Trading Depot - Electrical, Lighting, Heating, Plumbing and Bathroom Supplies

Weekend Snowfall Catches UK Off Guard

2012-02-06T09:56:00.010Z

After a particularly mild winter it seemed that we might escape the snow in the South East but after some below zero temperatures last week the snow finally arrived.

Here in Berkshire it started late afternoon on Saturday and stuck almost straight away. It carried on throughout the night and on Sunday we awoke to see around 15cm of snow covering everything.

Throughout yesterday I saw many neighbours shovelling snow from their driveways, and
with more snow forecast for the week ahead it was no surprise to see my colleagues using snow shovels to clear the car park this morning when I got to work.

We keep the snow shovels in stock and they are available for next day delivery within the UK.
There are also a couple of other products we sell that will help you out with the cold weather such as: gloves and great value convector heaters to keep you warm, and de-icer and windscreen scrapers to help you moving on the road.

Wireless CCTV Technology Allows Affordable Home Security Without the Fuss

2012-02-01T14:53:00.006Z

Anyone looking for a low cost home security option would do well to investigate the Wireless CCTV and Wireless Alarm Systems from Friedland.

Friedland say in their literature:

"The breadth of our range of CCTV, Alarms and Security Lighting offer innovation and individualism to every home. From the convenience of the wirefree security products, to the comprehensive range of traditional bells and horns, Friedland products will complement all styles of home, from traditional to modern."

"Friedland Wireless CCTV systems are designed for easy installation and simply plug into your existing TV set. By installing a CCTV system, you can protect a property and improve your peace of mind. CCTV cameras act as a visual deterrent and allow you to monitor visitors or intruders on your TV screen and even catch them on video. Wireless CCTV is easy to install and ideal for protecting remote locations such as garages or outbuildings."

The Wireless Alarms:
Looking into their range of alarms we were very impressed with the features and benefits offered. Typically wireless alarm systems use the 433MHz frequency which can be crowded by other devices, but Friedland Alarms operate on the more secure 868MHz frequency that is less prone to interference.

The higher antenna output from Friedlands products provides stronger transmission which enhances both performance and range from the control unit to the accessories - this will give you much greater flexibility on where to install the devices. And the Solar Siren system – powered by light, reduces the inconvenience of having to change batteries.

All this, added to the use of 20 bit technology (which enables maximum security and virtually eliminates the risk of signal jamming or hacking) combines to give you quality products offering peace of mind at affordable prices. Please follow the links for more details on the Friedland Wireless Alarms we sell:

The Wireless CCTV Products:

Friedland's wireless colour cameras are weatherproof making them suitable for either indoor or outdoor use.
They say in their literature that they are easy to install so we decided to give it a try ourselves in the office.

Connecting to a standard TV screen we managed to get the CWFK1 Wireless Colour Camera Kit and an additional CA3 Wireless Camera set up in just under 10 minutes beaming a colour picture of our warehouse in action back to the office.

The receiver CWFK1 comes with one camera but can take up to four in total, and you can switch between them using a button on the receiver.

You can connect the CWFK1 to a VCR or DVR, or the next model up, (The CWFK2) actually comes with a DVR that records 12 hours of footage to an SD card.

All the relevant fixings and user manuals are included and the cameras can even be used in low light as they have 11 infra-red LED lights integrated into them. There's even have a night vision feature!

Overall we were very impressed with the quality and the ease of setting up the system, and at around £60 for the CWFK1 and around £42 for the CA3 we feel it represents great value for money.

Aqualisa Showers Now With New Striking Shower Heads

2012-01-11T08:50:00.009Z

Harmony shower heads are now being supplied as standard across a range of Aqualisa showers.

They combine contemporary looks with great functionality and are designed to deliver an uncompromising shower experience from both high and low pressure systems.

Harmony teams the deluxe 105mm head with the Aqualisa Quartz Digital Showers, Quartz Thermo, Dream and Aspire shower systems, whilst the compact 90mm Harmony head is included with the Colt and Siren as well as Aquastream, Midas 100 and 200.

The cleverly designed spray patterns deliver a concentrated and fuller spray for a satisfying showering experience, even with low pressure water systems.

