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keeping up-to-date with new technologies and developments.
The plumbing and heating industry is constantly evolving and investment in training and professional development is vital to not only acquire new skills and enhance existing ones, but to also keep up-to-date with new legislation and new technologies, all of which can provide opportunities for growth.
I can’t emphasise enough just how important it is for plumbing and heating contractors to keep up-to-date, not just from a safety and compliance point of view, but additionally from a commercial point to ensure they have the skills to capitalise on growing markets such as the wet room market which according to AMA Research is forecast to increase by 18% between 2017 to 2021. Training courses: As one of the industry’s leading trade bodies for plumbing and heating companies in England and Wales, we offer quality and cost effective one-day training courses, which are open to both members and non-members. Our one-day courses have been designed to assist with keeping plumbing and heating contractors up-to-date, to develop their existing skills, and gain new skills which can allow them to access new markets such as wet room installation and legionella risk assessing. Our 2019 training programme includes courses on Water Regulations, Legionella Cold Water Risk Assessment & Disinfection, Sanitary & Above Ground Drainage and Wet Room Design & Installation. The courses are delivered by highly experienced trainers who have considerable knowledge and expertise with the content of each course. The courses are delivered at our centrally located offices in the West Midlands and are open to all plumbing and heating businesses in England and Wales. If a plumbing and heating business has a requirement for eight or more employees wanting to attend a course, then we can deliver our programme of courses off-site at an employer’s premises or at a suitable local location.
Support for APHC members: APHC members have access to a suite of
technical guides and our quarterly Hot & Cold magazine. We also provide members with a free technical advice phone line offering free advice on anything from a technical enquiry about a bathroom installation to advice about new regulations. Many members use the advice line as a sounding board and to obtain a second opinion. Claim a £150 training reward: Through our registered charity, APHC
Training, we run a reward scheme where plumbing and heating companies can claim up to £150 towards the cost of a certificated course with a recognised training provider such as ourselves, BPEC, City & Guilds and all UKAS approved ACS providers. We have 100 rewards to give away in 2019. In order to receive the reward, companies are required to apply for
the reward before completing the course and then once they have completed the course they need to send a copy of the training course invoice along with the successful course completion certificate to us and we will then pay for the cost of the course, up to £150, into the employer’s business bank account.
INNOVATION STAY UP TO DATE TO GET AHEAD
ohn Thompson, CEO of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC), details how APHC supports plumbing and heating contractors with
Cosy domes at one with nature T
he team at Panasonic have been working in collaboration with architects, engineers and local
crafts people to create an unfiltered, comfortable luxury living experience in bubble style domes to bring a 180- degree transparent window to the world of nature. Michael Beare of Finn Lough Resort explained: “Our aim was to be able to offer holidaymakers a truly unique experience in this glorious setting, yet with minimal impact on these wonderful surroundings. We aimed to minimise the footprint of the domes, offering off grid power and heating solutions, minimal construction requirements and a design that blends into the landscape.” Each dome is kitted out with Panasonic Aquarea fan coils which are connected
to air-to-water Panasonic Aquarea Monobloc heat pumps for quick reaction heating and cooling as well as domestic hot water. Panasonic additionally supplied DX ERV units to maintain a constant air flow rate. Furthermore, each dome can be monitored via the Panasonic Aquarea Smart Cloud technology to maintain the optimal environment for each guest. The first Domes were created in 2015 but had several challenges such as misting up, being cold in winter and too hot in the summer months. Michael then started discussions with Panasonic to understand and solve these issues. With continuous prototyping and testing, the team has since adapted and improved the Dome’s comfort and experience for guests. Walter Stephens of Panasonic Ireland added: “We are delighted to be part of
this exciting and innovative project. The Panasonic Aquarea Mono-bloc air to water heat pump is an ideal, energy efficient solution, to heat or cool the domes. The units have the added benefit of using the outside air and passing the air over refrigerant-filled coils (like a refrigerator). The then captured heat is automatically transferred to water, which is then ready for use in the heating or cooling system within the domes and for supplying hot water. Furthermore, the units do not require access to mains gas.” The Panasonic Aquarea heat pump technology was chosen for this project as the units easily adapt to extreme low temperatures (-20˚C) and high temperatures, whatever the climate. The units are highly energy efficient (COP of 5.08), are compact, positioned externally to save on internal living space and are said to be quick and straightforward to install. The domes are proving popular, with seven initially installed at the Finn Lough
Resort in Northern Ireland which has recently increased to 14 domes due to the high demand. Visitors’ feedback is highly positive, so much so that the resort now has an ever- growing waiting list. Each dome has a unique four poster bed, ensuite bathroom, nespresso coffee machine, fluffy robe and daily breakfast included and resides in the middle of a private forest. Visiting guest, Ainhoa Barcelona from Hello Magazine commented: “Each dome has been fitted with underfloor heating and a boost button by the bed that can give you a blast of heat at intervals. This is glamping taken to the next level.”
January 2019
www.heatingandventilating.net
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