May 2023

Proposed boiler ban could force rural households into fuel poverty

A new study suggests that almost threequarters of rural households risk being pushed into fuel poverty by the government’s proposed 2026 boiler ban for off-grid properties

Under current plans, in three years’ time homes currently using oil, LPG or solid-fuel heating systems would be unable to replace their heating system with a like-for-like replacement should it break down. However, research shows that replacing existing systems with an electric alternative, such as a heat pump, along with necessary energy efficiency retrofitting, would cost between £15,000-£30,000 for rural homeowners.

Recent polling undertaken on behalf of trade association Liquid Gas UK, reveals that 58% of homeowners not connected to the mains gas network feel the 2026 fossil fuel boiler ban is unfair compared to the much later 2035 government ambition to phase out fossil fuels for those on the gas grid. When asked if government should abandon the policy, almost 60% said it should.

The same survey suggests that 69% of rural households would be unable to afford electric

poverty statistics released by the government show that households in rural areas were almost 40% more likely to be in fuel poverty than their urban counterparts.

George Webb, Liquid Gas UK CEO, comments: “These survey results clearly indicate that an electrification -first approach to decarbonising rural homes is both unaffordable and unfair.

The government urgently needs to re-think its 2026 boiler ban and ensure we’re offering rural communities a choice in how they decarbonise, and ultimately, heat their homes.

“Renewable liquid gases offer rural homeowners greater choice and reduce the risk of financial burdens on the path to decarbonisation.”

The liquid fuel industry claims

to help rural communities achieve net zero and has invested £600m into the domestic production of renewable liquid gases, which are said to offer a low-carbon and drop-in alternative to LPG.

Call for choice

Ahead of the recent May local elections, YouGov undertook a poll of rural councillors and found similar concerns about the cost of decarbonisation. The survey was undertaken on behalf of oil heating bodies OFTEC and UKIFDA.

The study found that 83% of rural councillors want their constituents to have a real choice about how they decarbonise their home heating, and 73% said that their constituents are concerned about the financial impact of net zero. The findings also showed

See page 16

regions are concerned about government plans. All councillors polled in Yorkshire and Humber, irrespective of party, said that rural households must be given a choice about low-carbon heating solutions, while 95% in the North East and 92% in the South West agreed.

The regional break down found that 100% of Conservative councillors in key electoral battlegrounds, including the South West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber, agreed that rural communities should be given the choice to decarbonise in a way that suits them.

Over the course of the last 18 months OFTEC and UKIFDA have demonstrated the use of HVO in 150 properties across the UK and have shown that a conversion to HVO can be delivered through minimal changes to existing appliances. It is claimed that an 88% reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved with an upfront investment of £500 per household.

Chief executive of OFTEC, Paul Rose, comments: “Customers must be given the choice to pick how they want to decarbonise their heating. The government must recognise that a heat pump-first approach removes choice, adds cost and will particularly leave rural communities disadvantaged. Decarbonisation can be achieved more quickly, and in a fairer and more equitable manner, simply by giving consumers the power to

See page 35

See page 37

SAVE THE DATE

1 DECEMBER 2023

PARK PLAZA, LONDON RIVERBANK

The Energy Saving Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements by manufacturers, installers, contractors and suppliers to become more energy efficient and help UK organisations reduce carbon emissions. We look forward to giving professionals in this highly topical and critical sector the opportunity to celebrate their achievements. Receiving an award from this prestigious event has already helped separate the winners from their competitors and open up new business opportunities. SCAN

www.energysavingawards.co.uk

by Chris Jones

Winning over voters

If surveys into public views on the decarbonisation of domestic heating are to be believed, the government is going to have a battle on its hands to win over support for any future outlawing of fossil fuels. While most people are happy to back measures designed to address climate change, such backing starts to waver when they are told that it might come at a significant cost to their household budget (see this month’s cover story).

Those who live in rural communities, without access to the gas-grid, are currently set to be first in line when it comes to any boiler ban but recent polling suggests that there are few votes to be won by politicians who want to burden their constituents with the cost and disruption of switching over to a heat pump. Although the electrification of heating might currently benefit from broad cross-party support, it will be interesting to see if candidates might be tempted to break from the consensus when they start to canvass votes in future elections.

Winning over constituents and persuading them about the benefits of low-carbon heating is just one challenge in the drive to grow the UK heat pump market. The other, of course, is the current small number of installers who are skilled and qualified to install such systems. It’s not an issue that can be quickly remedied, but the industry has at least been demonstrating a determination to address the issue by investing in the training facilities that will enable existing installers and new entrants to help bridge the skills gap.

Vaillant is the latest company to look at what it can do to help its trade customers future-proof their business. Responding to its own research into installer views on heat pump training, the company has developed a new modular programme designed to enable installers to choose their own pathway that will meet their needs (see pages 4 and 16). Time will tell, but it could well prove to be a wise investment for both the manufacturer and the installers who get on board.

Contributors

promoting

Regulars

Study into the motivations and barriers to heat pump training

New research by Vaillant shows that 87% of installers are interested in training for air source heat pumps. The finding is one of the highlights of the company’s Installer Survey Report that reflects the responses of over 1300 heating engineers. More then half (55%) of those surveyed were sole traders and 46% said they had over 20 years experience in the trade. While 82% of respondents said that they currently don’t install retrofit heat pump technology, the great majority recognised a need to train, with 87% answering ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ when asked if they were interested in undertaking air source heat pump training in the next 12 months.

Green heat video explainers

The top three motivators were future - proofing their business or career development, personal financial gain from installing a diverse range of technologies, and benefits for the environment.

Vaillant estimates that heat pump training for an existing heating engineer can take up to 9.5 days – however, on average, the installers surveyed only needed a further 6.5 days training, as they already had some skills required to fit a heat pump.

Time away from the tools didn’t appear to be an immediate barrier to undertaking heat pump training. Out of the 994 installers who expressed an interest in upskilling, almost two thirds (64%) said

Defra’s Plan for Water under fire from industry

they would still be interested in training after learning the required training time. 55% felt that they would prefer ‘entirely in-person training’ when it came to air source heat pumps, whilst ‘a combination of in-person and online’ was preferred by 40% of those surveyed.

A lack of support from the government appeared to be the biggest barrier to undertaking heat pump training, with more than 70% saying they felt the government needed to do more.

65% said that the upskilling process needs to be easier and more than 40% felt that the government should cover the cost of heat pump training in order to achieve its targets.

Vaillant’s research was conducted prior to the announcement of a £5m Heat Training Grant fund by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, giving installers up to £500 towards heat

pump training.

Mark Wilkins, technologies and training director for Vaillant, says: “Whilst it’s encouraging to see that most installers are keen to upskill with additional heat pump training, some are wary about the demand from consumers being low. We have urged the government to set a clear strategy for consumer education and awareness to help drive demand for heat pumps and therefore the training required for installers.”

The company estimates that the UK needs 80,000 to 100,000 individuals skilled with the necessary expertise and competencies to install heat pumps if the government is to achieve its ambition to see 600,000 heat pumps fitted every year by 2028.

Vaillant has responded to the findings of the survey to launch Aspire – a new heap pump training programme. See page 16 for more details.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/03

unintended higher water use. A ban will tempt consumers to tamper with fittings to increase flow or may spend longer under the shower.”

Worcester Bosch has launched ‘Savvy Series’, a new initiative to support installers in educating homeowners on green home heating technologies. It includes a series of videos hosted by TV presenter Angellica Bell, covering topics such as saving money on bills and understanding greener heating options such as hydrogen, heat pumps, and hybrid systems.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch, says: “Angellica as the face of our Savvy Series will help us reach more homeowners with both energy-saving tips and the right guidance to help them transition to the greener heating future.”

The videos can be accessed using the link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/04

Industry groups have expressed concern that the UK government’s ‘Integrated Plan for Water’ could lead to an increase in water consumption, rather than a reduction. Unveiled earlier this month by Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey, the aim of the proposal is to reduce household water consumption from 142 litres per person to 110 litres per person through the development of minimum product standards for water efficiency, which could potentially lead to bans on power showers and dual flush toilets.

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), British Institute of KBB Installation (BIKBBI), British Toilet Association (BTA) and Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) have criticised Defra’s proposed

measures aimed at cutting water consumption, saying that such bans could result in unintended higher water use and stifle innovation. They also criticise the government’s proposed mandatory water efficiency label, arguing that an existing industry-led scheme would be more effective and cost-efficient.

Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the BMA, representing suppliers of fixtures and fittings, is unhappy with the proposals: “Manufacturers are innovating ever - more efficient brassware products and leak-proof toilet systems. Bans on specific product ranges will stunt this innovation, as manufacturers must redirect their budgets away from R&D. Any ban could result in

The BTA’s chief executive, Raymond Martin, has already discussed the proposed ban on dual flush toilets. “The introduction of dual-flush toilets was to reduce the amount of water used to wash away urine and has been highly successful. They are a water-saving device, so if they need to be improved to engineer out leaks, government should work with the industry, not simply ban dual-flush outright.”

The Plan for Water also indicates Defra will push ahead with its proposal to develop a mandatory UK water efficiency label, but Tom Reynolds believes that Defra can use what already exists: “We already have a very well - established labelling system, and if government wants to make this mandatory, we’d be very supportive. However, they seem to want to reinvent the wheel, meaning ubiquitous water labelling will take longer and be much more costly to the taxpayer.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/05

Vaillant installer survey report

Making home heating greener

With the Government’s decarbonisation target to achieve net zero by 2050, we’re here to support you.

We’re committed to helping you and your customers choose the right product today, while also providing you with the necessary training and knowledge to prepare your business for the future. Visit our website to discover the five key future technologies worcester-bosch.co.uk/future-industry

Winner of HIP Learner of the Year

Elliot Julian, from Cornwall College in St Austell, has been announced as the HIP Learner of the Year. Elliot (pictured) received the accolade after competing against six other finalists during a two-day practical test which gave some of the country’s top plumbing students a chance to show off their skills.

The event, which was hosted by Worcester Bosch, followed a series of regional heats to select the final seven competitors and offered the opportunity to win thousands of pounds worth of prizes, including tools and branded merchandise from sponsoring companies.

Elliot, who was runner-up of the 2022 competition, decided to see if he could go one step further this year and his efforts were rewarded by being the clear winner this time around.

On hearing his name called out as the 2023 winner, Elliot said: “I’m absolutely buzzing! It’s been an awesome competition. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve learned so much and it’s been really good to meet other people my age who are really into their job too.”

Head adjudicator Jerry Whiteley from the CIPHE and his fellow judges were all impressed by the standard of work from the young

K3 price reduction

Stelrad Radiators has announced that the price of its K3 radiator range will be reduced by over 30%. The K3 radiator range offers three panels and three sets of fins to increase the heating capacity of a radiator with the same radiator footprint as a K2 by an additional 50%.

“Our K3 radiators have become hugely popular for all new heating systems powered by renewable heating systems – in particular the explosion of sales of air source heat pumps for both brand new homes and replacement heating systems in existing properties,” says the company’s head of marketing, Chris Harvey.

students, but Elliot’s attention to detail and confidence in his own ability gave him the cutting edge this time around.

Last year’s winner, Ruben Duggan, who later this year will be representing the UK in this year’s EuroSkills competition, was on hand to lend some moral support to the finalists and says he was glad to be an observer rather than a participant this time around: “I remember what it’s like and it’s pretty tough working against the clock over the two days, but it’s a great competition and, as well as the prestige of the title itself, there’s some really good prizes for the winners.”

Louie Diver, from Cambridge Regional College, was announced as this year’s runner - up and, alongside Elliot, was presented with his award in front of representatives from competition sponsors: Worcester Bosch, Wolseley Plumb Parts, Milwaukee, Aalberts, Kingspan, Triton, Watersafe, Saniflo, Wilo, Stelrad, CIPHE, Scruffs, Yorkshire Copper Tube, Talon and WD-40.

White paper looks at indoor air comfort

A new White Paper has been produced by Unico System UK which examines the relative performance of traditional air conditioning systems in comparison with the company’s own Small Duct High Velocity (SDHV) technology.

Described as essential reading for building professionals, the 16-page publication looks in depth at some of the key issues in the specification and provision of efficient cooling, heating, ventilation and filtered air within residential properties, together with the need for effective humidity control. It also addresses living space considerations, as well as examining the topics of indoor air quality and relative humidity.

The author of the paper ‘Reduced Humidity, Improved Indoor Air Quality, Building Preservation and Optimum Living Space’ is Richard Soper CBE, currently a consultant for Unico System in the UK and formerly MD and CEO of Bosch Thermotechnology.

Copies of the paper are available to download by using the online link below: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/07

Viessmann Carrier deal

The Viessmann Group has announced that it is set to merge its Climate Solutions business with Florida-based Carrier Global. The acquisition by Carrier is reported to be worth 12 billion Euros and will create a new company that employs 45,000 staff across the world.

Viessmann will become one of the largest shareholders in Carrier, and Viessmann CEO Max Viessmann will become a member of the Carrier Board of Directors.

Prof. Dr. Martin Viessmann, Viessmann Group chairman of the board of directors, comments:

“Strong partnerships have always

been fundamental to the success of our family business in the past 106 years. And Carrier is a strong partner for our Climate Solutions business. By joining forces, we will be able to uplift our impact on the decarbonisation of the building sector to the next level with more reach and scale globally – for our family members and for our partners and most importantly for more climate protection.”

