāù ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ Ģŭ Ö ĴāƘ concern for the industry, which could halt progress to reach targets. With this in mind, we’re committed at Baxi to ramping up renewables training for installers over the coming years, with ASHPs a key focus.

Another potential challenge facing the domestic market is the added work involved in the ũāŶũŋƩŶŶĢłė ŋĕ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ includes the work involved to bolster insulation, which could be too disruptive for some households. A hot water cylinder would also be a requirement.

One solution to these initial challenges is the concept of hybrid heat pump and gas boilers.

Much like a hybrid car, the electric heat pump is supported by a natural gas boiler when required. A hybrid ASHP and boiler system provides increased āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ Öłù ũāùŽóāù emissions, with less disruption than an ASHP alone.

As a result, these hybrid systems could be a bridging solution to help reduce emissions in homes across the UK, while other technologies are being researched and perfected. In fact, the Climate Change Committee ̛!!!̜ ĞÖƑā ĢùāłŶĢƩāù ĞƘðũĢù systems as a key measure to achieving reduced emissions and have been pushing for their immediate implementation.

Hydrogen heat For the decarbonisation of the existing gas grid, hydrogen is currently being investigated as a low carbon alternative to natural gas. Currently this technology is still in the demonstration phase, and so is not currently available as an option for homeowners.

However, companies like Baxi are at the forefront of the research and development to make hydrogen a reality.

One of the more recent examples of this is a project that we have been working on with Northern Gas Networks (NGN), ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ŶĞā ƩũŭŶ ĞƘùũŋėāł ĞŋĿā demonstration, which will be open to the public. Through these

kinds of projects, the government, distribution network companies, and manufacturers are hoping to make hydrogen a reality as a low carbon option alongside heat pumps.

For homes across the UK, this could mean, with just a few component changes and minimal disruption, boilers that are ‘hydrogen ready’ could run with this low carbon fuel.

Hydrogen boilers would be much like their traditional natural gas counterparts in appearance and installation. This means that homeowners would have a familiar heating setup to meet their requirements. Because of this, Gas Safe registered heating engineers across the UK should only require a small amount of additional training and óāũŶĢƩóÖŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ðā Öðķā Ŷŋ ĢłŭŶÖķķ hydrogen boilers.

Multi-strand approach It is clear from the array of options available that there will be multiple ways of decarbonising the nation’s buildings. At Baxi our sustainability pledge outlines how the business is committed to not only develop the low carbon product solutions needed, but that we will also support professionals on this journey.

For the domestic sector, the opportunity for those who upskill in low carbon technologies is considerable, and the support of manufacturers will be important to help professionals with product training. As part of this, more renewables training from Baxi is in development, which is designed to support professionals on the road to net zero. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˛˙

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Renewable Energy

Solar thermal can play a part When deployed as part of a hybrid system, solar thermal can help to meet the needs of hot water demand in commercial buildings. Bill Sinclair from Adveco highlights some of the recent advances in this sustainable technology.

F

aced with an increasing expectation to become more actively sustainable, as well as the need to mitigate rising energy costs, now is a good time for commercial organisations to reconsider the integration of a solar thermal system as part of their premises.

Not only is solar thermal a proven and extremely reliable technology, for the past 15 years it has offered a clear path to reducing CO2 emissions.

Ten years ago, it might have been very di cult to argue in favour of solar thermal because the numbers really did not stack up against the price of gas. The capital costs of installation and maintenance versus the operational savings meant many early projects failed to recoup their investment, even with the support of the RHI, despite a typically cited ten-year payback.

Fast forward to today, and we are in very different situation.

Commercial organisations in response to the need to reduce CO2 are moving water heating away from gas to direct electric, which is perceived to be cleaner.

But what they are finding is that such a shift comes with a new financial burden, as electricity at 11p/kWh is substantially more expensive than gas. But

 Adveco solar thermal panels can be installed in a variety of ways, including on a frame construction to achieve

Bill Sinclair

Adveco technical director

Solar thermal systems are ideal for organisations that rely on large amounts of hot water, but it is important to understand that they will not fully replace an existing water heating system

if you can offset that cost, then the numbers really start to look favourable for adopting solar thermal. A ten-year return on investment becomes very achievable, and, with the undisputed carbon and cost savings, we are seeing a definite upswing in demand for new systems.

Hot water demand

Solar thermal systems are ideal for organisations that use and rely on large amounts of domestic hot water (DHW), but it is important to understand that a solar thermal system will not fully replace an existing water heating system and will not provide space heating. The actual percentage of water heating demand covered by solar thermal will depend on the site and energy consumption habits – around 30% is typical for commercial applications.

Solar thermal collector options for commercial buildings

As with any technology, issues can arise if a commercial system is poorly designed and/or badly maintained.

A correctly designed and sized system will consider the likely daily usage and peak demands.

Its aim is to serve all peaks from storage, with the size of the peak determining the size of pre-heat.

The recovery time for peaks is what ultimately determines the number of solar collectors a building requires.

The design process should also address the issue of available space. A south-facing and unobstructed roof with an inclination of 30° from the horizontal is optimal, though by no means essential as modern solar collectors can be installed in a variety of permutations.

Unsurprisingly, solar thermal collectors do suffer if the building is significantly shaded, in which case a commercial air source heat pump (ASHP) may be a preferred option to produce low carbon heat. Length of pipe run is also important – if collectors are located a considerable distance from plant then a system’s thermal losses can be detrimental to e cient operation.

Overheat protection

Perhaps the largest negative for early adoption of solar thermal was the possibility of overheating causing pressure blow-off, or worse, the stagnation of solar fluid. Without overheat protection, a poorly maintained system could see fluid cooking to the consistency of molasses.

This could happen within weeks of installation, blocking collectors and pipework and causing permanent damage.

This problem can be avoided by deploying systems that offer drain back, which, as the name implies, drains the solar fluid from the collector to a reservoir when not in use. Flat plate collectors with an integrated drain back module are more

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cost-effective (as there is no requirement for large solar storage) and more e cient (as there is no call to dump unused heat). The technology has proven itself in the field, with some sites requiring fluid changes after eight or nine years rather than the expected three. Some sites have required no fluid change at all in the past decade.

Output v demand

Quality design work enables calculation of the solar fraction – the total annual heat demand for hot water compared to total available from solar inputs.

Obviously, solar thermal systems are most productive during the summer months, but during winter a back-up heat system is also required. Designers have two options – gas fired with solar preheat, or electric with heat pump and solar – to balance cost and environmental impact.

Solar has always been used as a preheat with the coldest water possible to maximise the e ciency and output, thereby delivering the maximum amount of free heat with no carbon emissions. But there is a good case now for using solar thermal with heat pumps and electric energy if set up as a mid-heating system which can lower both carbon and cost.

Proven solution

No single technology currently provides the magic bullet of sustainability for commercialscale projects. Delivered in conjunction with other technologies – high e ciency gas or electric boilers and ASHP – solar thermal, when correctly sized, commissioned and protected from overheat, is a proven and practical technology.

It can help future-proof a hot water system whilst making substantial savings in operational costs while dramatically reducing emissions all year round. phamnews.co.uk/721/21

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Renewable Energy although it will require storage if your hot water demand is any higher than a shower. With current demand-led energy ťũĢóĢłė̇ ùĢƦāũāłŶ ŶÖũĢƦŭ Öũā ðāĢłė ŋƦāũāù̇ ŭŋ ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ storage can be created or boosted at appropriate times.

Furthermore ‘smart’ electric controls can help optimise ŶĞāŭā ŶÖũĢƦŭ Ŷŋ ŭŽĢŶ ĢłùĢƑĢùŽÖķ usage, which they learn by habit. Smart controls will usually enhance energy ratings because they make the power work for you, topping up heat when it is needed.

Hot water storage key to āƧóĢāłŶ ĞāÖŶ The rise of the combi boiler has seen the exile ŋĕ ŶĞā óƘķĢłùāũ ĕũŋĿ ĿÖłƘ ĞŋĿāŭ̇ ðŽŶ Öŭ FāŋƦ Egginton from Advance Appliances explains, hot water storage and renewable energy is a necessary óŋĿðŋ ĕŋũ āƧóĢāłŶ ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ĞāÖŶĢłė̍

W

ith plans in the works to ban the use of natural gas in new houses from ˛˙˛˞, and the development of hydrogen boilers to replace fossil fuel appliances, the hot water cylinder is becoming more relevant in how we provide heat in the home.

In the news, we recently saw a householder proudly telling a reporter that he has a “tank”, with an immersion heater connected to his electric solar panel (solar PV) on the roof. “Look - free hot water, no gas burnt, no CO2 – a win-win situation,” he said.

And it’s true. Early solar PV installations came with a subsidy to the householder for every unit of power produced, ŋƦŭāŶŶĢłė ŽŶĢķĢŶƘ ðĢķķŭ̍ pŋƒ̇ if the householder has a tank (i.e. cylinder), they would use that free power to generate hot water in addition to getting a payment. Another win-win.

It all becomes so obvious really when you look at it like that – except that millions of houses have had their hot water

Heat pumps need storage

Advance Appliances offers cylinders specially made to work with heat pumps

cylinders removed and replaced with gas combi boilers – ŋƦāũĢłė ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė from one appliance.

Combi with a cylinder?

Geoff Egginton Director at Advance Appliances

It is perfectly feasible to keep the combi and add a cylinder using the combi, but with solar input to heat up the water when the sun shines

Even though a cylinder isn’t required for these homes, the gas combi can be kept and used for heating if there is one present. As hot water production often accounts for over half of the gas guzzled in the home, this is an easy Öłù ķŋłė ŶāũĿ ƩƗ ĕŋũ āƗĢŭŶĢłė houses looking for savings and greener lifestyles. It is perfectly feasible to keep the combi and add a cylinder using the combi, but with a solar input to heat up the water when the sun shines.

The hot water cylinder doesn’t even have to be in the house. It can be located in the garage, an outbuilding, or the loft space.

Modern mains pressure hot water cylinders are usually cased with foam insulation injected, making them smart

Öłù āƧóĢāłŶ̍ RŶ Ģŭ Ö ķāėÖķ requirement to place these units on the market with a band ‘C’ or better heat loss rating, and they all carry a label indicating their energy rating.

In addition to solar, there are other options to be considered as a green source of heat.

The electricity grid is being greened at a fast rate, and there are many days now in the UK where all of our electricity is generated by renewable energy such as water, sun and wind. It doesn’t have to be high summer for solar options to do this on a macro scale; solar farms are productive from spring through to autumn. Likewise, it doesn’t have to blow a gale for wind generation to work well, and more large scale wind farms are ťķÖłłāù ŋƦŭĞŋũā ƒĞāũā ŶĞāũā Ģŭ more wind and the turbines are less intrusive. Hydro is a long standing, all-year option.

Using electricity for domestic hot water is an excellent option,

For new build or new systems, the best way to utilise electricity is through heat pump technology. Heat pumps actually multiply the power ĕāù ĢłŶŋ ŶĞāĿ Öłù ŋƦāũ āłāũėƘ outputs greater than inputs.

Although the installation can be disruptive and is easier to employ on major refurbs and new build, heat pumps work extremely well with highly insulated properties. ¦Ğā ­b ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ Ģŭ ƩũĿķƘ behind heat pump technology, and it requires storage. Heat pumps harvest energy from the ground, water or air. They are not gas boiler replacements and have much less power. They are very suitable for connection to cylinders designed for that purpose. Don’t use standard cylinders – they just don’t work.

Heat pump cylinders will be labelled and promoted as such, ƒĢŶĞ ùĢƦāũāłŶ ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėā mechanisms able to convert heat pump outputs to useful stored hot water. Getting this ũĢėĞŶ ÖŶ ŶĞā ŭŶÖũŶ ƒĢķķ ŋƦāũ long life heating systems that will satisfy the needs of the consumer and tick all the environmental boxes, too. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˛˛

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Renewable Energy

Heat pumps can deliver even ðĢėėāũ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ The government’s long-term commitment to heat ťŽĿťŭ ťŋĢłŶŭ Ŷŋ ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ ėũŋƒŶĞ Ģł ŶĞĢŭ ĿÖũĴāŶ̇ both for homes and commercial applications.

Lochinvar’s Liam Elmore looks at how this ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ óÖł ũÖĿť Žť Ö ðŽĢķùĢłė̪ŭ āƧ óĢāłóƘ̍

T

he UK heat pump market is booming, and while much of this growth is in the residential market, this should pave the way for more growth in the commercial building market and the deployment of heat pumps as part of district heating networks.

The government has challenged the industry to be installing ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ units a year by ˛˙˛ˡ – a colossal step up from current levels – and not ÖóĞĢāƑÖðķā ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ growth in both the residential and commercial marketplaces.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) had already set a target of one million a year by the ˛˙˜˙’s, towards an eventual total of ˚ˢ million.

Bridging the gap The industry is willing to get behind this strategy, but there is a considerable skills gap that will need to be closed to ensure there are enough trained people to carry out the work to the required standard so that this technology can achieve its carbon lowering potential.

Industry estimates suggest more than ˚ˠ̇˙˙˙ new heat pump installers will be needed over the next decade if the government’s targets are to be met.

