Archive for May, 2022

UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill explains why the government’s commitment to reducing water waste with a mandatory water label is an opportunity for installers

The Government is committed to supporting water-efficient homes, as part of its 25-year Environment Plan to achieve clean and plentiful water.

Among the raft of measures being considered is a commitment to introduce a mandatory water efficiency label to inform consumers and encourage the purchase of more water-efficient products for both domestic and business use.

This is good news for installers, as well as the environment, as the Unified Water Label is already established in the KBB market place, offering installers the opportunity to advise consumers on performance aspects, compatibility issues and helping consumers make the right choices for their water systems and lifestyle

The Unified Water Label is tried and tested in the market place.  It is robust and meets all the demands of the environmental bill.  It has been developed by the industry, and is used extensively to identify water use of bathroom products.  In the first half of 2021, over 28,000 visitors have used the water calculator and since its development over 10 years ago over 150,000 projects have been calculated.

With the support of the industry we can continue to work collectively towards a common goal, and with government support we can make the Unified Water Label the mandatory solution that works for the industry and the consumer.

It is important that the industry gets behind the Unified Water Label to demonstrate the strength and success of our own label.  Should the government choose to develop its own label, this could come with minimum standards, which would bring significant challenges.

Introducing minimum standards would limit  consumer choice and  we are likely to see complexities arising from different water pressures and drainage issues, which will in turn  lead to consumer dissatisfaction, resulting in many potentially loss making call outs for installers and plumbers.

The Unified Water Label does not just provide information on water efficiency but associated energy use, something that the government also wishes to address.

We hope that installers will continue to work with us, using their unique position to take up this challenge with us, to influence and educate consumers on the options available, and promote products that are UWL registered.

Find out more and how to become involved by supporting the Unified Water Label here.

Tickets for InstallerSHOW are FREE. Register for yours here -> https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/news

Global bathroom manufacturer Roca will be exhibiting at The Installer Show for the first time this year. The event is the UK’s biggest heating, plumbing and electrical show for installers and takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 21-23 June 2022. The Roca team will be available on Stand A141 to share the brand’s latest product innovations as well as showing visitors these products in action.

“The Installer Show has continued to grow over the last few years’ and we are delighted to be exhibiting at their biggest show yet,” comments Natalie Bird, Roca Brand Marketing Manager. “At Installer 2022, visitors will be able to see a great range of products from Roca that fit all of their customer’s design preferences as well as their budgets – contemporary or traditional, expensive luxury or affordable, Roca has the product for every bathroom. We are looking forward to showing installers what we can offer them and how Roca can help with their projects.”

Key product highlights on the stand will include:

The Gap D-Trit: this innovative new WC features an integrated and concealed waste macerator that services a complete bathroom if there is no suitable plumbing system or suitable soil stack nearby. Its stylish appearance, quiet operation and four inlet design make it a must for renovations, conversions or tricky installation jobs.

Mark Winfield, Senior Product Manager at Roca, says, “Homeowners are adding more space to their homes with loft and basement conversions as well creating garden offices and annexes. It means that they are looking for solutions for these additional bathrooms and The Gap D-Trit is the perfect choice. It is a complete solution for spaces that could be challenging for installing a WC and we are excited to see what installers at the show think.”

Roca In-Wash® In-Tank®: it is the only toilet on the market that does not require a separate cistern, as the water tank is integrated into the WC. This takes the hassle out of the installation, with greater flexibility on where the In-Wash® In-Tank® can be installed even in tricky or compact areas where there is no space for a frame or a cistern, like under a window. It also offers a projection saving of up to 20cm and saves time compared to installing a concealed cistern, due to the minimal masonry disruption. Installers will also be able to see a working demo on the stand.

Roca Smart Shower: The Smart Shower can be controlled via an app allowing users to activate functions remotely but also help them monitor energy and water usage. It has a sleek, simple interface allowing up to three users to pre-set their desired settings including shower duration, maximum temperature and flow rates. There is also a self-cleaning function that helps to remove limescale, making cleaning and maintenance even easier. Installation is also simple as the Smart Shower is similar to that of a conventional shower, the only difference is the power source and the mixer body requiring a minimum distance from water outlets.

