Pipe Center and Climate Center expand technical team to support market push on green technology

Pipe Center and Climate Center are expanding their central technical team to support expansion into new market sectors and the introduction of renewable technologies.

The enlarged technical team will provide a single point of contact for customers on major projects and tap the in-depth product experience available across Pipe Center and Climate Center and – where relevant – the wider Wolseley UK.

The technical team will support the accelerating roll-out of renewable products by Pipe Center and Climate Center, providing information on product specification and performance.

It will also provide specialist technical support for the growing FM market, to enable those responsible for the maintenance of buildings quickly to source replacement products – or suitable alternatives – to ensure facilities continue to operate efficiently.

“One of most important differentiators in the market – and highly valued by customers – is the quality of technical information and support. I am proud that the experience and knowledge we have at Pipe Center and Climate Center is second to none,” says Scott Craig, sales and marketing director.

“This latest expansion involves significant investment in people, resources and training to ensure that we are not only up with the curve, but ahead of it. We believe it is vital that customers have the knowledgeable support they need to win business and help their clients reduce energy and carbon, and adopt sustainable solutions.”

An important aspect will be to gather, distil and distribute throughout the business updates on new products and technology as soon as they become available, ensuring everyone is up to speed and able to keep customers informed.

Martyn Simpson, who heads the technical team, says: “It is an exciting time to be in the industry. There are constant advances in technology and new approaches emerging. We will act as a central clearing house, to bring order and clarity to ensure customers and our own teams are fully aware of developments – and how they can benefit.

“While new products may promise a lot, there are often pros and cons to be aware of. We will be doing our own evaluations and training branch staff on the issues and how best to help customers.”

The technical team will also monitor the rapidly changing legislative landscape, and keep track of developments in government policy and incentives.

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Related categories:

 Fittings 

Article source: http://www.plumbingpark.co.uk/plumbing_hvac_article15680.html

Commercial air source heat pump contributes to BREEAM rating for retail store

A spacious new store in Sheffield will be heated by air source technology from Danfoss Heat Pumps UK, in a development which has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

A Danfoss AW05 commercial air source heat pump has been installed at the 1880m2 retail unit at 30 Chesterfield Road in Sheffield. The heat pump has an output of 105kW and supplies space heating to the extensive open-plan sales area via a 10km underfloor heating system, which is divided into 10 zones.

The project has been developed by Southport Golf Complex Ltd., and the air source heat pump was specified because the company’s Managing Director Keith Wainman was committed to the use of green technologies and wanted to create a showcase building to encourage other businesses to follow suit. The installation of the pump also provided a cost-effective method of meeting the building’s planning requirement to source 20 per cent of energy from renewable sources.

Keith Wainman, Managing Director of Southport Golf Complex, explains: “I believe it is very important for business premises to be designed in a way which helps tenants to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, such as air source technology. The efficiency of the heating system made this property extremely attractive to potential tenants and it was let very quickly.”

He adds: “After considering several tenders for the installation of the heating system we selected the one which included the Danfoss heat pump because it had sufficient output to heat the building from a single unit, whilst the other systems submitted required the use of several units. We have also worked with Danfoss Heat Pumps UK on the heating system for another commercial premises, where we had been impressed by their high level of technical expertise.”

The AW05’s compact external unit has been installed at the rear of the building and the buffer tank is situated within the underground car park to avoid any loss of sales space. Both units are enclosed within safety cages. The sleek, modern appearance of the units and the fact that they operate at a very low noise level make this model ideal for a retail development where it is important to give a good impression to customers.

The AW05 is one of an exciting new range of commercial air and ground source heat pumps launched by Danfoss Heat Pumps UK recently to meet the needs of clients with a larger than average requirement for space and water heating, and cooling.

Kerry Dickinson, Commercial Projects Manager of Danfoss Heat Pumps UK, comments: “We have seen a huge level of interest in our new range of commercial heat pumps. As businesses seek new ways to reduce their carbon emissions, many commercial property owners are recognising that installing heat pump technology can help them to attract new clients.”

The AW05 is available with a heating capacity of 22kW – 105kW, and will operate even in the coldest winter weather, continuing to deliver a consistently comfortable indoor environment, via an integrated hydronic module, even when the outdoor temperature drops as low as -20C. The low height of the external unit at just 1330mm means it can be conveniently located outside most buildings, without causing sight restrictions.

The AW05 offers low noise levels as it is designed to minimise vibration in the compressors. The heat pump uses ozone-friendly refrigerants, as part of reducing environmental impact. The unit is also able to supply a continuous high temperature hot water supply up to 65oC.