Liam Elmore

Sales director at Lochinvar

CUT TO THE CHASE Đ Heat pumps in a commercial setting will have to cope with high peak demand periods Đ Hybrid solutions offer an excellent way to meet targets at a lower capital cost Đ District networks using heat pumps can easily recover the renewable heat from thermal energy sources like rivers

Heat pumps can achieve CoP’s óŋĿĕŋũŶÖðķƘ ÖðŋƑā ĕŋŽũ Öłù Ʃ Ƒā depending on the application and climatic conditions, but only if they are properly designed, installed, commissioned and maintained. There are also particular technical challenges around designing heating systems that operate at the low temperatures produced by heat pumps, and this is not widely understood – even by many already in the industry.

While the current focus is on improving the energy performance of homes, there are ťŋŶāłŶĢÖķķƘ āƑāł ėũāÖŶāũ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ to be had from an increasing emphasis on commercial buildings and heat networks.

Integrated approach The technical challenge in commercial buildings is often ƑāũƘ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ̇ ðŽŶ ŶĞā ũāƒÖũùŭ are potentially even greater.

Many commercial buildings experience short peak demand periods when high volumes of hot water are required – leisure centres and hotels being particular examples. This makes them ideal for a heat pump.

We here at Lochinvar are seeing increased demand for ‘hybrid’ systems where heat pumps are combined with ĞĢėĞ āƧ óĢāłóƘ ̨óŋłƑāłŶĢŋłÖķ̪

technologies like gas boilers and water heaters to improve performance where a fully renewable system was not an ŋťŶĢŋł āĢŶĞāũ ĕŋũ Ʃ łÖłóĢÖķ ŋũ technical reasons. An integrated ÖťťũŋÖóĞ Ģŭ ťÖũŶĢóŽķÖũķƘ āƦ āóŶĢƑā Ģł ũāŶũŋƩ Ŷ ťũŋıāóŶŭ ðāóÖŽŭā ŶĞāƘ avoid the potentially disruptive and costly process of replacing other system components.

Multi-valent systems Heat pumps can also be installed as part of multi-valent systems, where energy is gathered from several separate sources which can include other renewable technologies, such as solar thermal. In such a system, the use of a properly sized thermal store becomes the critical element and allows the design engineer to provide an extremely ƪ āƗĢðķā̇ ðŽŶ ĞĢėĞ-output solution. The thermal store acts as a large, low resistance header that can accept heat from multiple sources. This smooths out the system capacity to ĿÖƗĢĿĢŭā āƧ óĢāłóƘ̍ Integrating technologies in this way requires good control strategies and a thorough commissioning process to ensure the various parts of the system work in correct sequence.

The system should be set up to ensure the renewable/low

óÖũðŋł ŶāóĞłŋķŋėĢāŭ Öũā ŶĞā Ʃ ũŭŶ to respond to any call for heating and hot water, with boilers only there to provide back-up.

Integrated/hybrid solutions are an excellent way to meet performance targets at a lower capital cost than going for a totally renewable option. They deliver a faster return on investment for commercial building owners, which means they are more likely to be taken up on a greater scale and, therefore, will deliver more energy and carbon reductions in the long term.

Hybrids also reduce running costs and extend the operating life of the equipment by only using the gas-Ʃ ũāù ťũŋùŽóŶŭ Ģł back-up mode. This is another key to reducing carbon. If you have to replace products on a regular basis, you will increase your overall carbon footprint.

Heat pumps could also play an even bigger part in reducing carbon emissions through their use in distributed heat networks for homes, public ŭāóŶŋũ ðŽĢķùĢłėŭ̇ ŭĞŋťŭ̇ ŋƧ óāŭ̇ sports facilities, hospitals, and universities – so also delivering Öł ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ŭŋóĢÖķ ðāłāƩ Ŷ̍ There are around ˚˝,˙˙˙ such networks in the UK, providing heating, hot water and/or cooling to almost half a million consumers. Since they aggregate heating and cooling supplies across a neighbourhood or entire district, these networks can unlock otherwise inaccessible large-scale renewable and recovered heat sources, such as waste heat and thermal energy from rivers.

Thanks to the availability ŋĕ ŶĞāŭā ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ƪ āƗĢðķā approaches, there are now more commercial buildings where heating and hot water services are provided by heat pumps, many of which have been installed at reasonable capital cost for clients. The potential for rapid expansion of this market once we move back into more normal economic conditions is extremely exciting. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˛˜

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Renewable Energy

Where to start on the road to low carbon?

With the government’s commitment to achieving a 8% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, together with plans to ban boilers in new builds by 2025, now is the time for installers to prepare for the changes ahead. Vaillant highlights two installers who made the most of learning during the lockdown to become renewable installers ready to take on the challenges of a new era.

H

eat pump technology is set to play a central role in decarbonising the heat in our homes, and with a government target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028, demand for this technology is set to rise significantly, providing installers with a great opportunity to diversify their business and increase revenue opportunities at the same time.

the training team, I don’t think I’d have been ready to start installing low carbon technologies so soon.

“When Vaillant noticed my enthusiasm for learning, they offered to put me on their courses,” continues Jay. “Before I knew it, I’d done all the boiler commissioning courses, all the controls courses and then went on to cover the modules on low carbon technologies, such as heat pumps. They’ve all been extremely useful and now I’m really excited about the future of my business.”

Starting point

But while the opportunities are clear, knowing where to start on your low carbon journey can be daunting. At Vaillant we have a long-standing commitment to investing in highly e cient low carbon technologies, which includes supporting installers looking to make the transition, with expert training and product insight. Two such installers who recently upskilled and invested in low carbon technologies are Michael Dawes and Jay Abley.

We spoke to them both recently to find out more about their low carbon journey and how they have made the transition to low carbon heating a reality.

While low carbon environmental Michael Dawes Your Plumbing

Green growth

Keen to expand the services their businesses offered with sustainable options, both Jay and Michael took the opportunity to attend some of Vaillant’s training courses dedicated to low carbon technologies.

“The training courses are out there, and installers need to take advantage of them,” says Michael. “You don’t have to make the jump to low carbon technologies immediately – but if you want to future-proof your business, and the installs you’re doing today, now is the time to start learning, and the support available from manufacturers, such as Vaillant, is a great place to start.”

Meet the installers

As well-established installers, both Jay and Michael each have their own business: Jay runs JDA Solutions in County Durham, while Northumberland-based Michael trades as Your Plumbing. Both Jay and Michael are currently on the road to becoming certified renewable installers under the icrogeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

“I started working towards my MCS accreditation over lockdown,” says Jay. “I was able to build on what I’d already learned and get on-hand support from Vaillant for any questions I had when it came to the system itself. Without that support, and being able to speak to actual people within

30.indd 1

business opportunities, knowing where to start may seem a

Teaming up Jay Abley JDA Solutions

It wasn’t long until both Jay and Michael were able to put their training to the test. With the installers joining forces,

thanks to an introduction from their Vaillant regional business manager, the pair worked together to undertake their first major low carbon installation of an aroTHERM plus air source heat pump.

“The owner is a landlord,” explains Michael. “The property is a holiday let, which means it’s unattended a lot of the time. It’s also remote, so not connected to the mains gas.

“Previously the house ran on LPG, but that was too highmaintenance for the owner.

He wanted to know what alternatives were available to him, and that’s where the Vaillant aroTHERM plus became the ideal solution, which could meet the bespoke needs of the property, while also helping to lower its carbon emissions.

“The installation, was straightforward, and Vaillant’s technical team were on hand throughout to answer any questions myself or Jay had, which was really valuable.”

Lateral thinking

Michael has now been able to put his low carbon learning into practice on a number of projects.

“Since completing the Vaillant renewables course, I’ve even been designing my gas installs to be future-proofed by using larger diameter pipework and radiators sized for lower flow temperatures. So, if one of

my customers wants to switch to a heat pump in a few years, they can do it without the extra expense.

“The tolerances of a heat pump system are different to those of a gas heating system,” he explains. “If you use the same pipe diameters and the same radiators as you would with a gas system, a renewables system may not run at its best.”

Getting support

While low carbon solutions offer clear environmental benefits and business opportunities, knowing where to start may seem a little daunting.

As a manufacturer committed to supporting installers, aillant offers a range of free low carbon training courses.

These cover the drivers behind decarbonising the heat in our homes and why low carbon technology is a good investment for installers and homeowners alike. The range of courses is not only designed to offer installers help with understanding low carbon technologies, but also all the requirements needed for an effective installation and how to correctly configure the heat pump to get the best setup for the user, ensuring that their installs deliver the highest e ciencies and performance for their customers. phamnews.co.uk/721/2

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Renewable Energy Meeting the needs of the customer With renewable technology and tailored solutions increasingly important requirements for customers looking to upgrade their heating systems, Firebird – a manufacturer of heating solutions for the commercial and domestic market – is happy to work closely with customers to develop bespoke heating packages to meet their needs.

According to national sales manager Gary Davies, the needs of customers and the expectations of installers have āƑŋķƑāù ùũÖĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ̍ 1ƧóĢāłóƘ Ģŭ a key driver, not only in terms of the environment but also in terms of service and installation time.

“Without a doubt, there is an increasing demand for green energy heating systems and customers’ requirements Öũā ėũāÖŶķƘ ĢłƪŽāłóāù ðƘ environmental responsibility and performance,” he explains.

“For Firebird installers, the focus is on quality, service and ease of installation.”

One such example is a private housing estate in East Anglia in which Firebird developed and delivered individually tailored, environmentally friendly heating packages for the properties. ̦ÂŋũĴĢłė ŋƦ ŶĞā ÖũóĞĢŶāóŶ̪ŭ drawings, the Firebird in-house design team of engineers worked with the installer to create a complete and bespoke package to meet the required applications,” says Gary.

“One of the key requirements was for a non-fossil fuel burning product and as renewable energy is our expertise, we delivered the perfect zero-emissions package.”

This included Firebird’s Enviroair air source heat pump Öłù Žłùāũƪŋŋũ ĞāÖŶĢłė̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ as the Firebird Quick Plumb Cylinder unit, with built-in zone valves and a mirror box for ease of installation.

Installer Paul Barford, of Barford Heating Ltd in Great Yarmouth, worked with Firebird on the project and explains how ðāłāƩóĢÖķ ĢŶ ƒÖŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā łāƒ build project to have the entire heating solutions designed by the company.

“For new build projects such as the private housing development, a renewable and tailored package was a must,” he says. “For me it was really important in terms of time and service to have a one-stop-shop with Firebird ũÖŶĞāũ ŶĞÖł ùāÖķĢłė ƒĢŶĞ ùĢƦāũāłŶ providers. I was looking for āƗťāũŶĢŭā Öłù āƧóĢāłóƘ Ģł ŶāũĿŭ of service and labour.

“I’ve worked with Firebird for many years, so they were a natural choice to partner on this project. I knew that, given their expertise, they would handle the design, sourcing of material and support – I’d have good back up and I knew they would be there to put me right throughout the project, which is an added-value that I like most.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˛˞

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Using less refrigerant Commercial hot water and heating specialist Adveco has launched the FPi˜˛ range of air to water heat pumps designed for use with domestic hot water applications. The three models, available in ˟, ˢ and ˚˛kW variants provide a low carbon source of hot water in a more óŋĿťÖóŶ̇ ŨŽĢāŶāũ̇ Ŀŋũā āƧóĢāłŶ and easier-to-install unit. ̵­ŭĢłė ŶĞā łāƒ -˜˛ refrigerant, the FPi˜˛ requires almost a kilo less refrigerant to operate compared to the ƩũŭŶ ėāłāũÖŶĢŋł D Ģ ŽłĢŶŭ̇ Öłù

has just ˛˙% of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of its predecessor.

Compatible with existing DHW distribution systems with higher thermal requirements, the FPi˜˛ range is said to be ideal for integration into a hybrid hot water system, providing ˞˞°C hot water throughout the year, even when ambient air temperatures drop as low as -˛˞΅!̵̍ ̵ Featuring a monobloc design, each unit is equipped as standard with frost protection. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˛˟

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Merchant News

Products in Action

Rewards for customer referrals Plumber’s Best Mate is a new trade referral scheme from Graham which will reward existing customers for introducing a ‘friend’ who opens, and then goes on to use their Graham trade account. The scheme uses a three-tier system where tradespeople can receive up to £500 to redeem against future orders at any Graham branch.

To take advantage of the scheme, existing customers can refer the plumbing merchant to a friend who must then register via the Plumber’s Best Mate webpage and open an

Trio of boilers help with upgrade of large campus in Bolton

account. They can then achieve one of three reward tiers depending on the total account spend during the first three months. For those that spend £10,000 or more (ex VAT), they will be eligible for the scheme’s Gold tier. This means that the new customer and existing customer that referred them will each receive a £500

Spec

th

IPG member

IPG, the membership group for independent plumbing, heating and bathroom specialists, has enrolled its 200th member – Thompson & Leigh.

“It’s encouraging to see new members joining the group on a regular basis.

In reaching our 200th member we are demonstrating our commitment to the great British independent business,” says IPG MD Glenn Fisher. “The work we have done and continue to do to give our members a voice and the opportunity to compete in a busy marketplace is making a real and tangible difference – together we are stronger.”

voucher to redeem on future purchases at any Graham branch.

Those who spend £5000 or more, the scheme’s Silver tier will reward both the new and existing customer with £250 while those that spend £1000 or more will be eligible for the Bronze tier and each will receive £100. phamnews.co.uk/721/27

e stoc ist

Chimney and stove supplier Specflue has announced a new partnership with Croydon-based Wiltons IFC, which will see the company add a full trade counter and distribution network dedicated to serving the London, Surrey and Sussex areas.