Viessmann UK is headquartered in Telford where over 130 people are employed in the Climate Solutions business.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/06

Chance to win holiday of a lifetime

Gas heating engineers and installers are being offered the chance to win the holiday of a lifetime thanks to a new promotion by Flexigas, the manufacturer of innovative CSST systems and time-saving gas installation products.

The prize includes a 10-day stay for two adults at the Beach Front Pool Bure at Tokoriki Island Resort in Fiji, return flights from the UK, plus transfers to and from the island (choose from a helicopter, seaplane, speed boat or catamaran). All meals

are also included.

Installers must spend at least £50 on Flexigas products to earn one entry into the draw, and earn an extra entry for every subsequent £50 spent on Flexigas products (terms apply). You can only redeem an invoice once, but you can enter as many separate invoices as you like throughout the promotional period. Amounts entered must be exc VAT. The promotion is open from now until midday on 30th November 2023, with the winner being drawn live under the supervision of an independent person on 4th December 2023. To get your entries into the draw all you need to do is visit the promotion page on Flexigas’s website (see link below) and follow the instructions. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/08

Consistent quality. Endless support . Maximised rewards.

We’re it.

Powered by ON technology, our reliable, space-saving Navien Combi Boiler (NCB) range puts hot water first. And, at Navien, we put you first. From expert training and technical support, to earning points towards exclusive rewards with the Navien Choice loyalty programme, to warranties of up to 12 years – when you’re looking for more as a Navien installer, we’re ON it.

navien.co.uk/professional

No brew? Top seven annoying customer habits

A recent study has revealed the seven most irritating customer habits that tradespeople have to deal with while on the job.

Coming in at number one is customers not being home after agreeing on a job, which wastes time and money for tradespeople. This is followed by people constantly asking for progress updates, which can potentially delay the job’s completion.

Third on the list was customers adding extra tasks without prior quotes, leading on to annoyance number four: not paying on time or else trying to bring down the cost after the

Use the link to go straight to the source

Lecturefocusesonroutestothetrade

Tieredlevels providethe incentiveto moveupthe

Scheduledspeakersinclude(L-R)KevinWellman,CarlArntzen,andNeilCollishaw

include:CarlArntzen,CEOofWorcesterBosch;Kevin Wellman,CEOoftheCharteredInstituteofPlumbing andHeatingEngineering;andNeilCollishaw,CEO atBPEC.Allthreeparticipantsarepassionateabout encouragingmoreyoungpeople,andanyonewhois keentoretrain,toconsiderafutureintheBuilding ServicesEngineeringsector.

work has started. All of these can impact the installer’s business negatively, especially when it hits the bottom line. Completing the list of complaints by installers were being harassed by pets, not having enough space to work, and not being offered a drink.

Tom Cain, technical engineer at Ultra LEDs, which carried out the survey of , says: “As a tradesperson, customer interaction is a key part of the job but it can also be the most frustrating. When you’re on the job, the last thing you want is for the customer to be constantly asking for updates, being barked at by a dog or turning up for them not to be home when you’ve agreed a date and time. If you’re having issues with your customers, it can be difficult to remain diplomatic. However, it’s important for both the business

◼ The ‘One More Max’ promotion from Ideal Heating is giving installers the chance to earn a Connect points bonus worth £300 by fitting just one more of its boilers than they did during the same period last year. Members of the Installer Connect loyalty programme can claim the one - off bonus by installing one more Logic Max or Vogue Max in the same qualifying period last year.

ranks

MasteroftheWorshipfulCompanyofPlumbers, AirCdrePaulNashOBE,said:“Thedemandtodeliver newenvironmentallysustainabletechnologies,that arerequiredtomeettheenergysupplyandclimate changechallengesweface,arehuge.Thebigquestion is,canwemeetthisdemandintime?Oureminent speakersatthe2023lecturewillsetouttheindustry requirements,andthendiscusshowweneedtodeliver trainingandeducationtomeetthemasquicklyand effectivelyaspossible.”Findoutmoreabouttheeventandhowtoattend: ◼phamnews.co.uk/323/00

Supermarketsweep

TheRewardsinstallerincentive programmefromToshibahasbeen updatedtoincludethreeenhanced accreditedpartnertiersabovethe basicmembershiplevel,withsilver, goldandplatinumaccreditation reflectingthelevelofcustomer spendoverayear.Theschemegivespointsfor equipmentpurchaseswhichcan beredeemedforgiftvouchers, tools,equipmentandbranded merchandise,andofferspractical assistancetosupportbusiness growth.Itemscanbeselectedandordered directlyviatheRewardswebsite, withdedicatedaccountsforeach customershowingthecurrent balanceandorderhistory.Thenewtieredprogrammeis designedtosupportinstallers to build their businesses by incentivisingprogressthroughthe levels,witheachsuccessivestage providinghigherlevelsofsupport, technicaltrainingandincentives.Inadditiontopointsearned anddependingonthelevel,the programmeincludespromotional schemes,on-sitesupportservices,

tools,technicalsupportandfactory visits.“We recognise the huge contributionourinstallersmaketo ourcontinuedsuccess,”saysDavid McSherry,headofsalesforToshiba AirConditioningUK,CarrierGlobal ComfortSolutions,Europe.“TheupdatetotheRewards schemeisdesignedtomakeiteven moreattractiveandhelpcustomers growwithusbyrewardingtheir loyalty.Asever,Rewardsoffersa greatrangeofshoppingandgift

SallyKettletospeakatWIT

Promotional campaign goes behind the scenes

In a campaign to celebrate the people, expertise and innovation behind its products, Ideal Heating has launched its ‘More Than Boilers’ promotion. It includes a video shared on the company’s social media channels featuring employees bringing the More Than Boilers story to life. The campaign highlights the wide range of solutions across the Ideal Heating portfolio, its customer service team and investment in low-cost training for installers.

AspartofitsWinterHeroescampaign,Resideois lookingtogivebacktothenation’sinstallers withanewinteractiveonlinegamethecouldwin youanewiPhone.Nowavailabletoplaythrough Resideo’sdedicatedheatingseasonwebsite,one winnerwillpickupanAppleiPhone14inMarch. Thegamecomparesthepotentialimpactand savingsofupdatingdifferentelementsofa heatingsystem.Thequestionsalllinkbackto Resideo’sHoneywellHomeproductsand BEAMAstatistics.Installerswhogetthecorrect answersandcompletethegamewillbeputintoa prizedrawtohaveachanceofscoopingan iPhone14.Installerswillalsobeinvitedtosignupto Resideo’se-newsletterstogetanadditional entryintotheprizedraw. chanceTotestyourknowledgeandbeinwiththe ofwinninganAppleiPhone14,visitthewebsiteusingthereaderlinkbelow. ◼phamnews.co.uk/323/00

It also celebrates the company’s commitment to apprenticeships and how these roles create a

pipeline of talent for the business into the future.

Mark Derbyshire, MD (domestic products) at Groupe Atlantic UK and Republic of Ireland, parent company of Ideal Heating, says:

Atatimewhenfoodpricesare climbing,StelradRadiatorshas addedsupermarketvouchers toitsinstallerLoyaltyClub offering.Memberscanearn points by buying Stelrad productsandexchangethose pointsforthevouchersorany oftheotherrewards,like brandedclothingortools.Marketingcommunications managerSarahBakersays: “Withthecostoflivingrising bytheweekandproductson the shelves getting more expensive,thesupermarket voucheroptionseemedlikea goodoptionforinstallersandtheirfamiliestohelpwiththe weeklyshopormaybebuyafewtreats. “Wehopethiswillbeseenasagoodoptionbyinstallers,but wearealsoofferinginstallerstheoptiontodonatethe voucherstheyqualifyfortocharityinstead.Wehaveafew installerswhoaremembersoftheInstallerLoyaltyClubwho alreadydothisandliketoseethevalueoftheirvouchersgoto CancerResearchUKforchildrenandyoungpeoplecharityand BluebellWoodChildren’sHospice.” ◼phamnews.co.uk/323/00

Franchiseopportunity

Nowanestablishedfixtureonthe plumbingandheatingconference calendar, Women Installers Together(WIT)islookingforward towelcomingadventurerSally Kettleasthisyear’smotivational KeynoteSpeaker.Initssixthyear,theWIT2023 conferencewilltakeplaceon4th JulyatLondonMetUniversityin Holloway.FoundedbyHattieHasan MBE,thiseventwascreatedfor tradeswomentomeetandcreate relationshipswithoneanother, alongwithsponsorsandsupporters. Commentingonherupcoming speech,SallyKettlesays:“Ican’t waittospeaktothetradeswomenat

more franchises rolling outinthecomingmonths, therearealimitednumber ofHeatElectricfranchise areasavailablefor£20,000 plus6%ofturnover.“Wearelookingforsimilar ambitiousandlike-minded partnerswhowanttotake thisgroupforward,”says DavidLuckman.“Having builtmyownbusinessover adecadeItakegreatpridein ourreputationforreliability andservice.Weareprofitableandhavebeenfortunate toattractnothingbutgreatreviewsin10years.That levelofsuccessindicatesourlevelofcommitment.” Franchisepacksareavailableonrequestby sendinganemailto:hello@heatelectric.uk

“There’s so much more to us than our products that are in millions of homes and businesses. Our More Than Boilers campaign is an opportunity to give our customers an insight into what lies behind our heating and hot water solutions, including the talented and dedicated people we have across all departments at Ideal Heating.”

theWITeventthisyear.Having competed in male-dominated environmentsthroughoutmycareer Iunderstandhowimportantitisfor womentocometogether,share experiencesandsupporteachother. It’sagreatinitiativeandIknowitwill create valued connections for tradeswomenworkingacrossthe UK.Ihopemytalkgivesboth inspirationandtherallyingcrythat youcanconqueranyoceanwith persistenceandcourage.”Ticketsforalltradeswomenand womentraineesarefree.Getyours usingthereaderlinkbelow. Picturecredit:WikiCommons ◼phamnews.co.uk/323/00

◼ ISO Energy has opened a new office and showroom in Cirencester to expand the availability of low carbon and renewable energy solutions in the Cotswolds and help tackle climate change .

Anewnationalelectricand solarheatinggroupison the look-outforthenext generationoffranchiseesto joinitsgrowingoperationat groundlevel.HeatElectric launchedonFebruary14 andhasalimitednumber offranchisesstillavailable tosuitablyqualifiedbusinesses.DavidLukeman createdthebusinessafterhis10-year-oldcompany was rebrandedfromNorthwestHeatingSolutions toHeatElectric.WithanetworkcoveringtheUKandIreland,and

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/11

The Daikin Centre in Earl’s Court has seen the launch of the BBC Earth Experience, and visitors will also have the chance to see the ‘Daikin Climate Zone’, located just outside the main venue. The Zone reveals how people can reduce their carbon footprint using a range of interactive digital tools and videos highlighting sustainable air source heat pumps. The Daikin Climate Zone team will also be on hand to discuss every aspect of making the switch to a heat pump, answer questions about the technologies and provide information on the financial support available to homeowners.

◼ Kartell UK, a supplier of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector, has acquired Marleton Cross Ltd and its subsidiaries, including the MX Group, which is a leading manufacturer of shower trays in the UK market.

READER LINK TAKES YOU STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE

John Boyle, technical training manager, features in the promotional campaign

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Energy Matters

Trade survey highlights focus on green solutions

Half of tradespeople are concerned about the environment and sustainability, according to new research in the inaugural Jewson Trade Trends report looking into the factors influencing the focus on greener building practices.

Consumers are partly driving the move towards greener building projects, as over a third of tradespeople (35%) said they’d recently been asked by a homeowner about energy efficient options. On top of that, 29% said that they had purposefully bought materials that are more sustainable over the last three months.

Commenting on the findings, Andrew Cushing, customer director at Jewson, says: “Increasingly, tradespeople are seeing their customers ask how they can improve the energy efficiency of their home to help manage rising energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. On top of that, in June 2022 we had some of the most significant changes to Building Regulations in over 10 years, which

Strong sales of small-scale renewables

The latest data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) shows that the three months to the end of March 2023 have seen the most small-scale renewable installations of solar PV technologies, heat pumps and battery storage since Q4 2015. In total, 60,004 installations were completed in Q1 2023.

The number of heat pump contractors increased by 95 in the same period, making a total of 1494 and representing a 17% increase on Q1 2022.

included increased insulation in walls, floors and roofs, and a greater focus on renewable energy technology.

“We know from our research that 61% of tradespeople are looking for support from their building merchant on energy efficient building solutions. To play our part we are helping to close the skills gap in sustainable building options by providing accredited training courses, including insulation. Plus, we’re continuing to improve our Making Better Homes product range which features the latest innovations in building products and systems, including solar panels and air source heat pumps.”

In March alone, MCS recorded a total of 20,868 installations, which was the highest performing March since 2012 and the second consecutive month in which the number of installations had exceeded 20,000.

The number of solar PV installations this March (17,497) was 73% higher than March 2022 and represents the highest monthly deployment of the technology since December 2015, during the height of the government’s Feed-in Tariff incentive.

There were 8790 installations of heat pumps in the first three months of 2023 . A total of 3176 heat pumps were installed in March 2023, a 10% increase on the previous month and the third-most successful month for heat pump deployment on record.

Battery storage enjoyed its best quarter for installations in the

scheme to date, with 351 systems installed in total – over 50% of the scheme total (621 installations) to date. Battery storage is the newest installation standard that MCS has introduced for its certified contractors, reflecting growing consumer interest in electrical storage systems in combination with solar PV.

