Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer Summer 2020

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L IA EC SP L TA GI DI

SUMMER 2020

ON ITI ED

ONLINE TRAINING BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE BASE

TOOL THEFT

COULD THIS APP HELP TO REUNITE YOU WITH YOUR TOOLS?

NEW PRODUCTS

SPOTLIGHT ON THE LATEST LAUNCHES VISIT PHPIONLINE.CO.UK FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

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EDITOR JONATHAN COLE phpi@hamerville.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR ABBIE SMITH asmith@hamerville.co.uk

CONTENTS

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER JAKE TATUM jtatum@hamerville.co.uk NORTHERN & MIDLANDS SALES EDDIE WRIGHT ewight@hamerville.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR TERRY SMITH

phpionline.co.uk

@professionalplumber

phpi@hamerville.co.uk

REGULARS 5

DIGITAL GROUP MANAGER STUART DUFF DESIGNER GEMMA WATSON

@phpi

SUMMER 2020

27

Rounding up some of the biggest news stories to hit the sector

8

GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER CAROL PADGETT

#InstallOfFame: Showcasing some of the great work in the industry

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT KERRI SMITH DISTRIBUTION MANAGER KARL CLARK PUBLISHER BRYAN SHANNON

27 The Gas App Uk Horror Show

8 30 Product round-up PUBLISHED BY HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Copyright © 2020 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.

9

THE INSTALLER’S VIEW 9

#InstallerLife: We speak to Marcus Bull about his career in heating and plumbing

15 Installing a hybrid heating system 18 Ryan Mills gives us his take on press fitting 20 Reflecting on how COVID-19 has affected business

12

15

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.

Subscriptions to PHPI are available for 1 year (11 issues) at the following rates:

FEATURE ARTICLES

UK £30 post paid Airmail £80 post paid Europe £50 post paid

12 Supporting installers with online training 22 Tool theft: We speak to the creators of the Toolwatch app 24 Tools: Checking out some of the new products from Knipex

64,368 (Certificate of Average Distribution for the 11 issues distributed between January 1st and December 31st 2019).

26 Spotting the symptoms of heating system contamination

24

28 Tips for improving your online presence PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER SUMMER 2020 3

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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

TOP TRUMPS DECK RECOGNISES THE CONTRIBUTION OF PLUMBERS

GROHE LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO CREATE PLASTIC-FREE PRODUCT PACKAGING BY 2021

A brand new edition of Top Trump honours COVID-19 key and essential workers, including plumbers.

The game celebrates those key and essential workers who have saved Britain during the pandemic… from doctors and nurses to less high-profile professions. Politicians and journalists are included too.

One of the four scoring sections in the new game is ‘Unsung Heroes’, and in that category it is the partners of key workers who come out top. In its card citation, Top Trumps points out that being a partner of a key worker is “stressful and worrying”. Claire Simon, Global Marketing Manager at Top Trumps, says: “Every single front-line key worker is, of course, a heroine and hero and would each score 10 (or even 11) out of 10 by any reckoning if we had devised a Hero category. By creating an Unsung Heroes category, we have ensured varying marks.

“Many of the public we spoke to pointed out that partners too are putting their lives on the line, albeit less directly. As well as being there physically they are providing emotional support.

For that reason we listed partners as key workers.”

Top Trumps Britain at its Best: Key Workers is available for £5. www.rdr.link/pr011 to find out more

In 2018, GROHE launched its initiative to replace plastic in product packaging with more sustainable alternatives. To date, approximately 10 million items of product packaging made from plastic have been eliminated; by 2021, this figure is to be increased to up to 35 million.

The transition to plastic-free packaging is a process that involves all production sites equally. In addition to identifying the most commonly used plastic packaging, new, more sustainable alternative materials must be researched, tested, and then implemented.

“Offering plastic-free packaging is part of our comprehensive 360° sustainability approach, which equally includes employees, suppliers, customers, processes, products and our contribution to society. For us, as a brand, it is important to constantly review existing processes from the perspective of sustainability,” says Thomas Fuhr, COO Fittings LIXIL International and CEO of Grohe AG. “The mission to achieve entirely plastic-free product packaging by 2021 is an important step in our contribution to the fight against the global plastic waste problem.”

GROHE’s goal of reducing plastic waste is also strengthened by its cooperation with Marcella Hansch, founder of Pacific Garbage Screening e.V. Both partners share the vision of achieving clean water by reducing plastic waste in oceans and rivers. The trained architect is developing a water platform that collects plastic waste in rivers before it is flushed into the oceans. Alongside GROHE’s financial support of the project, both partners are also committed to raising public awareness of the plastic problem and making people aware of how to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

For more details on Grohe’s sustainability initiatives, www.rdr.link/pr012

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HPA WELCOMES CONSULTATION ON FUTURE SUPPORT FOR LOW CARBON HEAT BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME CAN STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY, SAYS EUA Following the Bank of England’s forecast that COVID-19 will result in a 14% fall in national income this year, the CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) wrote to the Chancellor giving details of how a new Boiler Scrappage Scheme can stimulate the local economy and generate higher tax receipts.

The paper calls for the re-introduction of the scheme, used previously to help grow the economy following the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.

EUA’s CEO, Mike Foster, said: “The Chancellor will be looking for ways to help the economy recover from the Covid-induced collapse. We are reminding him of a tried and tested scheme, offering great value for money – bringing in more than it costs, that could be up and running in a few months.

“Our paper suggests that a Boiler Scrappage Scheme, limited to 200,000 units, will have an initial outlay of £80 million, with a payback within the same financial year of £92 million and a regular increase in VAT each year after that.

“The scheme supports UK manufacturers who produce the boilers, the retail and distribution sector which sells them, the installers that fit them and the consumer that saves on their energy bills. In addition, our paper shows that air quality improvements of over 80% can be made and over 150,000 tonnes of carbon reductions will take place when replacing old G-rated boilers with new A-rated products.”

The Boiler Scrappage Scheme proposal will seek to remove 200,000 G-rated boilers by offering a £400 Government funded voucher to incentivise the homeowner to swap to an A-rated boiler.

6 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

The heat pump industry has welcomed the Government consultation on Future Support for Low Carbon Heat, and in particular the proposal to make grants of £4,000 available for consumers wishing to replace fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps.

