News

Don't waste energy, get a hot tap from Insinkerator®

Replacing the kettle with an instant steaming hot water tap from InSinkErator® will not only reduce water wastage in the home, but can also help reduce the rising cost of utility bills.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, 40 per cent of households boil the kettle at least four times a day, with 75 per cent admitting to boiling more water than they need1; accounting for a significant amount of water and energy wasted every year. Homeowners can save water, and time, with a steaming hot water tap from InSinkErator®.

APHC questions fesibility of ofqual plans for development of vocational qualifications

APHC has expressed doubts about the feasibility of plans for the development of vocational qualifications, following a speech made by Phil Beach CBE in collaboration with Ofqual last week. Speaking at the GovNet Skills and Employability Summit, Mr Beach discussed the development of vocational qualifications and assessments, suggesting how trust in them might be maintained in a period of reform.

Mr Beach begun his speech by detailing the many changes occurring in the vocational qualifications sector, in particular the Post-16 Skills Plan which has been designed to provide 16-19 year olds with valued routes into the workplace and the new trailblazer apprenticeship standards.

Bristol plumber scoops brand new truck courtesy of Graham

Graham Plumbers’ Merchant recently surprised one loyal customer – naming him as the winner of Graham’s Give a Truck prize draw. Andrew Crookes from Bristol was the lucky name chosen from the thousands of entries to scoop the brand new Nissan Navara.

Andrew Crookes, of P&N Property Solutions based in Keynsham, was drawn from the thousands of qualifying purchases and was presented with the prize at his local branch in Bristol during the Graham Customer F1rst Tour.

“I thought they were having a joke at first! I can’t quite believe it,” Andrew said after being told he had won. “The timing of this is amazing, I’ve been looking at a pickup as my next vehicle for a while now, so to be handed the keys to the new Navara is fantastic.

Plumbers go digital!

There’s more to winning work in 2016 than just being skilled at your trade. Jonny Lawrence, Digital Marketing expert at Logic4training, explains how digital marketing can marry together with traditional methods to make a powerful combination.

Powered Now the award winning app for Electricians now available for Mac, PC, Smartphone and Tablet.

Powered Now, the people making life easier for electricians, has announced a major new release of its app for simplifying paperwork.

The release also adds a raft of new functionality designed to help teams work closely together in the most efficient way possible.

Powered Now helps electricians by:

Getting their evenings back. Especially true for small businesses who hate paperwork and often have to waste their evenings on it.

Growing their business. Powered Now users win more business as they can raise and track quotations faster and more easily.

Alpha gives away boiler in fundraiser for eight year old boy with Meningitis

Alpha Heating Innovation has donated one of its most popular boilers as part of a money raising campaign for Kye Vincent – an eight-year-old boy who has had both his legs removed after he contracted meningococcal septicaemia caused by meningitis.

Alpha installer Shaun Wilson of Weston Plumbing Heating Services has fitted the boiler free of charge, in support of Kye.

APHC promotes advantages of trade associations following small businesses' confidence drop

Following a new survey by the Federation of Small Businesses, which reveals that small firms are more pessimistic than positive about the future for the first time in four years, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is reminding industry members of the many business advantages to be had from belonging to a trade organisation.

The report, which involved surveying 1,035 small firms between July and August this year, revealed the second largest fall in confidence in the Index’s history and was also the first survey undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses since the Brexit vote. The results mark the third quarter in a row that confidence amongst small businesses has fallen.

Green IQ: Helping Installers Build Business

Steve Keeton, Marketing and Technologies Director at Vaillant, highlights the strategic thinking behind the company’s Green iQ mark – an industry-first label that distinguishes well-engineered, energy efficient products of outstanding quality, which are also sustainable and networked for the future.

In order to maximise business opportunities, today’s heating installers aim to consistently deliver customer satisfaction courtesy of reliable, flexible and high performing heating solutions.

As product technology advances and consumer habits change, installers can maintain customer loyalty by providing access to the very latest innovative heating solutions that reflect and support how people are living their lives today.

F & P, Primaflow & Connections announces extended warranty for boilers

F & P, Primaflow & Connections, a leading UK distributor of plumbing, heating and bathroom materials, has announced a warranty extension on its exclusive Procombi Essential boiler.

Customers will now benefit from an additional 12 month guarantee on all Procombi Essential boilers through the Club Energy loyalty programme, increasing the warranty to three years, with the option to extend to 6 years where required.

The cost-effective Procombi Essential boiler is produced by Glow-worm and was launched following a new F & P partnership with the boiler manufacturer. The new boiler boasts an improved design and is rated A under the Energy related Products (ErP) directive, says Shane Knight, Category Director Heating at F & P.

Press thick-walled steel pipes quickly and securely with Megapress

Viega, the global market leader for metal piping systems, has introduced the innovative Megapress to the UK market. The carbon steel press fitting system offers a fast, effective alternative to traditional methods such as welding. A highly effective pressing method, Megapress connections can be made in less than seven seconds – helping to achieve a 60% reduction in installation time.

Compatible with heating and cooling systems, the Viega Megapress system is an effective tool for pressing pipework. This achieves a cleaner and safer method of connection and avoids the need for oils, heavy threading equipment or open flames. The simple to use pressing tool means that even difficult installations such as overhead pipework can be completed safely and effectively.

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