The stand will also feature stand out products from the Tenet furniture collection and Cratos shower trays, which feature Roca’s innovative Senceramic® material as we well as examples of Roca’s extensive coloured brassware, installation frames and the beautiful Ohtake basin. Visitors will also see Roca’s newest range the exciting Ona collection, with brassware and basins on display.

Tickets for InstallerSHOW are FREE. Register for yours here -> https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/news

Wolseley and InstallerSHOW have teamed up to host the first ever Installing the Future. NOW!, taking place at the NEC from 21-23 June 2022.

Delivered by InstallerSHOW in association with Wolseley and their partners, Installing the Future. NOW! is designed to give installers a practical understanding of heat, biomass and hydrogen boilers, solar panels and energy storage.

Visitors will be able to see how these products are fitted, how they can be integrated into existing systems, and what the benefits are for their customers and their business. Decision-makers in heat, water, air, and energy will gain a practical understanding of the capabilities of these technologies, how they can be scaled in terms of installation size and complexity, and how they can provide energy savings.

A comprehensive programme will run throughout the 3-day event delivering insightful sessions on:

– Solar PV: What installers need to know
– Installing an EV chargepoint
– A guide to air source heat pump installation
– How to install thermal storage technologies

And much more. The full programme can be found here: Installing the future. NOW! – Installer Show

Richard Harvey, Commercial Director, Plumbing & Heating at Wolseley commented: “This is the first time UK installers will be given a chance to get hands-on with all the latest products, get practical installation guidance for heat pumps, hydrogen boilers, underfloor heating, solar panels, and energy storage. A survey we recently conducted indicates that 3/4 of installers will be seeking to expand their services to include renewables, 83% of those choosing to transition into air source heat pumps. This further highlights the need to give installers the advice they need to make this transition”.

Michael Costain, Managing Director of Lyrical Communications, added: “We are delighted to be hosting this industry first with Wolseley and their partners. We’ve long been passionate about working with the industry to take the practical steps necessary to achieve net zero. The time for blue sky thinking has gone, and this showcase will demonstrate the actions that can be taken NOW for a better future. We’re excited to see the positive outcomes from this event”.

Other leading manufacturers and suppliers participating at Installing the Future. NOW! include Mitsubishi Electric, Worcester Bosch, Solaredge, and Sunamp.

Visitors and press can register to attend the show free here: https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/news

BEAMA, the UK Trade Association for manufacturers of energy technologies and systems, are hosting the Net Zero by Design Theatre at InstallerSHOW this year. Join their panels of experts to get in-depth understanding of the reality of Net Zero Delivery today.

BEAMA are proud to be hosting their Net Zero by Design Theatre at this year’s InstallerSHOW, working with elemental, this Theatre will showcase the work BEAMA is doing with its members and wider stakeholders on Net Zero delivery for the housing sector.

Download BEAMA’s Net Zero by Design report series here – ‘Our vision for a zero carbon home and how we get there’

Never has it been more urgent to address energy efficiency, energy management and efficient low carbon heating in UK homes.  With the rise of energy prices and the impact this is having on consumers, simple measures today can have a huge impact on reducing customer energy bills while preparing homes for Net Zero.

We know Net Zero by 2050 will not be met in the UK if we don’t urgently address the efficiency of both new and existing homes. This is made clear by the Committee on Climate Change and UK Government have set out their ambition in the recent Heat and Buildings Strategy.

UK Building regulations are about to change and this is taking us a step forward, but is this enough and how will these new requirements be delivered? Can the UK hit delivery targets for Heat Pump Installations, and where is the capacity for storage in UK homes going to come from? These are some of the questions we aim to address during the 3-day show.

While there are huge benefits for consumers, this isn’t always fully understood and Net Zero will mean big changes for installers, developers, housing owners and manufacturers.  We look forward to discussing much of this with industry and government throughout the show and invite all attendees to join us at this pivotal time in our sector’s history.

See the BEAMA Net Zero by Design theatre line-up here. 

Tickets for InstallerSHOW are FREE. Register for yours here -> https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/news

Award winning clean technology firm Aceleron will be bringing their newly launched, world first, circular economy energy storage system, Offgen to the InstallerSHOW.

