WWW.HPMMAG.COM Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com INSIDEPLUMBCENTER Practical Installer: too good to miss Plumb Center’s Practical Installer Arena has become one of the highlights of Ecobuild, which returns to London’s ExCeL from March 4-6. Renewables director, Simon Allan, reveals what visitors can expect this year... Energy efficiency is one of the most important goals for the industry today. In the UK, we’re wasting too much gas and electricity and releasing too much carbon into the atmosphere and it’s costing us all a fortune. In a hugely competitive marketplace and an industry where technological advances are transforming the way all of us live, Ecobuild 2014 is more relevant than ever to installers. However arriving at the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction, energy and the built environment, has been a little daunting in the past. Luckily, organisers have listened to feedback and created three core show sections: Sustainable Design and Construction, Energy and Future Cities. This should make it much easier for our customers because they’ll know to head to the Energy section to find what they’re looking for. FUEL POVERTY At the heart of that zone is our not-to-be missed Practical Installer Arena, which this year will be opened by presenter of BBC1’s Countryfile, Julia Bradbury. Other TV credits for this prolific broadcaster include Watchdog, which champions the cause of people living in fuel poverty. We’re delighted Julia can join us because we’re very excited about our 2014 Arena and we can’t wait to show her and installers what we have to offer. Taking time off work is never easy, but attending Ecobuild is an investment in the future. Green Deal is a year old and the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is launching in the spring, which are both creating great business opportunities for installers. Practical Installer will have all our energy efficient products on view and experts will be there ready to offer guidance, so visitors can learn more about the technologies and the vital training that Plumb Center and its training partner, Sevenoaks Energy Academy, have to offer. It is much larger than a standard exhibit and provides a ‘working’ showcase, which demonstrates, in a retro-fit environment, how renewable and energy efficiency products work, and the benefits for both installers and householders. This year, 17 of the industry’s top suppliers have joined forces with us to showcase their latest products. We’re proud to have the support of Baxi, Bristan, Dimplex Renewables, Fernox, Glow-worm, Grant, Grundfos, Honeywell, JA Solar, Jet Range, Kingspan Solar, Kingspan Water, Renusol, Trianco, Uponor, Vaillant and Worcester Bosch. FOUR AREAS We’ve been working hard to provide the best platform for our customers and this year the Arena is split into four areas focussing on solar, biomass, heat pumps and water efficiency, so visitors can see these technologies working live and talk to Microgeneration Certification Scheme accredited installers for further advice and information. Throughout the three days, Practical Installer will be offering live demonstrations on how to fit the latest sustainable technologies, as well as advice on how initiatives like the Green Deal, the RHI and the Feed-in-Tariff are making them more affordable than ever. You don’t need to be an installer to appreciate the need to tackle the spiralling cost of heating your home. It’s has been a very hot political topic, especially when the average dual bill touched £1,500 in the autumn. We know the UK has some of the oldest and most wasteful buildings in Europe, so it’s clear that energy efficiency is going to be very much in the spotlight for the foreseeable future. We’re always looking at ways to make the experience even better for installers and this year the Plumb Center stand will be situated opposite Practical Installer for the first time. It will feature Green Deal software to help installers get the most from the initiative. It’s also a good idea to visit the manufacturers’ exhibits, to find out what products and ideas they’re promoting in 2014. The trick with trade events is to make the right connections. An installer can go and talk to 100 people, but if they’re not relevant it could be a waste of time. Ecobuild has the edge because, on average, exhibitors met 122 new customers last year. This means plenty of installers discovered new products and expanded their business, so a visit could be very beneficial. The ability to talk face-to-face to technical experts for advice on maintenance and installation is a huge advantage, and ensures installers know how to keep heating systems running smoothly, whether it’s a boiler or ground source heat pump. We can also help installers keen to bridge the gap between traditional heating systems and renewable technologies. More installers are being asked about hybrid systems that combine both; we’ll have the experts available to help them meet that demand. At Plumb Center we’re confident we have the expertise, the right suppliers and above all the supply chain to satisfy our customers, so come and see us at Ecobuild, we know you won’t be disappointed. REGISTRATION Installers can register for Ecobuild 2014 by visiting the website: www.ecobuild.co.uk. The site has lots more information about the show, and all the highlights from last year. 22 FEBRUARY 2014 HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY enquiry number 112 Julia Bradbury will be opening the Practical Installer Arena The Practical Installer Arena will provide a ‘working’ showcase
HPM February 2014
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