Overall, 449 new MCS certified contractors joined the scheme in Q1 2023, representing 13% of the 3337 contractors on the scheme in total. The number joining the scheme in Q1 2023 is the highest in a threemonth period since Q4 2011.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, comments: “The year has got off to a remarkable start as our robust, near-real-time data demonstrates how we are playing a vital role in domestic decarbonisation.

“As more people look to decarbonise their homes, installation quality of smallscale renewables is vital, so it’s encouraging to see the record growth in MCS certified contractors. Solar PV deployment continues its exponential rise, as more talent enters the sector to service huge consumer interest in this cost-saving, proven, low-carbon technology.

“As well as the demand for solar PV, we are reassured by the extension to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) until 2028, which aligns with what we hear from our ever-expanding heat pump contractor base. They are ready to invest in and develop their businesses but need the certainty that comes from the comfort of long-term, supportive government policies.”

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS

Value sales reflect rise in prices

The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for February 2023 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were +8.6% higher than February last year. However, growth came exclusively from increasing prices (+9.6%) as volumes fell slightly (-0.9%) during the period. Total value sales over the last three months, December 2022 to February 2023, were +12.8% higher than the same period a year ago.

Value sales in the last 12 months (March 2022 to February 2023) were +9.2% higher than the previous 12-month period (March 2021 to February 2022), but again there was marked price inflation (+9.9%).

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research, which produces the report, comments: “Plumbing and heating merchants are at the centre of the national energy crisis – advising and supplying the products that can make a major difference to household bills where government policy can only soften the blow. That isn’t yet being reflected in the total sales values, but that day is surely coming.

“Energy efficiency will be a continuing concern for years to come as the UK attempts to play catch-up with its poorly performing housing stock. Investing in products that reduce energy costs in the home shouldn’t only be a go-to when energy bills are unmanageable. It should be a proactive response which not only helps country and climate but future-proofs homes from the pain of unpredictable but inevitable energy crises in the future. As inflation and bills ease over the course of the year, there will be the means and will to invest in greener, resource-friendly technologies and the UK’s plumbing and heating merchants will have the opportunity to lead.”

Defibrillators now in Screwfix stores

Partnering with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Screwfix is looking to roll out defibrillators in all of its 870 stores across the UK and Ireland.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a controlled high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest.

The defibrillators will be registered on The Circuit: The National Defibrillator Network, which was developed by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. The Circuit’s aim is to map all public access defibrillators, so that when someone has a cardiac arrest, 999 call handlers can direct bystanders to the nearest registered defibrillator while they wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Screwfix will also begin the roll-out of the BHF’s CPR innovative training tool ‘RevivR’. With just a phone and a firm cushion, it teaches users how to recognise a cardiac arrest. It gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of defibrillator use, giving anyone the confidence to step in and save a life in the event of the ultimate medical emergency.

Mike Taylor, commercial director at the BHF, says: “Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by up to 10%. Screwfix is helping communities by providing its colleagues and customers with the information and tools they need to potentially save a life and help to triple the number of people surviving a cardiac arrest.”

NEW APPOINTMENTS

People on the Move

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has announced the appointment of Kevin Lowe as technical manager to help instigate change as the industry transitions towards heat pump technology. Kevin brings a wealth of industry experience to the post, having worked for British Gas in various roles over a 37-year span.

Kamran Haider and Richard Bond have joined One of One, a brand of Harrison Bathrooms, to drive growth in retail showrooms. Kamran (pictured) is the new regional sales manager and will oversee the Southeast, London, and Northern Home Counties. Richard is the Sales Agent for the South Coast and Southern Home Counties.

Two new regional technical sales managers have been welcomed to Conex Bänninger, with Noel Kelly (pictured) covering the North of England and Brett Wharmby focusing on the Midlands. Noel joins from Valves Instruments Plus (VIP) while Brett comes from the commercial sales team at Vaillant.

HVAC equipment distributor, KlimaTherm, has welcomed Ranald Stewart as regional sales manager covering the Midlands, North of England and Scotland. Ranald will oversee the company’s product portfolio and service inquiries while also supervising the development of a dehumidification role for the company.

Trust Electric Heating has appointed Neil Noades as UK sales manager to drive growth in commercial markets. With 15 years of sales experience and a qualified plumbing and heating engineer, Neil brings extensive knowledge from previous roles with Vaillant Group, Alpha Heating Innovation, and ADEY.

Easy Bathrooms has appointed Iain Robertson to drive trade sales across its 130 showrooms, in the newly created role of head of trade. Iain has worked in the industry for over two decades and is well-placed to help the growing bathroom and tile brand to build stronger connections with plumbers, tilers, and fitters.

Sanitary equipment specialist Siamp has appointed Ashley Lorne as its new area sales manager for the North West. Previously in a role in the company’s warehouse, Ashley will use his experience and knowledge of the company’s products to contribute to its growth in the UK, with a focus on increasing its customer base.

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For further information about any of the stories featured in this issue, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/523/ followed by the relevant enquiry number

The business development team at Wilo has been enhanced with the addition of Oli Thurlow, covering the North of the country to support merchants and young installers. Oli worked his way up from a plumbing apprenticeship to take his new post at Wilo, which will see him arranging trade mornings at merchant branches and visiting colleges to reach apprentices.

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Why heat pumps aren’t catching on

I write in response to Louise Howlett’s letter in the March 2023 issue.

There are many reasons why air source heat pumps are not catching on and I might be able to shine some light on this subject.

First reason:

Between 1950 and 1970 there were millions of houses built with no thought to insulation, apart from perhaps in the loft.

When council tenants had the right to buy their homes, every supplier jumped on the bandwagon – gas, oil, solid fuel, and electric. The electric companies then came out with night storage heaters, but this type of heating got a bad name due to high running costs.

Then came rural dwellings where old and disused barns and houses were being renovated, but often the only viable form of heating was oil.

Second reason:

When the government came out with the ‘Green Deal’ I thought I would get involved. I went on a training course with a wellknown manufacturer, which turned out to be a ‘rubbish’ course – it told me about heat pumps but made no reference to the rest of the install or set-up. According to this training course, an installer need simply to remove an old boiler and replace it with an air source heat pump. There was no mention about low levelling temperature, or having to insulate the property. I could go on!

Fast forward in time:

I went on another manufacturer’s training course. This time it was very thorough and covered every aspect of fitting, setting up, water content, insulation, etc. I have also completed a BPEC course on air source and ground source heat pumps.

Although I have done the training, I am still unable to install heat pumps. Why? Because an installer must get MCS before they can install, and MCS is only awarded after your first installation is approved. Why bother?!

Because of the high cost of bringing houses up to insulation standard, re-piping, and the upheaval of taking up floors, etc, many people will prefer to stick with what they have.

Retro fitting:

While they may be ideal for new housing, fitting heat pumps in existing houses requires a lot of work experience and too much upheaval.

Richard Watt Aberdeen

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Compact fits in at the park home lodges

Radiators from Stelrad’s Henrad range are the product of choice for Willerby, a manufacturer of park homes and lodges. The Hullbased company says virtually all the radiators it uses in the homes it builds come from the Compact portfolio.

Chris Smith, Stelrad’s regional sales director for the North and Scotland, says: “Holiday homes have continued to grow in popularity – particularly since the Covid 19 pandemic when more people began to look for ‘staycations’ rather than heading abroad for their holidays. Many people decided to look at buying their own holiday home for themselves and their families

to have as a ‘home away from home’ and possibly to provide a rental income option for the weeks it’s standing empty. And they know they’ll warm to a Willerby –courtesy of Henrad radiators!”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/12

PV and battery system bolster HVAC

High performance Toshiba heating and cooling equipment has been used in combination with a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system as part of a project to help future-proof a five-bedroom home in Cheshire. Two 11kW Toshiba ESTIA air-to-water heat pumps operating on lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R-32 were installed at the 5500ft2 property, alongside two Toshiba MiNi VRF systems. The Toshiba solution replaced an inefficient heating system and is supported by a 16kW solar PV installation, plus 11kW of battery storage and measures including tripleglazing. Homeowner and renewables consultant Dave Meseck says the property is now ‘energy-neutral’ during the summer.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/13

School restores the water supply

When cold water booster specialist, Pressboost, was called in by a school to restore the water supply after an outage, the family-run company opted for an Aquaboost MAB booster from Stuart Turner.

The cause of the problem at the school, based in the North West, was an obsolete cold-water booster unit, which the client wanted to replace rather than repair. The existing unit had been failing increasingly often and had been superseded by more modern equipment.

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Additionally, the set had been reduced to two pumps, and its master/slave configuration posed a significant risk for a critical building like a school. The Aquaboost MAB booster from Stuart Turner comes with multiple pressure transducers, multiple pump accumulator vessels, and three master inverter drives.

The control panel is Regulation 4 compliant and provides the client with clear controls and hand/off/auto switches

for each pump. Because the Aquaboost MAB was readily available from the manufacturer, Pressboost says it was able to carry out the replacement quickly and with minimal disruption to the school.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/14

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Low carbon programme to suit every installer

Aspire is the name of a new training programme developed by Vaillant and designed to provide installers with an easier learning pathway to becoming qualified and competent in installing heat pump technology.

The aim of the programme is to enable existing heating engineers to expand their business by offering low carbon solutions and help them to become MCS accredited. It is hoped that the training initiative will help to increase the number of MCS registered heat pump installers, (which currently stands at less than 1500) and thereby enable more installers to access grants on offer from the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The investment an installer will make to complete Aspire also includes discounted registration for both MCS and NAPIT accreditation.

Offering a modular programme to suit individual needs, each Aspire ‘learning journey’ will be personalised depending on the installer’s existing qualifications,

starting with theory-based modules covering a variety of subjects from heat loss and system design, to commissioning the heat pump and setting up the controls. As most installation businesses are small enterprises, Vaillant will also offer guidance on implementing a Quality Management System and customer service, part of the necessary processes to join a Competent Persons Scheme or become MCS registered.

Participants taking part in Aspire will have access to Vaillant’s System Sales and Design team who will be able to offer advice and guidance on best-practice system design or deliver the full design, depending on the type of MCS accreditation the

College practices what it preaches on decarbonisation

installer requires. In addition, the company’s service team will provide on-site support to ensure an installer’s first installation meets industry standards.

Commenting on the launch of Aspire, Mark Wilkins, technologies and training director at Vaillant, says: “The journey to decarbonisation is gathering pace and ensuring the UK’s existing installer base is upskilled on low carbon technologies is central to achieving this.”

Vaillant’s new training programme follows the company’s in depth research into installer attitudes to heat pump training (see page 4 for more details).

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/15

Cheshire College South & West has received almost £2m in funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to replace the end-of-life gas boilers in its Chester campus with air source heat pumps and an electric hot water boiler. The funding comes from Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which aims to decarbonise heating systems and improve energy efficiency in public sector buildings.

The college’s Crewe campus has already made the transition to air source heat pumps as part of its commitment to provide a sustainable environment for staff and students.

Jasbir Dhesi, OBE, principal and CEO at Cheshire College, says: “Our college is committed to help improve the environment. Our pathway to achieving net zero is embedded in everything that we do, from delivering innovative courses centred around sustainability, to investing in state-of-the-art digital facilities and equipment. Our construction and engineering students will also be able to work closely with contractors to see first-hand the instillation and commissioning of new technologies. This investment in reducing our carbon emissions will benefit generations to come.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/16

Highly rated heat pump course Enhanced know-how of motorised valves

Now available through Drayton’s online training academy, 9° Know How, is a module designed to support installers by covering the installation, wiring, and testing of Drayton’s range of motorised valves, used for creating multiple heating zones. Within the module, wider specification and technical details are also covered.

The free online training is part of the 9° Network offering.

Members can also enjoy access to discounted Drayton products, extended warranties, and VIP technical support.

Over 500 trainee heat pump installers have signed up for Stiebel Eltron UK’s training programme since the company invested £350,000 in a new centre to boost the British heat pump market.

Of the 170 who have completed the courses, 91% rated the content as extremely high, 94% ranked the trainers as excellent, and 100% would recommend it.

Courses are carried out at Stiebel Eltron’s Bromborough HQ to help new trainees and gas boiler installers transition towards heat pumps. The suite can accommodate 16 learners at a time and features the latest industry technology and a range of ground and air source heat pumps, which vary in size and shape, and are used in different situations such as in commercial settings, houses, or flats.

With the training course offering one and two-day programmes, depending on experience, attendees will be introduced to the world of heat pumps, covering Stiebel Eltron’s products, installation, maintenance, and decommissioning.

For those unable to attend in person, the company created an online training course, Heat Pump Pass, which is designed to give trainees a basic understanding of how heat pumps work and key considerations when carrying out an installation.

After they have completed their training, installers can access HP Easy, a post-training support package which ensures technical support is available to them and their customers during any project.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/18

The one-part video format accompanies other short courses on 9° Know How, for a comprehensive overview on installing Drayton’s most popular products including the new Digistat, TRVs and auto-balancing TRVs, and Wiser.

CPD explores the role of hybrid systems

Building on its introduction to heat pump technology course, Elco has launched a new CPD that explores the concept of hybrid heat pump systems and their suitability for use in existing applications such as schools, hospitals, public and historic buildings. The module also discusses the variation in CoPs depending on operating conditions, and provides an overview of variables such as SPF and SCOP, which allow for the comparison of sustainability credentials among different products.