Offgen’s unique and patented design means that each individual part, right down to a single cell can be accessed for repair, upgrade and maintenance, with removed parts eligible for repurposing or recycling.

With boilers being phased out from 2025, Offgen works with renewable technology such as solar PV and heat pumps to provide a reliable power supply in a domestic or light commercial setting.

Installers will benefit from:

● Easy installation (indoor or outdoor)
● The opportunity to build repeat business by returning to customers for service, repair and upgrade over time
● Being one of the first to learn about this innovative new energy storage product
● Contributing to reducing a building’s emissions and reducing waste

The Offgen is modular and scalable, growing with the households’ increased energy requirements. It also has in-built remote monitoring capabilities, allowing the end user and installer to check the input and output from a distance.

Thanks to the design, it has a potentially endless lifespan which will keep long-term costs down and is much kinder to the environment. It has the flexibility to work with the grid, exchanging renewable energy to meet demand or can be used in an off-grid setting.

Carlton Cummins, CTO and co-founder of Aceleron said: ‘We are really proud of Aceleron’s Offgen as it will change the way we heat and power our homes in the very near future.

“The team is really looking forward to showing installers how easy it is to install and maintain for their customers.”

Visitors to InstallerSHOW 2022 can see Offgen for themselves and find out more by visiting Aceleron on stand A188 from 21 – 23 June 2022.

Visit Aceleron

Register to attend.

Sevadis is one of the sponsors of the Installing the Future. Now! feature at InstallerSHOW from 21st to 23rd June at the NEC. Ahead of the event, we spoke to the company’s Sultana Rahman to find out about its product range, what it will be talking about at the event and why the future is electric.

Have you seen a growing interest in EVs, from both installers and end-users? 

There is undoubtedly a growing interest in electric vehicles amongst the general public for many reasons; greater savings in the long run, increasing confidence in range, more models on the market and of course, the fact that driving an EV is more sustainable for the environment we live in. 

With the increase in interest for cleaner and greener vehicles, there is also a growing demand for electric vehicle charging points – something that installers of all shapes and sizes are benefiting from. What we’re finding is that installers across the UK are diversifying their portfolios by offering EV chargepoint installations to their domestic and commercial clients. Installers play a crucial role in the roll-out of the nation’s electric vehicle charging network and it’s certainly encouraging to see more and more installers join the green revolution by offering an important service for the future of electrified transport.  

You’re sponsoring our Installing the Future. NOW! part of the show, can you tell us why Sevadis believes this type of practical information is so important? 

Electric vehicle charging is still relatively a new industry, it’s only in recent years that the UK government has invested into the installation of charging stations for both private and public use. Showcasing and demonstrating our EV charging solutions at the InstallerSHOW not only provides installers with an insight into how easy chargepoint installations can be, but it also provides installers with the education to feel confident in including chargepoint installations as part of their services to their clients.  

Information is always important, there is never ‘too much information,’ particularly in an ever-growing and ever-evolving industry! 

What types of questions do installers usually ask you about EV charging? 

There are a number of questions that installers ask and rightly so, this is a new industry with various products entering the market to cater for numerous demands.  

Common questions include:  

• Is the charger easy to install?  
• Is the charger equipped with built-in PME fault detection?  
• Does the charger provide dynamic load balancing capabilities? 
• Does the charger have smart charging capabilities? 
• Is the charger applicable for OZEV grant funding?  
• How can my commercial clients generate additional revenue from their chargers?  
• How can I as an installer benefit from offering an EV chargepoint installation service?  

The list does go on and as mentioned earlier, the industry is relatively new, therefore there really is a range of questions asked; from technical questions to how to sell the chargers to their clients. 

As leaders in providing EV charging solutions to the domestic, commercial and fleet markets, it is our responsibility to ensure installers are up-to-date with new regulations and legislation, as well as broader EV charging information. At Sevadis, no question goes unanswered, we have an experienced team of individuals with 15 years of collective experience in the EV industry.  

Who can install your products? 