Operating from Wiltons’ warehouse in Hawker Road, Croydon, the trade counter will be open from am to 5pm every weekday and will stock Specflue’s range of single and twin wall flue systems in diameters of 100, 125, 150, 1 5 and 200mm. It will also include flexible liners, ancillary products, and Metaloterm MF and ME. Wiltons has also teamed up with a major courier company in the UK to offer overnight delivery services either from Croydon or from Specflue’s Sudbury depot, where over 6000 items are maintained in stock at all times. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/28

Supplying merchants with more UFH Following the construction of a new warehouse in Warrington, E Tupling aims to underline its commitment to being the leading distributor of underfloor heating systems to independent merchants across the UK. Established by Ernest Tupling at Irlam in Lancashire back in 1966, the family-run business has grown to become a key supply chain partner for merchants who need greater flexibility than most manufacturers of plastic plumbing and underfloor heating systems can provide.

In addition to creating the new 25,000 ft2 warehouse, the company has invested

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heavily in its e-commerce offering, including the availability of a specially tailored Click & Collect service for the different brands it stocks.

MD Tim Whitehead, comments: “We’ve been on an incredible journey over the past 12 months. We have grown considerably and are constantly striving for business improvement in order to serve our valued merchant partners in the best ways possible.”

The company is the biggest distributor for Circoflo, and group sales director Brendan Hourican says: “I’ve known of E Tupling throughout my career, so had no hesitation in approaching them when I took up my role with Circoflo.

Crucially, it is a family run business which takes pride in owning an enquiry to ensure it is fulfilled to the customer’s satisfaction.”

ATAG Commercial has supplied three XL140 boilers to The Birtenshaw Group at their Firwood site in Bolton, as part of a major upgrade of the existing heating system. The Birtenshaw Group provides a range of services for children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities. The three XL140 free standing in-line units were installed by Medway Heating Ltd earlier this year and now supply heating and hot water to the whole Firwood site.

Commenting on the installation, Mark Owen, senior project manager at Medway Heating, says: “The XL140 units were chosen for a number of reasons, but one of the most important was their high levels of

sustainability and 90 e ciency. This was definitely the perfect example to showcase what ATAG Commercial does best, and as I’ve previously used the company’s boilers before, I know I can rely on them to provide great aftersales support.” phamnews.co.uk/721/29

On site testing for housing association By adopting the Fernox Express Inhibitor Test and Water Test app, housing association Magna Housing has been able to dramatically streamline its ability to service central heating systems. The combination of solutions is now set to be rolled out across almost 6500 properties in Dorset and Somerset.

Magna Housing had been undertaking postal laboratory analysis to check inhibitor levels, however it saw the chance to save time by doing this on site. It agreed to trial the Fernox Express Inhibitor Test to check inhibitor levels as part of its annual checks.

Heating services manager at Magna, David Royle, says: “Fernox has vastly improved our operations and streamlined how we’re able to manage and conduct annual boiler servicing.

Using the Express Inhibitor Test has made it easier than ever to comply with boiler and heating system regulations, whilst ensuring our customers’ boilers operate efficiently.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

Care home protected by magnetic fi ter A new care home in Kent has installed BoilerMag technology to protect its heating system and plant room from a build-up problem of ferrous oxide and scale. The Bostal Group’s West Hill Care ome facility offers en-suite accommodation and catering for residents with dementia, physical disability, sensory impairment and younger adults requiring round-theclock care.

Essex-based NCC Mechanical Services carried out a new installation of two boilers to heat 140 low

surface temperature (LST) radiators and 1000 litres of stored water.

To protect the plant, NCC installed two BoilerMag XL 1½ inch magnetic filters within the rooftop plant room. Suitable for medium-

sized commercial, retail or large residential properties, the BoilerMag XL prevents the build-up of debris in central heating systems, reducing energy bills and increasing boiler life.

CC Mechanical Services needed to fit the required plant into a compact plant room that also had strict limits on the weight and location of heavy plant. The BoilerMag XL’s dual-flow technology allows for water to filter twice on the first pass, removing virtually 100% of magnetic and non-magnetic debris from the system and saving much needed space with its relatively compact design.

With a stainless steel construction and 10-year warranty, the XL is said to offer effective, long lasting protection for commercial heating systems. phamnews.co.uk/721/ 1

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Bathroom Design 33

Shortcut to stunning wall designs

Positano Blue – one of over 8 designs available from the Showerwall collection to suit all tastes

Available in a range of designs, we offer PL panels as well as our stunning Acrylic and Custom Collections. The PL range has a high pressure laminate surface, which is designed to deliver a smooth, watertight finish that s tough, hard-wearing, stain resistant and hygienic.

The Acrylic and Custom Collections offer a library of stunning and bespoke designs, manufactured using a 4mm acrylic sheet that is rear printed to create a polished glass-like finish. The material is 100% waterproof, easy to maintain and doesn’t require trims, so it can simply be joined with sealant for a streamlined finish.

uick to fit, easy to clean and perfect for making a style statement - wall panelling is an increasingly popular alternative to tiles. Steph Harris from Showerwall looks at the trends and how installers can take advantage of this growing market.

B

athroom wall panelling is enjoying a revival, thanks to modern designs and rising consumer awareness of its many benefits, making it one of the fastest growing markets in home improvement. The sector has seen estimated growth of 25% year on year for the past six years, with over 3.5million square metres of wall panelling sold in the UK.

Rising star

Panelling has started to take share away from the tile market, with homeowners opting for this grout-free solution to create high-impact designs that would otherwise be trickier and more expensive to achieve with tiles.

The growth of this market has also been driven by the rise in popularity of statementmaking wetrooms and walk-in showers as well as the trend for homeowners to create feature walls in smaller spaces. In addition, busier lifestyles, an ageing population and the rise in multi-generational living have all created a need for hygienic, low-maintenance and durable bathroom fittings. Together, these trends are accelerating demand for bathroom interior solutions like wall panelling.

While there is a functional requirement for wall panelling, homeowners are increasingly looking for style-led solutions.

There has been a shift away from traditional, neutral bathroom suites to more unique bathroom designs that create a talking point and add value to a customer’s home.

What’s hot

Many wider interiors trends continue to influence bathrooms, including wall panelling. Greys remain hugely popular in the bathroom sector for both contemporary and

33.indd 1

Time saver

Steph Harris

Product manager at Showerwall

Bathroom wall less than half the time it would take to tile a like-for-like space and can usually be installed in less than a day

traditional homes, with popular panelling styles including industrial Washed Charcoal and sophisticated Apollo Marble. For a high-impact look, jewel and nature-inspired greens have been a key trend so far this year throughout home interiors.

Our Emerald Subway decor has been a top-selling alternative to metro tiles.

And for a contemporary take on Mediterranean interiors, terrazzo designs are in demand, helping to create an earthy, artisan feel with styles such as our Positano Blue. The popularity of parquet flooring

and patterns continues to translate into the bathroom sector, with herringbone designs among some of our most specified decors, a look that is much quicker to achieve on walls with panelling than tiles.

Writing’s on the wall

Feature walls remain popular within bedrooms and living rooms, and this is now moving into bathrooms, en-suites and cloakrooms, where homeowners often feel that they can be more adventurous with their design choices.

Wall panelling lends itself to creating such a focal point, as intricate, high-definition, wallpaper-type designs can be easily achieved – something that would be impossible or challenging to create with tiles.

For example, the botanical and jungle-inspired designs recently seen in the wallpaper market are being adopted in bathrooms too. Our Flamingo and Vintage Birds decors are being used to create bold and vibrant full length design statements, often accompanied by contemporary showers and tapware for a high end look.

Approved installers are listed with Showerwall’s Find a Fitter programme, which matches them with customers in their local area

With shower panels being quicker and easier to install than tiles, installers can save time and money, helping to keep projects on track.

In addition, specialist wet trades aren’t required to install bathroom panelling, which offers an opportunity for any tradesperson to carry out the work themselves, without having to bring in a subcontractor.

This opens up the sector to plumbers and bathroom installers who are looking to diversify their offering and capitalise on this expanding market. It is estimated that bathroom wall panels can be fitted in less than half the time it would take to tile a like-forlike space, and they can usually be installed in less than a day.

Panels can also be retrofitted over existing tiles, reducing preparation time, which can add more labour on to a job.

Installer support

To support installers in the bathroom panelling market, we have launched our Find a Fitter programme, matching bathroom installers, plumbers and joiners with homeowners seeking professional bathroom wall panelling installation. omeowners can find local fitters in their area through our online search function, and approved installers will benefit from increased business opportunities in their local area through the listing, as well as receiving an enhanced service offering. This includes video guides to help with training and sales, regular prize draws, and a gift upon registration. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 2

05/07/2021 11:51

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Bathroom Design

Designing for every need

 Wash and dry toilets help users maintain their dignity and are suitable for people of all ages and abilities

• Good lighting • Colour, which can influence

Accessible bathrooms were once considered to be only for people with special needs, but product development has made these spaces useful for all users. Robin Tu ey from Closomat looks at the options that open up the bathroom to all.

W

hat exactly is an ‘inclusive bathroom’?

To most of us, it means a room suitable for a disabled person to use.

But what about religious or cultural considerations in personal hygiene? What about a household that includes a number of generations? In today’s society, an inclusive bathroom needs to address all of those potential users.

That opens the door to a huge potential market for all involved in bathroom design, supply, and fitting. It applies to new build and refurbishment. It also applies to private homes and social housing. For new build, a YouGov poll found that 5% of people believe all new homes should be built to be accessible to all ages and abilities. Our home should be, and could be, a home for life.

In existing properties, adaptations are now common – some 40,000 each year in the public sector alone. The bathroom is the room most frequently adapted, with alterations ranging from fitting a grab rail to a full conversion into a wetroom.

A little thought at the start of the process can ensure the space meets needs and still looks good,

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one that is an aspirational setting rather than institutional, that is a stylish solution that still works for us in daily life, despite health or age issues, despite several generations using the one room.

the ambiance and mood, differentiate areas of the room, and highlight the location of fixtures and fittings

Robin Tuffley

Marketing manager at Closomat

Key considerations

There are a number of steps you can take that will make a huge difference • Level access to avoid trips and ensure smooth progress for a frame or wheelchair • Wet floor to ease transition in and out of the shower without risk of tripping over a low level shower tray • Level access shower • Shower seat • Thermostatic shower • Grab rails for support • Washbasin positioned so it can be reached from a sitting position on the WC, ideally height adjustable so taller users do not have to stoop, but people who are smaller, or sitting, can still reach easily • Lever taps for easy operation regardless of manual dexterity • WC set away from the parallel wall • Drop down arm supports to provide extra security or leverage • Ceiling track hoist to help a carer transfer someone to any point within the room

BY NUMBERS

75% of people think new homes should be built to be accessible to all ages and abilities

40k number of adaptations carried out each year in public sector

£500 additional cost to build new homes to Lifetime Homes Standard

Wetrooms

If creating a wetroom, the floor covering needs to be appropriately waterproof and sealed at all edges to avoid risk of water penetration below.

Further, drainage for the shower area needs to be addressed: falls may need to be incorporated and adequate space below the floor created to allow water to drain e ciently.

Grab rails, washbasins, and ceiling track hoists all need to be fixed to a structure strong enough to bear any load. As an aside, many modern stud walls may not provide su cient load bearing capability, yet a recent report by the Home Consortium calculated it would cost little over 500 to build new homes to Lifetime Homes Standard including walls and ceilings to cope with the weight of a ceiling track hoist in use, grab rails, etc. Manufacturers are already, responding to such concerns: ceiling track hoists are available with slimline, discreet gantry legs.

Wash and dry WCs

The WC itself could be upgraded to a wash and dry - or ‘smart’ toilet. This features integrated douching and drying and requires only the addition of an appropriately rated and protected electricity source. A wash and dry toilet really ticks

the boxes in terms of inclusivity.

It future-proofs the bathroom for the disabled client, ensuring they can still be hygienic even if their dexterity, mobility and balance deteriorate.

In a social care situation, where the emphasis is on ‘single handed care’, i.e. using equipment to enable one carer instead of two to support an Activity of Daily Living such as using the toilet.

A wash and dry toilet means potentially no care intervention at all is needed. British Standards (BS8300 2018) note that a wash and dry WC in place of a conventional WC improves user dignity and independence.

Upgrading to a smart toilet therefore gives the user their dignity and independence.

In mutli-generational households, it means everyone can use the same WC, which may not be possible if a conventional WC was adapted to suit a disabled user. The wash and dry features are aspirational elements to Generation X and Millennials for the technology and improved hygiene.

Trusted authority

It is attention to such detail that instills trust between you and the client. They will feel you know your subject and can give them a bathroom that they can use now and in the long term.

For further details on considerations for an accessible bathroom, there is a range of specific top tips for creating an accessible WC, a multigenerational bathroom, or an age-friendly bathroom, plus more technical, detailed white papers. To access those online resources please use the readerlink below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

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Bathroom Design

Stylish design and ease of use on a plate With the specification of wall-hung bathroom fittings with concealed cisterns becoming more popular, Glen Peters from Viega looks at why flush plates are an increasingly common part of bathroom design.