In addition, the new CPD offers detailed explanations of principal operating modes and control strategies. There is also advice on the design principles of hybrid systems, including identifying the bivalent points and sizing radiators accordingly when reducing overall flow temperatures. This

Those who complete the Wiser module on 9° Know How will attain Wiser Approved Installer status, which includes a listing on the Wiser consumer website, to generate business leads.

Installers can also gain Wiser Rewards for fitting and registering Wiser kits.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/17

knowledge will allow designers and specifiers to calculate the carbon emissions from a system, as well as the potential running costs. The new module lasts 60 minutes and includes a Q&A session with one of the company’s heating experts.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/19

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The value of a strong online presence

In today’s ever-digital world, people are heading online to find reputable services and professionals they can rely on – and plumbing and heating engineers are no exception. Having an online presence is essential for trade businesses to get you in front of your target customers, explains Nick Jolliffe from Trades Get Online.

Getting your business online with a website gives you a platform to showcase your services to potential customers in your local area. It’s part shop window, part lead generator and part customer service support, all in one.

A strong digital strategy can help your trade business succeed in today’s competitive market, giving you an edge over competitors who don’t have an online presence. Building your online presence also helps you save time on admin and the stress of chasing or missing enquiries from potential customers –not to mention bringing more customers your way.

In this article, I’ll explain why it’s so important for plumbing and trade businesses to invest in developing an online presence and how you can really make the most of its benefits to maximise the results you want to see.

Traditional marketing

For many years, plumbers have used various methods to reach out to customers and get business. Signage on the side of vehicles, advertising boards, word of mouth, and customer referrals and print ads in local papers or distributed flyers in the area continue to be ways plumbers and tradespeople can find customers.

What’s great is that, today, there are more (and more effective) ways to find new clients and build a sustainable customer base. Having an online presence has become increasingly important as it allows you to create a presence that accurately reflects and showcases you and your work while providing valuable information about your services. Potential customers can find out far more information, meaning they’re already interested in you when they contact you.

Nick Jolliffe Co-founder and director of Trades Get Online

Your website is the online version of word of mouth. People can find you, contact you, review you, and recommend you to others on social media, online groups and forums–and everything links back to your website. That means you can get in front of a whole lot more of your target customers from only a handful interactions. And once people find someone they like and can trust to do a good job, they’ll have no need to go elsewhere and will only be too happy to recommend you to their family, friends and workmates when they’re looking for the same.

Getting ahead

Having an online presence is essential for any modern business, especially the plumbing and trade industry.

Digital marketing techniques like search engine optimisation (SEO), social media and paid adverts expand your reach further and target new audiences. By using online platforms effectively, you can position yourself ahead of the competition and ensure long-term success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Jolliffe is an experienced digital marketer and entrepreneur who has worked with the trade industry for over 20 years. He is the co-founder and director of Lion Spirit Media, a digital marketing agency specialising in digital marketing for trades, and Trades Get Online, a service developed to help plumbers and tradespeople build their online presence. Nick has a passion for helping businesses, and especially tradespeople, to make the most of digital marketing.

Digital branding and social media marketing are key ways to establish your brand online and reach potential customers. Through thoughtfully crafted content creation and SEO optimisation strategies, you can create a strong digital footprint to attract more leads and increase conversions.

Online advertising platforms like Google ads, Facebook ads and Instagram ads make targeting the right people with budget-friendly campaigns easy. These platforms are especially powerful as you can use them to target customers in your local area.

With these tools at your disposal, you can move quickly to provide new services and take

advantage of new opportunities.

In short, seeing and utilising the power of the internet to build up your online presence is one of the most valuable investments you can make to grow your business. Investing in digital marketing services will help you stay competitive in your market and see better results.

Building a presence

Get started with a website. There are a number of platforms online that allow you to build your website for relatively little outlay, but you will need to set aside some time. If you don’t have time or struggle to get your head round the more technical aspects, then employ an expert to do it – after all, this is the same reason your customers use your services!

Once you have a website, you need to:

1. Tell Google it’s up Submitting your website to Google (specifically their Search Console platform) tells Google it’s there and increases the visibility of your website in search engine results pages.

2. Set up a Google Business Profile

Setting up a Google Business

Profile is beneficial as it will help local customers find you. You can provide information about your business, including your address, contact details, reviews and images.

3. Set up social media accounts

Creating social media accounts is an important aspect of building your online presence as it will help to promote your website and build a community. You can use social media to share news and updates, engage with customers, and even run promotions and contests. We have found the best two for plumbers are Facebook and Instagram, but there is also a community on LinkedIn, and you can try the newer platforms like TikTok if you are feeling creative!

4. Work on your Search Engine Optimisation Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving your website to get it noticed by Google and spotted by more people. It involves making small tweaks to your website on a monthly basis based on feedback from Google to ensure it is best positioned to get in front of people, generate leads and ultimately convert them to customers.

Plumbers and tradespeople can access specialist platforms that take the guesswork out of making these changes. From £50 +VAT a month, these tell you exactly what to do to improve your website’s performance based on what Google thinks and what your target customers are searching for.

Don’t miss out

Working in the plumbing and trade industry for over 20 years, I’ve seen first-hand how much plumbing and trade businesses are benefiting from developing their online presence. Today, an online presence is increasingly essential for trade businesses.

Plumbers have traditionally depended on word-of-mouth and local advertising to generate more work and grow their business, but this isn’t enough in today’s digital world. An effective online presence can help plumbing and heating engineers to increase their brand awareness and grow their customer base.

An online presence helps you to reach new customers outside of your immediate area, enabling you to expand into other markets. With an online presence, plumbers can establish themselves as experts in their industry by providing helpful content and connecting with potential clients.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/20

Digital branding and social media marketing are key ways to establish your brand online and reach potential customers

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How solar thermal systems can meet high hot water demand

The credit crunch and tighter energy efficiency standards are leading to some surprising developments, including a resurgence in demand for solar thermal technology. PHAM News talks to Lochinvar, a specialist in heating and hot water solutions for commercial applications, to find out more.

The pressure on budgets is making the need for energy savings a more pressing concern for many building owners and managers, and some are turning back to solutions that had fallen out of fashion. For example, there has been a significant surge of renewed interest in solar thermal technology after a decade when it had disappeared from view – almost completely.

With Feed-in-Tariffs sparking a surge in the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal was (literally) squeezed out of the market due to lack of sufficient roof space to accommodate both.

However, specifiers are taking another look at the technology as they search for more energy efficiency, prompted by the sharp rise in fossil fuel prices. Also, improved insulation levels have reduced space heating demand, making hot water production a bigger proportion of the energy load on buildings – and, therefore, the bigger source of potential savings.

Surge in demand

“We have seen unusually high demand for our solar thermal solutions since the start of this year,” says Lochinvar project engineer Richard Taberner. “It has been a very quiet market for the last 10 years and many players have dropped out of the market – so firms like Lochinvar who remained invested in this technology have something of an advantage.”

The growth in heat pump applications is another development in favour of solar thermal, as the two technologies work well together in integrated systems. The solar thermal collectors reduce the amount of work the heat pump needs to do in applications with high hot water demand by feeding a thermal store that provides an almost continuous supply.

With heat pumps becoming a ‘default’ specification to meet local planning requirements, many engineers are looking at solar thermal as a source of additional energy cost savings in buildings with high hot water

CUT TO THE CHASE

 There has been a significant surge or renewed interest in solar thermal technology

 The growth in heat pump applications has played a key part in generating demand as the two technologies work well together

 The application would probably need a steady demand for hot water for solar thermal to be commercially viable

 Commercial property owners are no longer able to let properties with an EPC rating lower than E, and all properties need to be C rated by 2027

usage. This hybrid approach is also a more affordable option for cutting carbon emissions than a totally renewable installation.

The government has set aside £12.6bn to finance the reduction in energy use in domestic, commercial, and industrial buildings by 15% by 2030 (compared with 2021 levels). It has also launched a highpowered taskforce charged with driving this forward.

Ticking all the boxes

“Heat pumps are perfect for producing the low temperature heat needed for well insulated buildings, but you tick all the energy saving boxes if you then add on a renewable source of hot water,” explains Taberner. “This approach is bang in line with the government’s ambition.”

Lochinvar reports that it has been receiving a “steady increase” in enquiries about its solar thermal range which includes flat plate and vacuum flat plate collectors, both of which are compact and lightweight in design, but high in efficiency.

The vacuum flat plate collector can be used in areas where standard flat plates cannot, such as in areas close to the coast, as the plate is sealed from the salty environment around it. Vacuum tube collectors are generally the most efficient, but Lochinvar’s vacuum flat plate collectors have the additional benefit of being able to be laid flat – on flat roofs for example – without much drop off in efficiency.

However, Taberner says it was

important to note that there should be a steady demand for hot water to make solar thermal commercially viable.

“Many building services engineers now recognise this and are making sure they receive good intelligence about how the building is likely to be used,” he explains. “It is exciting to see solar thermal bouncing back in this way, especially as many people predicted it had already had its day in the sun.”

Revisions to the Building Regulations also mean system designers must rethink some of their approaches. New homes need to have a 30% smaller carbon footprint under the new Part L and the requirement for non-domestic buildings is a 27% reduction.

These changes come in tandem with revisions to Part F that require project teams to address standards of indoor air quality and overheating to improve the health and wellbeing conditions for building occupants. This is all part of the pathway towards the Future Homes and Buildings Standard that aims to make all buildings ‘net zero ready’ from 2025.

Retrofit solution

Lochinvar also believes new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) could be transformational because they place a regulatory requirement on refurbishment and retrofit for energy saving.

Since 2018 a minimum EPC rating of E has been in place for new tenancies, but since 1st April this year that has been

extended to cover existing leases making it unlawful for a landlord to let any commercial property with an EPC rating of less than E.

That is just the start, however, as the MEES level is set to rise to B by 1st April 2030 with landlords given two ‘compliance windows’ starting in April 2025 to achieve it. All properties will have to be at least C rated by 2027.

This creates clear commercial incentives for building owners to both cut their rising energy bills and ensure their expensive built assets do not become ‘stranded’, i.e. buildings that will eventually be too expensive to retrofit to meet tightening low carbon standards.

“This is an example of how regulation can be made to work in harmony with commercial drivers by setting the legal benchmarks that underpin a better performing and, therefore, more financially viable building stock,” says Lochinvar product manager Steve Addis.

“It is a rapidly changing landscape for anyone designing, installing, and commissioning heating, hot water, and renewable systems, but the regulatory requirements are moving closer to the commercial drivers, so we are definitely now on the right track.”

Appealing to the better nature of property developers is one way of delivering net zero, but offering them a financial incentive is more likely to deliver change at the pace the UK government wants.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/21

It is exciting to see solar thermal bouncing back in this way, especially as many people predicted it had already had its day in the sun

Lochinvar’s solar collector range includes flat plate and vacuum tube type collectors, both of which are compact and lightweight in design, but high in efficiency. The LSP20+ range is supported by a 20-year warranty.

How well do you know G3?

Do you know the difference between ‘guidance’ and ‘regulations’? Russell Armstrong, MD of RA Tech, says there’s more than one way to achieve a compliant installation if you understand the requirements contained in Part G.

Did you know that the ‘guidance’ in the Building Regulations

G3 Approved Document are not ‘regulations’?

So often I hear installers quote the guidance as if it is the regulation itself when, in fact, there are no ‘regulations’ per se. Instead, they should be referred to by the technically correct name of ‘the requirement’. So where does this put the installer? Well, when I started to dig into all of this it took me a long time to untangle, especially with regards to my favourite subject of T/ PRV discharge matters!

The ‘requirement’

On page 18 of the Building Regs G3 Approved Document, we find what you need to achieve as an installer, with regards to T/PRV discharge. In short, it simply says that we need to install a discharge that is safe, does not cause a danger to persons in or about the building, and that it will withstand the temperatures expected in an emergency.

The ‘introduction’

Not many installers know about what the introduction to the G3 document says about how much say an installer has on what they choose to do. Page 3 in the document says this:

‘If guidance in an Approved Document is followed there will be a presumption of compliance with the requirement(s) covered by the guidance. However, this presumption is not conclusive, so simply following guidance does not guarantee compliance in an individual case. It is also important to note that there may well be other ways of achieving compliance with the requirements. There is therefore no obligation to adopt any particular solution contained in this Approved Document if you would prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way. However, persons intending to carry out building work should always check with their Building Control Body (BCB), either the local authority or an Approved Inspector, that their proposals comply with Building Regulations’.

So, the next time a Buildings Regulation Inspector says your work does not comply with the ‘regulations’ (in which they normally mean ‘the guidance’) you may want to point him to these words. This means that, as long as you, the installer, meet the ‘requirement’ then how you do that is generally up to you.

There is no such thing as ‘not installed to the regulations’ and while it is you, the

professional installer, who is signing off the paperwork, it is your self-certification that determines whether you have achieved what you needed to achieve.

Of course, your life will be made a lot easier if you follow the guidance in terms of arguing the semantics of the difference between the requirement and the guidance, but it’s worth noting that if you can’t achieve what is suggested in the guidance, then you are not up a creek without a paddle – there are other options available.

Put to the test

The real test is to demonstrate compliance to the requirement by flow testing your installation as part of your commissioning, and if it passes the full and trickle flow tests, then you have met the requirement.

At RA Tech we encourage installers to bring this testing into the commissioning process by making the testing part of our warranty terms.

By recording the successful passing of the test, you also help mitigate yourself from any future insurance claims –after all, if you successfully test and record the results, in any future water damage claim you can prove you have left the project as correctly working.

