News

InstallerSHOW hosted a record-breaking event as it opened its doors for the first time at the NEC Birmingham.

The show was double the size of the previous year, with over 300 exhibitors and just under 10,000 visitors, making it the UK’s biggest exhibition for heating, plumbing, electric and renewables professionals.

With changes to the Building Regulations being introduced in June, efficiency and sustainability were some of the key talking points for installers, manufacturers and associations.

During the three-days, Installer hosted a packed schedule of Great Debates on the InstallerPLAZA sponsored by Glow-worm, tackling the themes of hydrogen, heat pumps, heat loss calculations, smart homes, water conservation and more.

The well-attended InstallerTHEATRE focussed on the latest solutions to improve systems, including degassing from IMI Hydronic, VDI 2035 from Elysator, and sessions on low-temperature heating training from the CIPHE.

And new for 2022, the Installing the future. NOW! feature in association with Wolseley, allowed visitors to get hands-on with heat pumps, solar panels, underfloor heating, hydrogen boilers and energy storage.

“It was our pleasure to welcome installers to the NEC for our biggest ever InstallerSHOW,” said Mike Costain, Managing Director of Installer. “It’s an exciting time for the industry as we accelerate to Net Zero, and engineers are on the front line of this transition. We want to help them get hands-on with the latest innovations, learn new techniques and discuss the ideas to help futureproof themselves and their businesses.”

Ian Briggs, heating engineer and owner of IRB Heating added:

“A trip to the InstallerSHOW is well worth it. You’re going to find new technologies, you’re going to find new products, and you can talk to the manufacturers, so if you have any questions, they’ll give you all the information you need.”

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Services at Worcester Bosch, concluded:

“The InstallerSHOW has evolved quite a lot. That’s what I love about the industry, it’s very positive, it doesn’t try to resist changes, and this is the number one trade show.”

InstallerSHOW returns to the NEC Birmingham on 27-29 June 2023. For more info, please visit www.installershow.com

With consumer demand for heat pumps at an all-time high, Panasonic has partnered with Drayton by Schneider Electric to offer its Wiser room-by-room heating control system.

Seamlessly integrating with Panasonic Aquarea Air Source Heat Pumps and the Aquarea Smart Cloud and Service Cloud apps, the Wiser system provides an additional element of energy control and simple home automation.

This new partnership will allow installers of Panasonic’s Aquarea air source heat pumps to offer their customers room-by-room heating control by fitting Wiser with the Aquarea system.

The combination of smart controls will help make homes as energy efficient as possible by bringing different electrical devices under the control of one app, helping homeowners to lower their bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Wiser can be set up in the usual way with the Panasonic Aquarea heat pump, enabling installers to easily create multi-zone systems, where heating is easily remotely controlled room-by-room.

Customers will be able to monitor and easily adjust the heating in each room and via any web-enabled device, including Android and iOS applications and Internet browsers. The app will enable users to eliminate unnecessary heating thanks to Wiser’s smart modes. For example, activating Away Mode when a property is unoccupied helps to reduce energy consumption.

Remi Volpe, Managing Director at Drayton, said: “In order for a Net Zero home to be achieved, different technologies are going to be required to work together to optimise their performance. This is particularly important when it comes to the heating system and this new partnership with Panasonic is one that will enable us to develop Wiser into a full home-automation solution. Phase 1 sees the integration of Wiser with Panasonic’s low carbon Aquarea heat pump, and future phases will see the capabilities of the Wiser Home app expanded to include other Panasonic devices, such as lighting and electrical appliances.”

Richard Bishop, Head of Marketing for UK and Ireland at Panasonic, added: “Here at Panasonic, we place great importance on forging ethical partnerships that align with our core values. This is why we are incredibly excited to be working with Schneider Electric; another manufacturer that is driving change when it comes to low carbon living. This integration will further provide homeowners more control over each room in their homes, as well as additional access to detailed insights, which will enable them to make more informed decisions, at a time when keeping energy usage under control is more important than ever.”

When installed together, heating engineers can easily select Panasonic as a ‘Partner Connection’ within the Wiser Home app, unlocking new Insight capabilities, available exclusively to Panasonic Aquarea heat pump users. Within the dedicated Insights page, homeowners will be able to see the temperatures in each room or individual zone.