T

he space saving and aesthetic benefits of concealed cisterns are just a couple of reasons they are so popular in bathroom design.

Flush plates are an activation mechanism for concealed cisterns, providing advantages in terms of design, hygiene and function.

With modern flush plates available in an array of styles, from bold and eye-catching to minimalist and reserved, the ability to continue a desired aesthetic throughout a bathroom is now a reality for specifiers. This is helped by the variety of materials and finishes flush plates can be manufactured with. Wood, glass, gold plated metal and brushed or polished stainless steel are just some of the options available, ensuring that any design concept can be achieved.

No pressure

advantages as well – for example, they are easier to activate. Thanks to having a greater surface area, flush plate systems require far less exertion to operate, making them easier to use.

Go touch-free

Glen Peters

Technical support manager at Viega

Developments to technology puts the system head and shoulders above

Aside from the design benefits, flush plates offer practical

There is also the option of touchless flush plates that completely remove the ‘ease of use’ issue, and furthermore, they help in the pursuit of increased levels of hygiene and cleanliness. The pandemic has demonstrated that the need to improve standards of hygiene is more important than ever, with touch-free flush plates offering an effective means in which to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria.

When cleaning is required, flush plates make it far easier than traditional fittings. For both touchless and regular flush plates, ease of cleaning is ensured thanks to their flat and smooth surfaces. The flat panel design results in minimal areas in which dirt and bacteria can accumulate, making the cleaning process quicker and more straightforward, compared to alternative flush controls.

36.indd 1

The design of flush plates also presents another benefit, regarding maintenance.

With all concealed cisterns, maintenance is an issue that should always be considered. In the very occasional instances when systems fail, quick and easy access to the cistern is essential to minimise disruption and get the WC operational again.

For traditional systems, an access panel is usually created on a tiled surface nearby that provides a route to the internal mechanisms. This method is less than desirable, as the process is often time consuming and the fit and finish of the bathroom design is inevitably compromised. The majority of flush plates though, are designed to double-up as access panels that offer fast access to the valves and mechanisms within the cistern – allowing repairs to be made easily. odern flush plates offer installation flexibility, providing designers with the option to position the system in a space that best suits aesthetic and space requirements and the user’s needs. Flush plates equipped with an adaptable

Shower pump keeps the pressure on

The secret to an unbreakable seat is in the bracket Claiming to offer an unbreakable toilet seat, N&C has introduced the Emperor, which comes with a 10-year guarantee.

Recognising that the weak point was the bracket system that holds the seat to the porcelain pan, the company developed one that doesn t experience any side-toside movement. This is said to make the seat highly robust and particularly suits it for heavy-use applications such as sports venues and care homes.

The company’s patented BrilliantSeat-Bracket System is conceived and constructed for no fatigue-inducing lateral movement. All the bracket components are high specification aluminium and stainless steel so they don’t corrode or weaken.

Easy access

When assembled, the bracket system is designed to stay firmly in place. The seat itself is made of solid polypropylene, weighing 2.2 kilos, compared with 1.3 kilos in hollow models. The rubbers are solid, and won’t collapse.

The Emperor comes with a kit featuring a plastic holding block bracket system at the back. This feature acts like a clamp that holds the bracket system together. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

Eve is the name of Salamander Pumps’ twin-ended universal shower pump featuring a variable bar rating, which can be changed at the touch of a button. It uses a sensor to monitor the system water flow and detect any changes, while a brushless motor varies its speed to ensure a constant pressure, no matter how many outlets are open at any one time.

The company claims that the Eve is the first shower pump on the market to fit into both positive and negative head situations, without the need for a pressure vessel and working with any gravity-fed system.

The pump has a flat-line flow curve, thanks

mechanism can be positioned either horizontally on top of the cistern (e.g. on a boxed shelf or ledge) or in the usual vertical position in front of the cistern.

Further flexibility is offered by the recent innovation of remote actuation models - small dimension flush plates that operate the flush electronically – allowing the flush plates to be installed anywhere up to 1. m from the cistern. These product options provide greater freedom in terms of the design and layout of a bathroom, helping to improve the user experience.

Applies everywhere

evelopments to flush plate technology puts the system head and shoulders above traditional flush actuation fittings, regarding design and functional properties.

Enhancing aesthetics, improving accessibility, raising standards of hygiene, and making maintenance more straightforward – flush plate systems have a lot to offer.

Whether fitted in a home, public building or commercial property, the benefits of utilising flush plate technology will be felt regardless. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

to its ability to increase the motor speed to sustain a high water pressure as and when demand increases. The motor varies speed to maintain constant pressure with up to a 40 litre flow, and can be set to 1.5, 2.0 or 3.0 bar.

This technology also means that there is no longer a need to identify the pump with the correct specification based on the size and needs of the house – the pump will work equally well if a house has a gravity fed system.

Crossover technology allows the pumps to boost both hot and cold water at the same time, as well as independently of each other. A bypass tube allows for pressure to be relieved in situations where only one side of the pump is supplying water, e.g. when a single tap is being used, while the other end of the pump is running on a ‘closed head’, stopping the pump from overheating. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 6

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Bathroom Design Sanitaryware with lots of spa-appeal Bringing spa-inspired luxury to the bathroom, RAK-Des from RAK Ceramics is a collection characterised by clean, minimal lines for a ŭķāāĴ Öłù ŭŶũāÖĿķĢłāù ƩłĢŭĞ̍ ĞĢėĞķĢėĞŶ ŋĕ the range are the bowls and freestanding ƒÖŭĞðÖŭĢłŭ̇ Öķķ ƒĢŶĞ āũėŋłŋĿĢó ŭĞÖťāŭ̍ The washbasins can be combined with RAKJoy vanities and RAK- ũāóĢŋŽŭ óŋŽłŶāũŶŋťŭ̍ RAK-Precious provides an alternative to the ceramic white, with surfaces that emulate the natural properties of materials such as stone, ĿÖũðķā Öłù óāĿāłŶ̍ ÂĢŶĞ ĞĢùùāł ƩƗĢłėŭ̇ ŶĞā b-Des WC can be wall-hung or back-to-wall and features ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ Ģł ƪŽŭĞĢłė ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̍ ¦Ğā ƒÖŶāũ ƪŽŭĞĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ĿÖƗĢĿĢŭā āƧóĢāłóƘ ƒĞĢķā Öķŭŋ āƦāóŶĢƑāķƘ removing waste, helping to keep bathrooms ĕũāŭĞ Öłù ĞƘėĢāłĢó̍ ­ŭĢłė ıŽŭŶ ˝ litres for the ĕŽķķ ƪŽŭĞ Öłù ˛̍˞ ķĢŶũāŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ĞÖķĕ ƪŽŭĞ̇ ƒÖŶāũ usage is reduced by a third, and with no rims to harbour germs, cleaning is quick, easy and Ŀŋũā ĞƘėĢāłĢó̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˜ˠ

Wide choice of sizes and colours ¦Ğā ķÖŶāŭŶ ŭĞŋƒāũ ŶũÖƘ ũÖłėāŭ ĕũŋĿ bĢłāùŋ̇ Ö ðũÖłù ŋĕ ÖłĢƪŋ̇ Öũā ŶĞā bĢłāũŋóĴ 1Ƒŋ Öłù ŶĞā bĢłāķĢłā̍ ¦Ğā ŭťÖ-like, textured Kinerock Evo shower tray (pictured) is made from Biolex, which is a robust and damage-resistant mineral composite containing 8˙% ĿĢłāũÖķ ƒĢŶĞ Öł ÖóũƘķĢó ũāŭĢł Öłù ėāķ óŋÖŶ ŭŽũĕÖóā̍ ƑÖĢķÖðķā Öŭ ŭŨŽÖũā̇ ũāóŶÖłėķā Öłù ŨŽÖùũÖłŶ Öłù Ģł ƩƑā óŋķŋŽũŭ ̞ ƒĞĢŶā̇ ðķÖóĴ̇ ėũāƘ̇ ÖłŶĞũÖóĢŶā Öłù ŭÖðķā ̞ŶĞā bĢłāũŋóĴ Evo is ˜˙mm thick and comes with an extra-ƪÖŶ ƒÖŭŶā Öłù Ö ĿāŶÖķ ƒÖŭŶā óŋƑāũ Ŷŋ ĿÖŶóĞ ŶĞā óĞŋŭāł ŶũÖƘ óŋķŋŽũ̍ Ģơāŭ ũÖłėā ĕũŋĿ ˠ˙˙xˠ˙˙mm up to ˛˙˙˙x˚˙˙˙ĿĿ̍ The new designer tray, Kineline, features a linear tray and a granite look and ĕāāķ̍ ķŭŋ ĿÖùā ĕũŋĿ ĢŋķāƗ and available in the same ƩƑā óŋķŋŽũŭ Öŭ bĢłāũŋóĴ Evo, the Kineline is ˛6mm thick and available as square and rectangle with ŭĢùā Öłù ķĢłāÖũ ƒÖŭŶā̍ Ģơāŭ range from ˡ˙˙ x ˡ˙˙mm up to ˚ˡ˙˙ x ˢ˙˙̍ Both models can be cut Ŷŋ ŭĢơā ŋł ŭĢŶā Ģĕ ũāŨŽĢũāù̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˜ˡ

Inclusive shower makes for an easy replacement Inclusive shower range, Omnicare, from Triton now includes the easy-to-install ­ķŶũÖ Öłù ­ķŶũÖ͖̍ ¦Ğāŭā ťũŋùŽóŶŭ óÖŶāũ Ŷŋ customers with diverse needs, including ÖóóāŭŭĢðĢķĢŶƘ óĞÖķķāłėāŭ̍ ¦Ğā ­ķŶũÖ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ āÖŭĢķƘ ũāŶũŋƩŶ ķÖũėāũ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ Öũā ŋĕŶāł ŭťāóĢƩāù ĕŋũ Žŭā Ģł óÖũā Öłù ŭŋóĢÖķ ĞŋŽŭĢłė ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ̍ ŽťťķĢāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö ťũÖóŶĢóÖķ ƩƗĢłė template, it is capable of overlaying the footprint of any other shower that may previously have been in situ, whilst also being straightforward to connect to existing ƒÖŶāũ Öłù óÖðķā āłŶũƘ ťŋĢłŶŭ̍ Featuring a new-look tactile cover, both ŶĞā ­ķŶũÖ Öłù ­ķŶũÖ͖ Öũā ĢłùāťāłùāłŶķƘ ŶāŭŶāù and carry RNIB and BEAB Care approvals for ŭÖĕāŶƘ Öłù ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā̍ A number of optional accessories are also ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ŋł ŶĞā zĿłĢóÖũā ­ķŶũÖ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ Öł

additional grab rail, which can be installed ùāťāłùĢłė ŋł Žŭāũ ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶŭ̍ ũāĿŋŶā ŶÖũŶ̓ Ŷŋť ĕŽłóŶĢŋł Öùùŭ ĕŽũŶĞāũ assurance in care settings, while a looped ķāƑāũ ĞÖłùķā ŋł ŶĞā ­ķŶũÖ͖ Ğāķťŭ Ŷŋ āłŭŽũā easy operation ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˜ˢ

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Bathroom Design

Built-in ring light needs no external power to glow

Ceramics with a thin lip or wing design

zƦāũĢłė Öł ÖũũÖƘ ŋĕ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ worthy of a spa, the new Mira Beacon Dual shower comes complete with the company’s HydroGlo technology, a wireless and self-powered light that emits a glow to indicate when the shower has reached the desired temperature.

With a generous ˚˚˙mm handset, ŶĞā āÖóŋł 'ŽÖķ ŋƦāũŭ ĕŋŽũ spray modes as well as a ˛˞˙mm overhead deluge. Developed with the company’s Magni-ƪŋ technology, this new product is said to deliver up to three times Ŀŋũā ƪŋƒ̇ ĿāÖłĢłė ŶĞā ũÖłėā ƒĢķķ

Italian-designed sanitaryware brand Whiteville Ceramics has unveiled the Wing Collection of winged and thin-lip washbasins, ƒĞĢóĞ ŽłĢŶā ŶĞũāā ùĢƦāũāłŶ design styles: Edgy, Smooth and Round.

Designed to be interchangeable, Wing makes it

perform well even at low water pressures.

For the installer, the Beacon Dual is said to be simple to install and comes with push-ƩŶ ťĢťā óŋłłāóŶĢŋłŭ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ Ö ƩũŭŶ ƩƗ ĴĢŶ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ĢłóķŽùāŭ ƩƗĢłėŭ Öłù templates to make installation, easier, faster, and more secure.

With ˞˙mm pipe centres, it is suitable for new installations but Öķŭŋ ŋƦāũŭ Ö ŭāÖĿķāŭŭ ũāŶũŋƩŶ ĕŋũ the Mira Agile and Mira Pronta range of showers. ¦Ğā ÖùıŽŭŶÖðķā̇ ĿŋƑāÖðķā deluge head also increases ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł ƪāƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ̍ ŋŶĞ the single and dual outlet ƑÖũĢÖłŶŭ Žŭā ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ƩũŭŶ ƩƗ kit, ensuring that upgrades can be catered for seamlessly. The āÖóŋł Žŭāŭ Ö ƪŽŭĞ ùāŭĢėł Ŷŋ provide a built-in look without the hassle of a complicated in-the-wall installation. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˝˙

Shower screen with industrial appeal Described as minimalism meets industrial, the latest addition to the GlassLine series of shower screens from Unidrain features a distinctive black frame. This industrial, New York loft style design complements the company’s Reframe accessories collection and the black variant of the HighLine Colour drain.