The Sheffield retail unit has been constructed on the existing steel frame of a single storey 1970s building. The design included incorporating a high level of insulation and the installation of a mezzanine floor to allow for the creation of an underground car park.

The building is close to completion and shows an anticipated energy saving of 190,000kWh when compared to a gas boiler heating the space to the same temperature.

Danfoss Heat Pumps UK has extensive experience in the manufacture of heat pump systems for schools, community buildings, developers, local authorities, housing associations and self builders.

The company has a recommended network of approved installers throughout the UK, which it supports with system design, technical support and training. This enables it to offer customers in the light commercial sector an unbeatable value-proposition including top class products, backed up by excellence in customer service.

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 Heat pumps 

Article source: http://www.plumbingpark.co.uk/plumbing_hvac_article15675.html

Introducing Aqua 30 and the easy plumb kit from Aqualux

Aqualux, supplier of shower screens and enclosures enclosures offering a comprehensive portfolio of products, including shower trays, has launched a new AQUA collection that has been carefully developed following extensive research and analysis of feedback to discover what customers really want. As a result, the range is meticulously designed to meet the requirements of installers and merchants alike, as well as having high end user appeal.

For the householder, a new shower enclosure and tray should fulfil practical requirements such as being robust and watertight, but it must also appeal to the senses and enhance the bathroom by making it a luxurious space within the home. Aqualux keeps this focus in mind when designing new products, while at the same time asking what features installers most appreciate. The answer today is the same as it has always been – innovations that help make fitting easier and that will deliver an impressive end result. With the brand new AQUA 30 slimline shower tray and the groundbreaking Easy Plumb Kit with TOPLOK Technology™, installers can have both.

The sophisticated AQUA 30 is a range of low profile 30mm shower trays that can be fitted in one of three ways: direct to the floor, flush fit into the floor and in elevated ‘easy plumb’ form. Made from stone resin with a hard-wearing gelcoat surface, these contemporary style trays are available in square, rectangle or quadrant styles and come in eight different sizes.

Making the installation of this stylish product as smooth as it looks, Aqualux introduces what it believes is the most innovative fitting system yet devised – the Easy Plumb Kit with TOPLOK Technology™. This cutting edge installation solution combines unique ‘top adjust’ legs together with a specially designed PVC facia system that is set to completely transform the way in which shower trays are installed.

The TOPLOK Easy Plumb Kit has been developed in response to installers’ requests for shower solutions that are simpler, quicker and easier to assemble. Previously with tray installations where access is available only from the front, installers would have difficulty reaching beneath the tray board in order to adjust the rear legs to the correct height and the process would often involve lifting the tray out several times. Now, with the TOPLOK Easy Plumb Kit, the support board can be put in place and made level afterwards – simply by adjusting the legs from the top. This groundbreaking concept is made possible because of the patent-applied-for design of the tray legs, which incorporate a retractable turnkey. Inset within the top of each leg, the key extracts and can be rotated to increase or decrease its height. The key then slots back flush inside the leg, locking the set height ready for the shower tray to be placed on top. Not only does this design make shower installation much quicker and easier for the installer, the stability of the tray is also further improved as each leg location can be fixed to the floor prior to the board and tray being positioned on top.

The TOPLOK Easy Plumb Kit consists of an 18mm marine plywood pre-cut board, top adjust legs incorporating TOPLOK Technology™ and a specially designed clip-together facia system. The facia is made of PVC, which is far more robust than acrylic and therefore perfectly fits the contours of each Aqualux tray. This means that, unless desired for aesthetic purposes, a silicon seal is not required. With flexible ribs that allow excellent grip, the facia clips snugly and firmly into place, yet can easily be removed if access to the waste is required at a later stage. For ease of attachment, pre-drilled fixing holes are also provided.

A 90mm high flow waste with a matching low profile Aqualux branded dome waste cover is available for purchase alongside the AQUA 30. This is highly recommended as, unlike standard waste covers, the Aqualux dome has been designed to elegantly complement the smooth, sophisticated style of the tray, providing the perfect finish.

The TOPLOK Easy Plumb Kit and the high-flow waste with matching waste cover are both sold separately. As with all Aqualux products, the new ranges are fully tested to the current standards.

AQUA 30 and the TOPLOK Easy Plumb Kit are the first products available in the new AQUA collection. These are launching in April 2012, alongside the AQUA 4 range of 4mm shower enclosures and bath screens.

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Related categories:

 Residential applications 

 Shower curtain and enclosure 

 Shower tray 

Article source: http://www.plumbingpark.co.uk/plumbing_hvac_article15674.html