Issuu

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MAY 2021

ROOM HEATING & UFH ADVICE ON SPECIFYING DESIGNER RADIATORS

THE GRANT HOUSE PHPI FOLLOWS A WHOLE HOUSE RENEWABLE HEATING PROJECT

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SIX OF THE BEST ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VANS

VISIT PHPIONLINE.CO.UK FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

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CONTENTS phpionline.co.uk

@phpi

REGULARS 5

VIEWPOINT

NEWS

@professionalplumber

May 2021 VOL. 36 NO.4 phpi@hamerville.co.uk

@phpimag

36 HB42’S ULTIMATE WATERPROOFER

12 INSTALLING UFH

10 GIVEAWAYS 46 HORROR SHOW 49 PRODUCTS ROUND UP 51 PLAYTIME

THE GRANT HOUSE 12 PHPI FOLLOWS A WHOLE HOUSE RENEWABLE HEATING PROJECT – PART 1

SPECIAL REPORTS 15 BENCHMARK GOES DIGITAL 16 HEATING’S ROLE IN REACHING NET-ZERO EMISSIONS 18 THE FINDINGS FROM PHPI’S RECENT READER SURVEY

ROOM HEATING & UFH 20 FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTIVE HEATING TECHNOLOGY 22 ESI’S NEW WIFI PROGRAMMABLE ROOM THERMOSTAT

42 FORD’S PLUG IN HYBRID VAN

24 DECARBONISATION: THE ROLE OF EXISTING BOILERS 26 SPECIFYING DESIGNER RADIATORS 27 ROUND UP

PLUMBING & BATHROOMS 29 PHPI REPORTS ON THE NEW DIGITAL GROHE X PLATFORM 30 THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF THERMOSTATIC MIXING VALVES 32 CAN FLOW REGULATORS HELP TO SAVE WATER AND ENERGY?

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

34 ADVICE ON FITTING SHOWER PUMPS

40 SIX OF THE BEST ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VANS

36 HB42’S SOLUTION FOR WATERPROOFING WET ROOMS

22 NEW CONTROLS

38 ROUND UP

42 EXPLORING THE TRANSIT CUSTOM PHEV 44 A LOOK AT THE LATEST VW CADDY

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER MAY 2021 3

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VIEWPOINT EDITOR JONATHAN COLE phpi@hamerville.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR ABBIE SMITH asmith@hamerville.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER JAKE TATUM jtatum@hamerville.co.uk NORTHERN & MIDLANDS SALES EDDIE WRIGHT ewight@hamerville.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR TERRY SMITH DIGITAL GROUP MANAGER STUART DUFF DESIGNER GEMMA WATSON GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER CAROL PADGETT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CLAIRE SWENDELL DISTRIBUTION MANAGER KARL CLARK PUBLISHER BRYAN SHANNON PRINTED BY WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH LTD PUBLISHED BY HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Copyright © 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER is a business journal for those involved in the installation, maintenance and repair of heating and plumbing systems. It is available to the trade at leading heating and plumbing merchants and specialist outlets throughout the UK. The publishers and editor do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors of translation in the subject matter in this publication.

phpionline.co.uk

@phpi

@professionalplumber

phpi@hamerville.co.uk

Event horizon Trade shows and exhibitions are an important part of the sector, not only providing an opportunity for installers to check-out the latest tools and equipment, but also allowing plumbers direct access to the companies and people behind the products being used every day. Additionally, they also provide a great opportunity for sole traders, who can lack contact with like-minded installers, a chance to meet-up and share tips and stories. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, there have been none of these vital events for over a year now. But despite this absence it would appear that plumbers’ desire to visit shows has not only remained, but increased. The recent PHPI Reader’s Survey, conducted online across February & March, indicates that over three-quarters (81%) of installers are interested in attending a trade show when again allowed to do so. In comparison, when we asked a similar question about trade show attendance in the 2019 survey, two-thirds of respondents (66%) said they had visited a trade show recently. Hopefully these key events will soon be on the horizon once again. The regional Toolfair and Plumb Expo events, which are linked to PHPI, have recently announced new dates, beginning this Autumn. Over half of our survey’s respondents (54%) indicated they had visited these shows (together with the Elex and Professional Builder Live shows) in the last two years. www.rdr.link/pz001 To ﬁnd more details about these regional events The PHPI Reader Survey also revealed how Coronavirus, and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions, had affected installers’ businesses. 44% reported being less busy than normal while over a third (38%) said business was same as normal times. Almost one in ﬁve (19%) reported it being a busier time. You can delve deeper into the results of the Reader Survey on page 18. The survey also indicated (somewhat unsurprisingly) that around nine in ten (90%) recommend heating/plumbing products. One recent development that may be of interest to those recommending and installing new boilers, is that the Benchmark Checklist is now going digital. The Checklist, a familiar part of installing a new boiler, is shifting to a new App with the hope the new process will encourage a whole life approach to boiler care. You can discover more on page 15. As you read this we can only hope that the pandemic is easing, restrictions continue to be lifted and life is returning to a level of pre-Covid normality. Perhaps this Autumn we will be able to meet up at the sector’s key events and shows once again, to continue the discussion on all things heating & plumbing.

Jonathan Cole

EDITOR

Subscriptions to PHPI are available for 1 year (11 issues) at the following rates: UK £30 post paid Airmail £80 post paid Europe £50 post paid

For the latest news, plus video reviews, competitions and exclusive content, log on to the PHPI website at WWW.PHPIONLINE.CO.UK

56,339 (Certiﬁcate of Average Distribution for the issues distributed between January and December 2020)

Want to receive a digital copy of PHPI? You can sign up by using www.rdr.link/email PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER MAY 2021 5

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News

Share your thoughts with us on the industry via Twitter (@PHPI), Facebook (@ProfessionalPlumber), or by emailing phpi@hamerville.co.uk

GREEN HOMES GRANT CLOSED EARLY

NEW FEATURES ON BAXI’S TOOLBELT APP In response to installer demand for more online booking resources, Baxi has launched a new Book a Repair feature on its Toolbelt App. Through the feature Baxi Works Installers can request a visit from a Baxi Customer Service engineer. To book a repair on the App, installers scan the product’s barcode, or enter the product serial number, before highlighting the problem being experienced. A preferred visit date can then be chosen, which will then be conﬁrmed by Baxi’s customer support team. David Cook, Sales Director at Baxi, said: “Adding the Book a Repair feature to the Baxi Toolbelt App was a direct result of conversations we have had with installers. This feature will help time-pressed Baxi Works installers to reduce the steps required to book a repair and they can also use the App to keep things like boiler registrations all in one handy place.” To discover more www.rdr.link/pz002

6 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

The Government has announced the Green Homes Grant scheme is now closed to new applications, though vouchers in the system up to 31st March will be honoured. The scheme, which was launched last year, was part of the government’s wider decarbonisation strategy and had a target to transform the energy performance of around 600,000 homes. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has said it is, “disappointed by this short-sighted decision”. Commenting on the largely unexpected announcement, David Cowburn, Chief Operating Officer at NAPIT said: “The impact of this announcement on installers who have undertaken significant investment and effort to become qualified, competent and certified to offer vouchers to homeowners must be recognised. The stop/start nature of Government policy is this area is having a huge impact on installer confidence, and the ambition to decarbonise homes through energy efficiency measures and the target to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 will not be possible without installers.” Mark Wilkins, Technologies and Training Director from Vaillant, said: “It is a huge disappointment that the Green Homes Grant (GHG) has closed so abruptly. Vaillant calls for a rapid enquiry into the failure of the GHG so that we can build the trust back up within the industry that heat pumps are a key method to decarbonise the UK and develop the Clean Heat Grant to make it a success when it is due to launch in March 2022.”

BAXI AND WORCESTER BOSCH SHOWCASE 100% HYDROGEN BOILERS Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch are to showcase hydrogen boilers in the UK’s first 100% Hydrogen Home public demonstration. The project is designed to demonstrate the use of hydrogen-fuelled appliances in a real-world setting. The semi-detached properties, built in partnership with Northern Gas Networks, the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and gas distribution network company Cadent, will be located at Northern Gas Network’s Low Thornley site, near Gateshead. Alongside the hydrogen boilers, prototypes of hydrogen-fuelled ﬁres, cookers and hobs will also be installed by partners working with BEIS on the Hy4Heat project. Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Baxi Heating UK and Ireland, said: “We are hugely proud to be a part of another ground-breaking hydrogen heating project and remain at the forefront of low carbon development.” Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, added; “The Hydrogen House project will help spearhead the safe implementation of hydrogen gas into the gas network and ultimately our homes.” For more information

www.rdr.link/pz003

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IDEAL HEATING UPGRADES LOYALTY OFFERING

DRAYTON LAUNCHES 1-2-1 TRAINING

Ideal Heating is relaunching its Max Accreditation scheme for 2021. In addition to the 12-year extended warranty on the company’s Vogue Max range, Max Accreditation now comes with a series of new benefits designed to help installers. Designed to drive sales and repair leads, discounted membership to Checkatrade is now available to all installers with Max Accreditation across both full and affiliate-level, alongside an enhanced priority listing on the ‘find my local installer’ page on the Ideal Heating website. Service reminders will also be automatically scheduled into an online calendar, to support long-lasting customer relationships. Jo Shepherd, Chief Marketing Officer at Ideal Heating, said: “It’s incredibly important to us that Max Accreditation is a real badge of honour that sets the best installers in the business apart from their competition. We’re making it as easy as possible for homeowners to find a professional installer who will complete every job to the very highest standard.” To apply for or renew accreditation, installers must meet a new set of eligibility criteria, after which they will be invited to complete the Max Accreditation training course through Ideal Heating’s Expert Academy.

The new 1-2-1 training sessions will focus on the practical side of the installation and troubleshooting for its smart heating control, Wiser. The sessions are available to order through the 9° Network shop, as part of a bundle including a free Wiser kit. Installers will need to complete the online Wiser training module on 9º Know How ahead of their dedicated session with Drayton Training Manager, James Clark. Once complete, they will become one of Drayton’s network of Wiser Approved installers. Trade Marketing Manager for Drayton, Clare Weller, said: “This new training option perfectly complements our existing online training academy, 9° Know How, which allows users to complete the online module at their own pace. The new 1-2-1 sessions inject a practical side to our training offer and allow installers to put into practice what they have learnt from the module by installing the Wiser system in their own home and asking any questions they might have along the way.”