Chairman of the Heat Pump Association (HPA), Graham Wright, said: “We are pleased the Government is proposing this important step to decarbonise the way we heat our homes, and thank the Minister, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, and his civil servants, for their constructive engagement with the HPA, and for developing these policy proposals on the basis of sound evidence and economic analysis. We are particularly pleased that the Government has quoted our recent Industry Roadmap, published last November, within the consultation, and has adopted our proposal for a £4,000 grant per customer, to support heat pump uptake.

“The Committee on Climate Change has made it clear that the most cost-effective way for the heat sector to deliver the country’s legally binding carbon targets, is to ensure all new heating systems from 2035 are low carbon. [The] publication is an important first step in delivering that critical market transformation.

“Although there is further dialogue to be had during and after the consultation period, particularly on whether the overall levels of funding are sufficient to deliver the required growth, and ensuring that alternative policy support is developed for larger heat pump installations, [the] announcement is a most welcome step in the right direction.”

For more information on the Heat Pump Association, www.rdr.link/pr013

BOSCH EASYCONTROL NOW COMPATIBLE WITH ALEXA Worcester Bosch has announced the integration of Bosch EasyControl and Alexa by Amazon. This upgrade allows customers to control the heating of their homes from anywhere in the property.

There are a total of five commands available: To do the following:

Ask Alexa:

Find out the current room temperature

“Alexa, what is the temperature in the kitchen”

Find out room temperature setpoint

“Alexa, what´s the temperature in the kitchen set to”

To set the room temperature setpoint

“Alexa, set living room to 20 degrees”

To increase / decrease the room temperature setpoint “Alexa, increase the temperature in the living room” “Alexa, decrease the temperature in the living room” To increase / decrease the room temperature setpoint “Alexa, increase the temperature in the kitchen by 2 degrees” “Alexa, decrease the temperature in the kitchen by 2 degrees”

For existing EasyControls, a simple update to the app will be available through either a push notification or manual updating. The EasyControl must then be synced to the homeowner’s Alexa.

For more information on the EasyControl, www.rdr.link/pr014

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DAIKIN CALLS ON INSTALLERS TO JOIN ITS ENERGY FOR CHANGE JOURNEY Daikin has launched its all-new Sustainable Home Network, an installer partnership scheme that forms an integral part of its wider Energy for Change campaign.

The UK heating market is on course to change dramatically over the next 10 years. Recognising the need to ensure installers are equipped and ready for these changes, Daikin has launched its Sustainable Home Network designed to help heating installers progress, expand and future-proof their business. The scheme is ideal for those who want to prepare for the changes in the heating market and the rising consumer interest around renewable heating, but are in need of the help, support and training required to make the transition.

The initiative forms part of Daikin’s wider Energy for Change campaign to raise consumer awareness of renewable energy systems and the benefits of heat pumps. Increasing consumer demand through a coordinated series of regional

and national marketing activity and mobile showrooms, the campaign will generate qualified leads and create a solid customer-base for its Sustainable Home Network of trained installers.

The Sustainable Home Network offers heating installers a tiered programme designed to support them with the training and tools needed to take advantage of this new market opportunity with confidence.

Heating installers may enter the scheme initially as a Sustainable Home Installer and access free product and installation training on Daikin’s monobloc solutions – carefully structured so as to gradually become more advanced as their experience and confidence grows.

Daikin’s Sustainable Home Installers will also receive continued help and support (including site visits), marketing materials

and access to a qualified lead management system.

There are two further tiers to the Sustainable Home Network, through which installers have the opportunity to progress as their knowledge, experience and customer-base grows, whilst unlocking attractive discounts on product and business support.

To enable installers to diversify their offer further, Daikin will help and support heating installers to become Sustainable Home Experts, a network of experienced heat pump installers who are F-Gas certified and fully capable of installing Daikin’s full product range of low temperature, high temperature and hybrid systems.

Speaking about the launch, Iain Bevan, Commercial Manager – Heating & Renewables at Daikin, said: “In addition to the UK’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and the CCC’s target of one million heat pumps installed per annum by 2030, society as a whole has become increasingly carbon conscious. With this in mind, we expect to see the demand for renewable energy systems, such as heat pumps, rising hugely over the coming years, a trend that represents a genuine appetite for change.”

For more information on Daikin and the Sustainable Home Network, www.rdr.link/pr015

THREE IN FIVE TRADESPEOPLE SAY COVID-19 HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH Research from Local Heroes has revealed that 60% of skilled tradespeople across the nation feel the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a negative effect on their mental health.

The findings have shown that worries about the health of loved ones (52%), financial concerns (51%), redundancy fears (41%) and social distancing (40%) due to the pandemic are affecting British trade workers’ emotional wellbeing.

According to the findings of the Local Heroes Mental Health Study – which surveyed 500 tradesmen and women across the country – 70% report experiencing mental health issues, specifying stress (44%), feeling low (37%), anxiety (35%) and depression (28%). 48% of the skilled workers surveyed who have experienced a mental health concern have sought support, including taking prescribed medication (29%), counselling (12%) and therapy (10%).

Delving into the connection between poor mental health and work life within the industry, the insights have uncovered that 79% of trade workers feel their job has adversely affected

their emotional wellbeing, with 91% saying they find day-to-day work stressful all the time. Younger trade workers reportedly feel their trade worsens their emotional state the most.

While 52% of tradesmen and women feel comfortable discussing their mental health with their partner, the survey has discovered that 60% feel there is still a social stigma around openly discussing mental wellbeing, and 34% feel uncomfortable opening up to their colleagues in the workplace when feeling stressed or down. 45% of tradespeople feel that there is not enough mental health awareness and support within their industry.

Teaming up with Mental Health UK, Local Heroes has launched an online Mental Health Awareness Guide.

To read the Mental Health Awareness Guide for tradespeople, www.rdr.link/pr016

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER SUMMER 2020 7

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g

@abrheatin

@LP_KJQ AND @CHRIS_HILL856

@rushbroplumbing

@HEATINGBRIGHTON AN @STEELEDAMON D

@rushbroplumbing

“I’m proud of every job that I do and I always complete my jobs to the highest standard possible.”

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IN PROFILE

#InstallerLife: Marcus Bull, MB Plumbing & Heating (Nottingham) Ltd In the first in our new #InstallerLife series of installer profiles, Stuart Duff talks to Marcus Bull about how he started his family-run heating and plumbing business, and his thoughts on the next big thing in the industry.