Any competent installer can install our EV charging products; we do advise that the installer is Sevadis Approved, this way, installers can access informative training facilities, marketing support and guidance on their projects. For those who wish to install our EV charging points under the OZEV grants, installers must register to be an approved OZEV installer. 

What Sevadis products will visitors to InstallerSHOW be able to see? 

Sevadis will be showcasing the increasingly popular MaxiCharger. The MaxiCharger is perfectly suited for both domestic and commercial requirements, available in single phase and three phase, complete with built-in PME fault detection, integrated dynamic load balancing, OCPP compliant and available in socketed and tethered versions.  

The MaxiCharger is also available in a pillar format, providing a unique 2way solution for businesses and organisations offering charging facilities to staff, visitors and customers.  

The MaxiCharger offers charging outputs of 7.4kW, 11kW and 22kW.  

For businesses seeking to generate additional revenue with their charging points, the MaxiCharger offers a pay-to-charge solution either via the Sevadis Cloud smart-back office management system, or any OCPP compliant back-office solution on the market. 

Complete with the ability to activate charging using a mobile phone and/or RFID, the MaxiCharger provides electric vehicle drivers with a simple, straightforward and seamless charging experience. 

Can you tell us about MaxiCharger and why it’s the perfect solution for developments? 

The MaxiCharger is the ideal charging point for both housing and commercial developments as it offers a compliant, smart and easy-to-use and install solution for the growing EV market. With its universal socket, the MaxiCharger offers a charging system compatible with all EVs and PHEVs currently available on the market.  

With its built-in PME fault detection system, installers and developers can benefit from an easy and safe installation process, without the need for earth electrodes/rods.  

Whether the development requires charging solutions wall-mounted onto the property itself or a free-standing solution, the MaxiCharger provides the flexibility to cater for all locations and requirements.  

As more and more landlords of apartment buildings seek to offer EV charging facilities to their tenants, Sevadis understands the demand for communal EV charging solutions. Where communal EV charging is required at apartment car parks, the MaxiCharger is equipped with the capability to offer charging for multiple drivers and driver groups, whilst also offering a diverse range of ways to bill users on the usage of the charging points. 

The MaxiCharger is also complete with Dynamic Load Balancing which ensures that the electric vehicles are charged safely without exceeding the site’s overall electricity supply. Dynamic load balancing takes into consideration the site’s supply whilst charging the electric vehicles efficiently on restricted supplies.  

You’re also speaking in the elemental theatre, in a panel session about the rollout of EV chargepoints. How can Sevadis help social landlords looking to install these for their tenants? 

Luckily, social housing landlords are now eligible for OZEV grant funding towards the purchase and installation of their charging points, benefitting from up £350 grant funding per socket (there is no limit to the number of charging sockets per property, however applicants can only submit 200 grant funding applications per year).  

Sevadis can support with the above, whilst also working with the social housing provider from project conception to completion. Social housing providers can benefit from a dedicated account manager who will work closely with the chargepoint operator to understand the requirements for the property.  

Whether the social housing provider requires a wall-mounted floor-standing solution, a dedicated chargepoint per house or communal EV charging, the MaxiCharger can cater for each individual requirement.  

What do building owners, whether that’s residential or commercial buildings, need to consider when weighing up EV charging options? 

When taking EV charging into consideration, building owners will need to consider the following:  

• Their electrical supply  
• Taking the above into consideration, how many charging points are required  
• Whether the charging points are for individual properties, or for communal car parks 
• How they wish to bill users for the usage of charging points  
• Do they have plans to increase the number of chargers on-site  
• Will they be taking advantage of the OZEV grant funding available to them  
• How do they wish to monitor chargepoint usage, consumption and any additional data  

And is there a solution for those properties that don’t have off-street parking? 

Absolutely. New developments are now considering communal EV charging locations to cater for the growing number of EV drivers on the roads. Communal charging at a designated car park is a great way to offer EV charging to those who do not have the facilities to recharge their vehicles at their property.  

What’s next for Sevadis (eg new products) and EV charging more generally? (eg trends etc) 

Well, that would be telling! At Sevadis, we are continuously working on innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We are a company with experience and the know-how, as well as the understanding that technology is in a constant state of evolution. Nothing is off the cards. We are currently working behind the scenes on some exciting developments, some of which will further support the housing development market.  