For more information, including FAQs and terms & conditions www.rdr.link/pz004

BATHROOM SAFETY ‘BLUEPRINT’ UNVEILED BY TRITON Triton Showers has developed a framework which outlines the key bathroom safety considerations when specifying for homes spanning more than one generation. ‘A Blueprint for Bathroom Safety: how to make bathrooms fit for purpose for all generations’ covers the main elements of specifying bathrooms, particularly in light of Britain’s aging population. The guide highlights how differing levels of independence within the same home require a bathroom tailored to meet varied needs. Stuart Lane, Sales Director at Triton, commented: “Bathrooms are unique, in that they are one of the most heavily used rooms in a house, and by their nature present several hazards to those with limited mobility, dexterity or vision. There are a number of features that can be incorporated to meet this challenge, such as intelligent controls or accessibility apparatus, which we’ve detailed in a step-by-step way.” To download the guide please

www.rdr.link/pz005

For more information www.rdr.link/pz006

Drayton’s James Clark

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER MAY 2021 7

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GLOW-WORM REVEALS ‘MYSTERY TRIP’ DESTINATION The destination for the 2021 Glow-worm Mystery Trip has been revealed and will see the winners jetting off to the sunny beaches of Cuba. Back for a second year, the Glow-worm Mystery Trip offered 60 installers the chance to win two tickets on an all-expenses paid trip of a lifetime by simply hitting their personalised targets of Glow-worm installations via Club Energy. Entries for the trip ended on 31st March. Spencer Clark, Commercial Director for UK & Ireland at Glow-worm said: “It’s been a tough year, and we wanted to say thanks to all our loyal installers, and what better way to do that with an all-expenses paid trip of a lifetime!” In another move to support installers Glow-worm has launched a homeowner awareness campaign, across UK airwaves. The campaign, which began in March, kicked off with the brand’s ﬁrst homeowner radio ad in more than 10 years. The radio ad is designed to help generate sales leads for its Club Energy installers. The radio ad features on radio stations including Absolute, Capital and Virgin.

RHINO PRODUCTS BECOME OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF TEAM BRIT

Installers who would like to ﬁnd out more about Glow-worm’s Club Energy loyalty programme, can www.rdr.link/pz007

8 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

Van accessory specialist Rhino Products has announced it is the official sponsor of Team BRIT racing driver, Aaron Morgan, as well as corporate sponsors for the team. Team BRIT is an inspirational organisation, in which all the drivers are disabled, and it aims to become the ﬁrst ever British all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24-hour race. Through its Racing Academy, it supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport. 30-year-old Aaron, a computer specialist from Basingstoke, broke his back at the age of 15 in a motocross accident and was the youngest ever disabled person to achieve a ‘national B’ race licence in 2006. He joined Team BRIT in 2019 and will be racing in the Britcar Championship this year.

DEMAND FOR KITCHEN RENOVATIONS UP BY 24% New data from ﬁnd-a-tradesperson platform, Rated People, indicates that Brits are investing in new kitchens, despite the pressures of coronavirus. As people spend more time at home during the pandemic, the demand for kitchen renovations has rocketed by 24%, it says. The site notes that a new kitchen can increase the overall value of a house by over £10,000. Not only has the kitchen become a valued space for family bubbles to congregate in during lockdown, but the national closure of restaurants and cafes has boosted our enthusiasm for home cooking, it says. Rated People’s 2021 Trends Report looked at the most popular trends in interior design, including in kitchens. The Report found that moodier hues are very much on trend, with demand for dark blue and black kitchens soaring by 140% and 128% respectively.

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PLUMBING & HEATING MERCHANT INDEX INDICATES SLOWER NEW-YEAR SALES The second Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report, which is based on data from GfK’s Plumbing & Heating Merchant Panel representing over 80% of the market by value, shows that specialist plumbing & heating merchants’ sales in January were down 5% on January 2020. The start of a third lockdown is likely to have impacted adversely on inside work in January. Also contributing to the decline were two less trading days this year. The average sales a day ﬁgure, which takes this into account, shows sales were 4.5% higher than in January last year. Month-on-month sales were positive up 18.5% in January compared with December 2020. Tom Rigby, Commercial Manager at MRA Research, which produces the report, commented: “PHMI trend data tracks what is happening in the specialist plumbing & heating merchants market month by month, and this new report gives the industry access to far more accurate insights than has previously been available.”

GRANT OIL BOILERS FEATURE AT SWAAT TRAINING CENTRE A selection of Vortex and VortexBlue oil-ﬁred boilers have been installed at the South West Assessment and Training Centre in Liskeard, Cornwall as part of a major refurbishment of its oil boiler training and assessment facilities. The South West Assessment and Training Centre, known as SWAAT, is an ISO 9001 accredited training centre, providing courses on subjects including plumbing, gas, oil, electrics, solid fuel, renewable energy and health and safety. Its portfolio of training includes qualifications for competent persons schemes, such as OFTEC, Gas Safe and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. The new oil appliances will be used by heating engineers completing their OFTEC qualifications at the centre.

BUILDERS’ BREW UNDER THREAT Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed its ‘hot drink hit list’ with the traditional builders’ brew usurped by cappuccino as van drivers’ favourite caffeine hit. A cappuccino tops the list of van drivers’ favourite hot drinks ahead of a latte, according to the survey of 1,000 van drivers by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The humble English breakfast tea ranks third, ahead of hot chocolate, an Americano, and a ﬂat white. The survey also reveals that a third of van drivers buy more than one hot drink a day. The survey also shows that one in ﬁve opt for alternative milk, such as oat, almond, soy or coconut. And when they do go with regular milk, health-conscious van drivers prefer semi-skimmed to full fat. Claire English, Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “It’s time to think again when you ask your plumber, electrician, or builder if they want a brew because the chances are it’s not top of the list.” You can read more about VW’s new Caddy on page 44

NEWS IN BRIEF... IDEAL HEATING has renewed its agreement as Principal Sponsor of West Bromwich Albion for another three-year term, making it one of the longest-standing partners in the club’s history. The agreement will see the Ideal Heating logo at the front and centre of club shirts for the next three seasons. The Ideal brand will also be prominent via signiﬁcant branding within the Hawthorns. A new study by GOCOMPARE VAN has found a growing increase in the number of females taking on 'trade jobs' in the UK. Results found there has been a 366% increase in young females taking on apprenticeships in construction and engineering in the past ﬁve years. Leading the trade revolution for women are painters and decorators, plumbers came in second and electricians third. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz008

Plumbers have once again missed out on SWARFEGA’s ‘Toughest Trade of the year’ title, with the 2021 crown going to ﬁsherman Jack West. Jack’s entry showed a stomach-churning image of a ﬁshing boat getting battered by the waves. It was closely followed by a number of other gritty entries from roofers and electricians. The competition received almost 100 entries with the winner receiving £200 in Amazon vouchers.

WATERSAFE, the UK register of approved plumbers, is advising owners, landlords and managers of buildings which have been empty or under-occupied during lockdown to risk assess their drinking water system as they reopen for business. It says, prolonged inactivity can lead to poor water quality and the growth of bacteria, such as legionella, which can be harmful to health when taps get turned on again. The organisation has issued guidance on the topic. www.rdr.link/pz009 Please

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GIVEAWAYS GRAB SOME GEAR

All this month’s giveaways are now on one handy webpage, meaning you only have to enter your details once! For more fantastic giveaways and competitions, www.rdr.link/pz010

CENTURION

CLIPACORE

MCALPINE

BUMP CAPS

DUOCUT

MACXSEAL

Centurion Safety has a wide range of customisable bump caps. The AirPro SecurePlus bump cap is a particularly popular choice featuring a modern style and teﬂon coating which repels spills so that it looks better for longer. The AirPro’s lightweight design and enhanced ventilation also means it can be worn comfortably all day long, improving worker compliance.

Clipacore DuoCut allows existing holes to be symmetrically enlarged without core bits skidding across a customer’s wall and running the risk of injury or damage to property. It has been designed for larger boiler ﬂue pipes, extractor fans, larger waste pipes, larger gas pipes and recessing soil ﬁttings within a wall.

MACXSEAL from McAlpine is a sealant and adhesive tested and approved for use on its own products. The sealant works fast, has a high strength grab and is resistant to UV radiation and general weathering. It is available in Brilliant White and Super Clear and is compatible with most plastics, timber and metal.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN... www.rdr.link/pz012

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...

www.rdr.link/pz011

www.rdr.link/pz013

MARSHALLTOWN

HI-LINE

FASTCAP TILE LEVELLING SYSTEM

12 BOX OF HI-KLEEN

The Marshalltown FASTcap Tile Levelling System is a fast and easy way to install tiles, avoiding unevenness. Spacer Bases in three sizes are available for different joints, ﬁtting under tiles once the tile adhesive has been applied. Once the Ratchet Cap is in place, simply turn until adjacent tiles are level (no tools required). When adhesive has cured use a rubber mallet to remove - saving the caps to reuse on the next job.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN... www.rdr.link/pz014

10 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

The new Hi-Kleen surface sanitiser from Hi-line Industries has been specially formulated to kill and inhibit both bacteria and viruses on hard or soft surfaces subject to frequent contact. Composed of organic, non-chlorinated solvents, Hi-Kleen comes in both 500ml aerosols and disposable 17kg canisters (with spray gun). The latter is ideal for those looking to sanitise entire rooms, providing typical coverage of 750 square metres.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN… www.rdr.link/pz015

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THE GRANT HOUSE | Part 1 In association with

In this new four-part series, PHPI and Grant UK have teamed up to bring you a whole house renewable heating project, from start to finish. Over the coming issues we will look at how products are sourced, how the heating system is designed, installed, commissioned and finally handed over to the householder.

WELCOME TO THE GRANT HOUSE T he Grant House is a four-bedroom semi-detached property in Wiltshire which is undergoing a complete heating system upgrade as part of a wider renovation project. In addition to building a large extension off the side of the property, the owners are upgrading their home’s heating system, changing from a gas boiler to a renewable system thanks to the installation of a Grant Aerona³ air source heat pump. We will be following every step of the heating system upgrade along the way to show PHPI readers how a typical overhaul like this can be done, step by step. Over the coming issues we will show you not just the technical aspects of installation, but the certiﬁcation and handover processes too.

Meet the installer The installer on this project is Jake Meadows of Meadows Plumbing & Heating. Based in Chippenham, Wiltshire the company covers all aspects of plumbing and heating including traditional fuel heating systems and renewable technologies.