Q

What got you into the industry?

There was no grand plan, I just sort of fell into it when I left school. I went to my local college to get my plumbing and heating qualifications and then got an apprenticeship with a large firm in Nottingham specialising in council housing contracts. Every day was the same – fitting exactly the same type of central heating system into exactly the same type of house. I found it a bit boring at the time but it was really good experience. When I left there I worked for several smaller firms before taking a job as a heating and plumbing engineer for a large building company in the area and I stayed with them for a number of years. Then, about 16 years ago, I decided it was time to strike out on my own and I set up MB Plumbing and Heating with my wife Julie who runs the admin side of the business. Based in Arnold in Nottinghamshire, the company is fully certified with the Gas Safe, Water Regulations and Solar Accredited Installer schemes.

Q

Has your business focus changed over the years?

I now focus more on central heating repairs and servicing contracts, mainly for the customers I’ve built up over the years.

However, I still offer a wide range of other

services, including general plumbing, from replacing a leaking pipe right through to new bathroom installations, and as a HETAS registered installer I can provide a complete supply and fit package for log burning stoves.

Q

How do you go about choosing the products you install?

Whatever the job, using products that I can rely on is important for my business reputation and for my customers’ peace of mind. That’s why when it comes to boilers I’m a big fan of Vaillant and for heating controls it has to be Danfoss. I know some installers don’t specify brands when they quote for a job but my customers have told me that they appreciate the fact that I specify Danfoss TRVs, for example, because it shows I have confidence in that particular brand. Also, as a member of the Danfoss #CapClub I’ve got bespoke

radiator valve caps with my company name on them, which I feel gives me a real professional edge.

Q

You support the ‘Heat for Good’ heating industry collective. What does that involve?

I’ve been only too pleased to be part of heating installations and upgrades for community projects such as a local Let’s Play centre for disabled children and the Clayton Rugby League Football Club, an amateur rugby league club in Bradford.

They are great causes and I had no hesitation in giving up my time for free to install the equipment that had been kindly donated by manufacturers and suppliers. It is very rewarding to know that you can make a difference to these projects and the communities who use them.

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IN PROFILE

Q

What changes have you seen during your career, and what do you see as the next big thing in the industry?

Mitigating the impact of climate change is clearly the major driver for many new developments in the heating sector. With gas boilers likely to be phased out, hydrogen appliances could be the next step towards reducing carbon emissions from our homes. We are also seeing a big increase in renewable energy, particularly for new builds. Hundreds of new homes in my area are being fitted with solar panels or air source heat pumps, for example, which is why I believe it’s important for heating engineers like me to develop the skills that will be needed to maintain these systems now and in the future. Social media has been another significant development since I started out in the industry over 30 years ago. Personally, I find it’s a great way to communicate with other installers, promote my business achievements, keep up to date with new

I believe it’s important for heating engineers like me to develop the skills that will be needed to maintain these systems now and in the future products and to share knowledge.

Q

How do you spend your downtime?

My family and I like to go camping and my son Morgan and I enjoy surfing in the Lake District and Cornwall. We also share a love of BMX Gold bikes and have fun searching out parts to rebuild them. We are a

successful family firm and I’m hoping Morgan will follow in my footsteps and join the business when he’s old enough, and with the same initials as me, we won’t have to change the company name – that’s forward thinking for you! #InstallerLife is supported by Danfoss. To access the Danfoss Installer Hub, www.rdr.link/pr017

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ONLINE TRAINING

HOME SCHOOLING I

nstallers and contractors were able sign up for free online training courses on some of the industry’s hottest topics, including the decarbonisation of heat in buildings, hydrogen and other green gases, and the use of plate heat exchangers in commercial systems.

The company also added to its online learning portfolio with the addition of its popular Business Support Clinics. The 2020 clinics include a new team of experts all on hand to offer free advice on issues affecting the trade in a series of hour-long interactive webinars – meaning members of the Vaillant Advance or Glow-worm Club

Energy loyalty programmes can register and receive the advice for free.

Online training courses

During lockdown, Vaillant and Glow-worm turned to digital and online training and business advice to support installers who were no longer able to attend face-to-face events.

Heating’s Dirty Little Secret: An overview of commercial heating and system separation using plate heat exchangers

Despite the temporary closure of Vaillant and Glow-worm’s Centres of Excellence, its training team have remained hard at work creating online courses that closely replicate the experience of on-site training.

Sessions on offer include:

Hydrogen: The role of green gas in the decarbonisation of heat

Decarbonisation of Heat & Low Carbon Technologies: Introduction to low carbon technologies and their role in decarbonising heat in buildings

Business Clinics: Covering a range of business-related topics from safety advice and business resilience during these challenging times to how to work remotely, marketing strategy, optimising revenue and much more

Water quality: The importance of water quality and introduction to best practice techniques including changes to BS7953

Vaillant Controls Overview: Introduction to controls; outline of features & benefits, connecting to product / system; App based use; set up & optimisation Energy Product Overview: Overview of range, key features and benefits, specification outline. Commissioning & set up The initial courses were well received by installers. Ian Briggs of I.R.B Heating said: “I participated in three of the online training courses, which were very interesting; content was good and the Zoom platform worked really well.”

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ZOOMINg IN Stuart Duff attends a Glow-worm online training course.

Online business support Vaillant and Glow-worm also partnered with a variety of industry experts to offer business advice from the comfort of installers’ own homes. These concise, hour-long sessions provide helpful tips and guidance, supported by business-related resources on the Vaillant and Glow-worm loyalty schemes.

The preliminary sessions were geared around helping installers to weather these difficult times, with experts like the APHC and The Sales Resolution on hand to offer tax and financial advice and lessons on how to build business resilience.

In addition, installers can also gain knowledge on broader business support topics. The Boiler Business, which runs marketing and business development courses for the heating industry, covers topics such as business development foundations (planning, time, money, data) and online marketing techniques, including the use of Google and social media.

Additional classes are being released on a regular basis. The next series of webinars is due to be released in the summer with work-based learning provider JTL, who will be joining the Business Clinics in August to

From family catch-ups to virtual pub quizzes, lockdown has seen an inexorable rise in the use of video calling. Whether you’re checking in on a relative or trying to work out which TV show had the same theme tune as Give Us A Clue*, the chances are you’ve already used Zoom.