Users will benefit from all the features of the Panasonic Smart Cloud App, such as scheduling and access to a detailed breakdown of the system’s energy consumption from 60 minutes to 7 days and ability to schedule the settings to ensure a constant and comfortable temperature throughout. This can help end users compare space utilisation and adjust the system so that energy is not wasted.

For more information on Wiser, visit wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk, and for more information on Panasonic’s Aquarea heat pump, visit aircon.panasonic.eu.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) will open its membership to installers at The Installer Show to offer them a voice in shaping the future of the industry. As an exclusive offer for those registering their interest at the Installer Show, membership of the new Installer category will be free for the rest of 2022, and a 50% discount for 2023. Installers can sign up at the HPA stand, A195.

Recognising the important role the installer will play in transforming Britain’s heating, the HPA seeks to give them influence as the industry embarks on an exciting journey of unprecedented growth. The HPA wants to hear from installers about quality, training, certification, accreditation, competencies, customer service and their perspective on how to ensure the rapid rise in heat pump sales takes place in a way that gives the consumer confidence and affordability. It will also seek to expand its membership benefit offerings to installers following feedback from early-joiners.

The HPA has set up a dedicated forum for Heat Pump installers where they can air their views and help shape the HPA’s policy on a range of key issues affecting the industry.

Welcoming today’s launch, Phil Hurley, Chair of the Heat Pump Association, said:

“Heating installers will play a major role in delivering the transition to heat pumps and mentoring younger installers to become the workforce of the future. Training courses, qualifications, support schemes, apprenticeships, and clear requirements for installers will all feature in creating a high-skill heat pump installer workforce.

“By the end of the decade, 1m heat pump installations per year and a £5bn market could be a very real prospect – but only if we carry and support the installer. The HPA wants to give them a voice and real influence. Today’s 130,000+ heating installers and young people embarking on apprenticeships will make a significant contribution to the Government’s wish to see 480,000 high-skilled jobs powering the Green Industrial Revolution. The HPA wants to give every installer the best chance of playing a part.”

Background
Government has signalled it wishes to phase out new fossil fuel boilers by the mid 2030s, and set a target of 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. The Climate Change Committee says 19 million need to be installed to meet net zero by 2050. A rapid rise in the number of qualified heat pump installers will be needed to meet these goals, with the HPA forecasting a need for 26,000 fully trained competent installers by 2028.

The Installer membership category
The new “HPA Installer Member” category is designed to support heat pump and heating engineers and give them a voice in the development of the industry and Government policy to support it. It will give them a platform to discuss and influence industry matters that impact them, and a chance to get involved and shape HPA policies.

Key Benefits of Installer Membership of the HPA

1. Shape the Future of the Sector and Influence Policy. Each Installer company will have the opportunity to join the dedicated HPA Installer Group. Your voice represented in industry consultations and installer standards policy. Your voice represented in HPA position papers and Government policy advice.
2. Stay informed – Access to Industry Knowledge. Regular newsletters, frequent emails with information on the heat pump market matters, Government consultations, initiatives, etc.
3. Networking Opportunities. Regular HPA Installer Group meetings to share views and build contacts. Invites to exclusive HPA events.
4. Benefits and discounts. Depending on interest levels, a range of benefits and discounts that assist installers on for example, work tools and insurances, will be developed and trailed in the coming months.

Levels of Installer Membership

There are two membership categories – one for companies and one for sole traders.

For sole traders, there is one fee charge regardless of turnover, and the undiscounted rate for 2023 will be £99 per year.

For companies, the membership fees depend on the company turnover and the undiscounted rates for 2023 vary from £450 per year for a company with a turnover of less than £500,000 per year and increasing in stages to £4,500 per year for companies with a turnover of more than £10 million per year.

How to join

There are two ways to join:-

1. At the show. Interested installers can register their interest at the show by going to the HPA Stand, A195where their badge will be scanned. After the show, those who have registered will receive a membership application form together with the HPA Code of Conduct.
2. For those unable to attend the Installer Live show, they will be able to register their interest online at www.heatpumps.org.uk.