Installer Jake Meadows runs through the details of the project with the homeowner

12 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

Which products will be installed?

The Grant UK team has worked closely with the family and installer to get a complete packaged solution together for our house. The good news is merchants can also supply Grant packaged solutions to installers too, taking the hassle out of sourcing matching products.

● Aerona³ 13kW R32 Air Source Heat Pump ● MonoWave High Performance 300ltr

Cylinder ● Uﬂex Underﬂoor Heating System

(throughout the downstairs of the new extension) ● Uﬂex MINI Underﬂoor Heating System (throughout the downstairs of the original property)

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We will follow each stage step by step, including the Uflex underfloor heating.

● Aﬁnia Aluminium Radiators (throughout

upstairs of the entire property) “Air source heat pump technology was completely new to us when we ﬁrst started exploring the options available to us with our heating,” says Helen Selman, the homeowner. “Grant UK’s representatives talked us through the beneﬁts of this renewable heating solution, answering our queries and helping us to understand how a heat pump could sustainably meet our heating and hot water requirements.”

Why renewables? Having lived in the property for ﬁve years, the owners wanted the renovation project to deliver their ‘forever home’ and enable them as a family to live as sustainably as they could. To achieve this, they needed to improve the efficiency of their heating and change the heat source to a greener alternative. This was the reason why a Grant whole house renewable heating system was selected and installed.

Discover more about the Grant House by scanning the QR code or you can visit www.grantuk.com/thegranthouse. “The renovation project gave us the opportunity to completely transform our heating system, moving away from a fossil fuel and going green with a new heat pump,” explains Helen. “When we bought this property, we knew we would not want to move again so the time and effort put into this house over the past two years has made the property into the home our family will live in for years and years to come.” You can keep track of the Grant House by using our RDR Link service – simply enter the following into your web browser. www.rdr.link/pz016

Coming up in Part Two In the next issue we check in with installer Jake Meadows as he makes the installation MCS compliant so the householder can access the Government Renewable Heat Incentive.

LONG HISTORY

Grant UK has been designing and manufacturing re liable and easy to install heating prod ucts for over four decades. It’s prod uct portfolio includ es award winning Vortex oil ﬁred condensing boilers and the latest renewa ble technologies like solar thermal, air source heat pumps, cylin ders and condensing bioma ss (wood pellet) bo ilers, and an oil boiler/air so urce heat pump hy brid. The company also ha s a growing range of heat emitters from wet underﬂoor heating systems through to fan convectors and alu minium radiators.

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SPECIAL REPORT

BENCHMARK GOES

DIGITAL

The Benchmark Checklist is going digital to encourage a ‘whole life’ approach to boiler care.

ince its inception in 1999 the Benchmark Checklist has become a familiar part of the processes of installing a new boiler. Plus it has been recognised by the government as an effective means of demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations for boiler installation, commissioning and servicing. However, it is now set for dramatic change, shifting away from paper-based forms and moving to new apps offering data storage and retrieval capability that can be accessed by both heating engineers and homeowners. Separate apps for installers and homeowners will act as information portals detailing boiler installation and servicing history for the operational lifetime of the

boiler. It is hoped that this will make it easier for heating engineers to register boilers and access vital information about servicing and maintenance history before commencing work.

Impact on servicing

One benefit of the consumer version of the app will be its impact on servicing. Billy With Benchmark’s recent research continued: “One of the key issues for indicating that over 50% of UK homeowners has been the servicing paper homeowners own a boiler that is out of trail, which is vital in proving that regular warranty, it is vital that end-users are servicing has been undertaken and that the educated on the importance of annual boiler remains within warranty. The new servicing. The consumer version apps will ensure that there is no of the app, which is scheduled more looking for bits of paper, for launch in the coming no more figuring out what months, will make sure previous work has been regular service intervals done on a boiler – all of the are planned in – information that engineers ensuring that boilers and homeowners need remain within warranty will be easily accessible and that heating systems in one place.” www.rdr.link /p are performing at their Push notifications will z017 most energy efficient levels. alert homeowners when it is Billy Wilgar, Deputy Chair time to get their boiler serviced, of the Benchmark Steering pointing them in the direction of the Group, commented: “Benchmark has engineer who installed their heating system. always been more than just a Billy explained: “The apps will help commissioning tool, but its digitisation will strengthen the relationship between the enable both heating engineers and homeowner and the heating engineer, homeowners to access vital information generating trust and repeat servicing about their boilers, plan service intervals and business for the engineer – ultimately take a whole life approach to boiler care. ensuring that heating systems are performing We believe this digitisation of Benchmark at their most energy efficient levels.” can play a major role in improving As part of the Benchmark app launch, standards and the quality of service that engineers are being encouraged to ‘Make heating engineers offer to homeowners. their Mark’, by registering their installations “The trade version of the app will allow through the app, to demonstrate their work engineers to fill out the checklist digitally on each and every install and highlight a on their phone or tablet at the time of job well done. installation, with all information being For more information please immediately available to homeowners via www.rdr.link/pz018 their own app.”

Warranty issues

Download the Benchmark APP here

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER MAY 2021 15

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SPECIAL REPORT | Decarbonising Heat

A CALL FOR

CHANGE Following the introduction of the Government’s plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, David Roberts, MD of Nu-Heat, highlights three areas in which action must be taken to meet the challenge.

he UK has set the ambitious target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It’s a huge task that will require reform in a large number of areas. However, with around 15% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions attributed to residential buildings, it is one that certainly calls for a rethink in how we heat our homes. A ‘wrap then heat’ model of simultaneously tackling energy demand and supply would provide the best angle to tackle a challenge of this scale. Substantial strides in reducing emissions from the production of electricity in the country through off-shore wind and solar have paved the way for reducing emissions on the supply side for electric heating. However there is still work to be

As a nation now is the time to turn our attention towards decarbonising heat in our homes.

done on the demand side with over seven million solid wall and ﬁve million cavity wall properties that could be further insulated, many of them cost-effectively. Improving the energy efficiency of homes not only makes sense in the effort to improve decarbonisation, it also helps to address energy poverty. The lower running costs of heating homes that are sufficiently insulated and running on efficient heating sources such as heat pumps means lower energy bills for consumers, however this depends on homes being built to be renewables ready and energy efficient from the start. Other European countries have already started seeing the beneﬁts of adopting energy efficient heat pumps as a heating technology. In Sweden, heat pumps have a 91% market share against boilers (as a % of combined sales), France and Denmark have similarly supported mass-market uptake of heat pumps, which operate with very low emissions. The challenge then for the UK, is to create a system that supports change at all levels, and makes the transition to energy efficient heating systems in homes as seamless as possible.

16 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

1 I Reduce the temperature of heating systems installed in the UK The Future Homes Standard talks about flow temperatures of 55 degrees, but this doesn’t go far enough. Turning down the heat to 45 degrees saves a further 0.5 tonne CO2 per property and across 250,000 new build homes per year, if even half have underfloor heating systems and air source heat pumps installed, those properties would save an additional 55,000 tonnes of CO2 over 18 years. Low temperature heating, like underfloor, will give us this by default.

2 I Support installers through clear standards AND TRAINING We’ve got an amazing plumbing and heating trade in the UK – we trust them in heating in our homes. The plan talks of 50,000 new jobs, but what is really needed is government support for the 130,000+ Gas Safe Registered installers we’ve already got. We need to help them make the transition from gas to heat

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pumps through funding for training, regulation, and access to support schemes, like the one Nu-Heat provides. We’ll need qualiﬁed people to both install, service and maintain these low carbon systems.

3 I Educate a fabric first approach Missed opportunities in building regulations mean that high temperature heating systems are being installed in homes that just don’t need them. It’s essential that both the market and consumer understand the need to wrap and then heat. A fabric first approach to both new builds and renovations. Getting supportive regulation for heat pumps in new-build properties right is important, as this is where the technology is immediately cheapest to install and typically most cost-effective. A thriving mass-market for heat pumps needs a healthy installer-base and supply chain to sell renewable heating technologies and install systems. The heat pump industry sees new-build properties as an important first step for wider adoption of the technology in the UK. To find out more www.rdr.link/pz019

Can we do it though? I think we can. Businesses, families and governments across the globe throughout this Covid-19 pandemic have proved how good we can be at taking action in crisis and just how much can be achieved in a small amount of time. Before we entered this public health crisis we were – and still are – in the midst of a climate emergency. The biggest challenge? This has to be building a trained and certiﬁed low carbon heating workforce who are strong enough in number to meet the demand and conﬁdent enough to grow the public’s trust. We at Nu-Heat are going to do everything we can to help to make this happen. For more details on Nu-Heat please www.rdr.link/pz020

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FR Design/Adobestock

SPECIAL REPORT

OUR SAYS... PHPI reveals the results of its recent reader survey.

he Coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on us all, but its impact on the sector’s businesses has been mixed, according to the respondents to a recent PHPI survey. Conducted online during February & March this year, the PHPI 2021 reader survey reveals that 44% of installers reported work being ‘less busy than normal’, while 38% said business was ‘same as usual’. Almost one in ﬁve (19%) said the time had been ‘busier than normal’. The survey also suggested plumbing merchants remained a focal point for installers, in spite of the recent disruptions. 86% of respondents indicated they visited

a merchant ‘at least once a week’. It would also appear that installers are keen on engaging directly with product manufacturers, with trade shows and exhibitions very much in the minds of plumbers and heating engineers. Over four in ﬁve (81%) of respondents indicated they would be interested in attending a trade show when they are again allowed. A reduction in contact with manufacturers was also demonstrated through feedback on training. Only 39% had attended a manufacturer’s training course in the last 12 months – compared with 47% in 2019. Government restrictions

86% of respondents indicated they visited a merchant at least once a week

have almost certainly led to a dip in attendance at in-person training sessions, although many manufacturers are now offering digital or online training options.

Renewables on the rise Although still a relatively small number, it would appear that the sector is gradually embracing Renewables with 23% of respondents saying they had worked with these technologies. This is up from 17% two years ago. The type of training required by installers backs this up, with almost half (49%) of respondents keen on ‘additional training’ on Renewables. However, heating remains the mainstay of our readers work with 87% working in this part of the sector. Unsurprisingly, plumbing recorded a similar level (84%). Only a quarter (24%) of respondents indicated they undertook kitchen ﬁtting, although a little more than half (52%) recorded ‘Bathrooms’ as an area in which they operated.