Vaillant Group has embraced the technology for rather different reasons across both the Vaillant and Glow-worm brands. While it’s not possible for installers to make the trip to one of its training centres, it’s delivering that training straight to your home.

There’s a raft of product and business information on offer to suit the whole spectrum of brand and industry knowledge. The course I attended, Glow-worm’s Energy product overview, did exactly what it said on the tin – presenting a comprehensive run-through of the range.

As thorough and all-encompassing as it was, it never felt unnecessarily complicated or bogged down in minute detail. Expertly delivered by Stefan Ptaszek and Andy Hayes, it was a seamless journey through the boilers, controls, flueing options and much more. It’s a perfect introduction to the brand if you’re not a regular installer. For those who are Glow-worm savvy, it works equally well as a refresher course.

More than a dozen installers attended this particular session, and the chat feature on Zoom allowed them to ask questions without disturbing the flow for others.

Numbers are restricted for each course but there’s a packed timetable so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a date and time that works for you.

The obvious pitfall with virtual training is the lack of hands-on learning – and that’s an insurmountable issue right now. A 60-minute session in the company of experienced trainers is certainly the next best thing, and it’s great to see manufacturers offering a wide range of courses to support their installers. *in case you were wondering, the answer’s Grange Hill

These are difficult times for everyone, but our commitment at Vaillant and Glow-worm is to support our loyal installers as best as we can. answer all the questions installers may have about hiring an apprentice.

Spencer Clark, Commercial Director at Vaillant Group, comments: “These are

difficult times for everyone, but our commitment at Vaillant and Glow-worm is to support our loyal installers as best as we can. The self-employed are among those who have been hit hardest by the uncertainty around COVID-19 and so we wanted to offer e-learning sessions to support our installers and help them to gain valuable knowledge. They’re completely free and are just some of the many support initiatives that we will be rolling out.”

For more information on online support www.rdr.link/pr018 from Vaillant, For more information on online support from Glow-worm, www.rdr.link/pr019

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HYBRID HEATING

THE RIGHT MIX Steve Calvert partnered a Grant solar thermal system and thermal store with a VortexBlue oil boiler on a recent project in Wales. PHPI reports.

A

large property in Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire underwent a complete refurbishment and the home’s heating and hot water requirements are now being met more sustainably by a bespoke hybrid system consisting of a Grant solar thermal system installed alongside a VortexBlue oil boiler.

With the size of the property increasing to a six bedroom house, a brand new heating system was required to meet the larger heating and hot water demand of the home. Prior to the renovation, the property was heated by a non-condensing oil boiler so the homeowner wanted a direct boiler replacement which operated more efficiently and incorporated cleaner burning technology.

After discussing the options available with the installing engineer, S Calvert Plumbing & Heating, a Grant VortexBlue Internal 26kW condensing oil boiler was selected for the installation. This utility model, which can achieve efficiencies of up to 91.71%, is white cased which makes it a sleek option to suit either a kitchen or utility room environment. For this installation, the boiler has been sited in the utility room.

In addition to the oil boiler, two other products from Grant’s product portfolio were installed. A Grant solar thermal system was fitted which comprises two flat plate collectors. The collectors have been installed as part of an in-roof mounting arrangement allowing for a low-profile appearance. Grant’s in-roof mounting option comprises the collectors being set into the roof tiles, naturally following the roof’s angle to capture maximum energy from the sun.

The solar thermal system at this property has been connected to a Grant ThermaWave 400ltr thermal store. These

91.71% The utility model, which can achieve efficiences of up to 91.71%, is white cased which makes it a sleek option to suit either a kitchen or utiliy room environment.

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HYBRID HEATING

hot water stores allow several heat sources to be connected on one system, in particular combining traditional heating systems (such as an oil boiler) with renewables (such as solar thermal). With this installation, the thermal gain from the solar panels heats the water which is then transferred to the ThermaWave store. Here the water is kept up to temperature and stored ready for when the property’s occupants demand water. By connecting multiple systems, the ThermaWave store has enabled this homeowner to utilise green energy alongside an oil boiler, reducing both their carbon footprint and energy bills.

This heating system upgrade was a large project for Steve Calvert, the G1 installing engineer. Steve designed the system himself to help maximise the benefits the system delivers, in particular setting the system up so that the thermal gain generated by solar thermal panels meets the majority of both the heating and hot water demand for the property.

Consequently, Steve’s bespoke design has resulted in a unique hybrid system which requires the VortexBlue oil boiler to operate for a small proportion of the property’s heating demand.

“The 400ltr thermal store is controlled by the solar controller with twin stats at the top and bottom of the store. The boiler is set to fire up when the top of the store is at 50°C and will remain running until the stat at the bottom of the store registers 65°C. This arrangement allows the boiler to run for 30 minutes, operating with optimal condensing and maximising efficiency with no cycling within the boiler.

“The energy produced by the solar

thermal overrides the boiler input so that the solar gain delivers most of the heat needed for both the hot water and space heating. Two controllers are set up on the system which prioritise the energy from the sun over the boiler, thus reducing the demand on the boiler. Consequently, throughout the Spring, Summer and early Autumn, the solar thermal system should provide all of the property’s heating and hot water with the boiler required only during periods of extreme cold.

“To complement the store controls, the heating system is set to be low temperature at 45°C max. The heating lines are electronically mixed and, during periods of high solar gain, the circuit that the towel rails are set up on are able to be ‘heat dumps’ to ensure that no energy or heat is wasted. A hot water accumulator

16 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

vessel is also installed to stabilise the system during peak periods of demand.

“I have designed this system in such a way so that the Grant Solar Thermal works the most to meet the heating requirements of this large property, rather than the boiler,” concludes Steve. “The system works on 10 hours of heating demand with the boiler only required for approximately 20% of this, unless of course solar gain is high in which case the VortexBlue boiler is not needed to kick in. This install demonstrates how solar thermal can play a dominant role in a heating system, not just as a supporting technology.”

For more details on the options available www.rdr.link/pr020 from Grant,

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PRESS FITTING

PRESSING MATTERS Fourth-generation installer Ryan Mills gives us his perspective on press fitting.

R

yan has been looking after the heating and plumbing needs of the residents at an Edinburgh sheltered housing scheme for a number of years. In that time he has upgraded the hot water systems in around 40 of the 120 flats.

