Industry Comment


Timing is still the bottom lineof control


By Andy Douglas, pictured, Managing Director of Timeguard Ltd.


T


he main reasons people want to time heating and lighting are comfort, security and energy


efficiency and these come down to timing – be it delay and boost switching so that power is not leſt on for long periods, dawn to dusk timing to dovetail with available natural, or setting specific on and off times to match lifestyles and working practices. All an installer needs is relatively inexpensive


controls that will last the distance and are straightforward for them to set up and property occupiers to control and use them for years to come. And keeping it simple doesn’t mean losing out on revenues and margins because time control is keeping up with our wireless and WiFi times. We’ve continued to invest in the new


products that give the trade new opportunities. For instance, our engineers have added timing functions to fused spurs and outdoor sockets – adding value the otherwise-basic units you sell every day. Installers are now routinely choosing these combined units over basic FCUs for water and space heating.


Remote control We’ve even added the app-controlled WiFi switching to fused spurs now, enabling people to set and control timing remotely – the real beauty here is that the appliance being controlled does not have to be replaced with a WiFi enabled one, because we’ve put the smart stuff into the FCU. Add our easy installation and guaranteed reliability and you’re on to a winner. As long as the property has a WiFi


router connected to the Internet, you’re good to go with remote, app- controlled timing of any existing 13 Amp appliance.


Another clever combination combines a 13A fused spur with


Controlling energy use is just as important outdoors.


20 | electrical wholesaler June 2017


We put the smart stuff into the FCU.


Ingenious – a fused connection unit FCU with time control.


Outdoor power is big business, especially


this time of year, and it has made sense to build time control into weather safe sockets.


an electronic Boost Timer that automatically turns appliances off after a pre-set time and, again, it all fits in a single gang back box. Users simply press one button as many times as needed to choose how long they want the power for: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or two hours, and then the device counts down and switches off. There’s no danger of leaving heaters, fans or towel rails switched on for hours on end.


Wireless options Having wireless control options is as important as WiFi.


Homeowners have become used to the idea and installers retrofitting


heating controls will expect to find wireless options in your catalogue. However, while the controller that comes with a


brand new boiler will likely have the boiler makers branding and be covered under the same guarantee as the boiler, retrofitting is different. Installers wont risk their reputation on unbranded, untrusted equipment. Nothing makes the homeowner shout louder than having no heating and hot water! That said, we still find that our “traditional” hard-wired controllers sell well and we see no real signs of that dropping off yet. On a seasonal note, it seems that we Brits


have become Europe’s biggest barbecue fans. We are no purists and have adopted electric BBQs enthusiastically, along with all the outdoor lighting and electrically- powered paraphernalia that goes with alfresco living. Outdoor power is big business, especially at this time of year, and it has made sense to build time control into weather safe sockets. The bottom line? Time control always has and always will be a great earner for you, but there’s always scope for even more business. We will continue to surprise you with new ways of keeping up with the times.


www.timeguard.com www.ewnews.co.uk


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