Switch to smartphones More people are now visiting our website – www.phpionline.co.uk – with around 45% of respondents telling us they visited at least once a week. On the site users can ﬁnd the latest news, along with in-depth features, video content and all of our giveaways, not to mention the latest product information. How users are accessing our site is also changing with more people selecting their smartphone as the main tool for access, now ranking above tablets, laptops and desktops: in 2019 only 14% used their phone, by 2021 it had rocketed up to 40%. Results from an online survey of 293 Plumbers & Heating Engineers during February & March 2021.

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ROOM HEATING & UFH

A FLEXIBLE SOLUTION

When it comes to room heating, there are many low temperature systems available to maximise efficiency and reduce running costs. However, while there are many different products for installers to consider, oil and gas boilers remain the most flexible and adaptive heating technology of choice, argues Sean Keleher, National Technical Manager at Navien.

raditionally, room heating consists of an oil or gas boiler alongside a system of radiators. However, as homes become increasingly well insulated, low temperature heating circuits (LTHC) are gaining in popularity. This has led to a trend in emitters such as underfloor heating (UFH) and fan convectors being installed in a variety of properties, particularly in the new build sector. While the supply temperature in a traditional central heating system can range from 75°C and 85°C, this decreases to anywhere between 35°C and 55°C when using low temperature heating. This, of course, brings with it many economic and environmental advantages. Our experience in producing boilers in Korea for over 40 years, where the majority of properties utilise UFH, puts us in a prime position for working with low temperature room heating systems. Oil and gas boilers can be easily set with a lower maximum temperature for use with UFH or fan convectors, provided they are the only emitters attached to the system. Otherwise, there are external underfloor blending kits, which can utilise higher boiler temperatures for some radiators on the system, while simultaneously blending heat down for an underfloor circuit (used by radiators upstairs and UFH downstairs, for example). Most installations and boilers would work in this way, with the simple addition of a blending kit from the UFH manufacturers. From a technical perspective, if a boiler has a lower maximum set point (for example, 70°C), the return temperatures would also be reduced in turn. Return temperatures below 54°C will enable the

boiler to go into condensing mode; in fact, the lower the return temperature, the more the boiler will condense – and the greater the efficiencies gained as a result.

Radiator options Of course, advances in radiator technology also have a role to play. While the traditional, steel panel models are not going away anytime soon, there are also aluminium models available capable of operating at lower water temperatures. This is attributed to them having signiﬁcantly lower water content than their steel panel counterparts, while the low thermal inertia of an aluminium radiator can also see it heat up approximately three times faster. This offers many beneﬁts from a refurbishment or system upgrade

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as the industry looks towards a low carbon future, high efficiency boilers still have a vital role to play, no matter what emitters are present on a system. perspective, as the boiler can be replaced with the latest energy efficient model without having to have all the emitters changed. As a result, there is less disruption for end users – while also the cheaper option as opposed to having a whole house renovation.

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Blue flame burners Of course, as the industry looks towards achieving Net Zero carbon emissions, sustainability is paramount. This has led to the introduction of blue flame burners in oil boilers, as they produce half the NOx emissions of their yellow flame counterparts. This is particularly significant for properties situated in rural areas, where there are approximately 1.5 million homes reliant on oil for heating and hot water needs. Here, upgrading to a modern oil boiler, such as our own LCB700 model, allows a property to utilise the latest blue flame burner technology to maximise energy efficiency with existing room emitters. By utilising these cleaner burners, blue flame boilers allow heating engineers to provide their customers with highly efficient oil boilers boasting significantly lower NOx emissions. Blue flame technology operates on the principle of converting heating oil to a vaporised spray at high pressure through a specially designed nozzle. This is then premixed with the air required for combustion, before being drawn in through the burner, resulting in a clean blue flame, which has much lower NOx emissions than traditional, yellow flamed models. As a result, installers can provide their customers with a more sustainable oil boiler when they are looking for a like-for-like replacement – which is also more than capable of running at lower water temperatures, should the property be suitable. With blue flame the obvious choice for oil boilers, Navien’s own blue flame technology guarantees efficiency and ultra-low NOx emissions (57mg/kWh). In fact, we recognise the importance of blue flame so much, we only manufacture boilers with this technology. These units are also “OpenTherm” ready, so allow instant access to the latest control technology, at minimum disruption to homeowners, while reducing installation costs and overall energy bills.

As a result, using these models in conjunction with our Smart Plus control pack provides an overall, industry leading A+ ErP energy rating. Plus, the boilers themselves can also be sited outside, where they are still able to operate effectively even at sub-zero temperatures. So, as the industry looks towards a low carbon future, high efficiency boilers still have a vital role to play, no matter what emitters are present on a system. Regardless of whether a property has radiators, underﬂoor heating or fan convectors, installers should be aware modern oil and gas boilers are still more than capable of ensuring ample levels of heat for a variety of applications. For more details on Navien’s range of heating solutions

Installer’s Guide

Navien’s LCB700 Blue flame Oil boiler comes ‘opentherm’ ready, provides up to ERP A+ when used in conjunction with the company’s Smart Plus control pack and features a full text driven control panel. To download the Installer’s Guide www.rdr.link/pz022

www.rdr.link/pz021

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ROOM HEATING & UFH

STAY IN CONTROL

Tristan James, UK Sales Director, ESi Controls, introduces the company’s new 6 Series WiFi Programmable Room Thermostat and outlines the range of heating control options available.

sing the latest heating controls on new heating systems, or upgrading existing heating systems with new controls, is one of the ways to increase the energy efficiency of an already energy efficient heating system. It can also ensure that homes are beneﬁtting from the best control options. One solution, recently launched by ESi Controls, is the new 6 Series WiFi Programmable Room Thermostat. It offers the latest in heating control for homes and commercial premises. Fully OpenTherm compatible, this new range of controls allows full control via the room thermostat or via a mobile phone or tablet, with a range of features to impress homeowners. Features include Optimum Start/Stop, Domestic Hot Water (DHW) setpoint, Hot Water time and temperature control when

working in conjunction with a wireless cylinder thermostat, full 7-day, 5/2 day or 24-hour programming options, a boost facility, a helpful Holiday Mode and it’s an ERP Class 5 Product. These sleek new controls are available in white or grey.

OpenTherm compatible Despite the Covid situation, we’ve had a stunning year of sales and we’ve kept up with the development work as well so that we can introduce the 6 series on time. The new 6 series complies with all relevant directives, incorporates the latest in energy efficiency technology and is OpenTherm compatible for installers using OpenTherm in their installations. It also comes with a three-year warranty.

the control selected must reflect the homeowners or tenants that will be using the controls Range of options Whilst the 6 Series utilises the latest control technology, ESi realises that on the heating controls front, the control selected must reflect the homeowners or tenants that will be using the controls – who will need to feel comfortable operating them. Whilst for many, the latest technology is a huge plus if they are internet savvy – to perhaps older people or vulnerable individuals who need simplicity in their controls, the modern screens and flashing lights of wifi connected controls may well be a step too far. The company is typical of the major heating control manufacturers in that it offers a range of programmers from a simple 1 Channel version to a 3 channel Multi-Purpose Programmer, which enables the installer to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations by providing separate timed heating control for living and sleeping zones in a home. A programmable room thermostat lets the homeowner choose what times they want the heating to be on and what

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temperature it should reach while it's on. A seven-day timer makes it possible to set a different heating pattern for each day while 5/2 programming offers different options for weekdays and weekends. ESi’s best-selling ESRTP4 model provides 7-day, 5/2 day or 24-hour programming options, with up to six time and temperature events being available each day. Because these are also available in wireless versions, they can be installed anywhere in the home. With a large, easy to read LCD display and being simple to use, the ESRTP4 provides genuine saving, as these models have Delayed Start and Optimum Start / Stop and also offer a landlord facility to facilitate annual maintenance. ESi’s RTP5 and RTP5 Wiﬁ units along with the very latest RTP6 ‘Touch’ units are worth a closer look for those looking for the top end technology options.

Dial up But for people who prefer a control dial to push button controls to control changes to heat in a room – and there are still a lot that do – the ESi Electronic Room Thermostats offer the simple answer they are looking for. Available with or without an LCD display, the homeowner simply has to turn the dial to the desired temperature. For more information

www.rdr.link/pz023

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ROOM HEATING & UFH

DECARBONISING BOILERS D Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch, discusses the role existing boilers can play to achieve decarbonisation goals.

iscussions around decarbonisation and net zero 2050 tend to focus on new technologies such as heat pumps and hydrogen solutions – but what about the systems in our homes already? With around 6,000 natural gas boilers installed in homes across the UK every day, boilers are literally ‘the elephant in the room’ and must be addressed when we think about decarbonisation. No matter how advanced systems are in new-build properties, the question of existing homes and existing boilers poses a dilemma to the goal of net zero 2050 or at least the transition to net zero. So how can existing boilers contribute to decarbonisation and adapt to low carbon before the likes of heat pumps and hydrogen boilers become the norm?

However, largely thanks to sensationalist headlines which have misconstrued the intention of the government announcement, many consumers believe such a ban is already, or soon will be, in place. Indeed, from time to time, homeowners contact us to ask if it is illegal to have a replacement gas fired boiler in their home when their current one reaches the end of its life. This is certainly not the case; the roadmap to a hydrogen switch in existing homes may have been laid out, but before these targets are reached, gas-fired boilers are here to stay in our homes. Before we reach any hydrogen switch, government plans to reduce carbon emissions from home heating systems and to start reducing one of the main emission sources.

Misconceptions

when buying a boiler today, you are future-proofed for some years to come.

Towards the end of last year in the long-awaited Energy White Paper, the government announced a future ban on gas-fired boilers, suggesting that hydrogen-ready boilers will be the only ones available on the market in the future.

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Already ‘ready’ So, with these lower carbon goals in mind, how future-proofed are the boilers in our homes, or the ones you might buy tomorrow to fit into a customer’s home? Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of boilers are already rather well equipped to contribute to these interim steps and carbon budgets. Any boiler installed since around 2000, including the ones on sale today, are actually future proofed to some degree as they can run on low carbon gas. As an example, small amounts of bio methane are already being injected into the gas grid from hundreds of anaerobic digestion systems plotted around the country. These use waste material such as sewerage and treat it and cleanse it before injecting methane into the grid. So even today we are already using some form of biogas in people’s homes. This means that before a wholescale switch to hydrogen, it will be possible to decarbonise home heating some more by using a blend of hydrogen instead of biogas. Indeed, just three weeks ago the Energy Minister

20%

In a trial at Keele University, 150 boilers have been running on a 20% hydrogen blend successfully for the last two or three years. announced in the House of Commons that as early as 2023 we may see the blend increase from the current level of 0.1% to a significantly higher level of up to 20%. All boilers from around the year 2000, so any boiler you might be selling, buying, or fitting into someone’s home, are already suitable for this 20% blend – 80% methane and 20% hydrogen, and potentially some biomethane gas too. This means that when buying a boiler today, you are future-proofed for some years to come.

