Features

Will 2019 be the year of the smart bathroom?

smart bathroom

With smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit now more affordable, the home of the future is fast becoming a reality.

Cast your mind back just 5 years ago. The idea of controlling everything in your home, from lighting to heating and from security to entertainment, probably seemed like science fiction. However, with numerous smart home systems being bought as gifts at Christmas, many people are now exploring the full capabilities of their new time-saving gadgets.

Switch2 Energy welcomes government plan to regulate heat networks

heat networks

Community and district heating specialist Switch2 Energy has welcomed the government's move to regulate heat networks.

This announcement comes in response to recommendations by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and by industry specialists, such as Switch2, through the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) Heat Network Industry Task Force

This regulatory plan is part of the government's market framework: Heat networks: ensuring sustained investment and protecting consumers, published on 7 December 2018. Its aim is to encourage further investment in the sector, protect customers and support decarbonisation.

Ideal Boilers enables voice-activated boilers

Ideal Boilers Touch Connect thermostat

Ideal Boilers has announced that it is introducing further innovation to its Touch Connect product through Amazon Alexa integration, giving customers the option to control their home heating through voice activation. 

Touch Connect thermostats can now connect with Amazon’s voice-activated speaker, Amazon Echo, enabling the technology to respond to spoken commands through Alexa, and making it more simple and effortless than ever before to manage heating in the home.

Polypipe opens £250,000 underfloor heating training centre

Polypipe opens £250,000 underfloor heating training centre

Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of underfloor heating systems, has officially launched a £250,000 training facility to inspire the next generation of budding heating professionals.

The Doncaster-based firm held the official opening of the state-of-the-art Polypipe Professional Development Centre (PDC) at Kirk Sandall in the town.

The facility features specially-designed training spaces to give trainee and experienced plumbing professionals the opportunity to improve their practical skills. It is set to become one of the UK’s leading training centres for professional heating engineers, installers, plumbers and merchants.

Barlo radiators launches augmented reality app in heating industry first

Barlo Radiators' heating app shown on a smartphone

Installers have been given a ground-breaking new way to specify designer radiators thanks to the launch of an industry-first augmented reality app by Barlo Radiators.

The newly launched Barlo Designer Radiator app, gives consumers the opportunity to virtually ‘try before they buy’ – using advanced augmented reality (AR) technology to help them visualise how different designer radiators would appear, in situ, in their home. The app has been created specifically with installers in mind, presenting them with a brand-new sales tool to help them add value when communicating with customers.

Is vehicle leasing the right option for your business?

Is vehicle leasing the right option for your business?

Vehicle leasing can be an attractive option for businesses large and small. The latest statistics from the BVRLA show YoY growth, with nearly 300,000 cars and vans leased to UK companies at the end of 2017.

One of the main benefits of business leasing is flexible contracts, as well as tax incentives, making it a convenient and affordable option.

Here are the most important things to consider when deciding if vehicle leasing is the right option for your business.

Keeping in the black

If your business is just starting out or growing quickly, balancing the books will be one of your biggest priorities.

Inta introduces revolutionary transparent push-fit connector for UFH manifolds

Inta underfloor heating

Leading heating and plumbing products manufacturer Inta has introduced a unique transparent push-fit connector for underfloor heating (UFH) manifolds, which promises to make a complex job much quicker and easier.

Part of the Inta’s brand new ‘PresBloc’ product range, the connector enables installers to be certain that it is properly in place and secure before it is switched on and pressure tested, thus avoiding leaks. Designed as a universal fitting, the connector can be used with any manifold - including polymer, stainless steel and brass.

Inta has also introduced a range of low voltage actuators for UFH manifolds, for which the power consumption is just 1 Watt compared to the industry-standard of 1.5-2 Watt, meaning end users will benefit from lower energy bills.

Hotpoint Launches £50 Cashback Laundry Promotion

Hotpoint washer

In support of its recent introduction of the new ActiveCare range of washing machines, Hotpoint has launched a £50 cashback promotion*.

The promotion applies to purchases made until 9th November 2018, where consumers will receive up to £50 cashback* on selected Hotpoint washing machines from the recently launched ActiveCare range. Retailers have access to a raft of point of sale material to support and alert consumers, when in-store, to the promotion. The point of sale material is available via their Hotpoint Account Manager.

InSinkerator Wins Contract With Galliard Homes

Galliard Homes office

InSinkErator is supplying its 3N1 steaming hot water taps to the brand new Galliard Homes development, Maine Tower, in London’s Docklands.

The Maine Tower, a focal point of the Harbour Central development, is to comprise of 297 exquisite apartments that are situated over 42 floors. Each apartment will feature an InSinkErator 3N1 L Shape steaming hot water tap finished in Brushed Steel. Not only will this addition streamline the worktop, reducing the clutter of a kettle, the InSinkErator 3N1 brings a number of convenient benefits to the end user. The all-private, Maine Tower, development will be situated just minutes from Canary Wharf, boasting a library, concierge, gym and spa, business suites and cinema, promising to offer luxury living for all of its residents.