Installer Live Special offer

Only those installers who register their interest at the Installer Live Show 21-23 June 2022 will be eligible for special “show” offer on membership fees. Installer Membership Fees will be waived until January 2023, and there will then be a one-off discount of 50% on the 2023 fees (payable January 2023).

Not another accreditation scheme

HPA Installer Membership provides a platform for heat pump Installers voice with the benefits explained here and is not an accreditation scheme. There are no logos or endorsements, minimum qualification criteria, or complicated onsite assessments. We simply ask that Members sign a Code of Conduct committing them to ensure that they are suitably trained and competent for the tasks they undertake.

Training Pathways

The launch of the new Installer Membership category underpins the launch last year of a range of training courses designed to assist installers on their low-carbon journey.

The 2-day CIPHE “Low Temperature and Hot Water Course covers essential skills for efficient heating and applies to all heating technologies. It includes heat loss calculations, hydraulic balancing, pipe and emitter sizing and low flow temperature heating.

For those wishing to upgrade their skills to include heat pumps, the LCL Awards Heat Pump Course consists of a foundation module (2-days) and Individual Technology modules (1 day per technology). HPA Members have capacity to train 40,000 installers per year on the new Heat Pump Foundation and Technology training courses which are now available to book directly from participating manufacturers, which are listed on www.heatpumps.org.uk.

Hot on the heels of this year’s trip to Mauritius, registrations for the ever-popular Glow-worm Mystery Trip 2023 are now open.

Back for its fourth year, the Glow-worm Mystery Trip 2023 will see 40 lucky Glow-worm Club Energy installers (and their partners) secure a place on a trip of a lifetime to a top-secret destination. Previous trips have included Vietnam, Mauritius and Mexico, and the next location is set to be just as spectacular.

Entry for the Mystery Trip is simple, installers just need to sign up to Glow-worm’s loyalty programme, Club Energy. Then over the next 12 months, every eligible Glow-worm product they install and register will earn points towards their target.

And to make sure everyone has the opportunity to secure their place, every Glow-worm Club Energy member who registers for the Mystery Trip will receive a personalised target, meaning it really is all to play for.

In addition, this year Glow-worm is offering additional prizes that can be won as installers navigate their way through the different prize stages until they hit their target and reach the ‘Mystery Trip red zone’ – so there’s lots of incentives along the way.

Spencer Clark, Commercial Director for UK & Ireland at Glow-worm said: “The Mystery Trip is growing in popularity each year and is open to all Glow-worm Club Energy installers, No matter what size of business and how many installations they can carry out per year, everyone gets an individual target to ensure they are competing amongst similar installer businesses.

“Having already taken installers and their partners to both Vietnam and Mauritius, we’re really looking forward to the 2022 trip taking place in November to Mexico.  With so much buzz surrounding the Mystery Trip, we’re delighted to once again open registrations to the 2023 Trip, and while the destination is a secret, I will say it promises to be bigger and better than anything we’ve done before.”

Not only does Glow-worm offer installers a chance to secure a pair of tickets to some of the world’s greatest destinations, but as a member of Club Energy you can join the Glow-worm Academy for industry-leading training and support.

To register your place, please visit: www.glow-worm.co.uk/MysteryTrip

The team at Worcester Bosch are delighted to be hosting a number of live training sessions on their stand B181 at InstallerSHOW.

Programme schedule:

11:00-11:30
Excelerate Business Support including Finance

During this session, you will get an overview of our Excelerate Loyalty Program highlighting all of the installer benefits including an introduction to our unique free of charge Business development Manager marketing consultations. You will also be given an introduction to our Installer consumer credit options from our very own Business Finance Manager.

12:00-12:30
Net Zero Home Heating

The heating industry has a key role in the UK in achieving Net Zero by 2050 as collectively we are responsible for 20% of all carbon emissions. This seminar will show how the industry can make this change through diversification, upskilling and with the help of technology such as Heat Pumps and Hydrogen can transition to a net zero future.

13:00-13:30
Introduction to Heat Pumps

Introduction to Worcester Bosch Heat Pump range including installation practices and considerations.

14:00-14:30
Optimising Heat Pumps in Commercial Systems

We will look at how to integrate low carbon ASHPs into commercial systems, communal heat networks and hybrid systems. How can we optimise these systems with low temperature heat pumps, alongside other technologies, from existing gas boilers to heat interface units (HIUs).