300mm drop rule

Let’s go one step further and apply some of our new-found knowledge to our next installation. How do you prove that what you have installed is compliant?

You flow test it as part of your commissioning process – it’s that simple. If you can prove that the water passes down the D1, tundish, D2 pipework and does not back up, spilling over and out of the tundish, you have just complied with the requirement (as long as the point of termination is correctly installed).

But, I hear you cry, I need a 300mm drop to be compliant. No, you don’t (well, depending on the D2 pipes you have used that is). What you do need is to look at our flow testing results to see what general rules of thumb you need to follow.

The testing

We performed a series of tests (carried out by Kiwa on our behalf) to see what effect the position of the first elbow had on the flow rate. We tested several hotun dry trap tundishes in the following way: the first with a 300mm drop and the second coupled (see figure 1). And the subsequent test results were as shown in figure 2.

What this means is that for 22mm type D2 pipework, you had better pay special attention to how you design and install the pipework, or the flow rate will compromise the discharge. Whereas if you use 32mm waste pipe then volumetric flow becomes less of an issue (on high flow volume applications such as T/PRV discharges).

If you have a low volume discharge situation (such as the discharge from a boiler PRV, then flow rates are nowhere near as high as 16-25LPM) you will not need to pay such close attention to pipework configuration.

Figure 1

As long as you meet the ‘requirement’, then how you do that is generally up to you

Figure

Water Heating & Cylinders

Step by step guide to fitting a Qettle boiling water tap

Boiling water taps are a popular addition to kitchens because they have the convenience of delivering hot water on demand and freeing up counter space. The Qettle boiling water tap system, available from the Greg Rowe Group, is a four in one tap that delivers true 100°C boiling water and filtered drinking water, plus normal hot and cold flows. Here we provide an illustrated guide to installation.

The Qettle boiler tank has a built-in pressure relief valve, set to 8 bar.

The vent can be configured in multiple ways, should be in reach of the boiler and shouldn’t share a waste pipe.

9

Secure the saddle clamp to the waste pipe. Screw the hole cutter (supplied) into the saddle clamp. Fit the vent elbow, if installing the vent vertically (the elbow isn’t required if the vent is being fitted horizontally).

Feed the mains hot and cold hoses through first, then the boiling and filtered hoses. Don’t trap the cable that connects the filter time module. Under the sink, slide the washer over the hoses, followed by the clamp. Engage the fixing studs and thread the nuts onto the studs, spinning them upwards. Use a box spanner to tighten the nuts.

Plan the layout under the sink. Allow 80mm above the tank to ensure hoses/ connections aren’t squashed. Filter cartridges need to be changed every six months, so ensure the housing is accessible. The filter timer, which requires a simple, push-button reset when a filter cartridge is replaced, needs to be within easy reach, too.

Use the specially designed ‘NutRunnas’ to effortlessly connect the tap’s normal hot and cold feeds to the pipework – and save yourself from faffing around with spanners or grips.

Connect the hose from the filter housing to the mains cold feed. Take the last remaining hose from the tap and connect the push-fit stem elbow into the outlet on top of the filter housing.

leaks around the connections. Turn on the tap’s filtered flow and do the same for the boiling flow. Allow the air in the system to escape. Power up the boiler tank, and watch for water droplets from the vent, as the tank reaches 100°C and the steam condenses. Run the boiling flow until it is exhausted and allow the tank to reheat... and then grab a cuppa!

To view a video installation guide, please use the link: ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/23

Run through your pre-install checklist – we’re talking water pressure, space under the sink, power, tap hole. Note: Qettle taps require min. 1.5 bar on hot and cold flows.

Make a connection on the mains cold water feed via a compression tee. This will be the water that feeds the filter housing and boiler tank. Using a smear of silicone grease around the olive makes the process easier.

Fit the boiler tank, then connect the filter outlet and boiling water hoses onto the boiler tank (green-marked hoses to green dot, red marked hoses to red dot). Attach the vent hose to the tank using the push-fit elbow.

Connect a pre-cut section of 15mm copper tube to the shut-off valve (supplied). Ensure that there’s enough space for the shut-off valve to function – and also that it can be easily reached!

Fix the filter timer in place, then the filter cartridge into the filter housing sump. Take care not to over-tighten the sump.

Water Heating & Cylinders

New compact heat pump cylinder

A new integrated heat pump cylinder has been launched by Mixergy which is claimed to both save on energy and offer speedy hot water delivery. It also benefits from being up to a third smaller than rival systems on the market.

The Mixergy iHP is said to be a gamechanger for homeowners who want the low carbon benefits of an integrated heat pump cylinder, but also require the convenience of fast hot water. To date, typical integrated heat pump cylinders have been large and slow to reheat, but the iHP is claimed to provide usable hot water in under 30 minutes and up to 10 times faster than many similar solutions. The new heat pump also benefits from being up to a third smaller than rival systems on the market. It is easier to transport, fit and maintain because the heat pump can be detached from the cylinder. This, says the company, makes it not only the perfect choice for first-time installations but also for retrofitting projects where a homeowner or property manager wants to reduce the carbon impact of their housing stock.

“Conventional heat pump cylinders can weigh in excess of 100kg and the head unit cannot be separated from the cylinder,” says Mixergy CEO Peter Armstrong. “This makes the product difficult to install and navigate up flights of stairs. Distribution also becomes problematic due to the increased height of the product, meaning specialist couriers are often required.”

Problem solver

In developing the iHP, Mixergy had the following three key objectives in mind:

1. To speed up the reheat performance by stratifying thermal energy during heating

2. Improve the lifetime of the product

3. Simplify manufacturing and distribution

These objectives have been achieved by the application of the company’s modularised Stratos heat pump head unit. The Stratos instantaneously heats hot water which is drawn from the bottom of the cylinder and returns it back to the top to achieve very quick reheat times. Alternatively, a flow path back to the bottom of the cylinder allows the system to achieve the highest possible CoP on a full reheat cycle.

The new cylinder brings with it all the smart advances offered across the Mixergy range, including smart tariff use and machine learning.

“This allows the user to optimise their energy use to save even more on their energy output and carbon footprint, while enjoying a cylinder that can meet the heated water needs of a modern household,” adds Peter Armstrong.

“Combining our ‘heat what you need’ approach to hot water storage alongside the capability of our state of charge sensor, connectivity and machine

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WE’LL BEND OVER BACKWARDS SO YOU CAN MOVE THE JOB FORWARD

With friendly, knowledgeable staff, easy to fit products and an efficient service Advance Appliances are committed to supporting the trade.

So next time you’re working with thermal stores and need help just give us a call.

01543 377723

www.advanceappliances.co.uk

learning, the iHP is future proofed to make the most of renewable energy whether it comes from rooftop solar PV or flexible tariffs connected to offshore wind.”

Award winning

The iHP integrated heat pump cylinder has received independent validation by recently winning the Housebuilder Brand New Product of the Year Award, impressing judges with its fast hot water delivery.

“The iHP delivers hot water ten times faster within a product designed to last four times longer than alternative systems on the market, and the team at Mixergy were honoured to receive the Best New Product award from Housebuilder,” says Armstrong. “It has taken two years of hard work within the technical team to get to this point and we’re extremely excited to be launching this product at such a critical time on the journey to net zero.”

The iHP comes with a 25-year warranty on the cylinder.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/24

Water Heating & Cylinders

Options designed to fit almost any space

Saving time and energy

Direct and indirect cylinders from OSO Hotwater are made from 1.3mm thick stainless steel and are offered with a 25 year warranty.

The range includes the OSO Delta which is claimed to achieve the lowest standing heat loss of any comparable cylinder. The award winning cylinder uses Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP) to further boost energy efficiency.

OSO Super Xpress (SX) electrically heated unvented cylinder also uses VIP to achieve the best possible SAP ratings for properties with electric heating and is said to offer an ideal solution for high-rise developments.

Copper cylinders to maximise efficiency

High-performance unvented hot water storage cylinders from Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders are manufactured from Duplex stainlesssteel for superior corrosion resistance. All cylinders are supplied with 22mm compression fittings for ease of installation and 22mm primary coils with increased surface area for quick recovery.

The range includes pre-plumbed, horizontal and slimline options, together with a competitively priced bespoke service. Providing a solution for applications where height is an issue, the Tempest horizontal indirect hot water storage cylinder is supplied with a factory-fitted 3kW immersion heater to provide back-up heat when required.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/25

The Super Xpress features a pre-plumbed patented design for speedy installation and comes with concealed cable routing, integral concealed expansion vessels and all the pipework connections on top of the cylinder hidden under a lid. In addition, the OSO SX has up to 20% higher hot water capacity than other similar units, enabling a lower volume cylinder, thus saving on both cost and energy usage. Downsizing also saves space and improves the already low heat loss figure, further helping with SAP/Building Regulations Part L compliance.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/26

Designed to deliver maximum efficiency from a heat pump system, the ECOflow copper unvented heat pump hot water cylinder range from McDonald Water Storage is manufactured from copper and is available in both standard sizes and bespoke units to meet specific requirements. Slimline models starting from 400mm diameter and the company’s bespoke design flexibility means that there are a wide range of other diameters available, with tapping positions adjusted to suit the installation.

The ECOflow cylinders come pre-fitted with high performance double or triple pass finned copper coil to maximise heat transfer, provide higher flow rates and reduce pressure drops from the heat pump.

Also available is the Tank On Tank unit, which combines a buffer vessel situated below the ECOflow cylinder so that the unit has only one footprint. Compression fittings are supplied as standard for ease of installation

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/27

Water Heating & Cylinders

New robust water heaters will cope with high demands

New from Hamworthy Heating is the Dorchester DR-SG range of stainless steel condensing water heaters, said to offer enhanced durability and large continuous outputs. Suitable for both renovation and new build projects, the water heaters are available in ten power outputs over three storage capacities and feature a durable stainless steel tank, heat exchanger and coil for enhanced performance, energy efficiency, and increased service life.

The Dorchester DR-SG is capable of meeting the high hot water demand of applications such as hotels and sports facilities, while coping with the extremities of soft and hard water.

For ease of use, the water heaters are operated via the Siemens LMS mini controls platform. There is an intuitive digital control panel with a clear backlit screen and a scroll wheel to navigate between different setting screens. LEDs are also incorporated into the user interface to enable quick and easy identification of any potential faults.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/28

Box shaped buffer

Available from Advance Appliances is a range of buffer stores from 20 to 500 litres, insulated and cased. These include a 100 litre mild steel compact buffer which is box shaped to save space and to allow a cylinder up to 300 litres to stand on top of it. All buffers have four ports, except the 20 litre which has two, and can be configured in two or four port systems.

The stainless steel cylinders are guaranteed for 25 years, are made in the UK, and are WRAS approved. The mild steel buffers, available in 20 and 100 litre options, are guaranteed for two years.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/29

Cylinder range to meet the needs of any application

The Nero range of hot water cylinders from Warmflow includes a range of sizes and capacities to make it easy to find a solution which will meet the hot water needs of almost any application, from small apartments to large family homes.

For ease of installation and maintenance, each cylinder comes with a built-in temperature and pressure relief valve, which helps to protect against damage from excess heat or pressure. There’s also a drain valve which makes it easy to empty and refill the cylinder as needed.

Made from 5mm Duplex steel, the cylinders have been designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, with resistance to corrosion and other forms of wear and tear. The cylinders are also insulated with high-density foam, which helps to keep heat loss to a minimum.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/30

True, 100oC Boiling Water

Unique Mechanical DesignNo Tricky electronic components Designed with Installers in mind Buy Direct from the British Manufacturer

Unbeatable Value & trade terms

“Plumber said it was the best and easiest one he had fitted. Used to fitting a leading brand, but said this one was far easier and components of a much higher quality.”

Mandy Goodson

Why connected devices are the key to energy management

With growing concerns about the cost of energy, Jeremy Palmer from Drayton discusses how home energy management systems (HEMS) can be used to control energy usage for a more efficient, costeffective, and eco-friendly future.

Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) are gaining popularity as part of the ongoing move to smart home technology and the desire to manage energy and the costs involved more strategically. As homeowners become more reliant on electricity to run items like cars and heating appliances it will become the norm to use one central hub to communicate between devices, like a HEMS, for control and optimisation of usage. In light of this, according to a report from Strategic Market Research, the global energy management systems market will increase from $43.57bn in 2022 to $162.03bn by 2030. So what are home energy management systems and why should installers be aware of them?

Central hub

Traditionally a HEMS comprises a hub, an app and/or an online portal. The hub is usually a piece of hardware that receives information from a homeowner’s connected appliances, which is then displayed in an app

or online portal. This allows the homeowner to use this information to monitor and control their consumption better.

A HEMS will enable the user to view used or generated energy and will also collect an overview of trends in usage for homeowners to make informed decisions on when energy is required. This not only ensures a reduction in energy waste, but in cost-savings too.

HEMS can also have machine learning qualities, which is the ability to automate repetitive tasks. For example, a HEMS could register that installed solar panels collect the most energy between 10am and 4pm, with a peak in energy usage at 6pm when the whole family is home. It will then shift from using the grid to using stored energy during the evening when electricity is more expensive, and demand is high.

When an electric car is plugged in around the same time, for example, it will know that it can delay charging until later, to be ready for the commute by 8am the next day, which results in

lower cost energy consumption. This helps to deliver an automated service, which homeowners can rely upon to optimise their energy consumption.