The GlassLine shower screen is ˚˙mm of clear tempered glass, which is secured discreetly and ŭāóŽũāķƘ ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ ÖłƘ ƑĢŭĢðķā ùĢŭťķÖƘ ŋĕ ƩƗĢłėŭ̇ ŭóũāƒŭ̇ ƩŶŶĢłėŭ ŋũ ıŋĢłŭ̍ ¦Ğā ŭóũāāł Ģŭ ĿŋŽłŶāù in a shower base situated under the bathroom ƪŋŋũĢłė̇ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ðā Žŭāù Ģł óŋłıŽłóŶĢŋł ƒĢŶĞ the ShowerLine drain unit. It comes complete with a groove-in-the-ƪŋŋũ ƪÖłėā̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˝˛

easy to create a contemporary statement in the modern bathroom. Each model is cast with the company’s overhang design feature, or with a thinlip design, where the basin is ùāƩłāù ðƘ Ö ˞mm slim edge ťũŋƩķā̍ The range is available with ĕŋŽũ ùĢƦāũāłŶ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ̞ inset, countertop, with a semi pedestal, and with a full pedestal ̞ Öłù ŶĞā óŋłŶāĿťŋũÖũƘ óŋķŋŽũ palette adds to its high fashion look, with options like matt black, white, grey and blue brina. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˝˚

Advertisement feature

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

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Why copper should be the gold standard The debate of metal vs. plastic pipe has been ongoing for many years - copper tube has long been hailed as the ‘gold standard’ in plumbing but despite this, plastic pipe has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. The Copper Sustainability Partnership makes the case for choosing copper.

T

he complexity of the copper vs. plastic debate has continued to evolve since multilayer plastic pipe (MLP) became available on the market, which contains both metal and plastic. MLP typically consists of three layers: an outer plastic layer which is usually made of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), which encases a central aluminium layer which in turn encases a final plastic layer, usually made from a similar material to the outer layer.

With contractors under pressure with fixed price contracts, some are looking to substitute products for cheaper alternatives and MLP manufacturers have pushed their product forward as a solution.

While it is true that MLP pipes provide a cheaper alternative to metal, there are a number of serious environmental problems and installation weaknesses to this solution - MLP is a poorer quality alternative whereas copper pipe is the professional choice.

Copper pipe has a unique ability to be safely recycled over and over without any loss in performance or properties. As a result, around half of Europe’s copper demand is currently being met by recycled materials and, to date, at least 65% of all copper mined remains in circulation, available for use. Additionally, according to the International Copper Association, about two thirds of the copper produced since 1900 is still in use today.

On the other hand, despite industry claims that MLP pipes are fully recyclable and have a circular, end-of-life economy, in practice MLP is still not being recycled.

One reason for this is that many plastic pipes, including MLP, aren’t recyclable. For example, multi-layer composite (MLC) tube, consisting of layers of plastic and aluminium, is a prime example of commonly

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occurring anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties discourage the growth of harmful organisms. Unlike synthetic plastic pipes, it is also 100% natural so doesn’t emit contaminants or synthetic compounds into drinking water.

Furthermore, CORDIS analysis also states that attempting to recycle these types of pipes “results in highly toxic byproducts”.

used tube that cannot be recycled.

Additionally, plastic compounds such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) all deteriorate over time, making them less and less suitable for recycling.

According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, around 100 million tonnes of multilayer thermoplastics are produced globally each year and, because there is no way to separate the polymers, almost all of that plastic ends up in landfills or incinerators. Many claim that multilayer plastic pipes are recyclable but, as it stands, there are no recycling frameworks

in place, so its ‘recyclability’ is currently nothing but theoretical.

The claim that these products are recyclable is simply an example of greenwashing – focusing on the benefits of plastic, downplaying its environmental impact and greatly exaggerating its recyclability. In reality, research by CORDIS shows that “conventional non-recyclable pipes for heating plumbing systems are manufactured from non-recyclable cross linked PEX. They are also made of PEX/ AL, which comprises a layer of aluminium sandwiched between two PEX layers.”

Copper is known for its thermal resilience and has the ability to withstand fluctuating temperatures. In fact, its incredibly high melting point means copper pipes won’t melt, burn or give off toxic fumes in a building fire, like some plastic pipes will.

An o cial building code report published by the International Code Council cites plastic material like piping as a “dangerous void” because of how it can melt, burn, and spread fires. any plastics are intumescent materials, which means they grow in size in the event of fire, which create extreme fire hazards because of how they allow fires to spread.

Additionally, MLP pipes have been known to allow pesticides and other soil contaminants through into drinking water and studies have shown that certain types of pipes containing plastic can leach MTBE, a toxic petroleum by-product, into drinking water.

However, copper has been proven to support health and wellbeing as its naturally

MLP pipes cannot be used as widely as 100% metal pipe copper pipe is a much more versatile material and can be used across utilities including water, heating, gas, and air conditioning, all while offering greater choice and longevity.

MLP pipes, on the other hand, are unsuitable for use in any outdoor applications as the plastic can be damaged by UV radiation, and they can’t be used in steam services, solar applications, next to a boiler, or in medical gas installations.

With its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, pressures and exposure to UV and oxygen, copper can be used for a range of purposes and across a multitude of environments, without its integrity being altered.

Put simply, MLP pipes don’t last as long as copper and their lifespan isn’t as long as that of copper pipe.

Copper can be used for products that need to keep their integrity for hundreds of thousands of years. For example, copper makes up part of Sweden’s nuclear waste handling technology, where copper canisters encapsulate the radioactive waste for longterm storage. The canisters are required to keep their integrity for at least 100,000 years but are thought to last five times longer.

With use in industrial products that need to keep their reliability for hundreds of thousands of years, as well as domestic uses, it’s clear that copper is a durable engineering solution for now and future generations.

Make the right choice. Choose copper. /721/19

05/07/2021 17:14

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

40

Vans & Racking

Charge up for urban and rural driving The Proace medium duty van from Toyota is now available as a battery electric version, with 50 and 5kWh lithium-ion battery options and a driving range of up to 205 miles. For users working in urban areas, the extent of the driving range means daily recharging may not be necessary, minimising their vehicle’s downtime.

Proace Electric has three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Power. Driving in Power mode means maximum power output from the battery and top speed is electronically limited to 80mph.

A 0 62mph acceleration can be accomplished in 12.1 seconds with the 50kW battery, 13.3 seconds with the 5kW unit. In Eco mode output is reduced to 81bhp/60kW

Real time monitoring alerts drivers to vehicle breaches

with 190Nm of torque Key customer concerns have been addressed, including charging times (fast charging to 80% in less than one hour with a 100kW fast charger) and battery quality (8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty as standard).

This, says Toyota, makes Proace

ri

All-in package with inclusive aftercare Installers driving a Volkswagen van between three and six years old can benefit from an all-inclusive aftercare plan. The package, named ‘All-in from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’, gives owners two services, two years Roadside Assistance, two MOTs, and two years of warranty.

The programme combines a range of services, bundled into a single package, and paid for either by 24 monthly installments or as a one-off payment. It represents a complete care package that covers main future servicing and repair costs. Compared with pay-as-you-go pricing, All-in provides average savings of 1558 over two years, while also offering the option of booking services and MOTs for a

single visit to minimise vehicle downtime.

All-in is priced at £34.9 per month over 24 months or a oneoff payment of 839.30. Vehicles aged between three to six years are eligible, meaning that the support could be effective until the van is eight years old. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

Protect against galvanic reaction

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Electric an option for customers who need to access low/zero emission zones, giving them the opportunity to develop cost e cient business models that deliver environmental performance while maintaining service levels. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

The 3m PipeTube carrier from Rhino is now available with a full-length PV lining to the tube. This will help to stop the galvanic reaction that can otherwise take place, discolouring the pipes stored inside.

The design includes an integral locking system and an added rubber seal to reduce water entering the tube. In addition, the stylish design of PipeTube Pro offers a generous carrying capacity, twin openings and full professional crash testing and safety accreditation. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 7

Guard Mode is Ford’s connectedvehicle security system that monitors vans in real time via a smartphone. It notifies drivers of potential breaches in security through Ford’s app for commercial vehicle operators, FordPass Pro. When activated, for example after business hours or at the weekend, Guard Mode employs sensors to detect when someone enters the vehicle, opens the bonnet or load compartment, or starts the engine. It then sends a notification to the owner s smartphone using the vehicle’s FordPass Connect modem.

An alert will also be triggered if a vehicle is unlocked or started using a key – an action that would not activate a conventional vehicle alarm and may be useful in the event of a key being stolen or cloned. This builds on existing alarm notifications in FordPass Pro, including Trailer Theft Alert,

which sends an alert if it detects a trailer is being unhooked.

The Guard Mode screens in the FordPass Pro app highlight the times the vehicle was accessed, the reason for alarms, when trigger actions happened and the vehicle’s last known location. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

n dition de i ers t e m st-have extras

ffering high levels of standard specification and value, auxhall has introduced new Gri n Edition’ models across its light commercial vehicle line, including Combo, Vivaro and Movano models.

On the exterior, the Combo Gri n dition features 16-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint and rear parking sensors. Inside, owners get a multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen, cruise control, and FlexCargo, which allows drivers to load through the bulkhead, as well as fold the passenger and centre seat to improve load space.

The ivaro Gri n dition features rear parking sensors, 1 -inch alloy wheels, high-

beam assist as well as automatic windscreen wipers and body coloured bumpers. Inside, the ivaro Gri n dition comes as standard with Vauxhall’s Multimedia system with a -inch touchscreen, cruise control, and FlexCargo.

The large ovano Gri n

Edition comes standard with rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlights. Drivers also get a digital radio with Bluetooth and a USB connection, as well as comfort seats with lumbar support and armrest. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 6

Large load area supported by powerful battery Relay, Citroën’s biggest van, is now available in the UK with a choice of two all-electric drivetrains. The ë-Relay is offered exclusively in the well-appointed

‘Enterprise’ trim, and the panel van versions are available in L2 (5413mm), L3 (5998mm) and L4 (6363mm) lengths.

Customers have a choice of

two lithium-ion battery packs: a 3 kWh battery connected to a 120hp (90kW) electric motor available in the L2 Panel Van, or a 0kWh battery unit connected to the same 120hp (90kW) motor for all other body types.

The 3 kWh battery provides a WLTP certified range of up to 3 miles in the L2 Panel Van, while the 0kWh battery increases range up to 139 miles under WLTP testing for L3 and L4 variants.

All Citroën ë-Relay models include a Type 2 charging cable, supporting charging up to 22kW. A full charge from a kW wallbox unit will take 6 and 12 hours respectively for the 3 kWh and 0kWh versions. Both battery packs support up to 50kW rapid charging. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 8

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Light Commercial Heating

It pays to invest in an upgrade When considering a boiler replacement for a light óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ťũŋıāóŶ̇ ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ ŽłĢŶŭ łŋƒ ŋƦ āũ Ö ƒāÖķŶĞ ŋĕ āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłŶ ÖùƑÖłŶÖėāŭ̇ ŶĞÖłĴŭ Ŷŋ ÖùƑÖłóāĿāłŶŭ Ģł ŶĞā heat exchanger, pump and controls. Paul Martin from ATAG Commercial explains more.

N

onis used to keep the water inside the domestic heat exchanger in buildings a turbulent state. in the UK This turbulence account is responsible for for ˚ˠ% of our energy agitating the water consumption and ˚˛% ƪ ŋƒ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ũāĿŋƑāŭ of greenhouse gas any insulating emissions. While there barrier between is a lot of excitement the heated water in the industry about and the wall of the enhancing new ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ ̞ Ģł buildings, what about turn ensuring rapid existing commercial Öłù āƧ óĢāłŶ ĞāÖŶ properties still transfer. reliant on antiquated, Paul Martin As the pump is ĢłāƧ óĢāłŶ ðŋĢķāũŭ National sales manager at ATAG moving water around for heating and hot Commercial inside a small closed water? system (between Replacing dated, the boiler and the wasteful boilers low loss header or heat exchanger, ƒĢŶĞ Ŀŋùāũł̇ ĞĢėĞ āƧ óĢāłóƘ depending on the application), it condensing models is a great method does not expend a lot of energy, with ŋĕ ÖóĞĢāƑĢłė ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ āłāũėƘ ŶĞā ŶŽũðŽķāłŶ ƪ ŋƒ ŋĕ ŶĞā ƒÖŶāũ Öķŭŋ savings, as well as a reduction in CO helping to preserve the lifespan of and NOx emissions. In recent years, the heat exchanger itself by reducing manufacturers have made vast the build-up of any precipitates on strides in the design and engineering of modern boilers, particularly the the heat transfer surface. latest light commercial wall hung units. Advances in boiler technology Exhaust gases have resulted in improved levels When looking to replace aged of performance, especially in key commercial boilers, another key components, such as the heat consideration is the exhaust gases exchanger, pump and controls, which ̞ ťÖũŶĢóŽķÖũķƘ ŶĞā pzƗ āĿĢŭŭĢŋłŭ̍ have key roles to play in maximising Boilers with specially designed ũāķĢÖðĢķĢŶƘ Öłù āƧ óĢāłóƘ̍ combustion zones inside the heat exchanger will minimise the formation of harmful NOx and Maximum heat transfer CO emissions. Indeed, the NOx Modern heat exchanger technology emissions for all the boilers in our can maximise levels of heat XL-F range are below ˛˝mg/kWh transfer without compromising reliability. The key reasons for (EN˚˞˞˙˛) and achieve the maximum this are a combination of stainless BREEAM credits. steel construction, coupled with the multiple, specially-engineered Wider ratios pipes inside the component. The Modulation is another key factor latter ensures high levels of heat when it comes to saving energy, transference, and condensation can especially as the heat requirements be achieved. As a result, it is common for a boiler vary from season to for the latest boilers to achieve a season (with more heat naturally ėũŋŭŭ ŭāÖŭŋłÖķ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Žť Ŷŋ ˢ˟̍˞%. required during the winter months).