15:00-15:30
Achieving Net Zero with your existing Housing Stock

During this session, you will be given an insight into the challenges the Social Housing and Local Authority Sector will be facing by trying to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

We can’t wait to see you onsite!

This year at InstallerSHOW, there’s tonnes of reasons to visit the Drayton stand, from exciting new product launches that will help installers tackle industry challenges like system balancing, through to support and advice about the latest legislation updates as we move towards carbon-neutral heating.

Between the 21st and 23rd June at the NEC in Birmingham, Drayton will be unveiling its latest product development, the Auto-balancing TRV. Designed to make system balancing easier than ever, a practice that is going to become key in the next few years, the new auto-balancing technology that has been incorporated into the popular TRV4 and RT414 models will offer a permanent balancing solution to avoid unnecessary call backs later down the line. Installers can learn more about how this technology works and how to use the handy calculator tool for the best results.

Also on stand will be Drayton’s new Digistat, which combines the ease of a programmable thermostat with app control via Bluetooth. As well as being able to get a closer look at the sleek universal thermostat and how it can benefit their customers, installers will also have the chance to win themselves a range of prizes on the rugby throw challenge.

Installers can also familiarise themselves with Drayton’s award-winning smart, multi-room Wiser heating system. This includes a first look at new products in the Wiser range, the new Electrical Heat Switch and Underfloor Heating controller, which expand the system to be suitable for complete home heating and mixed systems.

On top of all of this, at 3.30pm on the Tuesday and Wednesday, installers will be invited to join Drayton’s free training sessions on the stand. As well as getting face-time with Drayton’s team of experts, who will be on hand to answer any questions about industry changes, best practices and new technologies, installers can also enjoy a beer whilst they learn.

Clare Stevens, Trade Marketing Manager at Drayton, commented: “We are beyond excited to be attending this year’s InstallerSHOW and getting to see installers face-to-face again. Not only will we be showcasing our popular go-to products, but we’ll also be giving installers a first-look at some of our exciting new launches, with the opportunity to get face-time with our team of technical product managers who can answer any questions. We know that this year, installers are being challenged by their customers more than ever before to help improve the efficiency of their heating systems, which is why we’re placing such a large focus on offering advice and support on how they can achieve this.”

For more information on Drayton and its range of heating controls, visit www.draytoncontrols.co.uk.

InstallerSHOW is taking place from 21st-23rd June at the NEC in Birmingham.

For your free ticket to InstallerSHOW visit: installer-2022.reg.buzz

This year at InstallerSHOW, Spirotech is giving heating engineers the chance to become the first to register for its new Approved Installer scheme, as well as an exclusive look at the latest product launches including its new heat pump package.

Spirotech’s new Approved Installer scheme is designed to help installers fitting the SprioVent RV2 and SpiroTrap MB3 in domestic properties to benefit from new leads this winter. By signing up, eligible installers will have their business information listed on the new ‘Find an Installer’ section of Spirotech’s Better Heating website launching this heating season, which will allow homeowners to find and contact the nearest engineer in their area.

As well as benefitting from additional enquiries, Approved Installers will receive perks such as free branded workwear and merchandise,  such as demo jars that show the MB3 magnet working on dirty water, and will also be the first to hear about Spirotech training dates and product launches.

Also at the event, Spirotech will be unveiling its latest products for the domestic and light commercial market. Focusing on low-carbon heating systems as more heating engineers up-skill to make renewables part of their offering, installers will get a first look at Spirotech’s new heat pump package solution. Including a new expansion vessel suitable for the low temperatures used with this type of system, the package is designed to keep heat pump systems working at their best.

Rob Jacques,  Business  Director UK at Spirotech, commented: “Interest in efficiency-improving, energy-saving solutions such as deaerators and dirt separators is higher than ever amongst homeowners. Since its launch, Better Heating has been a hub of information for consumers and now we’re developing this a step further by connecting them with trusted installers that can fit these products.

“We know that so many installers are already advocates of Spirotech, and we’re excited to be giving something back to them with our new Approved Installer scheme, both through leads as well as the other additional benefits of registering.”