Key benefits

While it is relatively early days for HEMS, these solutions will only get better with technological advances. However, even now their advantages already stretch beyond the obvious. Not only can HEMS save costs by reserving energy, but they can also ensure increased longevity of appliances.

In addition, HEMS offer increased convenience, allowing connected devices to be managed in one place, with the added benefits of automation and machine learning, meaning they can manage themselves to a degree.

The Drayton Wiser system is one smart home solution available on today’s market that offers a similar type of convenience, providing homeowners with the ability to control their heating – whether that be a gas boiler, heat pump or other electrical heating – and plugs via the Wiser Home app. While product advancements are in the pipeline for the future, this is a starting point for those looking to use the power of technology to create a more energy efficient home.

As we look to the future and the electrification of our homes continues, HEMS will provide greater benefits, helping to relieve stress on the wider electrical grid and offer maximum comfort to a homeowner, who can choose to heat and power their homes in a way best suited to their needs.

With a huge push to phase out gas boilers by introducing resources which are kinder to the environment, and with further urbanisation, HEMS will

be used to ease the demand that increased electrification will put on electricity supplies, ensuring usage is set for optimal times.

Cost savings

Additionally, with the cost-ofliving crisis still of concern, HEMS will enable homeowners to use energy as efficiently as possible, resulting in costsavings.

However, for HEMS to be successful, there will be a greater need for technologies to have open protocols, such as OpenTherm, so the connected devices within the home can communicate with each other to deliver maximum efficiency.

Looking ahead

While fully automated homes are a while off, HEMS will continue to grow in popularity as the government’s legally binding deadline to achieve netzero by 2050 draws ever closer. Therefore, installers and engineers will be required to understand how such systems operate and what they do, in order to advise their customers on best practises when it comes to home energy management and expanding their own offering in the future.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/31

CUT TO THE CHASE

 A typical HEMS comprises a hub, an app and/or an online portal.

 The management system will monitor energy usage and help ensure that energy is used most cost-effectively

 HEMS enables automated devices to effectively manage themselves

 It is important for installers to be able to explain to customers how such systems operate

Jeremy Palmer General manager sales & marketing at Drayton

 Drayton’s Wiser smart heating control system is made up of a room thermostat, radiator thermostat, and the Wiser Plug. These are all linked by the brains of the operation – the Heat HubR and controlled via the Wiser Home App.

Thermostat with the right touch

The RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat from ESi can be combined with the ESi WiFi hub to enable homeowners and tenants to control their heating and hot water use via Alexa or the ESi Centro App. The load compensation functionality, available via OpenTherm technology, also modulates the flow temperature, dependant on the desired room temperature, saving up to 15% on gas usage.

With a large backlit LCD screen, the RTP4 Touch is easy to use and programme. It offers optimum start/ stop and delayed start functions, as well as 7-day, 5/2-day or 24-hour options to suit different lifestyles, while a landlord service interval reminder provides an additional benefit for social housing providers.

The thermostat is battery controlled and comes with a low power indicator to show when the battery needs replacing. For extra peace of mind, ESi’s latest control also comes with a 3-year warranty.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/32

Options to suit different households

Designed to meet the needs of a range of households, Continal Underfloor Heating’s Quantum controls range includes a simple manual thermostat and the latest in digital technology. There is also an RF version of the dial thermostat, which can be operated remotely via an easy-to-use app.

The Quantum digital thermostat has an ultra-slim design with a large LED screen. Users can control temperature levels in each room and set individual times for each zone in the property, while a selflearning optimal start function monitors the ambient temperature to save on energy.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/33

Heating Controls

Easy way to control energy use

The MyNeostat range from Neomitis consists of wireless and flush-mounted versions which are available in black or white and feature an easy to view full-colour touch screen and customisable display. The thermostat can be connected to an internet router without the need for additional accessories.

End users can control the MyNeostat via a smartphone, tablet, computer, or by voice when the thermostat is connected to smart speakers (GoogleHome or Amazon Alexa) thanks to the MyNeomitis app. In addition the thermostat has occupancy detection features that allow the control to programme itself around occupancy patterns.

An open window detection feature will turn off the central heating when a significant drop of temperature is detected, while its dual optimisation feature ensures that the right amount of energy is used to reach a required comfort level.

The thermostat’s humidity indication feature allows users to monitor comfort levels of their home, while a power consumption indicator makes it easy to keep track of the amount of money that they are spending on energy. It is also possible to set energy budgets and keep within an allocated budget.

The MyNeostat range can be used to control a multitude of systems (electric or hydronic systems, radiators, and underfloor heating) and is also equipped with auto-adaptive features that allow the thermostat to automatically select the type of device that it is controlling –helping to cut installation time.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/34

Heating Controls

The latest tech makes zoning an easy task

When it comes to heating controls, the term ‘smart’ incorporates several levels of functionality to suit homeowner needs and budgets. Being able to monitor and adapt the room temperature via a phone or tablet, for instance, can prove ample for the needs of some customers. Indeed, replacing manual radiator valves and a mechanical thermostat with electronic TRVs and a modulating, OpenTherm thermostat solution, such as the Honeywell Home T6R, they could see savings up to £370 annually.

However, where fi nances allow, moving to the next level and giving the ability to zone rooms at different temperatures can offer valuable extra functionality and comfort. For homes with this in place, the ability to set and/or alter the temperature of a room from the control or via the app on a smart device means that rooms can be heated individually according

Redesign of ERC range for ultimate installer ease

With the aim of making life easier for installers and their customers, Danfoss has recently enhanced its range of energy-saving Electronic Room Controls (ERC) for ultimate ease in selection, installation and programming.

With an ERC to suit all applications, Danfoss streamlined the range to make choosing the right product for the job quicker and easier. Models now include the TS710 and FP720 time switch and programmer respectively; the TP5001 range of programmable room thermostats; the RET2001 digital room thermostat range; and the RET1001M dial room thermostat. These ERCs have a new

industry-standard backplate featuring a multi-cable access design which allows side, top, bottom and rear access, making them much simpler to install. Depending on the model, other modifications include a new +1 hour booster button and indicator lights under each channel. Also, the old CH (Channel) button, sometimes wrongly identified by end-users as Central Heating, has been changed to read PR to avoid confusion. In addition, the previous 365-day service interval has been updated in line with regulations to a minimum of 400 days.

to which are being used at the time and for what purpose. The kitchen, for instance, could be at 18°C and the lounge at a slightly higher 20 or 21°C.

Smart Underfloor

With homeowners considering heat pumps as well as boilers to provide the heat source, the latest smart control technology ensures that zoning can be applied to a wider range of heating requirements, including low temperature systems, such as underfloor heating (UFH), as well as more traditional radiator systems.

For instance, to simplify the installation of underfloor heating and cooling, Resideo has recently added a Bluetoothenabled underfloor multi-zone controller to its portfolio. The Honeywell Home HCC100 can individually manage up to eight zones or rooms in a home, or even an office. It also gives the option to connect to wired and wireless zone controls, or a hybrid of the two, in one system without compromising on quality, to widen the installation

possibilities further. It is designed to optimise the demand control, whether this is from a boiler or heat pump, so has the added benefit of being able to integrate with new and existing installations.

Configuration is fast and simple too. Using the unique Resideo Pro App, it ensures installation time is used effectively, guiding installers through the entire set-up and commissioning process quickly and easily.

One step further

It is also possible to link compatible smart controls into one efficient system to cover hot water and heating needs. For instance, the HCC100 can also work seamlessly with the smart Honeywell Home evohome zoning controller.

Used alone as an advanced smart thermostat, the Honeywell Home evohome can navigate temperature fluctuations, monitoring outside weather temperatures and communicating with the heating system to adjust the

temperature within the property, and ensuring that energy is being used most efficiently by turning on/up the system only when heat is required.

Its smart zoning capabilities can work with UFH and electronic thermostatic radiator valves to wirelessly measure and control temperatures for up to 12 zones individually. Additionally, the smart weather feature also offers improved zone comfort control and energy consumption based on outside temperature, room temperature and a unique feature that learns the heat losses in each room. By combining the two, it ensures control of all zones through one touchscreen device and via the app. As both can work with existing and greener heat sources, it also means that, should the customer choose to upgrade to a greener alternative in the future, the controls are already in place and ready to go.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/35

Heat pump or gas boiler? Let the control decide!

The ERCs have also been given a smart new look and more user-friendly features. A full white design, including the backplate, is complemented by new easy-to-read displays, plus a larger dial on RET models. The RET and TP ranges also have clearer detailing, while the FP720 now includes LEDs and clearer labelling of functions.

Danfoss says the ‘installerapproved’ ERC range offers a value proposition that is not only quick and simple to fit in new and retrofit projects but also raises the bar on energy saving.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/36

Smartech is the name of Alpha’s advanced remote control system designed for use with its E-Tec Hybrid packaged heat pump solution. The company describes Smartech as ‘the brains of the system’ that go far beyond simply assessing outdoor temperatures and modulating boiler

flow temperatures.

Smartech intuitively works with the home’s in-putted energy prices alongside the outdoor temperature to choose the most efficient pump/boiler combination. The end result, claims Alpha, is high efficiency heating and hot water, as and when it is needed.

The Smartech Plus controller is an intelligent Wi-Fi heating control unit compatible only with Alpha products. Transferring data between the boiler and controller, the ‘BUS’ system enables full remote control of the boiler functions and varies the system flow temperature by adjusting the heat generator set point and output power according to the conditions. The boiler mounted receiver is then connected via Bluetooth to the Smartech and via Wi-Fi to the internet.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/37

The latest smart thermostats can make adding zoning to heating systems using underfloor heating or radiators simple to use and install, says Martin Wilson from Resideo.

Martin Wilson Sales director at Resideo

Zoning can be applied to a wider range of heating requirements, including low temperature systems

 The Honeywell Home HCC100 can individually manage up to eight zones in a home or office

How to make power tools last longer

Power tools and equipment require regular care and maintenance, not only for longevity but also to remain useful and safe for the task at hand. Here we offer some simple practices and routines you can apply to help keep your tools in top condition for many years to come.

Where would you be without your power tools on any given workday? For most installers, a powerful hammer drill or a quick-cutting multi-tool that stands up to hard labour will be indispensable to getting the job done. However, with frequent use these machines can quickly wear out and require repair or replacement – both expensive propositions. To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to carry out good maintenance routines that can help extend the lifespan of your power tools.

It should go without saying that before anything else you should read the instructions that came with your tool to get the best advice on taking care of it, but this is all too often overlooked. So, as a fi rst step, read the manual thoroughly and follow the advice on care that it provides.

 A dull blade puts extra stress and strain on the motor, so make sure you’re always working with an effective cutting edge

Correct storage

As tempting as it might be to just chuck your drill in the back of the van at the end of the day, you really should be putting it in a protective case or racking drawer. Proper storage is key to keeping power tools in good condition, and that means keeping them in a location away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent rust or corrosion from forming. A case will also protect them from getting scratched, dented, or broken during transportation and keep dust and debris out.

Keep it clean

Make it a habit to clean your tools after each use and before returning them to storage. Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth and be sure they are free of dust, grease and debris before putting them back. Pay attention to the motor and ventilation areas to prevent dust build-up, which can cause the motor to overheat. Use a soft brush to clean these areas. This is also a chance to look for possible damage or defects, so check for any breaks and cracks in the casing. Also, make sure that metal parts show no signs of corrosion or rust. Always ensure that the tool is completely dry before storing it.

Lubricate often

Keep moving parts lubricated for premium performance. Not only does this keep the mechanics running smoothly, it also decreases the chance of rust. While WD 40 might be the fi rst thing you think of for this, it may not be right for your particular machine. You should only use the type of lubricant recommended by the manufacturer.

Battery care

These days most cordless tools use lithium-ion batteries, which are expensive to replace, so it makes sense to keep them

running as efficiently and effectively as possible. Heat is the big enemy of Li-ion, and exposure to excessive temperatures is one of the easiest ways to destroy them. Store your batteries at room temperature and avoid leaving them in places where the mercury spikes,such as in the back of a van.

When it comes to powering up, Li-ion batteries can handle only 800 to 1000 charges before you need to replace them, so try to minimise how often you have to do it. However, don’t let the battery run completely down before recharging it as this can shorten its lifespan.

Beat the heat

Heat’s not just bad for the batteries. Overworking a tool can cause its motor to overheat, especially when working on tough materials like porcelain tiles or brickwork. The same goes if you are using it without breaks, so if you notice the machine getting too hot, or staying warm for a prolonged period, it’s time to stop and let it cool down. And when you’re finished for the day, make sure it’s back to room temperature before storing it in its case.

Cutting edge

Another way to reduce the stress on the motor of a power

 Drills kick up a lot of dust and debris, so make sure you wipe it down after each use

 Overworked tools will overheat and damage the motor, so take small breaks to give them a chance to cool down

tool is to make sure you are always working with sharp and well-maintained drill bits or blades. Be aware of signs like finding it harder to drill into softer materials, or changes in sound that indicate tearing of the material you’re working on. Likewise, it’s important to use the correct bit or blade for the task at hand to avoid ineffective cuts and additional strain on the motor.

