PHPI is an essential trade magazine for the plumbing and heating industry, providing key industry insight on products, news and services.
We delve in to the January issue to see what trends and new developments might be influencing your customers.
Kicking of the first issue of 2019 for PHPI, we take a look at the magazine’s Heating & Renewables feature which gets underway with Worcester Bosch discussing the importance of boiler spares. A healthy stock of boiler spares is important for any merchant and, when it comes to Worcester Bosch, the firm explains how its ‘mySpares’ website and app enable trade customers to search for the local merchants that stock Worcester-branded spares.
Next up is Danfoss which takes PHPI’s readers through a myth-busting mission on the latest domestic heating controls. With so many heating control options now populating the heating market, merchant staff will have to ensure their knowledge is up on the different features that are available.
Danfoss confirms that heating controls with automatic on/off functions are one of the best ways homeowners can save on their energy bills. The company also highlights the benefits of controls that allow each individual room to have a set temperature, therefore, not wasting energy on empty rooms. With smart options also available that include room sensors and wireless programming, it really is important to stay abreast of these technological developments.
Also making an appearance is Spirotech with the launch of its TUR100 Insulation Sets. Designed to improve performance and efficiency by preventing heat escaping from a system, it can be used on its brass filters.
Featuring a jacket design, they are said to require little maintenance and work autonomously to consistently retain heat within a system, therefore, saving energy and reducing operational costs. The sets can be fitted onto the SpiroTrap MB3, SpiroTrap MBC1 and SpiroVent RV2.
Rounding off this Heating & Renewables feature is the Inta transparent push-fit connector for underfloor heating manifolds. Part of the PresBloc product range, the connector enables installers to be certain it is properly in place and secure before it is switched on and pressure tested, avoiding leaks. Designed as a universal fitting, it can be used with any manifold — including polymer, stainless steel and brass.
Up next is the Plumbing & Bathrooms feature which showcases Bristan’s first ever kitchen sink range, specifically designed to make life easier for installers. The range features its Easyfit base, already pre-installed, alongside pre-fitted flexi tails.
The sink collection includes four designs — the Glacier, Ingot, Quartz and Index & Inox — as well as offering 28 variations across eight ranges which includes glass, composite quartz and stainless-steel finishes.
The Plumbing & Bathrooms feature takes us on to UltraTileFix next and its ProSuper Grip acrylic wall tile adhesive. The product has been specifically formulated for its non-slip, high grab properties which is said to allow for the speedy application of standard and large format tiles.
Suitable for intermittently wet areas such as domestic showers, kitchens and bathrooms, it boasts an anti-fungal additive which prevents the build-up of mould. With a wide variety of adhesives available it is paramount merchant staff are aware of the benefits each can provide when talking to customers.
When it comes to on-site clothing, safety is important to any trades professional so stocking a range of appropriate workwear can ensure customers stay compliant when working on site. Here, Dickies Workwear provides tips on what to look out for when shopping for safety boots and this includes areas such as heat protection, anti-penetration as well as steel toecaps.
Comfort will also be top of any trade professionals list when it comes to footwear and Dickies advises looking for shoes that provide padded uppers and cushioned footbeds. The workwear provider suggests its Medway Safety Hiker boot which includes 3M Thinsulate insulation as well as a shock absorbent heel. Perfect for any trade professional on their feet all day!
Completing our round-up this month is Bosch Professional with the launch of its ProCORE18V series batteries. Designed to make professionals more efficient, the batteries come in 4.0, 8.0 and 12.0Ah versions.
The batteries are described as compact, powerful and deliver a long-running time, making them suitable for a wide variety of jobs in which high power intensity is required. The key to this is said to be in its intelligent heat management and design which has been developed for the Bosch CoolPack 2.0. This provides ideal conditions for battery performance by preventing overheating.
