PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2026 6 News Review


Award winning installers and plumbers revealed!


The UK’s leading heating and plumbing professionals have been recognised at the Installer Awards 2026, with national winners announced live at the InstallerSHOW at the NEC, Birmingham. The awards bring together the


long-running Heating Installer Awards and the inaugural Plumber Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation and customer service across the building services sector. Wales-based heating installer


Daniel Davies and London plumber Louchavan Lemard were named UK Heating Installer of the Year


(L-R) Daisy Turner, Daniel Davies, James Lacey, George Tiefenthaler, Adam Dare


and the first-ever Plumber of the Year, respectively. Daniel Davies, of Daniel Davies Plumbing and Heating Engineers in Lampeter, won the heating title for his work on a 200-year-old stone farmhouse that had stood vacant for nearly a century. He designed


and installed a high-performance renewable heating system focused on efficiency, reliability and long- term durability, securing his third consecutive Welsh regional win. Lemard, co-founder of PH247


Ltd, impressed judges with his technical expertise and customer


Why you should focus on the flush


Installers could be missing a major sales opportunity by overlooking flush performance, according to new research from Geberit. A survey of more than 2,000 UK


Umbrella scheme for installers


To help gas boiler installers move into heat pump installation, Mitsubishi Electric and Alto Energy have launched a new MCS umbrella scheme. Installers will be able to access Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan heat pump training and technical support, while Alto Energy will manage MCS-compliant system design, commissioning, certification, grant applications and paperwork. The aim is to reduce compliance


and administrative barriers and provide a simpler route


CMR:Layout 1 17/08/2016 10:21 Page 1


for experienced engineers into renewables without requiring their own MCS accreditation. Mitsubishi has also been ranked


the UK’s most trusted air source heat pump manufacturer in independent market research. The study, which surveyed 300 senior decision-makers from companies actively installing air source heat pumps, found that Mitsubishi Electric outperformed competing manufacturers across a range of key brand perception measures. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/08


consumers has revealed widespread frustration with toilet performance, suggesting a clear disconnect between what customers experience in everyday use and what is prioritised when designing a new bathroom space. The research found that 85% of


consumers have felt frustrated by a toilet that didn’t flush properly, while 31% say they have been disappointed by the performance of a WC after installation. One in five (20%) say they have


felt embarrassed when a toilet failed to flush properly when others were nearby, while 91% admit they have worried about whether a toilet would flush effectively before using it. The findings point to what many


service, delivering a redesigned domestic heating and hot water system that significantly improved comfort and energy efficiency for a family home. Both winners receive prize


packages worth thousands of pounds, including a three-night visit to Danfoss HQ in Denmark for Heating Installer Awards winners, £1,000 holiday vouchers from Powered Now, and additional gifts and products from sponsors. Rising Star of the Year went to Daisy Turner of Toucan Heating and Plumbing Ltd. The Essex apprentice was recognised for her technical skill, mentoring work at college, and contributions to improving training facilities while delivering a complex home adaptation project for a family with medical needs. To see the full list of winners and


for further information, please use the reader link below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/07


NEWS IN BRIEF


◼ The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has formally recognised the consumer protection offered by MCS’s redeveloped installer scheme as a Code of Practice for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).


◼ Using World Class Manufacturing principles, Baxi has cut electricity use at its Preston site by 11.97% between 2024 and 2025, and a further 7.18% in Q1 2026 versus 2025, driven by smart energy data analysis and operational efficiency.


◼ Grant UK has updated its online Product Selector Tool to help homeowners find their new heating system. From oil- fired boilers and air source heat pumps to hybrid heating and complementary technologies, the digital resource suggests to consumers the Grant heating products which could be suitable for their property.


◼ The British Institute of Fitted Interior Specialists and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) have strengthened their partnership to improve collaboration across the fitted interiors and plumbing sectors, enhancing standards, training, apprenticeships and consumer outcomes.


are calling ‘flush anxiety’, a widespread but under-discussed issue


that is shaping how


consumers experience their bathrooms. Despite this, the research


suggests that performance is rarely a central part of the purchase journey. Only half of buyers could recall being given any information about flush performance when purchasing a toilet, even though 42% say it is more important than looks and style, and the same proportion rank it above price.


◼ Instantor, the specialist in press-fitting solutions, which is celebrating its centenary this year, has joined the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) as an Affiliate Member.


◼ The Wood Fuel and Heating Association (WFHA) has been established as a new industry body to provide coordinated representation,


uniting


organisations from across the supply chain to support engagement within policy and regulatory discussions.


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