Replacing parts

Power tools are designed to withstand high levels of stress and use, but over time certain parts may wear out or become damaged, affecting performance and safety. Carbon brushes found in some drills are one example of a part that may wear out and cause reduced power and efficiency. Regular inspections and maintenance of power belts, switch assemblies, and other critical components are also necessary to ensure the tool operates safely and effectively

User safety

Keeping tools clean, well maintained, and working with sharp blades will not only enhance the longevity of power tools but it will also promote user safety. Dirty or damaged tools can malfunction, leading to accidents, while blunt edges reduce precision and increase the pressure you have to apply, making it harder to safely achieve clean cuts and holes. Taking the time to properly care for and maintain your power tools can go a long way in both ensuring their longevity and safe use for many years to come.

Proper care of tools will cost you very little in time and money, and neglect over time could lead to costly repairs or replacements

Tools & Workwear 32

Warmth requires a multi-layer approach

When wearing multiple layers of clothing, each one can serve a specific purpose in reducing heat loss and maintaining body temperature - that is, if you do it right, says workwear brand Carhartt.

British weather can be brutal and working outside in the cold is immensely challenging if you’re not properly prepared. As a plumbing and heating engineer you could be going inside and outside many times, from the merchants to site and in and out to the van. Layering provides insulation and helps trap heat close to the body, so you can keep the chill at bay and stay warm and comfortable, whether you’re inside in the warm or outside braving the coldest of conditions.

Inside out

Layering isn’t just for the winter months – it’s a year-round essential for anyone who wants to stay comfortable and protected from the elements. And it isn’t just about throwing on a few extra shirts –it is important to understand the different types of layers and how to use them effectively. From the skin-tight base layer that wicks moisture away, to the mid layer that provides insulation and temperature regulation, to the outer layer that blocks wind and moisture, each layer has a specific purpose that works together to keep you at your best.

The base layer is the first layer that goes on the skin. This layer should be sweat wicking and it has two main jobs: one is to quickly move sweat to the fabric’s outer surface and the other is to quickly dry, so sweat doesn’t soak the fabric and leave you cold. Carhartt has a wide range of sweat wicking, quick drying cotton T-shirts in a range of colours, with vented side panels to keep you cool, all of which make ideal base layers.

Middle ground

The mid layer is the secret weapon of any seasoned outdoor worker, providing both warmth and temperature regulation

t When it’s just cool enough to call for core warmth, a lightweight vest made from Cordura will do the job

to keep you comfortable no matter what Mother Nature throws your way. Cosy materials like fleece, wool and down help trap precious heat close to your body, regulating your body temperature and keeping you warm. The thickness and warmth of your mid layer should be customised to your specific needs, depending on the temperature and level of activity – something that can be unzipped or removed easily is ideal. Carhartt’s soft, warm Loose Fit Midweight Full Zip Sweatshirt is a midweight fleece that is perfect for working on site – and lounging in at the weekend. It’s tough and durable but also comfortable, with great freedom of movement. And if you prefer a tighter fit, just go down a size!

First defense

For plumbing and heating engineers, the outer layer is a critical part of your workwear. Whether you’re fixing pipes in a blizzard or braving a rainstorm to get the job done, a reliable outer layer is a must-have barrier between you and the elements. But not all outer layers are created equal – a good shell layer should be both windproof and waterproof, allowing for optimal protection. Additionally, it should be breathable, allowing sweat to escape and preventing overheating, and provide enough room to accommodate other layers, without being so bulky that it restricts movement. These are all factors Carhartt has taken into account when designing the Rain Defender Relaxed Fit Lightweight Insulated Vest. Crafted from ultra-durable Cordura material, this bodywarmer is as tough as it is versatile, perfect for cooler days and a great option in light rain thanks to its water-repelling properties. But it’s not just tough – it’s also designed for comfort with a soft nylon lining that will keep you snug no matter how low the mercury drops.

Well-heeled

When working outside, you need gear that can stand up to the elements – and that includes your footwear. Safety boots are an absolute must, providing a level of protection that regular shoes just can’t match. With reinforced toe caps that can withstand heavy equipment, sturdy soles that keep your feet safe from sharp objects, and slip-resistant treads that provide unbeatable traction on even the slickest surfaces, Carhartt offers a range of safety boots.

The Michigan Rugged Flex S1P Midcut Safety Boot is a mid-height, trainer-style boot that’s perfect for those who want protection and comfort. This lightweight boot has a fiberglass safety toe cap that meets S3 standards, so you can rest easy knowing that your feet are protected from 200 joules of weight and impact.

It also has a fully cushioned footbed that reduces fatigue and keeps your feet feeling fresh, even after a long day on the job. The Wylie Rugged Flex Waterproof S3 Safety Boot is designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable in even the toughest conditions. With an S3 standard that offers certified protection and an aluminium toe cap, you can work with confidence knowing that your feet are always safe and secure. The flexible dual-density injected outsole provides unbeatable traction on ladder rungs, cement floors, and even uneven terrain so you can move with ease and agility no matter where your work takes you.

Perfect combination

Remember that layers should work together. Each should be loose enough to allow air to circulate, but not so loose that cold air can enter. The layers should also be easy to move in, as movement generates heat. Choose the right layers and wear the right footwear to work confidently and comfortably in even the most challenging conditions.

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Why it’s important to verify the performance of voltage indicators

With electrical work an increasingly common factor in the daily tasks of plumbing and heating engineers, safe isolation should be at the forefront of their minds. Steve Dunning from Martindale Electric explains more.

When it comes to plumbing, heating, and gas engineers who consider electrical work as secondary to their daily tasks, safe isolation may not be their top-of-mind process. Nevertheless, in situations where they install electrical showers, heating controls, renewable technologies, and heat pumps that necessitate an electrical power source, incorporating voltage indicators into their electrical safety procedures is essential. The good news is they are also very easy to use and could save your life.

Safety in mind

Voltage indicators for safe isolation should be made to the BS EN 61243-3 standard. They should be engineered with safety in mind, eliminating batteries and switches that could lead to false indications, and come with bright, clear displays for voltage reading, such as the Martindale Electric VI13800 and VI15000 voltage indicators. A durable design that can take some rough handling should also be a consideration. However, even if you follow this advice and even bearing in mind that voltage indicators are designed with inherent reliability, can you 100% guarantee that your voltage indicator is working correctly every time? It only needs to fail once for the consequences to be potentially disastrous; never forget that 16% of deaths in the workplace are linked to electricity.

For maximum safety, it is vital to verify the performance of your voltage indicator. It’s as important as confirming that the appliance or circuit being tested is dead, and that there is no possibility of it becoming live while you are working.

Proving unit

Before testing the circuit, voltage indicators should therefore be proved using a proving unit, then test the circuit, then test the voltage indicator against the unit once again to prove that the tester is still functioning properly. The device will verify the performance of the voltage indicator.

Essentially a proving unit is a portable device that serves as a voltage source designed specifically to verify that voltage indicators are working correctly. Some people still rely on testing electrical test tools, such as voltage indicators, against a live source, but this is not always a safe or convenient option. A proving

device has been designed to provide a live source wherever you are working – with no need to leave the working area – and is considerably safer. Proving units are very quick and easy to use. In the case of the Martindale PD440-S 440V AC proving device, for example, (pictured above) you simply place one probe of the voltage indicator under test into the left hand socket of the proving unit until it makes contact with the terminal. Then place the other probe into the right hand terminal of the proving unit and gently press down. This will result in the high voltage indicator illuminating to show the unit under test is functioning correctly.

As an added tip, during testing of your voltage indicator, it is recommended to flex the voltage indicator cable along its length –particularly at the entry points to the handheld elements – to confirm that the cable has not fractured.

It is advisable to use a dedicated proving unit matched to the voltage indicator in order to fully test that all LEDs on all ranges of the voltage indicator are working – safeguarding against incorrect readings due to a faulty LED, for example.

Reducing risk

By incorporating a proving device into an electrical safety process, that process becomes inherently more robust and reliable. Although a relatively simple addition to the process, when working with or near electrical systems and equipment, a proving device can significantly reduce the risk of electrical injury to you and others around you.

Martindale Electric’s ALIVE campaign outlines five simple steps for staying alive when working around electricity. Downloadable resources for PHAM News readers are available on the campaign page at the company’s website: https://martindale.tips/PHAM/ALIVE

Steve Dunning MD at Martindale Electric

On the level in low lighting

ToughBuilt has unveiled three new rugged and durable spirit levels. The Pro Line of Lit Levels stands out for offering clear readings in low-light conditions, with its bright LED-lit vials. The one-button user interface is easy to operate, and powerful magnets make it easy to attach to ferromagnetic surfaces for reliable positioning.

The Magnetic Billet Level is a versatile tool that can be used on pipes or conduits, with a securing top groove to ensure stability. The edges are precision-milled, and the ruler surface is high-contrast, ensuring legibility. Four high visibility vials are precision-set at 0, 30, 45, and 90 degrees.

The 360-degree Pocket Level is lightweight and portable, so it’s always at your fingertips when you need it. This level weighs just seven ounces and has a smooth, rotating vial, powerful rare-earth magnets, and a durable die-cast frame. One-handed operation allows for easy angle identification. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/40

Powerful drill driver comes with extras

The Bosch FlexiClick system features various attachments to enable the company’s powerful cordless drill driver to handle almost any job. Capable of driving screws close to borders and edges, drilling in tight corners, and even hammer drilling in concrete, the GSR 18V-90 FC Professional can be used with a drill chuck, off-set, and right-angle attachments, as well as a rotary hammer attachment. It also features a new brushless motor which is said to deliver significantly improved performance, thanks to 64 Nm of hard torque and 36 Nm of soft torque, plus a rotation speed of up to 2100 rpm. The new FlexiClick model is also 4mm shorter, which is

especially helpful for work in tight, hard-to-reach spaces, such as base kitchen cabinets. For extra user protection, the tool also offers KickBack control which shuts off the motor should the drill bit jam and the drill driver suddenly rotate around the drilling axis.

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A pipe cutter with a twist

The new Pipe Cutter for Composite and Plastic Pipes from Knipex (90 25 25) features a freely rotating cutting wheel that allows the pipe to be rotated with little friction when cutting. Requiring a lot less effort from the user, the new cutting tool enables aluminium composite and plastic pipes to be cut much more easily than with conventional shears, while wide plastic supports mounted opposite the cutting wheel help to produce perfect right-angled cuts.

The pipe cutter cuts all common composite and plastic conduit pipes with diameters of up to 26mm. Its robust construction means it is also suitable for composite pipes with increased aluminium layer thickness, such as Geberit Mepla. The replaceable cutting wheel is made of a special grade of chrome vanadium electric steel and is oil-hardened. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/42

Power stacked in your favour

The DeWalt 18V XR PowerStack Compact Battery provides up to 50% more power than the previous DCB183 battery. This increased power enables faster application speeds and increased productivity, without compromising on the battery’s size and weight.

The low impedance construction of the battery allows for higher power output, while its excellent thermal performance increases the number of recharge cycles. This suits the PowerStack for highperformance power tools that require a reliable and long-lasting battery. With an impact-resistant base, the battery is protected against accidental

drops and impacts. Additionally, the battery is designed to be 25% more compact than the previous DCB183 battery, making it easier to handle and store.

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Sustainably sourced a top priority

Scruffs has announced the introduction of its new sustainably sourced, cotton rich Eco Worker Collection.

Scruffs says that it is committed to using recycled materials wherever possible, and its team has worked side by side with real tradespeople and other skilled professionals to develop products that meet the highest quality and performance standards.

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The new workwear utilises high performance materials and intelligent design for long-lasting durability in all weathers. The new Eco range includes a T-shirt, polo, sweatshirt and hoodie, all made from naturally breathable and sustainably sourced cotton-rich fabric.

The company says to expect a new range of eco-friendly jackets made from recycled nylon and polyester soon.

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Multi-layer pipe also has sustainability credentials

FlowFit is the name of Geberit’s new multi-layer supply piping system that benefits from the company’s press-fit method.

Suitable for both potable water and heating applications, the pipe consists of three layers: a central aluminium layer which makes the pipe strong yet flexible, with a plastic (PE-RT) layer either side of this to prevent corrosion and ensure a smooth internal bore.

As well as the versatility offered by multi-layer piping systems, FlowFit also incorporates press-fit technology, offering project teams efficiencies and time savings across jobs.

Available in eight dimensions, with only two pressing jaws required for the entire range, there is no need for constant tool changes. Described as effortless and intuitive to use, the fittings and jaws are colour-coded to indicate which tool should be used. Once pressed, the pressing indicator detaches from the fitting, meaning any unpressed fittings are

immediately visible.

Geberit says its FlowFit marks a huge step in the manufacturer’s sustainability journey. It has developed new facilities with injection moulding technologies at the manufacturing stage to reduce energy intensity and cut journeys throughout production processes to help minimise the carbon footprint of the new product. In addition, the manufacturer has also incorporated a bag to collect discarded pressing indicators into the design process for the first time, to make it simpler for teams to return plastic parts and reduce waste on site.

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Getting control over mould and damp

To resolve damp and mould problems, Ebac has unveiled a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system. The UK manufacturer, based in Newton Aycliffe, has designed the system to be an easily-installed, selfmanaging, ‘hands-off’ eco system.

The unit, which can be installed in any loft opening, is a whole-house solution, continually extracting polluted, humid air from within a building and replacing it with fresh air taken from outside the building through a heat exchange system. It offers further cost savings through Ebac’s patented Smart Control System, which automatically adjusts airflow and performance levels based on live readings from the building’s internal climate, reducing energy usage and requiring no programming from the user.

Defending against water leaks and freezing

Responding to installer and consumer water management challenges, Resideo has launched the L Series Water Control Products range, designed to protect against costly water damage and the need to make home insurance claims.