He’s also seen the pipework jointing method of choice switch from traditional brazing, with its gas bottles and torches, to flame-free press.

That’s particularly significant for this project, as the residential apartment block for people aged 65 and over is fitted with dozens of smoke alarms in the main corridors and in the individual flats.

A burst of flame or whiff of smoke while completing a joint and alarms would go off,

alerting first the scheme’s warden and then, shortly after, the local fire service.

Ryan, from G D Mills Plumbing & Heating, said: “There would be a big risk of triggering an alarm if I were using a blow torch in there. As the building is linked to the fire station, any hot works are out of the question.”

Instead, he used Conex Bänninger’s >B< Press copper press fittings for the latest installation, in which he replaced a gravity fed hot water system with a more effective and more efficient unvented one.

On this latest installation, Ryan said: “When the flats were fitted out in the 1980s they all had gravity fed cold and hot water tanks to fill a bath. These days it is thought more beneficial for the elderly to have a walk-in shower.

“In upgrading the system I’ve taken out the old enormous gravity fed cylinder and replaced it with an unvented 15 litre one.

“As the system’s now got mains pressure behind it there’s a much stronger flow, instead of a trickle. Also, as the owner only has to heat up 15 litres of water instead of about 100 times that the electricity bill is cut hugely.

“For me, press makes the job so much

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faster. Not only is it quicker to get the water back on, I also have to carry less up and down the stairs.

“To press, I only need a press tool and the right jaws, compared with the flux, solder, gas, heat mat, damp cloths and other materials that I would need for brazing.”

Ryan said that for the first few refits he did in the four-storey building, press wasn’t around and he had to use the brazing method.

“Back then I did solder but I had to bag-off the smoke alarms and squash into the cupboard and keep the door closed while I brazed for fear of setting of an alarm. It was far from ideal,” he said.

“I then had to wait 10 to 15 minutes while each soldered joint cooled before I could move onto the next one.

“For one installation it used to take a full day. Now with press I can do the same job in four or five hours. And while there’s an outlay for the press tool, you soon make it back up again because of the speed and increased productivity.”

For more information on Conex Bänninger’s range of fittings and valve solutions, www.rdr.link/pr021

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using the right jaws for press fitting Dan Wild, UK and Ireland Business Unit Director for Conex Bänninger, explains why using the right press tool and jaws is essential. under-pressing. In both cases it is likely to lead to a fitting leak.

Luckily, mistakes are rare. But if they do occur, not only will you have an unhappy customer, you may find yourself spending valuable time putting it right. Not only that, the manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee on the fitting will be void.

Q

Q What are the consequences if I use the wrong profile jaw set to press a

joint?

To achieve a properly pressed joint, it is critically important that the right profile jaw is used, one that is specific to and matches the fitting type. Failure to do this will cause the joint to be incorrectly pressed. This will result in either over-pressing or

How do I identify which profile jaws are needed for which fitting?

Some jaws have a product code, while others are identified by the profile marking.

Installers must refer to the Tool Compatibility Chart listed in the technical brochure or, alternatively, which can be found on the supplier’s website. Only fully compatible jaws should be used.

Conex Bänninger >B< Press fittings (sizes 12 to 54mm), for example, are installed using jaws with a B or V profile.

To achieve a properly pressed joint, it is critically important that the right profile jaw is used, one that is specific to and matches the fitting type.

Jaws with an M profile should NOT be used with these fittings. >B< Press fittings, which are for hot and cold drinking water applications, have the advantage of a ‘leak before press’ indicator. This is designed to show a leak at low pressure if any joint has been missed or wrongly pressed.

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COVID-19

HOW HAS CORONAVIRUS AFFECTED THE WORKING LIVES OF INSTALLERS? Since lockdown began, we’ve been gathering feedback from installers on how COVID-19 has affected their working lives.

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rom employees to the self-employed to company directors, every plumber and heating engineer has felt the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on both their lives and their livelihoods.

For many sole traders and small business owners, the pressures of running their operation took on an entirely new dynamic as they had to navigate the intricacies of their own employment status as well as understanding the financial implications of options such as furloughing.

Here are the thoughts of a selection of installers collated during lockdown…

Steve Bartin “I’m still working on a job that luckily is in an empty house, so I’m able to continue with that for now. Before the lockdown we had lots of calls from people trying to get plumbers in to finish jobs.

“As well as the danger to health for plumbers still working, one of the biggest issues will be sourcing materials. It’s not just plumbers that will be in short supply, but parts too.

“I’m worried that tradesmen are prioritising customers’ needs over their own and not

20 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

thinking of their own safety, and that of their family. It’s so important to follow the recommended safety measures, to glove up, and keep completely clear from your customers.

“The rural areas I work in are quite isolated so local plumbers may feel more comfortable making house visits compared with city tradesmen.

“One thing about being at home more is that I won’t be short of things to do – my wife’s got a stockpile of materials at home and a long list of DIY jobs waiting for me!”

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Sean Branton

Shaun Scott

“We are and will continue to offer our services until the government says we can’t. We have been following the government guidelines, keeping 2m+ away from clients, changing our gloves regularly, cleaning surfaces, door handles etc. The guys have got face masks, loads of anti-bac wipes and shoe covers. We are doing everything we can to keep our engineers and clients safe. We are all in this together, so the houses we have been working at have been great as we are all on the same page respecting one’s space.

“There isn’t much in place for a small business like ours, we are relatively lean and have a home office which means there isn’t any relief in place for this and we still have overheads that we couldn’t cover if we didn’t work. We have seen great growth in the last 12 months so we are keeping more engineers busy there is a lot of pressure for us to keep the work coming in and the phone is not ringing as much as we are used to. We have kept busy to date as we have two medium-sized sites still pushing on but we are anticipating as we are not quoting the volume we need too.

“We are staying optimistic, once things settle hopefully there will be a big spike in work and we can continue to grow and provide the great service we offer.”

“I work with my Dad and we employ six people – we’re lucky in that we have a backlog of work in empty houses and new builds to keep us going for now, but it’s a worrying time.

“We’re taking the proper health and safety precautions to so my main worries are financial ones – we employ six people who will thankfully get 80% of their wages, but this will come out of my savings and the money won’t come in until the end of April at the earliest.

“What I’d really appreciate right now is some further clarification for companies on how everyone will get their furlough pay, an easy breakdown that we can all understand and feel reassured by.