The near future This intention to inject hydrogen into the grid in the interim has been confirmed and is already happening in numerous trial sites. For example, at Keele University, 150

boilers have been running on a 20% hydrogen blend successfully for the last two or three years. Further sites will emerge throughout this year, such as in Winlaton where Northern Gas Networks will introduce a further 670 homes running on a 20% blend of hydrogen. It will reduce CO2 emissions by around 8%, which might sound small but is a very significant contribution to decarbonisation if every house in the country was treated the same. Another more challenging trial will take place at a site in Fife, Scotland, where a hydrogen village of 300 boilers will operate on 100% hydrogen blend. The end goal, of course, is to convert boilers on a hydrogen blend to 100% hydrogen, so I can appreciate that the lower carbon capabilities of gas-fired boilers do not fulfil the government’s ultimate intentions. Nonetheless, it is certainly a good contribution to decarbonisation whilst we wait for the infrastructure to be ready. In summary, we can expect gas-fired boilers to stay for some time due to their suitability to lower carbon emissions before the country’s boilers become 100% hydrogen. For more information on Worcester Bosch www.rdr.link/pz024

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ROOM HEATING & UFH

ADDING

value

Alex Burgess, National Sales Manager at The Radiator Company, looks at the factors to consider when specifying designer radiators and how to improve customer satisfaction by offering a complete package.

or any installer, adding value to customers’ experience should be a top priority – which is why it is so important to speak openly with the customer about how they can effectively achieve the results they’re after. It is not uncommon for installers to find themselves on a project where client expectations and reality do not match, so it is important to always look at the full picture to find a solution that meets all requirements and satisfies the customer. Taking the customer on the journey and explaining why you are making each specification decision will result in a better experience for everyone. It is unlikely that your client will be aware of the importance of correctly calculating the heat output for the size of the space and ensuring radiators are certified but these are critical factors in ensuring the radiator can perform as expected. Taking the time to go through this, as well as how smaller details like choosing quality valves can bring their

vision to life, will increase customer trust and help to boost repeat business and positive word of mouth – and it offers a fantastic opportunity to upsell and increase proﬁt margins.

Heat output The ﬁrst consideration should always be whether the models can sufficiently heat the space by calculating the required British Thermal Units (BTUs). To determine this, leading manufacturers have useful online calculators that can be used to estimate what level of heat output the room requires. Simply inputting a few details will provide a guide to the BTU/hr and Watt requirements based on the EN442 standard of Delta T50. This not only reassures the customer that

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the radiator will perform as expected but will also ascertain the radiator models that can achieve this ﬁgure. For further quality assurance, look for manufacturers that can provide a Declaration of Performance (DoP) on request, as well as those that are affiliated with industry bodies such as MARC (the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors).

Material choice Another key consideration is the material that the radiator is manufactured from, as the performance characteristics of each material can inﬂuence the size of the radiator required to deliver the desired heat output. Most radiators are constructed from steel as the material is easier to shape into the distinctive shapes and sizes, that meet the design demands of today’s customer. Mild steel tends to be a more cost-effective option (in comparison to alternatives like cast iron), making it popular for more cost-conscious customers. In comparison, stainless steel is slightly more expensive, but it conducts heat well and is more durable and rust resistant, reducing ongoing maintenance costs to the customer.

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For older, less insulated properties cast iron radiators are ideal, as they retain heat well and take longer to cool down. The aesthetic of cast iron is ever appealing, however, as this material can be much heavier than alternatives like aluminium, it is important to check that the walls and ﬂoor can carry their weight. It is all too common for tradespeople to be asked to install a cast iron radiator that the customer has sourced themselves, only to ﬁnd the unit is far too heavy, or completely inefficient for the space. The traditional look of cast iron can be achieved with other materials like steel and aluminium, making these models a more suitable option. Finally, aluminium radiators are extremely lightweight, making them suitable for a large number of projects. Aluminium is a superconductor, which means it responds to thermostatic changes very quickly, so radiators can heat up a room faster than any of the other materials and also cool down faster, making them very efficient and easy to control.

Heat output When selecting radiators, the focus should always be on finding a model that can heat the space sufficiently, rather than finding a model that will fit to the existing pipework. Many customers will be unaware that, in some cases, the existing pipework can be easily adjusted to fit a new radiator – so the need for time-consuming and costly work to move the pipework is not needed.

The traditional look of cast iron can be achieved with other materials like steel and aluminium Specifying valves To adhere to the building regulations, thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) should be installed. TRVs work by automatically adjusting the flow of water into the radiator and stopping the radiator from heating the space further once the desired temperature is reached. This improves energy efficiency considerably and also helps to reduce fuel bills for the customer. It might seem like an insignificant detail, but these are a vital aspect of the heating system, so choosing the right, high quality valves will not only improve the overall aesthetic but also ensure that the radiator continues to perform at optimum efficiency. Specifying high-quality valves also offers an opportunity for the installer to increase margins. There are a number of factors to consider when specifying designer radiators and offering customers the complete package, speaking openly, and engaging with them early on can really benefit the installer – especially when it comes to steering the customer towards high quality, designer models and generating repeat (and new) business. To find out more about The Radiator Company www.rdr.link/pz025

ROOM HEATING & UFH ROUND UP MORE INFO

To discover more of the latest product launches and hands-on tests from installers GO TO

www.rdr.link/pz026

UPONOR UFH packs Uponor has launched UFH packs to make it easy for installers to source everything they need for a project from one place. The packs come with everything installers need to place UFH in a variety of different project types, including for screed, timber and low-proﬁle applications. Each pack can be provided in one, two and three zone options covering between 14, 28, 42, 56, square meters. All packs include a pipe, manifold, adaptors, controls, edge strips, bend support and clips. www.rdr.link/pz027 To discover more

VIESSMANN Vitodens 100-W series Viessmann has introduced the next-generation of the Vitodens 100-W which allows remote access for system monitoring and adjustments. No third-party controls are required, meaning a Vitodens boiler with ViCare Thermostat provides homeowners with a load-compensating smartphone-controlled heating system. The mechanical design of the Vitodens 100-W has reduced the number of spare parts typically needed for routine maintenance by about 50%, meaning Viessmann installers should be able to carry less stock. The company is also launching a new Vitodens 111-W wall-mounted combi boiler. Intended for family homes where there is high hot water demand, the 111-W features a cylinder loading system and 46-litre integrated stainless steel storage tank, allowing it to provide a ﬂow rate of up to 181 litres in 10 minutes. www.rdr.link/pz028 To discover more

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS

marks the spot

PHPI reports on GROHE X, the new digital experience hub from GROHE. new digital platform designed to provide visitors with insights and product news has been introduced by GROHE. Through the GROHE X platform visitors have the opportunity to create their own individual experience and view a wide range of multimedia content. Installers are one of the groups for whom tailored content has been curated – accessible following a registration process. Included are a number of how-to videos featuring many of the company’s most popular and more recent solutions, including the Rainshower 310 SmartActive shower system and the Rapido SmartBox. Further ‘how-to’ and ‘troubleshooting’ videos are planned for the future. For installers there is also a Hidden Champions area where the company’s ‘Behind the Wall’ solutions can be revealed. Elsewhere on the hub users can explore the company’s products in further detail and ﬁnd out more about sanitary trends. Another handy feature is a ‘Meet an Expert’ button that can be used to contact the company directly for further information.

but also to interact with us – wherever they are, whenever they need us.” The company says that the GROHE X digital platform is just the beginning of an ‘own experience ecosystem’ to drive engagement with customers in the years to come. As soon as it is possible again, GROHE X will be supplemented by hybrid or truck tour events.

Central role Originally intended as an alternative to the biennial ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for water and HVAC, from which GROHE withdrew due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GROHE X has been developed to be more than a trade fair substitute.

Direct experience

With GROHE X we offer our customers a central, always-available brand hub to get inspired but also to interact with us. “GROHE X is a result of our disruptive way of thinking. We embraced the new normal and understood challenges as new opportunities,” is how Jonas Brennwald, Leader LIXIL EMENA and Co-CEO Grohe AG explains the central role that GROHE X plays. “For me, GROHE X is proof that, especially at times like these, you need to exchange ‘but’ for ‘imagine if’ and I’m more than proud that everyone at GROHE was so bold to thinking open-mindedly like this. With GROHE X, we offer our customers a central, always-available brand hub to get inspired

“Although physical distance is key these days, we still want to offer our customers a unique setting to experience our innovations and to exchange with us directly,” says Thomas Fuhr, Leader Fittings LIXIL International and Co-CEO Grohe AG. “GROHE X allows everyone to immerse in the diverse world of GROHE and it gives you the building blocks to create an individual brand experience. You will get exclusive, behind-the-scenes insights of our plants and how our customer-centric supply chain connects them to the global markets; learn more about our latest technologies developed in our in-house R&D department located in Hemer, Germany; and we will also take you along with us on our sustainability journey, to which we will add another milestone. It is amazing what our teams have brought to life in such a short period of time.” To discover more www.rdr.link/pz029

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS

A GUIDE TO

installing TM Vs

Richard Bateman, Product Marketing Manager at RWC UK, explains why thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are crucial to keeping people and water supplies safe, how they should be installed, and what to do to maintain them.

fundamental part of any hot water systems is the TMV. Designed to blend hot and cold water to a pre-set temperature, these are crucial safety valves which prevent the risk of scalding, while allowing hot water systems to run at high enough temperatures to prevent Legionella bacteria from breeding. TMVs are regulated by law. It became a legal requirement to install TMVs in all commercial and domestic new builds in 2010, as well as properties undergoing a ‘change of use’ after 2012. These valves are also regulated by the Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers’ Recommended Code of Practice for Safe Water Temperatures, the NHS Estates Guidance Note for Safe Hot Water and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Getting the right TMV Given the importance of ﬁghting off harmful Legionella bacteria while also delivering water at safe temperatures, it is vital that

the right TMV is used for the job, and each application must be considered carefully. As outlined in Part G of the Building Regulations and the TMV2 Scheme, TMV2 certified valves should be used in domestic, commercial and public buildings. Under this scheme, TMVs must maintain a safe and stable temperature of under 48°C at all times and quickly shut off in the event of hot or cold-water failure. In commercial applications, TMV2 certified valves must also be tested annually to maintain the certification. In these settings, a single TMV can be used to serve multiple outlets, ideal for a group of basins in public toilets or showers in a gym. On the other hand, in healthcare settings, a risk assessment should be carried out and TMV3 certified valves must be specified accordingly. Crucially, a valve must be installed to every water outlet

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identified in the risk assessment. The Health Services Information Sheet No 6, published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), provides useful insight into risk factors and “at risk” groups. These valves must comply with the Care Standards Act 2000, which states that any healthcare building housing vulnerable people must have TMVs compliant with the NHS Model Engineering Specification D08. With a variety of TMVs to choose from, the key is understanding the application first. At RWC we offer a choice of TMVs from our Reliance Valves brand including Heatguard Dual and Ausimix, suitable for different types of application with the relevant TMV2 or TMV3 approvals.

