PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2026 Products in Action 25


Improving water safety at the Centre


A residential conference and activity centre in West Sussex has upgraded its water systems with six new thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) from Altecnic to improve safety and water hygiene for vulnerable visitors. The upgrade followed a site


survey at Dalesdown Residential Conference and Activity Centre in Horsham. Altecnic identified six locations, including dormitory wash facilities, disabled toilets and kitchen hand wash basins, that had no TMVs installed. A further four existing valves had not been commissioned or serviced, meaning their performance and safety could not be guaranteed. Six Mixcal Careflo Plus TMV3


and WRAS-approved valves were installed across key washroom facilities. Designed for higher- risk residential environments, the valves provide controlled


water temperatures and meet the NHS D08 performance specification. Their thermal override


function also allows thermal purging to help reduce the risk of bacteria such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa developing within the water system. Each new valve was fully


commissioned to verify safe outlet temperatures and failsafe operation, while thermal purging was carried out to support water hygiene. The four existing


TMVs were also serviced and recommissioned. The work has improved


the reliability of the centre’s water systems and provides greater assurance that water temperatures and hygiene are being safely managed for vulnerable visitors. Matthew Pye, maintenance


officer at Dalesdown, says: “Knowing that our water systems are now safer and healthier for our visitors gives us real peace of mind.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/52


Plumbing system puts on some speed


Woodford Heating. The prefabricated assembly combines flow and pressure control, concentric water meter connection and maintenance functions in a single unit, providing a standardised solution for each dwelling. The ResiFlow units are REG4 compliant,


WRAS and NSF approved, PN16 rated and manufactured from DZR brass. VSH XPress press-fit fittings were also


Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems has supported the installation of potable water systems at the 528-apartment White City Living, Westmont development in London, using Pegler ResiFlow prefabricated utility arrays and VSH XPress press-fit fittings. Pegler ResiFlow was specified following


a technical presentation to M&E consultant Whitecode and contractor


Solution moves social homes from F-rated to future-ready


North Kesteven District Council has installed more than 350 Vaillant aroTHERM plus heat pumps in its properties as part of a programme to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The council began working with heating


contractor Equans UK on the project in August 2023, replacing ageing storage radiators, solid fuel and oil-fired heating systems across more than 300 properties. Some homes had Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings as low as F. Although funding required the


used to speed installation and reduce labour requirements. The heat-free installation method helped address site safety, while reducing the number of joints and potential leak points. James Graham, associate director at


Woodford Heating, says the ResiFlow “reduces the number of separate fittings and joints, lowering leak risk, reducing labour and improving consistency across multiple apartments.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/54


A clean finish on the Isle of Islay


Kaldewei has supplied baths and shower trays for the refurbishment of Ardbeg House, a 12-room hotel on the Isle of Islay, which reopened in autumn 2025 following a multi- million pound redevelopment. The former Islay Hotel was refurbished with Kaldewei products specified for the guest bathrooms. The installation included


Kaldewei baths and Superplan shower trays, including a Matt Black finish (pictured) used in the Wee Beastie bathroom. The products were selected to complement the project’s specification while providing durable, low-maintenance bathroom fittings. The shower trays use


Kaldewei’s steel-enamel construction, combining a rigid steel substrate with a durable enamel surface. The


Hot water on the cow farm


Carrowcroft Holsteins, a 250-cow dairy farm in County Down, has replaced two electric water heaters with three Navien NPE tankless water heaters to improve hot water availability and reduce running costs. The farm uses hot water to wash


the milking parlour twice a day, clean the milk tank every other day and prepare milk for calves. The previous system frequently ran out of hot water, forcing staff to wait for the boost function to heat the water or plan cleaning and feeding around its availability. Working with a local installer, the farm


installed three NPE units in a parallel and cascading configuration. The system can operate at temperatures of up to 85°C and provides hot water automatically.


properties to reach at least an EPC C rating, the council opted to target a B rating. The upgrades combine Vaillant aroTHERM plus heat pumps with sensoCOMFORT controls, solar PV and 2.4kW battery storage. Some properties have also received loft and cavity wall insulation. Each property was assessed individually


before work began, allowing the heating system and other energy efficiency measures to be tailored to the building and residents. Equans installation teams typically completed each upgrade within two days, allowing residents to remain in their homes throughout the work. The existing heating systems were


removed and replaced with the heat pump systems, with volumisers used instead of buffer tanks to simplify the retrofit process. According to the project team, most


upgraded properties now achieve an EPC B rating. Residents have also reported


material is resistant to scratches, abrasion and household chemicals, making it suitable for applications where bathrooms are subject to regular use. The bathroom specification


formed part of the wider refurbishment of the 12-bedroom property, with each room receiving an individually designed interior. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/53


The switch from electric to gas has also


reduced operating costs, with the farm estimating savings of 30–40%. The system requires little maintenance,


while each heater monitors its gas consump- tion. The farm can also use a connected app from its gas supplier to monitor usage and arrange automatic top-ups. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/55


lower energy costs, with some homes using as little as 70 pence of energy per day. Resident satisfaction has reached an average of 4.9 out of five. Adam Evans, mechanical project


manager at Equans UK, comments: “The simplicity and reliability of the Vaillant aroTHERM plus heat pump made it particularly well suited to a large-scale retrofit programme like this, enabling our teams to complete installations quickly while maintaining high standards and minimising disruption for residents.” Resident engagement has also formed


part of the programme, with open days, inductions and one-to-one consultations used to explain the new systems and address concerns. A further 300-400 properties are


expected to be upgraded over the next few years, with Equans also delivering similar work for other housing authorities and associations in the East Midlands. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/56


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