“My customers on the whole have been sensible about emergency call-outs only, although I have been recently asked to look at a bath that wasn’t holding water – nothing that can’t be sorted temporarily with a flannel to block the leak.

“People just need to use their common sense until we get through this. However I’m happy to speak to my customers on the phone, or FaceTime them to offer solutions where possible.

“I had to fix a kitchen tap recently as it was the only source of drinking water for my customer. I couldn’t replace it but I’ve done the best I can for now, which people understand.

“We’re lucky to be able to carry a certain amount of stock to tide us over as we have the storage space for it but many people don’t, so even if they’re able to work they can’t get parts.

“I think a lot of self-employed plumbers will weigh up the pros and cons after this in the future and opt to work for an employer again, for the security.”

Charlie Mullins, OBE “We have taken several steps within Head Office to keep our workforce safe. They are all practising social distancing and we have reorganised our call centre to reflect that. There is hand sanitiser distributed throughout the business. We have also laid on free parking so they can avoid using public transport. They

also get free food and a weekly bonus of up to £140 because we appreciate everything they do.

“The call centre screen all calls to establish whether the customers is elderly or vulnerable and if they have either been self-isolating or had symptoms. This protects both the engineers going out to the jobs and the customers themselves.

“Our engineers are fully equipped in the safest way to carry our essential works. They have foot covers, face masks, gloves, hand sanitiser, and their vans also all have a washbasin so they can wash their hand before and after every job.”

Information from and for installers For the latest stories about COVID-19 and its impact on the trade, visit our dedicated website section www.rdr.link/pr022

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TOOL THEFT

WATCHING BRIEF Developed by tradesperson Alan Brett, the ToolWatch web-based app hopes to restore stolen property to its rightful owners, and deter crime in the process. Lee Jones reports.

I

t is estimated that somewhere in the UK, a van is broken into every 23 minutes.

For the victims, the frustrations are manifold. Insurance companies that find ever more creative pretexts for not paying out, vehicle security that is not fit for purpose, and a police force which lacks the resources to confront the criminal fraternity are just some of the laments. That was certainly the experience of one Hertfordshire-based builder when one of his vans was targeted, and he was relieved of tools worth more than £8,000.

“It took just a day for the police to email me and tell me the case was closed,” recalls Alan Brett. “Following that, the insurance company then informed me that, because I owned three different vehicles, I couldn’t prove that the tools were actually in the one that had been broken into.”

Suitably inspired to find a solution, the proprietor of Absolute Building Structures conceived of an idea to bring the trades together in thwarting the thieves, and the result is the ToolWatch App. More than 18 months in development, the web-based app allows subscribers to set up a profile, including their picture and contact details, and log all their tools by serial number, make and model. Not only that, but if you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of a crime, it is possible to report it on the app, with all the necessary information, and those details will be relayed to the

police. The ToolWatch App will then create a crime reference number, and those tools will be listed on the site as stolen.

“If you’re a police officer, or a builder that’s been offered a cut price drill at a car boot sale, you can use the app to check if it’s from the proceeds of crime,” says Alan.

“Not only that, but the profile picture of the owner should tell you exactly who the goods belong to.”

Alan was adamant that he needed the input of the police at a very early stage: “There are 43 different constabularies across the country, but to work with any one

The web-based app allows subscribers to set up a profile, including their picture and contact details, and log all their tools by serial number, make and model.

22 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

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CLICK

of them we needed to achieve Secured by Design accreditation. That in turn demanded we work with BSI (British Standards Institute), and we are now the first app to have gone through that process.”

County lines crimes are now a well-documented problem and tool theft is far from exempt, but here again the ToolWatch App can play its part. “If a thief stole from a van in Luton, for example, and then travelled just three miles down the road to Hertfordshire, they could be pulled over and there would be no record of the crime with that constabulary. Our database is designed to operate nationally, which means that no matter where they’re found your equipment can be repatriated to you.

That’s why the police are very keen for builders to make use of this service, because they simply don’t have anything

like this at present.” The features and benefits don’t end there because, whilst simple to use and navigate, the app has been designed with a number of related functions. A visual indication that the contents of a vehicle are protected by the ToolWatch App is provided by a sticker on the van, which itself acts as a deterrent.

Not only that, but by recording proof of ownership, the site will equally operate as a housekeeping tool. In the event of an insurance claim, for instance, the ToolWatch App allows you to keep a secure record of serial numbers, whilst photos of receipts can also be downloaded and subsequently supplied as evidence.

For a yearly subscription fee, users can register up to 100 items, which will more than cover any small business’s requirements, and if any of those tools are sold on by the rightful owner it’s very easy to record that information as well. “The figures for tool theft are getting steadily worse and there is a perception amongst tradespeople that protecting themselves is a hopeless task,” concludes Alan. “What we want to do through the ToolWatch App is bring tradespeople together in order to help themselves, and give the police the informed view that will help them stop the thieves.”

on the image below to watch the short explainer video...

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER SUMMER 2020 23

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TOOLS

MAKE THE CUT Stuart Duff reports on two of the latest product launches from Knipex. orward-thinking companies weren’t about to let a little thing like a national lockdown stand in the way of getting their message out to installers. The surroundings may not have been quite as planned, but that didn’t stop Knipex’s David Barnes from giving us a first look at some of the company’s new products via a Teams call.

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35MM The Knipex TubiX pipe cutter makes it easy to cut pipes up to 35mm in diameter and with a wall thickness of 2mm accurately.

TUBIX PIPE CUTTER The Knipex TubiX pipe cutter makes it easy to cut pipes up to 35mm in diameter and with a wall thickness of 2mm accurately. An integrated deburring tool is also included.

The 180mm long pipe cutter is said to make work much easier. Due to 10 quality needle bearings that are integrated in the cutting wheel and guide rollers, copper, brass and stainless steel pipes with a wall thickness of up to 2mm and diameters from 6 to 35 mm (1/4 to 1 3/8in.) can be cut easily using just one hand. This is done with the QuickLock single-handed quick adjustment which guides and locks the tool onto the pipe, then accurately positions the cutting wheel for different pipe diameters. Afterwards an integrated, retractable deburring tool smoothes out the cut surface. The cutting wheel is made of quality ball-bearing steel and can be exchanged quickly.