In order to achieve maximum Boilers with wide modulation ratios āƧ óĢāłóƘ̇ ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũŭ łŋŶ ŋłķƘ ĢĿťũŋƑā āƧ óĢāłóƘ̇ ŶĞāƘ Öķŭŋ have been designed to enhance reduce wear and tear on components. transference of thermal energy from This ratio is a boiler’s ability to the burner into the system water. reduce its maximum output to its To achieve maximum absorbance of minimum output, with a wider range heat, both the water’s turbulence and being the preferred option. Units ƪ ŋƒ ũÖŶā Öũā ťĢƑŋŶÖķ ̞ ŶĞĢŭ Ģŭ ƒĞāũā are considered to have an excellent the pump comes into play. modulation ratio when their A modulating circulation pump minimum output is one tenth (˚̆˚˙)

41

of the maximum output.

1łāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Ģŭ further enhanced by controllability, with built-in cascade boiler controls now common in new commercial units.

Incorporating these as part of the main boiler removes the need for additional, external controls, although it is important to consider enhanced connectivity options for easy integration with building management systems (BMS). Compatibility with common data protocols used in building automation, such as BACNET, MODbus, LONbus and KNX, aids integration with BMS, further optimising overall system āƧ óĢāłóƘ̍ 8LI O; <0 * ƽSSV WXERHMRK FSMPIV Ƽ XXIH EX 1SRQSYXL 7GLSSP JSV +MVPW MR ;EPIW So, when considering improvement to existing particularly in terms of light light commercial heating systems, commercial wall-ĞŽłė Öłù ƪ ŋŋũinstallers and contractors should standing models. Utilising high quality ensure they utilise the latest in boilers that are well managed and condensing boiler technology. Modern correctly maintained will ensure high units have now developed to a stage ķāƑāķŭ ŋĕ ũāķĢÖðĢķĢŶƘ Öłù āƧ óĢāłóƘ ĕŋũ where maximum performance and many years. low NOx emissions are possible, ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˝ˢ

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

42

Light Commercial Heating

Space saving solution for multi-dwelling apartments A new HIU design could help to save valuable space, speed up installation time, and also improve accessibility for future servicing and maintenance. Martin Lowe explains more.

corridor. This last location offers the most exciting benefits, because firstly it would allow architects and planners to design apartments that are more internally spacious for the eventual occupiers and, secondly, it would allow regular service and maintenance of the units from outside the dwelling without the di culty of disturbing the occupier to arrange access.

Modular design

 The Ultra Compact Heat Interface Unit over a front door

I

am sure that most readers are aware that the HVAC industry is under great pressure to embrace change, both in terms of minimising energy costs and reducing its impact on the environment.

In recent times our industry has generally only moved forward by adapting solutions from existing technologies from other industries or other countries. Some times ‘new’ products have also evolved from the combination of existing products, such as pumps, valves, fittings, etc, that have been creatively cobbled together on site by skilled craftsmen to solve any immediate problems they have in front of them.

This is a very reactionary approach to the design process, and I wonder if it would be better to use this demand for change as an opportunity to examine, not only energy usage and the supply method, but also how we install, flush, commission and maintain systems.

Should we not be taking this opportunity to design and install products that are accessible, serviceable and can be easily changed to meet an unknown future? I believe it is within our power to design in the service and maintenance and thereby minimise future problems rather than create them in the first place.

Back to basics

My particular focus at this time is on the development of a brand new HIU (heat interface unit) that will be designed proactively to tackle the challenges that I see ahead of us. To achieve this, I’ve taken a ‘back to basics’ approach on the design of HIUs. I have striven to

42.indd 1

 The apartment’s service cupboard with washing machine and MVHR system

Martin Lowe

Founder of Lowe Consulting

This will make the HIU locatable not only in a smaller internal space or service cupboard within a dwelling, but also potentially in a ceiling void in a corridor

 This view shows how the cupboard size has been reduced to save space

KEY BENEFITS  Potential to save on space within an apartment  Makes the unit easier to flush and commission  Service and maintenance can be performed without the need to schedule an appointment  Parts can be changed without any need to enter an apartment  A modular design allows it to be easily adapted to meet changing requirements

The next important feature to note with this HIU design concept is its focus on standardised modular construction. This makes it not only easier to subassemble, test and build in the factory, but also makes it as simple as possible to install, service and maintain at point of use. So much so, it is potentially possible for even inexperienced plumbing and heating engineers to carry out the general service and maintenance with the minimum amount of prior training or support.

As it is modular in nature the individual component modules of the unit can be quickly and easily replaced with the minimum disruption to the system (or occupant).

Imagine, if you will, that after installation a service and maintenance company pre-purchases spare modules (for both the heating and hot water applications) that could then be held on site (or within a mobile unit of some sort).

Then, following a report of a failure and an inspection from a service engineer confirming that one or more modules is indeed malfunctioning, they can almost instantly have access to the correct replacement parts to quickly change out any malfunctioning modules. This means that the heating and hot water services can be up and running again with the minimum amount of disruption. After that, the offending unit modules can be sent away for inspection, repair or reconditioning and possible future reuse.

Looking ahead  Typical example of a current HIU with a chilled interface unit

ensure compliance with BSRIA BG29 2021 recommendations and to optimise the HIU in terms of space saving, accessibility (for maintenance) and customisation to meet a wide range of system requirements.

Primarily, I have put a focus on making the unit as compact as possible. This will make the HIU locatable not only in a smaller internal space or service cupboard within a dwelling, but also potentially within a ceiling void in a

Beyond these obvious benefits, this design also has a good amount of future proofing built in. Thanks to its modular and customisable nature it can easily be retrofitted to meet changing regulations, new technology or adaptions to the system load or hot water supply. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/

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Light Commercial Heating

Growth in demand for electric solutions āóāłŶ ĿŋłŶĞŭ ĞÖƑā ŭāāł Ö ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ ėũŋƒŶĞ Ģł ùāĿÖłù ĕŋũ ˜-phase electric heating solutions, with the largest increase attributed to commercial installations, says the Electric Heating Company (EHC).

E

lectric heating is an increasingly viable option for heating properties within social housing throughout the UK. New legislation heralds a change in how SAP determines a property’s ERP Rating – to almost the same as gas. This change allows widespread use of electric radiators and electric boilers, which are widely understood as having low installation óŋŭŶŭ̇ łŋ ƪŽā ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶ̇ ķŋƒ maintenance, rapid heat up times Öłù ĞĢėĞ āƧóĢāłóƘ̍ Electric heating systems typically have a lower upfront installation cost than gas, oil or LPG systems. Some may claim

that the initial cost savings are ŋƦŭāŶ Ģł ŶĞā ķŋłė ũŽł ðƘ ŶĞā higher cost per unit of electricity.

However, price projections indicate that the cost of gas is expected to increase and the cost of low carbon alternatives, such as electric, is reducing as government support strengthens to meet climate change targets.

Electric boilers also last about ˞˙% longer than oil or gas boilers alternatives because the lack of moving parts massively reduces the risk of a breakdown or wear and tear. There is also no mandatory annual service, thereby providing further cost savings.

An electric heating system is also very easy to install as there

is absolutely no need for any ťĢťāƒŋũĴ Öłù ŶĞāũā Öũā łŋ ƪŽā ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶŭ ĕŋũ ðŋĢķāũŭ̍ ķķ ŶĞÖŶ Ģŭ ũāŨŽĢũāù Ģŭ Ö óŋłłāóŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ŶĞā electrical circuit, which means that the radiators and boilers can be installed almost anywhere in a property, without any restriction on building work or design.

Over the last ˚8 months there ĞÖŭ ðāāł Ö ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ ĢłóũāÖŭā Ģł the demand for 3-phase electric heating solutions. While there has been more demand for large domestic dwellings, the

largest increase is attributed to commercial installations such as schools, hotels, small-to-medium ŋƧóāŭ Öłù ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ ťũāĿĢŭāŭ̍ Ŷ 1N! ƒā ŋƦāũ Ö ŭāķāóŶ ũÖłėā ŋĕ ˜-phase Astro, Comet and Mercury combi boilers which are available from ˚˛ to ˝ˡkW depending on Ŀŋùāķ Öłù ŋŽŶťŽŶ ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶŭ̍ ¦Ğāŭā āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłŶ ťũŋùŽóŶŭ ŋƦāũ ĕŽķķ óŋłŶũŋķķÖðĢķĢŶƘ̇ āÖŭā ŋĕ operation and, with the correct āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ŶÖũĢƦ̇ óŋłŶĢłŽā Ŷŋ ðā ÖƦŋũùÖðķā Ŷŋ ũŽł̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˞˚

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Light Commercial Heating 45 Getting the air out of low temperature systems Adding to its range of vacuum degassers, Spirotech has introduced the SpiroVent Superior S˛˞˙ for smaller commercial closed heating and cooling systems. Suitable for locations such as schools, restaurants and larger domestic properties, it is designed to operate almost silently.

The S˛˞˙ has been created in response to increased demand for low-temperature systems, such as Ģł ­DN ƒĞāũā ĢŶ Ģŭ ùĢƧ óŽķŶ Ŷŋ ùāŶāóŶ

where air can be released from.

Air in a system leads to corrosion and destructive sludge, also creating noise from components such as pumps, which ƒŋŽķù ĕÖĢķ Ŷŋ ƒŋũĴ āƧ óĢāłŶķƘ̍ Business director Rob Jacques says: “Unlike with higher temperature systems where you can predict where air will appear and then expel it with deaerators, in the new low-temperature systems it’s often impossible to

Enhanced air source additions

determine where that would be.

With a vacuum degasser, this is no longer an issue, improving āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù āƗŶāłùĢłė ƘāÖũŭ ŋĕ service.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˞˛

Electric boilers pull their weight on site The E-Tech electric boiler range from ACV is being used by Rapid Energy to supply customers with equipment for temporary plant rooms and boiler hire services. The ACV equipment is being used for trolley ĿŋŽłŶāù ðŋĢķāũ ĞĢũā̇ ĕŽķƩ ķķĢłė Ö ùāĿÖłù ťũāùŋĿĢłÖłŶķƘ Ģł ŶĞā óŋłŭŶũŽóŶĢŋł ŭāóŶŋũ̍ !Á ŋƦ āũŭ Ŀŋũā ŶĞÖł ˚˜ electric boiler models from ˚˝̟˛˞ˢkW output, single and three phase options, as well as combined heating and hot water models. ÖĿĢ bÖŭÖť̇ óĞĢāĕ ĿÖũĴāŶĢłė ŋƧ óāũ Öłù óŋ-founder of Rapid Energy, says: “Their main use on construction sites is to reduce the drying time of screed. However, with the E-tech W ˚˞kW boiler being available as a single phase, it makes it ideal for housing developments, so they’re also used for ŶāĿťŋũÖũƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė Öłù ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ĕŋũ ŭŶÖƦ ŋł ŶĞāŭā ťũŋıāóŶŭ̍ Âā ŋũĢėĢłÖķķƘ only intended to buy around ˚˙ units to create the trolley mounted systems, however demand for these products has been so popular we now have ˜˜.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˞˜

Two new models have been added to Elco’s Aerotop range of air source heat pumps. The new Aerotop M is available in outputs from ˛˝ to ˝ˡkW, while the larger Aerotop L can deliver outputs from ˞˝ to ˡˡkW. All models in the range are reversible and can ðā ŭŽťťķĢāù ƒĢŶĞ ƪ ŋƒ Öłù ũāŶŽũł manifolds for arrangements of up to four heat pumps, while ˚˟ units can be managed by a cascade controller.

This range has an A++ ErP

Energy Rating, COPs up to ˝̍˛˞, and SCOP up to ˝̍˜. They also use R˜˛ refrigerant circuits, boasting ĞĢėĞ ŭāÖŭŋłÖķ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Ģł ðŋŶĞ heating and cooling mode, as well as a ˠ˙% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) compared to R˝˚˙A refrigerant.

Units are quiet running, with brushless DC inverter fans, inverter pump and anti-vibration mounts to limit sound levels.