For more information about Spirotech’s range of deaerators and dirt separators, visit www.spirotech.com, or to take a look at Better Heating visit www.betterheating.co.uk.  

InstallerSHOW is taking place from 21st-23rd June at the NEC in Birmingham.

For your free ticket to InstallerSHOW visit: installer-2022.reg.buzz

Visitors on the Bristan stand at this year’s InstallerSHOW will be the first to have an exclusive look at new products, as well as take part in competitions, challenges and opportunities to meet Bristan’s On Tap team of installer ambassadors.

Visitors to stand B161 will have the chance to win prizes by taking on the Bristan experts in a speed challenge featuring Easyfit kitchen taps with prizes to be won. Alongside giveaways, Bristan will also be offering installers the opportunity to get a first look at some of its upcoming products.

For visitors visiting the show on the first day, Bristan’s On Tap ambassadors will be on stand to chat to installers, give product demonstrations and share their expert knowledge of the Bristan range. Alongside showcasing two showers from the black range which will be launched later this year, the Bristan team are partnering with Showerwall to bring the display to life.

Caroline Maddox, Customer Experience Architect at Bristan, said: “We always look forward to attending the Installer Show and meeting the installers who use our products on a regular basis, as well as those who are new to our brand. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show off our new and current products, allow installers to really understand them and have some fun by giving them a challenge too!

“Alongside the fun, our Customer Experience team will be available in The Listening Hub ready to hear installers feedback on products, to learn about their purchasing experiences and really understand what the installer wants to see from us. It will also be the first time our fantastic On Tap team will be able to meet their fellow installers at a trade show and they’re excited to chat to visitors about all things Bristan and the surrounding industry.”

For more information, visit: www.bristan.com.

The leading manufacturer of water saving flow regulators and aerators, Neoperl UK, is giving away an iPad Air at the Installer Show this year.  Visitors to stand H142, will be invited to enter a competition by guessing the number of Flow Regulators they are displaying in a cube on the stand.

Neoperl UK will also be running a demonstration rig showing how water can be saved by retro fitting one of their Pressure Compensating Aerators (PCA) or flow regulators to bathroom and kitchen taps and valve showers.

It’s estimated that 34% of all water used in the home is through showering and bathing and here’s where the fitting of a flow regulator or PCA can help. Today these small devices can be retrofitted and inserted at the end of a tap spout or upstream of the shower outlet, to reduce and regulate the water flow. A standard shower will produce around 18 litres of water a minute and yet an equally comfortable shower is possible from a shower head delivering around 12 litres of water. If one considers a 7-minute shower a day that’s over 15,000 litres of water saved by one person in a year. Add to that the savings that can be made by reducing the flow in bathroom and cloakroom taps, which are often just used for cleaning teeth and hands and the savings really add up. And using less water results in saving the energy used to heat it too!

A clever little flow regulator device is technically engineered and has an integral dynamic control ring (DCR) at its core. As water flows through it and as the pressure fluctuates the DCR deforms into the core of the flow regulator, either reducing or increasing the size of the orifice, to enable a stable and constant flow, independent of pressure. To retro fit a flow regulator or PCA can be an easy job for a plumber, they simply need to obtain the right advice as to which product to fit to retain adequate performance and they need to purchase a simple tool to fit it. A quick simple fix to help save water and the environment. Neoperl UK is a huge manufacturer of these devices and whilst they manufacture many different types and sizes, they advise that most UK taps and showers are compatible with just a handful of models.

For your free ticket to InstallerSHOW visit: installer-2022.reg.buzz

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) will open its membership to installers at The Installer Show to offer them a voice in shaping the future of the industry.

As an exclusive offer for those registering their interest at InstallerSHOW, membership of the new Installer category will be free for the rest of 2022, and a 50% discount for 2023. Installers can sign up at the HPA stand, A195.

Recognising the important role the installer will play in transforming Britain’s heating, the HPA seeks to give them influence as the industry embarks on an exciting journey of unprecedented growth. The HPA wants to hear from installers about quality, training, certification, accreditation, competencies, customer service and their perspective on how to ensure the rapid rise in heat pump sales takes place in a way that gives the consumer confidence and affordability. It will also seek to expand its membership benefit offerings to installers following feedback from early-joiners.