What to do Simply place the open TubiX pipe cutter on the pipe, then position and lock the cutting wheel into place on the workpiece using the QuickLock single-handed quick adjustment. The pipe is cut by turning the tool, and the clearance between the cutting edge and the pipe can be freely adjusted with the ergonomic feeding barrel. The cut surface can then be deburred if necessary.

The cutting wheel on the TubiX is made of quality ball-bearing steel while the metal housing is light and durable magnesium. The needle-beared and spring-loaded cutting wheel can be easily exchanged, a spare wheel is also located in the feeding barrel.

For more information,

24 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

www.rdr.link/pr024

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COBRA XS Cobra XS, reported to be the smallest high-tech water pump pliers in the world with full functional capability, are just 100mm long. They’re ideal in tight spaces around the workpiece due to the compact design and slim head, and can be comfortably used with just one hand.

Small, useful and anything but a toy! The Cobra XS is a new, compact member of the Knipex Cobra family. It is a fully functional pair of high-tech water pump pliers that comes into its own in tight spaces. The tool can adapt to 11 adjustment positions via fine adjustment directly on the workpiece and grip nuts up to 24mm in width across flats and other workpieces up to 28mm – with an overall length of just 100mm. Due to its compact size, the Cobra XS can be easily used with just one hand.

Like all products in the Knipex Cobra family, the Cobra XS is self-locking to pipes and nuts: the result is that there is no slipping from the workpiece and all work is considerably less strenuous. The teeth, which are offset against the direction of rotation, enable this effect for perfect, efficient gripping, holding, pressing and bending. There is no need to fiddle around to get the correct opening width; simply place the upper half of the jaw onto the workpiece and slide the lower jaw in position to fix the pliers in place.

The gripping surfaces have specially hardened teeth (approx. 60 HRC) that ensure reliable gripping due to high wear resistance. Instead of a plastic coating, a ribbed, non-slip handle provides grip so that the handles of this small tool are kept slim and easy to use. Other features include a box joint for stability and durability via a double guide, as well as a pinch guard to protect against crush injuries.

For more information,

www.rdr.link/pr025

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HEATING SYSTEM HEALTH

REMOVAL SERVICE

There’s much talk of symptoms right now, but Spirotech recently launched a symptom checker of a different kind. Its new Better Heating hub helps heating engineers educate homeowners on the signs of system contamination and the steps that can be taken to achieve better, healthier heating. Pete Chamberlain, Area Sales Manager at Spirotech, tells us more.

W

hen it comes to their heating system, for most homeowners it will be ‘out of sight, out of mind’, right up until the moment it stops working! However, what many customers fail to recognise is that the warning signs often rear their heads, months ahead of a full breakdown. Spirotech’s new Better Heating hub has been developed to help address this. It features a handy symptom checker to help homeowners spot the signs of system contamination, so they can better understand the cause of some of the most common system problems and then take steps to remove the culprits – air and dirt.

So, what’s included on the list?

Noisy pipes – many customers won’t realise that if their TV viewing is disturbed by noisy banging pipes that it’s actually a sign that there is trapped air and dirt travelling around their pipework. The symptom checker identifies this as a key symptom of an unhealthy system.

Radiator cold spots – homeowners often complain about radiators that don’t heat up fully, which means some rooms

never seem to reach the desired temperature. The Better Heating hub flags this as another sign of system contamination. Radiator cold spots can be caused by both air and dirt, and the location of the cold spot will often indicate which of the two is causing the issue. Cold spots at the bottom are most commonly the result of dirt build-up within radiators, caused by magnetite and other debris collecting in this area. Cold spots at the top usually indicate trapped air, which has risen and gathered to form an air pocket at the highest point of the radiator.

Bleeding radiators frequently – manual venting is time-consuming and annoying for homeowners and frequently needing to do this is a signal that there is air within their system. The Better Heating hub explains to homeowners that this is a temporary solution that will only help for a short time, before the issues will inevitably reoccur.

Higher than expected energy bills – air and dirt both force the boiler to work harder in order to heat the home to the desired temperature. This means that the

26 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

property’s gas consumption will be much higher and consequently, energy bills will rise too. The hub explains this to homeowners and recommends air and dirt removal as a route to reducing energy use and costs.

By making a symptom checker available online for homeowners to access and heating engineers to use with customers, this educational content will go a long way towards demonstrating that system protection in the form of air and dirt removal is a necessary and worthwhile investment. After all, the cost of installing a deaerator and dirt separator will be far less than having to fix parts within the boiler or replacing it altogether! www.rdr.link/pr026 to explore the hub in more detail and access the installer section of the website to download Spirotech’s consumer advice leaflet.

Click the image below to watch the short video you can use to explain heating system issues to your customers…

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ONLINE MARKETING TIPS

SEARCHING QUESTIONS

Now is the perfect time to improve your SEO, according to Shake & Speare.

Below are five key areas that could help you rise up the rankings.

H

ave you been meaning to get around to fixing up your website for ages?

Just keep forgetting to prioritise it, but have found yourself with more free time recently? Now is as good a time as any to dip into your bulk-buy box of tea, make yourself a cuppa, sit down at your computer and figure out what it is that could be improved about your website.

Here at Shake and Speare, we know just how important a professional, search engine optimised website is. A website that has undergone such processes allows more customers to find you and provides a greater ease for contacting you.

And we specialise in building well optimised websites for the trades.

People sometimes tell us ‘Oh, I’m too busy to think about my website right now’, or ‘I don’t really see the point’. However, improving your website might be your

perfect ‘rainy day’ project.

Putting effort into improving your website will pay off. With people discovering a majority of their goods and services online right now, ensuring your website isn’t hiding on page eight of Google is in your best interest. Making sure your website is easy to find and use is crucial in this current climate.

So what can you do to improve your website? We’ve put together a handy list of five questions for you to ask yourself: 1. Are your contact details displayed at the top of your site?

2. Is your site mobile friendly?

3. Do your social media links load your social media pages when clicked on?

4. Have you got separate web pages for the different services you offer?

5. Have you included your pricing structure anywhere?

28 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

Q

Are your contact details displayed at the top of your site?

Q

Is your site mobile-friendly?

It’s really important that your customer doesn’t have to go digging for your contact details. Having your contact details on your homepage is good, but having your contact details displayed in a banner at the top of your site, no matter where your customer has navigated to is better. Not to be rude about people but… people are ultimately lazy. So, the easier you can make it to contact you, the higher the chance they will.