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Check the flow rates It is essential that when selecting a TMV it performs at the flow rate required for that specific application. For instance, although TMV2 allows for ‘group mixing’ to multiple outlets, the valve must be sized accordingly to meet the demand. If undersized, this may result in insufficient hot water reaching the required outlets. Installers should refer to TMV product data sheets, which contain information and graphs on flow rates. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer. RWC’s technical team, for example, is happy to help with understanding the application, legislation and flow rate requirements.

Preparing for installation Before fitting a TMV, there should be due care and attention to preparing and installing the pipework first. For a group mix valve, ensuring that the TMV is as close to the first outlet as possible can prevent the risk of a stagnation point, which can lead to Legionella bacteria breeding in the system. For TMV3 installations, regulations stipulate that the valve must be within two metres of the tap. For commercial and healthcare applications, as the valve must be regularly maintained, we would always advise that the TMV is located in an easily accessible location. For instance, this could be in a maintenance hatch, or surface mounted,

It is essential that when selecting a TMV it performs at the flow rate required for that specific application.

rather than being hidden out of reach inside cavity walls. For tighter spaces, try Reliance Valves’ Compact Ausimix Telescopic TMV. With adjustable union connectors, its application is flexible, especially in retrofit installations. It is also WRAS approved and certified to both TMV2 and TMV3.

Effective installation Thermostatic mixing valves will fail to regulate the temperature of the water effectively if they are incorrectly installed. This leads to ongoing maintenance and servicing to diagnose the issue and, in healthcare applications, the outlet will be put out of use, which can cause major disruption. To prevent this, it is important that the hot and cold feeds are plumbed in the right way around and that the correct adaptors are put on the correct ports. Make sure that there are service valves either on the valve itself, or that they are plumbed in on the pipework leading up to the TMV. These simple but critical steps are vital to ensuring that the TMV operates efficiently and that the water supply can be isolated for testing and maintenance purposes.

Testing, maintenance and servicing After the valve has been installed, it needs to be tested, maintained and serviced at set intervals, as stipulated by the relevant scheme. Each application has its own temperature setting requirement – for example, in both schemes, an assisted bath must be set to 46°C (allowing for a 2°C ﬂuctuation), whereas an unassisted bath

would need to be set at 44°C. TMV2 valves should be checked by measuring the mixed water temperature, then isolating the cold water supply to the TMV. Once the supply is isolated the valve will begin to shut-off. This can happen instantly, however the requirement is that the outlet must not allow more than 120ml in a minute to satisfy the test requirement. Repeat this step for the hot water supply. If the water’s temperature has changed by 2°C or more, or if the failsafe doesn't work, a full service and recommission will be required. For TMV3 valves, the original installer is required to check the valve still operates 6-8 weeks after installation, with test frequency set at six-month intervals thereafter. If the valve fails within the initial period, the installer must rectify the issue and re-test the valve, then return again in six weeks’ time. Keep a checklist of every TMV that you are installing, the temperature that it has been set to and record that the failsafe function has been tested and is working correctly. Copies of these records can be left with the building owner/landlord, helping to ensure that future testing and maintenance is done under the same temperature parameters.

The right way Scalding is a major hazard. While thermostatic mixing valves are designed to prevent this from happening, they can only do so if they are ﬁtted and maintained correctly. Whether it is domestic, commercial or in a healthcare setting, using and installing TMVs in the right way is vital to ensuring a safe and uninterrupted supply of water. For more information about RWC and TMVs, including technical advice, please www.rdr.link/pz030

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS

GO WITH THE FLOW (REGULATOR ) Kevin Gates, MD of Neoperl UK, explains how flow regulators can help to save water and energy. round half the taps we buy today have some kind of stream control device at the end of the spout, but it’s only when they are fitted that one can assess if the flow rate is right for the situation. Today there is simply no excuse for a tap that splashes water out of a basin when a flow control pressure compensating aerator (PCA) takes seconds to retrofit and can reduce the water flow immediately. This is especially relevant in cloakrooms and bathrooms where the taps are simply used to wash teeth and hands as oppose to quickly filling a bowl like in the kitchen. It’s a similar story with a valve shower. An average European shower head dispenses around 18 litres of water a minute and yet a more than satisfactory shower can be achieved with 12 litres of water a minute. In a family of four, showering each day for seven minutes, that’s over 60,000 litres of water saved in one home each year. Add to that the energy saved in heating the

water and it can add up to quite a saving for the homeowner. The problem is that people are still largely unaware that these flow regulator devices exist and yet they play an enormous part in reducing the amount of water we use in the home. These clever devices can be retrofitted by an installer in minutes, it just takes a short audit of each appliance when installed to make the right choice and reduce the flow. What’s more, a leading manufacturer of these smart precision ‘Flow Regulators’, Neoperl, are based here in the UK, so they certainly understand the UK market.

Constant flow Flow Regulators ensure that a constant water flow rate is maintained through an appliance, regardless of water pressure fluctuations. They are a small hidden component that reduces water consumption and controls water flow. They Neoperl make over 120 million flow regulators in Malvern every year

The Neoperl Mikado aerator can reduce the flow to just over a litre a minute

are often coupled with Aerators, a component positioned in the spout of a tap that shapes the water to produce a non-splashing stream and adds air to make the water pleasantly soft. A flow regulator is a technically engineered device that has an integral dynamic control ring (DCR) at its core. As water flows through it and as the pressure fluctuates, the DCR deforms into the core of the flow regulator, either reducing or increasing the size of the orifice, to enable a stable and constant flow rate, independent of pressure. The device offers a sealing function and replaces the washer when retro fitted into the shower hose or handle. It’s really simple to assemble and they are available in various colour-coded flow rates to suit each application. Understanding the opportunity of fitting these products for your customers is just one simple way to join the campaign in saving water and do your bit to help the environment. It is estimated that 34% of the water used in the home is from showering and bathing, so keeping a few flow regulators in stock to retrofit in your customers’ bathrooms is a great way to make a big difference. For more details please www.rdr.link/pz031

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS

TROUBLESHOOTING // SHOWER PUMP INSTALLATION Installing a shower pump is one of the most common and cost-effective ways to improve shower performance in a home. However, problems occurring during installation can reduce the product’s lifespan and cause problems further down the line. Ken Vance, Training Manager at Salamander Pumps, advises on how to avoid five common pitfalls during the installation process.

CARRY OUT SOLDERING BEFORE INSTALLING THE PUMP ●

During the soldering process, flux can cause damage to a shower pump. Flux residue on the pump or the hose reacts with moisture in the air, having a corrosive effect on the pump. Gradually this can cause pin-prick holes and cracks in the product, resulting in water leaks. It's important not to attempt to protect the pump and its hoses during the sweating process simply by covering it with some form of material, as this can be ineffective due to the spitting of the flux. In fact, to ensure the flux avoids all contact with the pump and its hoses, the best method is to ensure all solder joints are completed and flux residues removed prior to the pump connection. To do this, ensure all fittings are in the correct place and ready to be soldered, before then removing the pump and hoses, placing them a distance away while the soldering is

completed. Only after this phase is ﬁnished should the pump then be re-introduced to the ﬁtting and secured into place.

FIT AN APPROPRIATE HOT WATER CONNECTION ●

It’s vital to use the correct hot water connection, such as a flange, during shower pump installations to reduce the amount of air entering the pump from the hot water cylinder. This is because having an aerated supply of water to a pump, showers and other outlets can cause a whole host of problems, including unnecessary, and perhaps sudden, fluctuations in temperature, increased noise levels, accelerated degrading of the pump’s internal workings and cavitation, which can lead to an eventual leak and a premature breakdown of the pump. Fitting a flange will reduce the amount of aerated water entering the pump and is a requirement for some pump installations. There are various flanges available for a

34 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

shower pump installation, including a Surrey Flange (such as Salamander ‘S’ Flange), a Warix Flange, and a Non-Stop Essex Flange. Therefore, it’s important to check the fitting guide ahead of installation to ensure an appropriate flange is installed. The Surrey and Warix flanges are both top entry flanges, meaning that they screw onto the hot draw off connection on the dome of a standard type hot water cylinder. In comparison, the Non-Stop Essex flange is a side entry flange, which requires drilling into the side of the cylinder. This flange is best for when a pump needs to be situated above the hot water cylinder. Salamander’s CT range of regenerative pumps do not necessarily need a flange to be fitted, this is due to the robust regenerative impeller used to boost water pressure. Provided the pump is installed at the base of the hot water cylinder, and the cold-water tank is stored in the loft, they can be teed from the first tee on the downward hot water leg.

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● DON’T BEND HOSES MORE THAN 30-35 DEGREES

degrees. Although, it’s important to ensure that the valve has a low minimum operating pressure, to ensure it is not restrictive, such as the Salamander Pumps’ HWSTMV.

Due to the noise-reducing, anti-vibration design of Salamander’s hoses, it’s important that the hoses are not bent more than 30-35 degrees during installation, if at all. Bending, twisting, or placing excess strain on the hose can cause problems with the water ﬂow, causing the pump to run dry, water starvation and cavitation, which will potentially cause excess air to run through the pump. Air can cause a range of issues for the pump, so it is crucial that the hose is ﬁtted as straight as is possible.

ENSURE THE THERMOSTAT IS BELOW 65 DEGREES

On both directly and indirectly heated cylinders, it is essential that the water temperature is set to 65 degrees.

