PHPI is the leading magazine for professional heating engineers and plumbing installers, bringing readers an array of all the latest news, reviews, products and services from the industry.
We’re back for the regular dose of news from PHPI and we get stuck straight into the Heating & Renewables feature. Here, we have Danfoss with the launch of its Smart Home Skill which has been designed for the voice-activated Alexa system. Voice-activation and smart technology is increasingly entering the heating & renewables sector as the digital revolution takes hold, so merchant staff should familiarise themselves with these types of products.
The Skill is enabled through the app for the Danfoss Link Central Controller or Danfoss TPOne-S programmable room thermostat. By entering a pairing code with Alexa, homeowners will be able to use voice commands to control the temperature of their house for energy efficiency and comfort.
Closing off the Heating & Renewables feature is Stelrad with an addition to its LST range. The LST Standard Deco and LST iPlus Deco Design both feature its Deco horizontal lined fascia and offer a safe form of heat for use in domestic and commercial properties.
If any of your customers are looking for heating products which are appropriate for vulnerable people of all ages, an LST may be the way to go. Stelrad’s models comply with the NHS Guidance Note for ‘safe hot water and surface temperature’ and will never exceed 43°C making them ideal as a ‘safe to touch’ option.
To the Plumbing & Bathrooms feature now and we hear from Salamander Pumps on the launch of its latest addition to its shower pump portfolio. EVE has been introduced to overcome the issue of homeowners spending huge amounts of money on a bathroom, only to find their new luxury shower doesn’t give the desired performance.
Twin-ended, the universal shower pump features a variable bar rating which can be changed at the touch of a button. A sensor monitors the system water flow and detects any changes and its brushless motor varies speed to maintain a constant pressure and ensure no drop in performance.
Geberit steps into the spotlight now as it discusses an industry shift in favour of wall-hung toilets on a budget. These types of industry trends can be key for merchants in terms of what you should be stocking as knowing what consumers want is key for business.
With companies such as Geberit debunking the myth that wall-hung toilets are a luxury product that some just can’t afford, it has now introduced options such as the Duofix which abate the high cost of installation and materials. It eliminates the need for carefully positioned studding thanks to its one-piece blow-moulded cistern, angle bracket fixings and tool-free fixings, removing the complications traditionally associated with this type of toilet.
Ending the Plumbing & Bathrooms feature is Viega with additions to its drainage and overflow range. Introducing the Multiplex Visign M9 and the Multiplex Trio Visign MT9, the range is said to be suitable for all bathtubs with a standardised overflow hole. Simple to retrofit, the additions have the same functional unit for all equipment sets and come with a conversion kit for the retrofit option. The kit includes a fastening glance and rotatable collar to replace the old equipment.
Sticking with the bathroom theme, Dunlop showcases its RX-3000 Waterproof Wall Tile Adhesive which has been designed for use in several wet environments including bathrooms, power showers and wetrooms. The high performance D2 ceramic wall tile adhesive comes ready-mixed for instant use.
It is also said to include benefits such as instant grab and promises to provide an effortlessly smooth finish. Dunlop also provides a 10-year guarantee, free technical support as well as on-site project assistance.
Lighting up the end of this round-up is Unilite and the HL-4R Headlight featuring 275 Lumen output from its CREE LED. The light is said to provide trade professionals with a strong, well-spread light to aid them in tasks where visibility is reduced. The headlight also has 5mm red LEDs which can be used to preserve night vision and comes complete with a 3M VHB adhesive helmet mount as well as being IPX5 water/heavy rain resistant. Including a USB rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, it has a 6.5 hour runtime on the highest setting.