We recommend you make your phone number and email address into clickable links, instantly connecting you and your customer.

You probably already know the importance of making sure your site’s mobile-friendly,

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but we’ll just throw some statistics at you to emphasise the point. In 2019, 52.2% of web traffic came from mobile phones. 80% of all internet users use a smartphone.

Basically, it’s highly likely customers will discover your website whilst using their mobile phone. If your site doesn’t work very well on mobile, they just won’t bother engaging with it.

It is worth loading up your mobile and spending some time flicking through your site. This will allow you to comprehensively check whether everything is loading okay, that your links click through to where they should and that your site fits your phone’s screen.

Q

Do your social media links load your social media pages when clicked on?

Unless your customer is highly motivated to do so, it’s unlikely they will bother to open up a separate app or tab and search for your socials. If you’re putting effort into your social media, you’ll have created a friendly, personable space for your brand – you don’t want your customers to be missing out on that content.

Display links to your social media near your contact information and ensure that when clicked on, your social media pages pop up.

Q

Have you got separate web pages for the different services you offer?

If you have a site that spans multiple pages, don’t just chuck a load of text advertising the different services you offer up on the homepage. Instead, have separate pages for each service that you offer.

The reason for this is simple – say you’re an arborist that offers tree surgery, general garden maintenance and tree removal. Those are the three things that customers are going to be searching for in order to find your services. If you plonk all three search terms onto one page, they’re going to fight it out amongst themselves for Google’s attention. Google ultimately gets confused, isn’t sure what the most important term is and doesn’t display you high up on its results pages.

If these search terms have separate pages, Google will understand what that page is about, that it’s relevant to your

potential customer and display it higher up in its search results.

Q

Have you included your pricing structure anywhere?

of an impact. In order to really climb towards that coveted Page 1 Rank 1 spot you’ll need to put some more complicated work in.

People may be more motivated to buy if they have an idea of your pricing structure.

Consider, if possible, providing your basic pricing scheme. Potential customers may be more likely to get in contact with you if they know, before calling, that you’re within their price range.

If you’re not keen on providing prices, perhaps because your quotes show a fair amount of variability, you could instead provide a ‘quick quotes’ feature.

Time to get started

Really climbing the ranks of Google

To find out more about how Shake & Speare can help you be more visible to potential customers,

These are great tips to improve the usability of your website, and Google will love them, but they will only have so much

These tips should act as a good starting point for you doing a little website housekeeping. If you’ve worked your way through them and are curious about what else you could be doing to help more people discover you, feel free to get in touch – we love a chat! We’re happy to give your website a free health check and generate a report for you (and who doesn’t love a good report?).

www.rdr.link/pr028

PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER SUMMER 2020 29

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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/pr033

DRAYTON TRV4 Anthracite Drayton is celebrating the launch of its TRV4 Anthracite, the latest addition to the range. The fourth incarnation of Drayton’s TRV, the original TRV4 Classic, was first launched almost three decades ago in 1992. Since then, Drayton has continued to expand the range, introducing the TRV4 Chrome in 2002 and TRV4 White in 2013.

Key features include the range-limiting pin, which allows installers to set a restricted temperature range, handy balancing key that allows engineers to balance the system from the TRV, and non-stick internal valves.

The newest addition to the range is designed with a matt finish that complements anthracite radiators. This new design has been launched following the rise in popularity of anthracite radiators as homeowners place more importance on aesthetics To find out more, www.rdr.link/pr029

KINEDO Kinemoon The Kinemoon shower tray from Kinedo, the shower brand of Saniflo, is a stone effect, textured tray that taps into the trend for natural stone style shower trays and doubles up as an anti-slip surface rated to PN24.

Available in five colours – white, anthracite, grey, black and sable – it also has three different patterned waste covers which are self-coloured to blend in with the tray.

The super flat tray – just 26mm in height – is designed for easy access, but can be supplied with an optional riser kit if extra height is required and can also be used in a wetroom style application. Manufactured from Biolex material that is resistant to damage, the tray can be cut on site for awkward installation situations.

To find out more, www.rdr.link/pr030

30 SUMMER 2020 PROFESSIONAL HEATING & PLUMBING INSTALLER

WISEMAN MediGrade Pro Wiseman has expanded its range with MediGrade Pro Alcohol Hand Sanitiser Atomiser Spray, Alcohol Sanitiser Gel and PROMAIN Antibacterial Liquid Soap. The formulas are said to contain the highest bactericidal sanitising properties to kill 99.999% of all germs and viruses.

MediGrade Pro hand sanitiser gel and spray contain over 60% and 70% alcohol respectively. 60% plus is recommended by the World Health Organisation and Public Health England for effective hand sanitation against COVID-19 and other viruses. The hand cleaning formula is a scientific blend of bactericides and skin conditioners in an alcohol base. It is a water free, non-rinse formula that contains mild skin moisturiser and Vitamin E to allow frequent use without drying out or damaging skin. They both combat the risk of cross contamination, while leaving a residual biocide for maximum cleanliness.

To find out more, www.rdr.link/pr031

HAIX Trekker Pro 2.0 HAIX has committed to increased levels of comfort, support and protection with the latest addition to its workwear range – the Trekker Pro 2.0.

Continuing its aim to take classic, trusted designs and increase both comfort and protection, HAIX has refreshed the look and performance of the Trekker Pro 2.0.

Designed from the sole up to provide safety, durability and wearability, high-quality materials and advanced production processes make sure that the boot works with wearer.

The new rubber/PU walking sole unit is said to give firm traction across surfaces, combined with superior bending comfort and excellent insulation, while maintaining high wear-resistance.

The lightweight metal midsole is puncture resistant, and works with the anatomically formed steel toe cap to protect from underfoot hazards and injuries from falling objects.

To find out more, www.rdr.link/pr032

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THE TRADESHOW BUILT FOR THE TRADE PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

TOOLFAIR 2020

POWER TOOLS

•

HAND TOOLS

•

BUILDING EQUIPMENT

All the latest tools, live demos, show specials – all under one roof!

NEXT SHOWS Westpoint Arena, Exeter: Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th April 2020 FOR THE VERY LATEST INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.TOOLFAIR.INFO Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate: Thursday 14th & Friday 15th May 2020 Featuring:

Register for free at www.toolfair.info

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