The models integrate with Elco’s condensing gas boilers. Such an arrangement allows systems to maximise the heat pumps’ COPs throughout the year, while Öķŭŋ ðāłāƩ ŶŶĢłė ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ boiler technology when outside temperatures drop. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˠ˛˚̓˞˝

PHAM JULYAUG21:Layout 1 05/07/2021 13:04 Page 46

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

46

Light Commercial Heating

¦Ğā ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ ŋĕ ĞƘðũĢù As the UK looks to move towards its ˛˙˞˙ net zero target, hybrid systems óŋŽķù ťũŋƑā Ŷŋ ðā ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ ƪ āƗĢðķā Öłù ƑĢÖðķā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ĕŋũ ĞāÖŶ łāŶƒŋũĴŭ̍ āŶā mĢķķŭ ĕũŋĿ ŋŭóĞ !ŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ͽ RłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ āƗťķÖĢłŭ Ŀŋũā̍

W

ith ˛˙˞˙ approaching ĕÖŭŶāũ ŶĞÖł we would like, we need to consider all available options rather than a binary selection between heat pumps and hydrogen-ũāÖùƘ ðŋĢķāũŭ̍ ÂĞāũā many see heat pumps as the most readily available option ŶŋùÖƘ ĕŋũ āƗĢŭŶĢłė ĞāÖŶ łāŶƒŋũĴ applications, the original system design and building construction may require a Ŀŋũā ƪ āƗĢðķā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ŭŽóĞ Öŭ Ö ĞƘðũĢù ŭƘŭŶāĿ̍

Heat networks Tackling our carbon emissions ĕũŋĿ ĞāÖŶ ĞÖŭ ðāóŋĿā Ö ĞĢėĞ priority and so it’s essential we ŶÖóĴķā āƗĢŭŶĢłė ĞāÖŶ łāŶƒŋũĴŭ Ģĕ ƒā Öũā Ŷŋ ÖóĞĢāƑā ŋŽũ łāŶ ơāũŋ ŶÖũėāŶŭ̍

Pete Mills Commercial technical operations manager at Bosch Commercial & Industrial

NāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ Öũā ŋĕŶāł considered to be the primary ŋťŶĢŋł ĕŋũ ķÖũėā ŭóÖķā ĞāÖŶĢłė developments, where heating and hot water are powered ðƘ āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ̍ NāÖŶ ťŽĿť technology, however, comes at a cost that adds considerably to the initial capital investment, Ģĕ ŶĞā ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ Öķŋłā Öũā Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ Öķķ ŶĞā ùāĿÖłù̍ An air source heat pump, ĕŋũ āƗÖĿťķā̇ Ģŭ ũāķĢÖłŶ ŋł ŶĞā outside air temperature and will ŭŽƦ āũ ĕũŋĿ ũāùŽóāù āƧ óĢāłóƘ ùŽũĢłė ŶĞā óŋķùāũ ĿŋłŶĞŭ̍ On the other hand, a ground source heat pump tends to be Ŀŋũā āƧ óĢāłŶ Ģł ƘāÖũ-round temperature situations, but is ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶķƘ Ŀŋũā āƗťāłŭĢƑā Ŷŋ ĢłŭŶÖķķ̇ Öłù ŶĞāũāĕŋũā ķāŭŭ ťŋťŽķÖũ ŶĞÖł ÖĢũ ŭŋŽũóā̍ ŋ̇ Ģĕ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ Öķŋłā Öũā not going to be the solution,

ƒĞÖŶ Ģŭ ŶĞā Öłŭƒāũ̎ RŶ Ģŭ ķŋŋĴĢłė increasingly likely that as we edge towards the net zero target, current boilers will be replaced by hydrogen-ready ÖťťķĢÖłóāŭ̍ ¦Ğā ÖùƑÖłŶÖėā ŋĕ ĞƘùũŋėāł Ģŭ ĢŶŭ ŭĢĿťķĢóĢŶƘ̍ RŶ Ģŭ ũāķÖŶĢƑāķƘ āÖŭƘ Ŷŋ óŋłƑāũŶ āƗĢŭŶĢłė ėÖŭ ùĢŭŶũĢðŽŶĢŋł łāŶƒŋũĴŭ ĕũŋĿ łÖŶŽũÖķ ėÖŭ Ŷŋ ĞƘùũŋėāł̍ Hydrogen is also a carbon-ĕũāā energy source and combustion ŋĕ ĞƘùũŋėāł ťũŋùŽóāŭ łŋ óÖũðŋł ùĢŋƗĢùā ŋũ óÖũðŋł ĿŋłŋƗĢùā āĿĢŭŭĢŋłŭ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ Ö ðāłāƩ Ŷ ƒĞāł ƒŋũĴĢłė ŶŋƒÖũùŭ Ö łāŶ ơāũŋ ŶÖũėāŶ̍

Hybrid approach ĿÖıŋũ ÖùƑÖłŶÖėā ŋĕ Ö hybrid system is the reduced alterations needed to an āƗĢŭŶĢłė ĞāÖŶĢłė Öłù ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ŭƘŭŶāĿ Öłù ŶĞā ťũŋťāũŶƘ ĢŶŭāķĕ̍ To substitute a gas boiler or !N -based system totally with a heat pump is likely to require ĢĿťũŋƑāĿāłŶŭ Ŷŋ ŶĞā āƗĢŭŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ ùāŭĢėł Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ĕÖðũĢó ŋĕ ŶĞā ðŽĢķùĢłė Ŷŋ ũāùŽóā ŶĞā ĞāÖŶ ķŋŭŭ Öłù ĿÖĴā ŶĞā āƗĢŭŶĢłė radiators and pipework suitably ŭĢơāù ĕŋũ ŶĞā ķŋƒāũ ƒÖŶāũ

ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũāŭ̍ This is why hybrid systems are looking to be introduced on a wider scale, as opposed to heat pumps only, as they can ŭŽťťŋũŶ ĕŽŶŽũā óÖũðŋł āĿĢŭŭĢŋł ũāùŽóŶĢŋłŭ̍ !ŽũũāłŶ ðŋĢķāũŭ are likely to be replaced by hydrogen ones, when needed, and it looks like they could be mandatory when replacing ŋķùāũ ðŋĢķāũŭ Ģł ŶĞā ĕŽŶŽũā̍ Ƙ óÖũāĕŽķķƘ óŋłŭĢùāũĢłė ŶĞā ùāŭĢėł ŋĕ ĞāÖŶ łāŶƒŋũĴ ťķÖłŶ rooms now, we will be able to Ĵāāť óÖťĢŶÖķ ĢłƑāŭŶĿāłŶ ĕŋũ low carbon heat sources more ũāÖķĢŭŶĢó̍ NƘðũĢù ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ óŋŽķù Öķŭŋ ŋƦ āũ ƑÖķŽÖðķā ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ Ģł ŶĞā ĕŽŶŽũā̇ ĕŋũ ðŋŶĞ ķÖũėā and small developments, to be ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ĿāóĞÖłĢŭĿŭ ŶĞÖŶ Ğāķť ŭŽťťŋũŶ ðÖķÖłóĢłė ŋĕ ŶĞā ėũĢù óÖťÖóĢŶƘ̍ To conclude, hybrid systems could be a smarter approach ŶĞÖŶ ŋƦ āũŭ ðŋŶĞ óÖťĢŶÖķ ŭÖƑĢłėŭ Žť ĕũŋłŶ Öłù ĕÖũ ėũāÖŶāũ ĕŽŶŽũā ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ŶĞā łāāùŭ ŋĕ óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ̍ NÖƑĢłė Ö ũāÖķ óĞŋĢóā ŋĕ ƒĞāũā ƒā ðŽƘ ŋŽũ āłāũėƘ could be even more important as we head towards ˛˙˞˙̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˠ˛˚̓˞˞

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Product News 47 Designed for a quick and easy boiler upgrade With the launch of the new Greenstar 4000 boiler range, Worcester Bosch aims to build on the success of its best selling Greenstar i series with a number of upgrades to its predecessor’s appearance and performance.

Key improvements include increased ease and speed of installation, commissioning and servicing, alongside improvements in e ciency and control for the user.

Encompassing features from its range-topping 8000 Style boiler, the Greenstar 4000 has been designed to ensure the easy replacement of any i Junior, Si or i system boiler thanks to the same fixing points, pipe centres and flue to valve distance.

The wall-frame provides a prepiping option for all seven combi pipe connections before the boiler is hung, while removable front and

Digistat upgrades

right-hand side panels help to ensure easy access internal components for maintenance and servicing needs.

The new range also includes an LPG variant, mirroring the ease of use, appearance upgrades and performance enhancements of the Greenstar 4000.

Green packaging

Environmentally-friendly packaging is another advancement of the new range. All polystyrene packaging has been removed and replaced with a household recyclable honeycomb cardboard, while plastic bags have been replaced with compostable bags which can be placed in garden waste for composting. To ensure that the packaging is still protective, the company has subjected it to a series of intense transport tests.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management, comments: “The Greenstar 4000 series builds upon everything people love about the Greenstar i, with improvements to make it more accessible and attractive to installers and homeowners alike. From simplified

10

Digistats to be won! see p49

The latest generation of Drayton’s Digistat combines ‘must-have’ features with a contemporary new look and app control. It offers Bluetooth connectivity for in-home control via the company’s Wiser Home app as well as control via the thermostat.

Once the installer has set up the new Digistat with either a -day, 5 2-day, or 24-hour programme, homeowners can then build their heating schedule via the app to suit their lifestyle.

In the app, users can access smart modes typically associated with smart controls. The Away Mode and elayed Start offer reductions in energy use, while the Boost Mode allows users to temporarily increase the desired temperature for a short period without having to adjust the schedule. The Timed Away Mode is for pausing the schedule for longer periods of time, allowing users to set a start and end time and date.

Suitable for both new and existing systems, the RF version of the new Digistat is compatible with the UK standard wallplate for easy retrofit, whilst the spare thermostat is compatible with existing SCRs. It is also the first igistat in the range to be available as a two channel wireless option, offering installers a solution for either heating and hot water or two heating channels on a combi boiler. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 7

servicing and high-tech control systems to quieter operation and increased e ciency, we hope that installers fall in love with this boiler just as much as the Greenstar i that it replaces.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 6

Swipe right to choose energy savings Grohe has introduced digital enhancements to its Grohe Plus range of basin taps, enabling users to accurately control the water temperature. Using the principle of ‘nudging’, a concept from behavioral economics, users are made aware through a visual colour change displayed on the spout of the tap when hot water is flowing – often unnecessarily – in order to encourage them to avoid wasting energy. This design approach promotes responsible use of the valuable resource of water and saves energy at the same time.

Users can also switch from the standard spray to the more refined co Spray of just four litres per minute, which reduces water consumption without compromising on user comfort or experience. It is switched by swiping a hand over the lit icon on top of the spout to activate the sensor-controlled system which will change the water flow. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 8

Electric heaters for rental properties

Adapter range makes CSST compatible with more fittin s With the launch of the FGLink system, Flexigas claims to have the only CSST system on the market that is truly compatible with a wide range of readily available brass compression fittings.

FGLink has been specifically designed to fit FlowFlex brass fittings up to 40, including T-joints, elbows and compressions.

It allows multiple lengths of CSST or copper to be quickly joined on the same fitting, saving time on installation.

For installers, the system is said to offer more flexibility in one simple step, with the largest

47.indd 1

ONLINE range of CSST fittings available.

Installers and merchants that complete a training course can assemble a one-off fitting themselves on site using FlowFlex brass fittings, saving both time and money (as opposed to ordering a one-off fitting and waiting for it to

be delivered to site).

FlowFlex fittings are manufactured to BS EN1254, and FlowFlex fittings with the FGLink have EN 15266 certification (when assembled by a certified installer or merchant). ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/ 9

For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply visit phamnews. co.uk/721/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

The latest range of CNS Trend NC (no control) heaters has been launched by Stiebel Eltron to broaden its range of sustainable, tamperproof heating solutions for landlords.

The range has been designed for properties where the user is not the bill payer, giving landlords exclusive access to the temperature controls and onboard times and thereby reducing energy wastage and improving bill management.

The CNS Trend NC heaters do not require a separate local PIR or touch-activated controls, but users can use onboard controls to boost heat for a set limited period if the heater is at its setback temperature.

With added features, including a weekly timer, open window detection, self-learning capabilities and automatic circulation of the preheat timer, the CNS Trend NC is designed to reduce energy wastage in rental properties.

The new range comprises five new models, spanning 0.5 to 2kW in heating output, and complements Stiebel Eltron’s CNS range.

All of the CNS Trends NC heaters have a setting range of 5 to 30°C and come with a separate electronic controller with LCD. The tubular stainless steel element, overheating protection, and time buffering all enhance the device’s reliability in safety and maintenance. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/6

05/07/2021 12:09

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

48

Product News

Outdoor pumps are also out of eyeshot

Pipe hanging moves onto the Fast Track

The Sanifos range of underground pumps has been enhanced with two model upgrades and extended with a number of new models.

The original line-up included models with capacities between 110 and 500 litres to take the waste away from buildings with no gravity drainage.

The Sanifos 280 replaces the original 250 and offers an additional 30 litres capacity, whilst the new Sanifos 610 provides 110 litres additional capacity over its 500 litre predecessor. Both have two macerating options – a grinder or a vortex impeller – and can pump up to 14m and 16m respectively. All models feature a wired alarm for early warning of any problems, whilst the Sanifos 610 offers a choice of single or twin pumps, three phase or single phase, stop and check valve, and a SMART unit as standard on models with two pumps.

For public buildings or for multiple smaller buildings, Saniflo has introduced four large capacity models, starting with the Sanifos 1300 which can pump waste up to an impressive 1 m. This unit features two pumps mounted on a cast iron mounting base with stainless steel guide bars.