On both directly and indirectly heated cylinders, it is essential that the water temperature is set to 65 degrees as temperatures in excess of this can cause damage to the pump end, including the seals and impeller. In cylinders where the temperature is uncontrolled, such as an AGA, a blending valve must be installed to bring the water temperature down to 65

ENSURE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF COLD-WATER STORAGE ●

●

Installing a shower pump is an excellent solution for boosting the water performance so that the demand for water within the property can be met, but it is also important to ensure that the stored water capacity is enough to deliver the increased usage of water. If the stored water is not sufficient for the property the pump may run dry, which will cause damage to the shaft seals. Usually 227 litres (50 gallons) of usable water per bathroom and 136 litres (30 gallons) per shower or en-suite will be enough to cover the property’s needs. To find out more from Salamander’s training school www.rdr.link/pz032

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS

The Waterproofer is ready mixed, saving time and hassle

WATERPROOF FABRIC Scarlet McAleese-Banks, Co-Managing Director of HB42, explains how to save time and money when tanking basements and waterproofing wet rooms.

T Apply with a roller to at least 2mm thickness for optimal waterproofing of wetrooms and bathrooms

You can apply the Waterproofer with a brush, trowel, or squeegee as you don’t need to mix it.

anking can help to stop leaks and prevent damp and water ingress, especially if you are converting a space into a bathroom or wet room. Traditionally, when preparing a cellar or basement, for instance, a tanking slurry is used, but it may need more than one coat, plus it can take time to go off. However, there is another way, which thanks to advanced Hybrid Polymer sealant technology is quick and saves time. This technology is present in HB42 Ultimate Waterproofer, which creates a waterproof membrane that is highly elastic, self-levelling, non-brittle, and has gap ﬁlling properties suitable for all kinds of waterprooﬁng repairs inside and out. It only needs just one coat of at least 2mm thickness to waterproof an area, straight from the tub, saving time, money and hassle.

No need to mix You can apply the Waterproofer with a brush, trowel, or squeegee as you don’t need to mix it. It can even be used in place of the backer board normally used in bathrooms and wet rooms. It is also ideal for repairs to roofs, around chimneys, roof domes and gutter sealing and can also be applied to prevent wood rotting and metal corrosion. The Waterproofer can seal ﬂoors, ﬁxings, plasterboard, wood and walls and shower trays too. Not only that, it can be used as a tile adhesive, can seal concrete foundations, balconies and can be used on stone, metal and polystyrene foam. You can use the product to tank floors, ready to be tiled on using another layer of Waterproofer. The formula leaves an anti-slip rubber type finish which means you could leave it without tiles if you wish, ready for white goods or floor standing boilers.

36 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

For more details www.rdr.link/pz033

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PLUMBING & BATHROOMS MORE INFO

To discover more of the latest product launches and hands-on tests from installers GO TO

www.rdr.link/pz034

ROMAN Haven8

STIEBEL ELTRON SNE 5t ECO GB An all-electric water heating option for both domestic and commercial schemes, the SNE 5t ECO GB has been launched by Stiebel Eltron. The unit features precise temperature selection, conﬁgurable timer programmes to suit various environments and digital controls via a LCD interface. It also includes an ECO mode to save energy, accompanied by a speciﬁc hygiene function that heats the water to 73 ͦC for 30 minutes once a week to prevent the growth of bacteria. www.rdr.link/pz035 To discover more

AKW New Livenza Plus Sanitaryware AKW has launched its new sanitaryware range – Livenza Plus. The toilet has a rimless pan, which helps prevent the build-up of bacteria, making it easier to clean. There is also a toilet seat option made from a durable, stain resistant and easy to clean UF (Urea-Formaldehyde). The range’s basins have been designed with ﬂat tap decks, making the surfaces easier to keep clean and their rounded edges also offer added protection in the event of any end user trips or falls. www.rdr.link/pz036 To discover more

SALAMANDER PUMPS CT Xtra shower pump range Salamander Pumps has announced that sales of its CT Xtra shower pump range has increased by more than 30% over the last 12 months. The range provides a quiet and effective solution for boosting water performance for a single shower or hot or cold tap and has been awarded the Quiet Mark, awarded by the Noise Abatement Society after independent testing at the University of Salford. www.rdr.link/pz037 To discover more

HUDSON REED URBAN Blending together a minimalist handleless door design with a sleek satin finish, Hudson Reed has launched URBAN, a modular furniture range. The range includes a choice of wall-hung and floor-standing units in several configurations. The Basin Cabinets are available in three widths – 500/600/800mm – and include a choice of three integrated ceramic basins, with varying profile heights of 18/40/50mm. www.rdr.link/pz038 To discover more

38 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

The Lumin8 range from Roman has been repositioned to become Haven8. The collection encompasses one door quadrants, two door quadrants, bi-fold doors, pivot doors, sliding doors, level access sliding doors, a selection of side panels and in-line panels and bath screens. The range has 8mm toughened glass thickness, is 1950mm in height and has bright silver framing to complement numerous bathroom shapes and styles. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz039

MIRA SHOWERS Mira Minimal range Featuring a clean, modern design, Mira Showers has recently launched the ultra-compact Mira Minimal range. Offering 50mm pipe centres and a compact footprint the range solves the spatial challenges of many modern bathrooms. The shower includes the Mira CoolShield, which keeps the whole valve cool to touch, reducing the risk of scalding. It also comes with the Mira Nano-T cartridge, an advanced cartridge for reliable, precise, and enhanced thermostatic control, tested to 200,000 life cycles for reliability. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz040

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

GREEN MACHINES

Are you thinking of making the switch to electric? Dan Powell of Honest John Vans unveils his top six electric and plug-in hybrid vans you can buy right now.

lectric and plug-in hybrid vans make perfect sense for tradespeople who cover short distances on a regular basis. Spacious, practical and easy to drive, these green machines offer low

operating costs, excellent fuel economy and impressive performance. Here, Honest John Vans highlights the top six non-diesel alternatives, if you are thinking of changing your van in the next few months.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e Ford Transit Custom PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)

The Transit Custom is one of the UK’s best-selling vans. And it’s easy to see why tradespeople love it so much – all models are stylish, easy to drive and practical. The Transit Custom PHEV combines a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. It can cover up to 35 miles under electric power alone and returns up to 91mpg. With the batteries positioned underneath the ﬂoor, the PHEV is just as practical as a standard Transit Custom. That means you get six cubic metres of load space and a maximum payload of 1130kg. Find out more on page 42

40 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

Proof that you don’t have to downsize your expectations when switching to electric, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e can cover over 200 miles on a single charge and has a 1000kg+ payload capacity. The batteries are capable of an 80% rapid charge in 30 minutes for the 50kWh variant, while 75kWh models take 45 minutes. All versions of the Vivaro-e have a maximum towing weight of 1000kg, which makes them perfect for hauling heavy loads.

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LEVC VN5

The London Electric Vehicle Company (or LEVC for short) is a newcomer to the van market, but it has scored a home run with the excellent VN5. This plug-in hybrid van is based on the London electric taxi. It can travel 61-miles on electricity alone and has a maximum payload of 830kg. When the battery runs out of charge the van uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, which means you can cover up to 300 miles with a full tank of fuel and a charged battery.

Mercedes-Benz eVito The eVito is the electric van that kicks off the new 2021 range of plug-in commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. Easy to drive and capable of covering 93 miles on a single charge, this electric medium-size van can carry payloads weighing up to 1073kg – signiﬁcantly more than the Renault Kangoo Z.E and the Nissan e-NV200. The eVito is available in two load lengths – long and extra-long – and cargo volumes range peak at a useful 6.6 cubic metres.

For more used van and pick-up buying advice visit: k/ www.honestjohn.co.u t es on “H e vans or typ ur yo o John Vans” int online search engine.

Nissan e-NV200

Practical and capable of covering up to 186 miles on a single charge, the Nissan e-NV200 is a great all-rounder. The van has 4.2 cubic metres of load space and room for two Euro Pallets weighing up to 705kg. Charging is stress-free, too. Find a ‘rapid’ charging point and you’ll juice the battery from 20-80% in just 40 minutes. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, which means the e-NV200 is perfect for relaxing those aching muscles after a long day on site.

Renault Kangoo Z.E Renault has a rich history when it comes to electric vehicles. The Zoe electric passenger car has been a trendsetter for almost 10 years now, and Renault has poured all of its EV know-how into the electric Kangoo. Easy to use, practical and capable of travelling up to 120 miles on a single charge, the Kangoo Z.E has lots to offer tradespeople who don’t cover large distances. It is available in two load lengths – standard or maxi – and maximum payloads peak at 640kg.

Dan Powell is a senior editor at Honest John Vans and heycar. For more from Honest John Vans www.rdr.link/pz041

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER MAY 2021 41

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

PLUG-IN THE GAP Driving an LCV which isn’t powered in the conventional way doesn’t have to be shrouded in stress, thanks to a new hybrid version of the Ford Transit Custom.

ith more than 55 years legacy to the brand, the Ford Transit is no ordinary commercial vehicle. Its latest incarnation is a new plug in hybrid, The Transit Custom PHEV, and the only clue of what really lies beneath is a small charging point on the driver’s side. Plug it in and watch it go… around 340 miles, with 35 of those attributable to all-electric. It’s all possible thanks to a one litre petrol engine which connects with a battery pack tucked away under the load bed, so that the vehicle’s cargo capacity of six cubic metres and payload up to 1,130kg

Setting off in complete silence can be a little disconcerting to the uninitiated

remains largely the same as the conventional model. Battery charging can be completed using a standard three pin socket in around four and a half hours, while a 16-amp charger will give a full charge in just over two and half hours. The claimed 90 plus mpg will, of course, very much depend on how little or often the battery is charged up, but most journeys can be approached without the range anxiety which inevitably accompanies a purely electric vehicle.

Silence is golden Setting off in complete silence can be a little disconcerting to the uninitiated, but it quickly builds up a surprising turn of speed with an only just discernible hum. The surprisingly compact HP engine is used exclusively to charge the electric motor, not the wheels directly, and there are a number of driving modes on hand to make the most of the hybrid set up.