The HPA has set up a dedicated forum for Heat Pump installers where they can air their views and help shape the HPA’s policy on a range of key issues affecting the industry.

Welcoming today’s launch, Phil Hurley, Chair of the Heat Pump Association, said:

“Heating installers will play a major role in delivering the transition to heat pumps and mentoring younger installers to become the workforce of the future. Training courses, qualifications, support schemes, apprenticeships, and clear requirements for installers will all feature in creating a high-skill heat pump installer workforce.

“By the end of the decade, 1m heat pump installations per year and a £5bn market could be a very real prospect – but only if we carry and support the installer. The HPA wants to give them a voice and real influence. Today’s 130,000+ heating installers and young people embarking on apprenticeships will make a significant contribution to the Government’s wish to see 480,000 high-skilled jobs powering the Green Industrial Revolution. The HPA wants to give every installer the best chance of playing a part.”

Background
Government has signalled it wishes to phase out new fossil fuel boilers by the mid 2030s, and set a target of 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. The Climate Change Committee says 19 million need to be installed to meet net zero by 2050. A rapid rise in the number of qualified heat pump installers will be needed to meet these goals, with the HPA forecasting a need for 26,000 fully trained competent installers by 2028.

The Installer membership category
The new “HPA Installer Member” category is designed to support heat pump and heating engineers and give them a voice in the development of the industry and Government policy to support it. It will give them a platform to discuss and influence industry matters that impact them, and a chance to get involved and shape HPA policies.

Key Benefits of Installer Membership of the HPA

Shape the Future of the Sector and Influence Policy – each Installer company will have the opportunity to join the dedicated HPA Installer Group. Your voice represented in industry consultations and installer standards policy. Your voice represented in HPA position papers and Government policy advice.

Stay informed – access to Industry Knowledge. Regular newsletters, frequent emails with information on the heat pump market matters, Government consultations, initiatives, etc.

Networking Opportunities – regular HPA Installer Group meetings to share views and build contacts. Invites to exclusive HPA events.

Benefits and discounts – depending on interest levels, a range of benefits and discounts that assist installers on for example, work tools and insurances, will be developed and trailed in the coming months.

Levels of Installer Membership

There are two membership categories – one for companies and one for sole traders.

For sole traders, there is one fee charge regardless of turnover, and the undiscounted rate for 2023 will be £99 per year.

For companies, the membership fees depend on the company turnover and the undiscounted rates for 2023 vary from £450 per year for a company with a turnover of less than £500,000 per year and increasing in stages to £4,500 per year for companies with a turnover of more than £10 million per year.

How to join

There are two ways to join:-

At the show. Interested installers can register their interest at the show by going to the HPA Stand, A195where their badge will be scanned. After the show, those who have registered will receive a membership application form together with the HPA Code of Conduct.

For those unable to attend the Installer Live show, they will be able to register their interest online at www.heatpumps.org.uk.
Installer Live Special offer

Only those installers who register their interest at the Installer Live Show 21-23 June 2022 will be eligible for special “show” offer on membership fees. Installer Membership Fees will be waived until January 2023, and there will then be a one-off discount of 50% on the 2023 fees (payable January 2023).

Not another accreditation scheme

HPA Installer Membership provides a platform for heat pump Installers voice with the benefits explained here and is not an accreditation scheme. There are no logos or endorsements, minimum qualification criteria, or complicated onsite assessments. We simply ask that Members sign a Code of Conduct committing them to ensure that they are suitably trained and competent for the tasks they undertake.

Training Pathways

The launch of the new Installer Membership category underpins the launch last year of a range of training courses designed to assist installers on their low-carbon journey.

The 2-day CIPHE “Low Temperature and Hot Water Course covers essential skills for efficient heating and applies to all heating technologies. It includes heat loss calculations, hydraulic balancing, pipe and emitter sizing and low flow temperature heating.

For those wishing to upgrade their skills to include heat pumps, the LCL Awards Heat Pump Course consists of a foundation module (2-days) and Individual Technology modules (1 day per technology). HPA Members have capacity to train 40,000 installers per year on the new Heat Pump Foundation and Technology training courses which are now available to book directly from participating manufacturers, which are listed on www.heatpumps.org.uk.