There are two new products in the range. First, the Resideo L1 WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector alerts people to leaks or frozen pipes with smartphone notifications, on site alerts and an alarm. The other product is the Braukmann L5 WiFi Water Leak Shutoff Valve, which automatically turns off the water supply to the

Bigger radiators will help to meet new Regs

Andrew Hobson, sales and marketing director at Ebac, says: “There are currently around 4.5 million cases of damp and mould across the UK, which equates to around 19% of the housing stock – and those are the cases that have been reported. With the new legislation and retrofit requirements for commercial and residential buildings in the lead-up to 2050, our system will offer a more costeffective solution for housing associations, councils and private landlords to ensure that their tenants are living in healthier, more energy efficient spaces.

“Our Smart Control feature means that tenants and homeowners do not have to touch the units, only requiring a filter change every 12-24 months depending on usage.”

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ONLINE

As part of its programme of providing radiators to operate well with heat pumps, Stelrad has announced that it will be launching a new range of 900mm high models in a variety of widths this year.

The manufacturer is responding to the need for larger sized radiators to cope with lower circulating system temperatures generated by renewable heating systems, following the upgrade to Building Regulations which comes into effect from 15th June in England, and from November in Wales.

Chris Harvey, Stelrad’s head of marketing, explains more: “The key figure to bear in mind is 55°C – the maximum flow temperature for all new wet heating systems from this date. The regulations also say that heating appliances and radiators should not be oversized. TRVs need to be fitted to every radiator except where there is a room thermostat fitted.

“The differential between the flow and return should be 10°C – giving a 45°C return, and a mean water temperature of 50°C. This will have an impact on radiators but simply means that sizing of radiators is more important than ever and all the advice you could need is available through relevant websites to point installers and specifiers in the right direction with regard to using the right radiators in the right applications.”

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home when a water leak is detected by the attached sensing cable or by a paired Resideo WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector.

Sylvain Baladon, global water product director, says: “For many years we have been focused on raising awareness of the risk of

water damage. Now with our new L5 water leak shutoff valves, we are going one step further and making a difference to the speed at which homes and belongings can be protected following the detection of a leak.”

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/47

For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply visit phamnews. co.uk/523/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

The Tigris K5/M5 from Wavin is a new range of commercial press-fit fittings that can effectively detect pressure faults and unpressed fittings in systems. The design allows for testing with both air and water and offers a variety of benefits to streamline the pressure testing process while maintaining accuracy and hygiene. Features include an 80-decibel air pressure leak alert and Optiflow, which provides a 50% greater flow rate to reduce pressure and avoid heat loss or Legionella contamination.

The Multi-Jaw feature of the fittings ensures that both Tigris K5 and M5 are compatible with the most common jaw profiles, for example, avoiding the need to purchase new equipment for the installation process. This, says the company, guarantees an easy switch to the new Tigris K5/M5 without additional costs or warranty considerations.

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Compact version joins the Crossover range

The Combi Crossover boiler range from Navien has been enhanced with the addition of a compact new option. The new NCB500-1S+/32K is a 32kW model designed for smaller properties. For installers, the cylinderfree design means easier installation and spacesaving benefits for their customers, particularly for those where space is already at a premium.

The design ensures that this compact model delivers a flow rate of 13.1L per minute, comfortably supplying one shower and one tap simultaneously.

Jason Davies, national business manager at Navien UK, says: “The NCB500-1S+/32K is a reliable and easy to install boiler which never compromises on power or performance. Installers are already fitting the NCB ON range for their customers with larger properties and have been asking us to extend the range. Now their clients in smaller homes can also

Ventilation efficiency required for new builds

Targeting new-builds, National Ventilation has launched its Monsoon decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) 100 range for use in residential kitchens, utility rooms, and bathrooms.

The Monsoon dMEV 100

Full range of bathroom elements

Studio F.A. Porsche has designed the Qatego bathroom range for Duravit, which combines straight-lined furniture with gently rounded sanitaryware, resulting in a minimalist and durable design. Qatego offers customisation options such as a range of sizes, colours, shapes, and materials.

The furniture of the collection is made from sustainable PEFCcertified wood and is available

benefit from efficient, futureproofed boilers that deliver superb energy savings.”

The new model is equipped with Navien ON technology, which delivers consistent temperatures and endless hot water. The latest addition to the NCB ON range is also backed up by up to a 10-year warranty while high efficiency helps homeowners save up to 38% in energy costs every year. Designed to be 20% hydrogenblend ready, it is also prepared for the future of home heating.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/50

in eight colours inspired by nature, and the bi-colour variant represents a special design feature. The natural stone is also

unique, and the solid stone panel in widths of 1000 or 1400mm can be affixed directly to the wall ◼ phamnews.co.uk/523/51

Valves offer fitting and maintenance ease

Expanding its washroom fill and flush collection, Tyde has launched the Dudley Victoria Outlet Valves range which includes an improved version of the Dudley cable operated Victoria Valve and a new mechanical dual flush valve.

The Victoria Valves are both WRAS-approved and can be serviced in under five minutes, providing installers with a time saving advantage. Both outlet valves are fitted with long life silicone seals and a choice of button mounting options.

They also offer water saving capability, with full and reduced flush options as standard. For maintenance or replacement, the robust but simple-to-use bayonet fixing enables the valve body to be quickly and simply removed from the cistern.

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range offers a sleek design and near silent operation as low as 13dB(A). Said to have best-in-class efficiencies as low as 0.12 SFP, the fans incorporate a high-pressure

axial impeller, with a switched live connection or humidistat to control the boost speed. The integral humidistat option provides ambient response logic that is fully adjustable between 40 and 90% relative humidity, with the fan increasing speed proportionally as humidity increases.

It also features a fully adjustable airflow up to 30L/sec on trickle and 35L/sec on boost, adjustable in 1L/sec increments for easy installation and commissioning.

In addition, its integrated UKAS calibrated airflow sensor shows airflow and system pressure.

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Hide the heat pump with a stylish cover

Outsteel is the name of a range of heat pump and air conditioning covers designed by Poujoulat to minimise the appearance of the outdoor equipment and blend in with the environment, while also protecting the units from the elements. The six cover options are said to offer a high-quality, stylish edge to heat pumps, giving them a more modern and attractive look than the units themselves. They are available in various sizes and are compatible with most heat pump and air conditioning brands. Made from 100% recyclable, powder-coated steel, Outsteel is durable and easy to

Booster set with buffer

install on both walls and floors, with most models having easyto-remove panels for convenient cleaning and maintenance.

“One of the key stumbling blocks to heat pump uptake in the UK is the bad reputation they have for being unsightly and taking away from the overall aesthetic outdoor area,” says Poujoulat UK’s sales director Peter Browning. “Having already seen great success across Europe, Outsteel allows the homeowner to disguise their heat pump and give their outdoor space a designer touch, blending it perfectly into its environment.”

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The new Aquaboost iBOLT triple pump booster set has been designed to complement Stuart Turner’s existing single and twin pump ranges and can produce heads of up to 9.2 bar and flow rates of up to 45m³/hr. The complete range features Regulation 4 WRAS-approved, 304 stainless steel horizontal multistage pumps controlled by air-cooled variable speed frequency inverters mounted directly on the pump motor.

The new triple pump booster set incorporates a Regulation 4 WRAS-approved 24-litre pressure vessel, providing an added buffer of pressurised cold water to supplement pressure and flow.

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Pushing

Product News

ease of installation up

New and improved features on Baxi’s 200 and 400 Combi 2 boiler ranges are designed to make installation as seamless as possible.

Lightweight and compact, the cupboard-fit boilers include an upgraded and simpler wiring experience, brass hydraulics on the 400, increased LPG options across the range, and a stainless steel heat exchanger. Both ranges also have easy-toreplace components.

Providing installers with greater flexibility to meet the requirements of a variety of domestic properties – large and small – outputs range from 24kW for both natural gas and LPG in the Baxi 200 Combi 2, and up to 30kW in the new, higher-output addition to the Baxi 400 Combi 2 range.

Manufactured with emissions reductions and efficiency goals in mind,

both models are 80/20 hydrogen certified to run on a 20% hydrogen blend.

Covered by two- and five-year parts and labour warranties respectively, the Baxi 200 Combi 2 and Baxi 400 Combi 2 boilers also feature Certified Opentherm technology for connecting smart controls, such as Baxi’s uSense 2, to further optimise energy usage, reduce consumption in domestic properties and helping meet mandatory Boiler Plus compliance requirements.

Nick Platt, commercial and marketing director at Baxi, comments: “The Baxi 200 and 400 models include some much-loved features that heating engineers will recognise and some that are brand new. The new boilers provide installers with two affordable heating solutions that don’t compromise on build quality or durability.”

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Accessibility solutions now online

Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum has launched its Independent Living product range to support customers with accessibility and mobility needs. The range includes products from specialist accessible bathroom brands, such as walk-in baths, wallhung basins, shower and bath seats, advanced toilets, grab rails, and wetrooms. The range has been designed to cater to customers with different mobility needs, including old age, disability, and visual impairments.

Trading director Jon Crook comments: “It’s our firm belief that everyone can have an inspirational bathroom at an affordable price. This belief led to us exploring and developing our Independent Living range.”

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Versatile boilers

The new EVO S range from ACV includes seven different models, from 40 to 150kW, and features the latest stainless steel heat exchanger technology for energy efficiency and reliability. EVO S features a 5:1 turndown ratio and excellent low-class 6 NOx emissions across all models. Designed for straightforward installation and maintenance to help optimise performance, the EVO S range is lightweight for its class with a compact design, and the flexibility to wall mount or install into a prefabricated floor-mounted frame.  For larger buildings or those with more complex layouts, optional low height frame and header kits offer cascade ability, up to 900kW and modulation up to 30:1. Where required, the EVO S is LPG convertible out of the box with no additional kits (models up to 120kW).

Backed by a five-year parts and labour warranty, and fully compliant with Building Regulations Part L, this range is approved for installation on multiple flue systems, with all relevant components available to purchase. ACV has also released its ‘Evo S’ Product and Flue Guide containing technical specification data.

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Wilo has teamed up with PHAM News to offer readers a chance to win one of three prizes, including a Yonos-PICO heating circulator pump, a Star-Z NOVA hot water pump, or a runner-up prize of a Wilo goodie bag!

Wilo, the UK’s efficiency-first pump manufacturer, is offering PHAM News readers the chance to win one of three great prizes, including two of its most popular pumps for use in residential homes.

The first prize is Wilo’s Yonos-PICO 25/1-6-130 heating circulator pump, part of Wilo’s new generation of high-efficiency heating pumps. Quick and easy to install, the Yonos-PICO offers installers even more convenience, while helping to save the planet with its low power consumption from its EC motor technology.

Featuring Wilo’s instantly recognisable green button, the Yonos-PICO helps installers save time and money on installation. This is thanks to the intelligent default settings for radiators or underfloor heating – symbolised by pictograms – as well as its small footprint to help it to fit in tight spaces.

Next up is Wilo’s Star-Z NOVA T. Used to circulate hot water around residential applications, the Star-Z NOVA T is equipped with clever features to help maintain a hygienic water system, such as a stop valve, automatic thermal disinfection detection, integrated timer, and thermostat. The internal thermostat also means installers do not need to fit any secondary controls, further saving cost and installation time.

With a power consumption of only 6 watts, the Star-Z NOVA T is highly efficient. Wilo’s green button provides an intuitive user interface that makes it hassle-free to commission, with a thermal insulation shell supplied as standard.

Last but not least, installers can bag themselves a Wilo bundle to take with them on their travels, including a Wilo rucksack, radiator key, water bottle, notepad and pens.

HOW TO ENTER:

For a chance to win one of the three prizes from WILO, simply read the question below and send your answer to the email address below. The winners will be selected from a draw of all the correct answers received. Only one entry is allowed per person.

What colour is the button featured on Wilo’s pumps above? Q (a) Green (b) Blue (c) Red

Email your answer to editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk with ‘WILO’ 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 future email offers from Wilo

Please email your entry before the closing date of 1st June 2023

www.wilo.com/gb/en

Yonos-PICO heating circulator pump

Star-Z NOVA T hot water pump

Wilo branded prize bundle

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Snickers Workwear Hoodies –built for comfort

Snickers Hoodies and Sweatshirts are probably the most popular products among Snickers Workwear users. Designed specifically for professional craftsmen and women, they’re built for durability and comfort and the ‘full zip’ or ‘overhead’ styles are ideal as mid-Layer working clothes. Available in a selection of fabric options, there’s over 40 styles and a host of colours to choose from including the new khaki green option as well as Class 1 and Class 2 High-Vis. They’re also available with the unmistakable Snickers logo and are ideal for company profiling. Checkout www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

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NEW Updated Essential Gas Safety Manual Ninth Edition

Revised Now Available

PHAM APR21 DIR HEATING CONTROLS ONLINE:Layout 1 30/03/2021 1

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www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk

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Changes have been made to a number of sections as a result of a number of revised and new industry documents including:

Building Regulations - Various Approved

Documents affecting gas installation / fire safety

IGEM/G/5 - Gas in multi-occupancy buildings

IGEM/G/13 - Domestic supply capacity & operating pressure at the outlet of the meter CO & Smoke Alarms Regulations 2015 & 2022 Available from www.corgi-direct.com or enter the code below.

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Safety Products

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As more and more homeowners choose air source heat pumps, now is the time to invest in your business and partner with Mitsubishi Electric for success.