A choice of inlet height position is available and a template is provided for this purpose. Three further models – the 1600, 2100 and 3100 – enable customised lifting station solutions according to the project in hand. This includes single or three phase, alarms and control boxes, covers, float and pump options, as well as multiple connections required. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/61

The Fast Track suspension system from Gripple has been extended to include new brackets and features designed to help simplify installation .

Fast Trak is a pre-fabricated trapeze bracket solution designed for speed, flexibility and e cient use of space and is widely used for the installation of electrical containment, pipework, ductwork and other mechanical services, particularly in restricted spaces.

Mark Kimberley, head of construction products at Gripple, explains: “Saving time and costs is always a key focus on any project and, in line with customer feedback, we have developed a multi-tier bracket which is foursided with suspension points on every face. This offers the potential to attach multiple services in any direction, which adds even more versatility for installers.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/62

BSI certification adds to peace of mind The SmartLINK Gateway from Aico has received the o cial Kitemark certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Commonly used by housing associations and social landlords, the SmartLINK Gateway gives access to real-time data insight into the status of the smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm systems across entire housing stock.

Using built-in GSM data connection, the Gateway utilises Aico’s wireless technology to report events including fire C activations and alarm head removals as

they happen to the SmartLINK cloud portal, for full visibility and remote monitoring.

The BSI tested the connectivity and communications within the SmartLINK system, the associated mobile app and cloud portal, as well as the data encryption and security of the system. Findings demonstrated that the SmartLINK Gateway stores data in a secure way and does not use weak encryption algorithms for communications, safety functions are maintained in the event of system failure, and the system utilised over-the-air updates with appropriate policy in place. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/6

Backlit fans provide a touch of style Developed for the upmarket bathroom, a new range of extractor fans from Knightsbridge feature four LED backlit models which diffuse a soft blue light when operated. As well as offering a striking, modern design, these fans are quiet running – just 35dB at 3m – and need no earth because they are double-insulated.

They are suitable for either walls or ceilings and offer a choice of a white, black & stainless steel, black and grey finish. They are also energy e cient, extracting 90m3 hour for between two to 30 minutes, according to the setting of the adjustable built-in overrun timer. All fans in the range are rated at IPX4 and guaranteed for three years.

To view the full Knightsbridge range of products, simply download the company’s latest e-brochure by using the online readerlink number below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/6

Rationalised for easier selection To make customer choice more straightforward, Resideo has slimmed down its range of Honeywell Home T6 smart thermostats. The range, previously consisting of four options, is now available in two models: the T6R wall-mounted and T6R table stand.

The two models will continue to offer smart automated control to help users save energy. Both are compatible with any boiler and any system, including combi boilers, OpenTherm and heat pumps, and work with smart home devices. A ‘two-relay’ wireless receiver for control of central heating, hot water or two heating zones, comes with both versions, as does geo-fencing – a feature which enables customers to adjust their home heating based on their location.

48.indd 1

The only difference between the two models is that the wall-mounted version needs wiring to a 230V AC supply, while the table-stand model is plugged into a power supply via a cable.

Martin Wilson, Resideo sales director, says: “By changing the range from four options to two, we are making it easier for installers to sell the benefits to customers, and for customers to choose the right thermostat to suit their needs.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/6

Keeping noise under control The new ArmaComfort acoustic barrier range from Armacell is said to offer one of the most e cient ratios of transmission reduction on the market and ultra-thin material thickness. The product is designed for use in new constructions and for sound attenuation measures on existing building elements and mechanical equipment.

Products in the range achieve a sound transmission loss with a weighted sound reduction index Rw of 2 dB with a wall thickness of just 2mm, and Rw of 32dB at 4mm. They are claimed to be easy to install, require little space, and achieve excellent sound insulation properties over a wide frequency range. They are also flexible, bendable and easy to apply via a self-adhesive coating. They can be used on vertical or horizontal mechanical equipment and are free of halogen, phosphate, bitumen and lead.

The premium version, ArmaComfort Barrier P, is available in thicknesses of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm. ArmaComfort Barrier B is offered in wall thicknesses of 2, 3 and 4mm. To further optimise sound reduction, ArmaComfort Barrier can be combined with ArmaSound or other absorptive acoustic insulation materials on technical equipment, enclosures, or piping. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/66

05/07/2021 12:55

PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Product News

COMPETITION

Good things come in small packages Described as one of the smallest boilers currently available on the market, the new Compact combi boiler from Glow-worm fits within a casing size of 626 x 400mm and is available in both 24 and 28kW outputs. The Compact will be available from national merchants with a special price bundle from just £499 and comes with a flue and Power System Filter. The boiler also has a stainless steel heat exchanger and a new touchscreen interface for ease of installation.

Other features include a built-in bracket for ease of installation and an external eBUS socket to provide quick connectivity between the boiler and controls.

Additional accessories are also available, including

25mm spacing frame to allow for upward piping – which can still be fitted within a cupboard.

Available in both natural gas and LPG options, the Glow-worm Compact is ideal for applications where space is at a premium, including kitchen cupboards

Kitchen taps a solid choice for contractors Targeting contractors and housebuilder customers, Leisure Sinks has launched eight new WRAS-approved kitchen taps consisting of monobloc models in either single or dual-lever designs. They come with a five-year warranty.

Highlights include the Aquaflair dual-lever tap (pictured above right), which features a swan-neck design with a contemporary twist on cross-handle levers, and the Aquastem tall single-lever tap with

Designed for heat pumps The latest range of low loss headers and buffer tanks from Advantay are ‘A’ class rated and come with a 10-year warranty. They have been designed with heat pumps in mind.

The all-stainless steel low loss headers come in 13 and 20 litre sizes for wall

and caravan retrofit projects.

In addition, the new boiler is fully compatible with the brand’s existing range of controls and comes complete with a five-year guarantee.

Spencer Clark, commercial director for UK & Ireland, comments: “The Compact boiler is a great value addition to our range. It really packs a punch when it comes to performance, but its size means that it can be easily placed out of sight within the home, for example within a kitchen cupboard.”

To further support the launch of the new boiler, Glow-worm is offering training sessions to installers, which cover both the product and its applications, but also offers expert installation advice. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/67

slim pin handle and sleek spout (pictured below left).

The launch also sees the introduction of the single-lever Aquaswan tap, featuring a tall, sweeping spout and contemporary pin handle design, complete with Chrome finish and ceramic disc cartridge for smooth handle movement with precise flow control. All models benefit from an antisplash aerator, which mixes air with water to emit a soft flow – and ½-inch flexi tails included for quick and easy installation. The taps are designed to work with all water systems, including low pressure options with a minimum of 0.2bar ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/68

mounting. Moving up the size range, Advantay has also added 35 and 50 litre carbon steel buffer tanks for wall mounting installations, along with a 50 litre floor standing version.

From 35 litre upwards, there is an immersion heater connection to act as back-up if required. All sizes feature ‘A’ class energy rating as standard.

Finishing off the additions to the range

is a wall mounting 100 litre buffer tank with additional connections for ease of installation, immersion heater port and class ‘B’ energy rating.

The company also offers an installation kit for each model featuring the required pipe connections and drain valve, automatic air release valve and blanking caps. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/721/69

10 Digistats o be Won!

To celebrate the newest additions to the Digistat range, DRAYTON and PHAM News have teamed up to give readers a chance to win one of 10 Digistats, each thermostat offering installers their favourite features, plus a contemporary new look and app control.

Drayton’s new generation Digistat bridges the gap between smart and traditional thermostats with Bluetooth connectivity that delivers in-home control via Drayton’s Wiser Home app, making it easier than ever for users to create and adjust heating schedules, all from their phone. With the app, customers can access smart modes typically associated with smart controls, such as Away Mode, Delayed Start and Boost Mode, but users can also programme settings directly via the thermostat.

Drayton’s new DIGISTAT: A universal thermostat with app control via Bluetooth – no WiFi required Boiler Plus compliant and OpenTherm compatible Optimised for oil and gas boilers, as well as electric and heat pump systems Optional service interval feature

Digistat Dual-channel RF (RF902)

HOW TO ENTER: To be in with a chance of winning a Digistat from Drayton, all you have to do is answer the question below. All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw, with 10 winners selected at random. Only one entry per person will be allowed.

Q

Somewhere in this issue of PHAM, we feature a brief item on the new Digistat range. On what page does that appear?

(a) page 12 (b) page 34 (c) page 47

Email your answer to editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk with ‘Drayton competition’ in the subject line. Please make sure you 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 Drayton Please email your entry before the closing date of 20th August 2021

www.draytoncontrols.co.uk

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

50

Directory Safety Products

Radiators

Boilers

INDUSTRIAL BOILER SPECIALISTS The UK’s largest supplier of Industrial Steam & Hot Water boiler plant.

Fast, efficient Nationwide service for planned or emergency cover, R&D projects or extra capacity.

• Hot water boilers 30-8,000kw/hr • Steam boilers 150-15,880kg/hr • Pressures from 7-17 bar • Oil, gas or dual fuel • Long or short term hire • Full commissioning service • 24/7 support • Nationwide Sales & Hire

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The Copper King phamnews.co.uk/721/104

NATIONWIDE SALES & HIRE Quote PHAM03

Call +44 (0)1992 451629 www.kingsboilerhire.com

Follow us

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Controls phamnews.co.uk/721/107

Water Heaters

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

www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk phamnews.co.uk/721/103

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AIC Heating UK Ltd BES Ltd Boiler Guide Ltd Continal Underfloor Heating CUSP UK Daikin Air Conditioning Delabie The Electric Heating Company Firebird Products Ltd Ford Motor Company Ltd Geberit Sales Ltd Glow-worm Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd The IPG Intatec Ltd JG Speedfit (Reliance Worldwide Corporation (UK) Ltd)

Advertiser’s Index 44 3 21 6, 23, 28 39 27 35 46 43 52 16 13 25 4 11 9

Kamco Ltd Keston Boilers - Ideal Heating Kohler Mira LG Electronics MV Fluids Handling Ltd NIBE Energy Systems Ltd Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd Pitacs Ltd Polypipe Merchandising Solutions (Robimatic) Practical Refrigeration Training Centre Ltd Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Stuart Turner Ltd Vaillant Ltd Valsir Vokera Worcester, Bosch Group

20 45 Front Cover Wrap 26 8 29 22 37 10 18 31 38 15, 17 19 41 7

Plumbpal Products

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PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2021

Training & Assessments Training & Assessments

Information Centre 51

Training & Assessments

Information Centre

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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Approved Training Courses in Gas, Electric, Plumbing & Heating & Renewable Energy Established in 1997 Basildon, Essex SS13 1EU

Small relaxed and friendly classes

Snickers LiteWork Summer Workwear

For more information visit www.gas-training-and-assessment.co.uk Telephone 01268 727797 or Email gastraining@btconnect.com phamnews.co.uk/721/113

To highlight your Training Courses to 28,468 regular PHAM News readers please ring Sharon on 01889 577 222 or email classified@phamnews.co.uk phamnews.co.uk/721/110

The 2021 LITEWork clothing range delivers great thermal comfort in warmer months with light, quick drying fabrics that will keep you cool and comfortable all day.

The new range of ‘Rip Stop’ shirts are stretchy and breathable, o ering UPF50+ sun protection and the ergonomic, body-mapping Trousers, Shirts, Shorts, Jackets and Windproofers have all the comfort and functionality of other Snickers Workwear stretch garments delivering extra freedom of movement and improved performance on site.

Visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and download a digital catalogue or enter the code shown below.

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Information Centre

TYDE Launches New Website

Grab a Graham update today

TYDE, the home of over 6,000 trusted plumbing parts that installers and end-users love and trust, are proud to announce the launch of their new website!

The website has been built with the customer in mind. Each product category features detailed product information and also provides downloadable technical specifications and installation instructions.

You can search the site by product code, brand or product name and there’s a full list of all stockists you can purchase their products from.

Visit www.thomasdudley.co.uk/tyde or enter the code shown below.

Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has launched a new iteration of its annual Heating Essentials as well as its Service and Maintenance Guide for 2021.

Furthermore, the quarterly Trade Saver and Always Available Range guides have also been released for the second quarter and include up-todate o ers and prices on Graham’s most in-demand products and brands.

The new catalogues are available now to view in-store and online at: https://www.grahamdirect.co.uk/online-catalogues/ Or enter the code shown below.

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The Radiator Company Releases New 2021 Brochure The latest brochure from The Radiator Company features all of the most in-demand products, as well as introducing a number of exciting new products and finishes. The brochure also covers detailed specifications for each of its products, plus a wide range of radiator accessories from valves to pipe covers and pegs. With the launch of the new brochure, four new products have been introduced for 2021, o ering installers an even wider choice for today’s discerning customer: The new brochure is available now to view online, download, or order for delivery at: www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk/brochure.

Or enter the code shown below.

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Snickers Work Gloves for Healthy Hands

Snickers Workwear now has an extensive collection of Work Glove styles in a wide range of sizes, developed for di erent workplaces and tasks - designed for dexterity, durability, comfort and precision.

With advanced features and material combinations, there’s something to suit a wide variety of trades, and workplaces, weather conditions and hazardous environments as the gloves are EN certified for performance and protection in hazardous and foul weather environments.

Check out the website and download a digital catalogue www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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