The industry continues to expand exponentially. What you can expect is that more and more chargers for the general EV driving public to use, particularly after the government announced a further £620m investment into electric vehicle charging points and grants.   

We’re seeing many energy companies, leasing providers, OEMs and industries alike introduce charging points as part of their solutions for their customers. This in itself presents ample opportunities for installers across the UK. With this in mind, expect to see domestic charging points on homes more so now than ever before, not to mention the mandatory requirements for EV charging points at new housing and commercial developments. 

The future is bright, the future is electric! 

For your free ticket to InstallerSHOW visit:  https://installer-2022-visitor.reg.buzz/news

Mira Showers are delighted to be exhibiting at InstallerSHOW 2022 at the NEC this year!

At the forefront of showering innovation for over 100 years Mira will be exhibiting their latest in Digital Showering technology; The Mira Activate range.

WATCH: The installation overview

 

Designed specifically for ease and simplicity of installation but also packed with latest connected technology and features for your customers.

Plus, you can earn points and rewards when you register with with the Mira installer loyalty scheme InstallerPRO.

Easy to Install, Easy to Retrofit and backed with a 5 year manufacturer guarantee.

Join Mira on stand K151 to learn more.

See the InstallerPRO overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjMYQa_K6PE

 

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched a free pipework specification tool to address growing concerns about the way products are selected for construction and engineering projects.

The BESA Pipe Plus app provides designers, contractors, consultants, and specifiers with technical guidance to help them identify the most suitable metal pipework solution for their specific applications and ensure they are referring to the latest relevant technical standards and best practice.

The app is free of charge and was developed by the Association’s Pipework Group, in partnership with the British Metal Tubes and Fittings Association (BMTFA). The collaborative exercise brought together manufacturers’ technical expertise, distributors’ understanding of poor specifications, and installers concerned about reducing risks associated with poor or incorrect product selection.

All aspects of pipe specification are covered for construction and building engineering projects, including guidance on all relevant materials such carbon steel, stainless steel, and copper, and the appropriate jointing options, as a function of temperature and pressure.

The BESA Pipe Plus App is available from all regular app stores including Apple, Google etc.

 

Don’t miss the BESA Theatre at InstallerSHOW

BESA has partnered with elemental UK and InstallerSHOW to bring its industry knowledge to the InstallerSHOW audience and will be hosting informative in-person sessions at the BESA Theatre across the show.

The BESA Theatre will be home to a selection of sessions, aimed at building engineers and those seeking to further their professional knowledge, enhance their skills and ensure they remain fully qualified and competent in an environment of fast-moving changes and directives.

 

 

 

Grant UK will have its largest ever exhibition stand at this year’s InstallerSHOW.

You will find the Grant Team at Stand C131 which will feature Grant’s full range of renewable package heating solutions on display as well as giveaways and Guinness too!

Alongside product displays of the Aerona³ air source heat pump range, QR hot water cylinder range, underfloor heating range and Afinia radiator range, lots of the Grant Team will be on the stand all three days to help heating engineers and installers with any enquiries they may have.

Grant UK will also be giving visitors the chance to win prizes and take away goodies from the stand as well. One big highlight will be its Guinness bar and visitors will be invited to come to Stand C131 to pour themselves a pint and attempt to create a shamrock to complete their Guinness! The best pints will be photographed and displayed on a Guinness Wall of Fame and each day an Apple HomePod Mini will be given away to the person who pours the best shamrock! The Grant Team will also be handing out branded bags containing freebies so there will be lots to see and do on Grant UK’s stand.

“We are really excited about our return to InstallerSHOW,” says Anna Wakefield, Head of Marketing at Grant UK.
“It has been over two years since our last show so all of us here are looking forward to three busy days at the NEC. We are expecting our Guinness bar and competition to be popular and we look forward to seeing everyone’s artistic pouring skills while attempting to create the best shamrocks! Our stand will also be home to plenty of products on display with our Sales, Design and Technical team members on hand to chat with installers and discuss our products and support services.”

You can visit Grant UK at InstallerSHOW 2022 at Stand C131.