42 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

All electric Ford’s own all electric Transit is scheduled to be launched in 2022 and their boffins will have clearly done their homework. So, there may be some who will wait until then before fully weighing up their environmental credentials. Certainly, for now the standard diesel van is the vehicle of choice for most busy tradespeople, but if your business involves rarely leaving town – and are increasingly involved in renewables work – this hybrid could certainly plug a very timely gap. For further information on the Ford Transit Custom PHEV www.rdr.link/pz042

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

LOAD UP Need a small van? PHPI takes a look at the latest VW Caddy.

hat’s in a name? Well, in small commercial vehicle terms you surely can’t do much better than be called a Caddy. Like its golfing counterpart, it’s ready to carry the load in all weathers, is resolutely dependable, acutely aware of its surroundings, and is guaranteed to go the distance whatever is put in front of it. In short, it’s been a firm favourite on the circuit since coming to these shores in 1982. Despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020 Volkswagen was fully committed to the roll out of the fifth generation Caddy Cargo, which has been re-designed from the ground up and based on the Volkswagen MQB platform for the first time – the same as the new Mk8 Golf. As a result, it’s got more useable space than ever before as well a bold new look and a class leading interior. The length of the standard Caddy has increased by 93mm to 4,500mm thanks to a longer wheelbase and, whilst height is down a fraction, the actual load height is increased. It’s also a bit wider than

before, and whilst the actual amounts sound marginal they have an important bearing on the load carrying potential, with the Maxi version able to accommodate two euro pallets loaded from the rear or larger sliding door.

Power play Three diesel and one petrol engine options are available with varying PS outputs and all variants fulfil the 2021 Euro 6 emissions standards, and are fitted with particular filters. A number of features such as Active Cylinder Technology on the petrol engine has been added to save fuel, whilst the diesel engines come with a new twin dosing system that delivers a double dose of AdBlue to reduce NOx emissions. Road holding and load carrying ability have been enhanced with new front and rear axle arrangements, with the old leaf spring design replaced with a more forgiving coil spring construction. New tyres, with optimised rolling resistance, are also standard on all new vehicles.

Stay connected It is in the cab area, however, where the greatest improvements have been made with a completely new dashboard and controls with a futuristic sounding Digital Cockpit available as an option. Touchscreen infotainment systems vary between 6.5 and 10in. and for the ﬁrst time an integrated ESIM allows the driver to access mobile online services and functions of the “We” connect, meaning the new Caddy is always connected. New seating functions and switch gear including electronic handbrake with auto hold function and a multi-functional steering wheel complete the interior upgrade. As well as a more comfortable and fuel conscious experience, the company is also claiming that the Caddy is now safer than ever before, as it features 19 different driver assistance systems, including trailer assist and travel assist. The latter – a ﬁrst for a VW commercial vehicle – uses a combination of lane assist and adoptive cruise control for added peace of mind. For further information on the new www.rdr.link/pz043 VW Caddy

44 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

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Introducing rdr.link A new digital service for our readers

With a wide array of online resources supporting the latest solutions – from videos to technical guides, PDFs to Podcasts – it can be a challenge to locate what you need. To ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable resources, we are introducing rdr.link – a new, rapid service to transport you immediately to the online resources mentioned in our stories. So, in articles you may now see things like: “To view an exclusive time-lapse video of the process use rdr.link/AB101” Simply enter rdr.link/ with the unique 5 digit code into a browser and it will take you directly to the mentioned resource – in this case the video. Or, on other pages, you may notice: “For more new products & solutions use rdr.link/AB101” Just type rdr.link/AB101 into your browser and be transported to the products section on our website, packed full of new solutions. Designed to help busy professionals rapidly locate more information – look out for & use

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PRODUCT ROUND UP MORE INFO

To discover more of the latest product launches and hands-on tests from installers GO TO

www.rdr.link/pz044

SNICKERS WORKWEAR Stretch Shorts Designed for comfort and freedom of movement, the new men’s and women’s Work Shorts from Snickers Workwear feature 4-way stretch fabric to deliver working comfort all day. These lightweight garments feature a body-mapping design and are made from a self-ventilating stretch fabric with cordura reinforcements for durability. www.rdr.link/pz045 To discover more

MCALPINE PLUMBING PRODUCTS MACXSEAL McAlpine Plumbing Products has launched MACXSEAL, a sealant and adhesive tested and approved for use on its own products. It works fast, has a high strength grab and is resistant to UV radiation and general weathering. It is available in Brilliant White and Super Clear and will not discolour or turn yellow over time. MACXSEAL contains a fungicide to combat mould and bacteria growth. www.rdr.link/pz046 To discover more

CENTURION Nexus Extreme Mips helmet Working in partnership with Swedish helmet safety technology company, Mips, Centurion Safety Products has unveiled the Nexus Extreme Mips helmet. The helmet incorporates a Multi-directional Impact Protection System into an industrial hard hat and is designed to provide increased protection against traumatic brain injuries caused by rotational motion. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz049

SOLID GEAR Revolution 2 The Revolution 2 from Solid Gear combines the BOA fastening system for comfort and ﬁt with a full E-TPU midsole with ‘bounce back’ technology to help reduce foot fatigue. The shoe’s stretchable mesh upper with lightweight cordura and recycled material technology is water-resistant with breathability and ﬂexibility. Its sole is oil and slip-resistant and it has a composite midsole for soft nail protection. www.rdr.link/pz047 To discover more

CLIPACORE Duocut Clipacore DuoCut allows existing holes to be symmetrically enlarged without core bits skidding across a customer’s wall. It has been designed for larger boiler ﬂue pipes, extractor fans, larger waste pipes, larger gas pipes and recessing soil ﬁttings within a wall. The inner core bit is spring loaded, meaning once the outer core bit has scarred the wall symmetrically to the smaller existing hole, the inner core bit can be removed by hand without the threads locking up and binding too tight to remove. www.rdr.link/pz048 To discover more

49 MAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

GRANT UK Heat pump videos Grant UK has released a new series of air source heat pump videos which are now available to view on the company’s YouTube channel. One playlist features 11 videos for installers who work with Grant heat pumps and their customers who have them installed. A second playlist contains a tutorial which covers the processes and steps involved in setting up and commissioning a heat pump. A ﬁnal playlist looks at the customer handover. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz050

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REMEHA Quinta Ace 135 Building on the Quinta Ace 30-160 range, Remeha, has launched the Quinta Ace 135. Now available in 30, 45, 55, 65, 90, 115, 135 and 160kW outputs, the series provides contractors with more options for both new and retroﬁt installations. It is suitable for both individual installation and as part of a multi-boiler cascade or rig system. The range comes with a seven-year warranty, including parts and labour, and 24/7 technical support. www.rdr.link/pz051 To discover more

KNIPEX Siphon and Connector Pliers The recently launched Siphon and Connector pliers from Knipex are designed for use on siphons, tube fittings, connectors and filter cartridges up to 80mm diameter. Adjustable to 25 positions to reach the ideal size, its box-joint design ensures diverse diameters can be tackled by the pliers. The tool can also tighten and loosen plastic pipe fittings and round union nuts for connectors and couplings with a screw connection. www.rdr.link/pz052 To discover more

TRACER Marker Range TRACER has introduced new ranges of markers which include a Heavy Duty Permanent Marker, a range of different colour Fine Point Permanent Markers and an Acrylic Tip Paint Marker. The Heavy-Duty Permanent Marker is an aluminium bodied 1-3mm bullet point marker designed for general construction marking. The Paint Marker is a 1-3mm bullet point marker that includes a tough metal barrel. www.rdr.link/pz053 To discover more

SETCRETE Preparation guide Printed in a pocket-size format, Setcrete has launched a ‘fast check’ product and ﬂoor preparation guide for its range of ﬂoor levelling compounds, repair mortars, primers, damp proof membranes and adhesives. Consistent pictorial icons quickly convey information such as application thicknesses and ‘walk on hard’ time for levelling compounds, and similar graphics provide visual checks for curing and drying times for DPMs and primers. To discover more www.rdr.link/pz054

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Advance Appliances ........................................................... (page 23)

Robert Bosch Ltd .................................................................. (page 48)

Glow-Worm ....................................................................... (page 2/IFC)

Stuart Turner Ltd ................................................................... (page 35)

Grant Engineering ................................................................ (page 28)

The Electric Heating Company ........................................ (page 45)

Hultafors ................................................................................... (page 4)

Tesco Mobile .......................................................................... (page 19)

Navien UK .............................................................................. (page 33)

Ubbink (UK) Ltd ...................................................................... (page 14)

Navien UK .............................................................................. (page 39)

Uponor Ltd .............................................................................. (page 14)

Polypipe Plc ........................................................................... (page 45)

Vaillant Ltd .............................................................................. (page 37)

Pump Technology ................................................................. (page 47)

Vauxhall Motors ...................................................................... (page 11)

RWC Ltd ........................................................................ (page 52/OBC)

Wirquin Ltd .............................................................................. (page 17)

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PLAYTIME PHPI takes you straight to the heart of the action, as we round up the latest industry videos to keep your eyes busy. Just type in the rdr.link codes listed to watch… & don’t forget the popcorn!

WAVIN Handy Hack #1

MCALPINE PLUMBING PRODUCTS

Wavin has launched a series of new videos giving insightful tips on how its products can be used to help plumbers tackle tricky jobs. The collection of nine short videos is presented by Steve Harris, technical support engineer at Wavin, who has worked on the tools for more than 20 years. In this hack he looks at the HepKey Plus, a really handy piece of kit to have in your back pocket as it has been specifically designed to help plumbers to remove fittings one-handed.

MACXSEAL

To watch the video…

www.rdr.link/pz057

McAlpine Plumbing Products has launched MACXSEAL – the only sealant and adhesive tested and approved for use on its own products. The formula sticks, seals and ﬁlls without damaging McAlpine products, and bonds, cures and seals quickly. It is designed to work fast, has a high strength grab – as demonstrated in the video – and is resistant to UV radiation and general weathering.

GRANT Heat Pump videos Grant UK has released a new series of air source heat pump videos. Comprising 18 videos divided into three playlists, the videos have been developed to assist both heating engineers and end-users. Each video addresses a particular question to provide clear, concise and informative answers. This three minute video takes a look at the set up & commissioning process for Grant’s Aerona3 Heat Pumps.

To watch the video… www.rdr.link/pz055

PB PLUMBER

To watch the video…

Velocity Pro Gear Rogue PB 8.0 Soldering Bag

www.rdr.link/pz058

In a special edition back of the van review, PB Plumber runs through the features of one of the bags he designed with Velocity Pro Gear – the PB Rogue 8.0 Soldering Bag. In the eight minute video PB runs through all the features of the bag, which include a pipe slice docking station and a dedicated pocket for a fire extinguisher. He also reveals some of the tools and equipment he keeps in his bag. To watch the video…

www.rdr.link/pz056

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