The 'Eco' setting available on some models is capable of delivering up to 25% water saving without compromising the showering experience.

For more information please see Aqualisa Harmony Heads PDF, or alternatively browse all Aqualisa showers.

Many of the Aqualisa Showers are kept in stock for next day delivery throughout the UK. Please call sales to check stock on 01628 760 440

Aqualisa Harmony Head Features:

Impressive spray patterns and uncompromising showering experience
Water saving ‘eco’ spray setting on mixer ranges
Anti limescale, sub clean nozzles to help maintain shower performance
Thoughtful anti-twist hose connection to extend the life of the hose

Trading Depot Warehouse Prepares for Another Busy Year

2012-01-06T10:10:00.008Z

The Trading Depot warehouse are hard at work and anticipating another busy year ahead. They send out hundreds of parcels each day varying vastly in size from small packets to large multiple pallet orders.

Adam Agius, warehouse supervisor said "The team in the warehouse did a fantastic job in 2011, coping with the number of orders they have been handling, and this year is shaping up to be even busier".

Although winter in the UK has been fairly mild so far, Trading Depot have seen a particularly sharp increase in sales of Dimplex Heaters.

The Dimplex range of heaters is vast and covers anything from storage heaters and portable heaters to Commercial and Industrial Heaters such as air curtains.

Many of the Dimplex heaters are kept in stock for next day delivery throughout the UK.

To check stock just call Sales on 01628 760 440

Copper Tubes Delivery

2011-12-15T14:16:00.001Z

Trading Depot sells a wide range of copper tube / copper pipe to the trade and end users. Our preferred manufacturer is Lawton Tubes, a UK independent manufacturer established in 1920.

We sell a choice of copper tube coils, yellow plastic coated, chrome plated and plain copper tube on our ecommerce web site. The lengths come in 3m and a choice of 15mm, 22mm, 28mm & 42mm.

Above is a photo of this week's delivery of Lawton's copper tubes to one of Trading Depot's storage warehouses.

New Bristan Taps - Hampton and Curvare

2011-11-24T09:41:00.001Z

Trading Depot have added to their web site two brand new Bristan tap ranges:

The Bristan Curvare Taps are a stylish bold design which offers maximum impact for the user. We have uploaded on our buy on-line site the Curvare Basin Taps, Bristan Curvare Bath Taps, Bristan Curvare Bath Filler, Bristan Curvare Bath/Shower Mixer and the Bristan Curvare Eco Basin Mixer with Clicker Waste.

The Bristan Hampton is a chic and on-trend waterfall tap at an affordable price. We have uploaded all three products that are currently in this new range - Bristan Hampton Monobloc Basin Mixer, Bristan Hampton Bath Filler and a Bristan Hampton Tall Basin Mixer.

We also supply the rest of the Bristan taps range which offer a combination of stylish looks, good reliability, functionality and competitive pricing.

Below is an interesting video of Bristan ITV recently filmed. Interesting facts from the video - they have a turnover approaching £100m, they manufacture both in the UK and overseas and Bristan gained its name from its founders in the 1970's Brian and Stan!

Image shown is a Bristan Hampton Monobloc Basin Mixer.

Christmas Special Offers

2011-11-10T10:16:00.001Z

Struggling to find a great gift for the a DIY enthusiast at a reasonable price? We have a range of 35 DIY products and other items suitable for in car and around the house at a range of prices from £2.49 for a handy tape measure.

Be Prepared For Winter

This ideal gift for everyone is a fold away snow shovel which is perfect for keeping in the car ready for any snow eventuality.

Extended Returns Policy

Please note that all items in our Special Offers Section have an extended returns period of 30 days. This means that if you notify us within 30 days of receiving an item from us that it is not suitable for your needs, you may return it to us for a refund. If you are giving an item as a gift please retain all original packaging as this will be needed in the event of a return.

Limited Time Only

We have negotiated these special offers with our suppliers for a limited time only and whilst stocks last so don't miss out on these Christmas gift bargains.

Bathrooms of the Future - an Ideal Standard guide!

2011-11-07T14:07:00.018Z

Ideal Standard has released an interesting article about the bathroom of the future and how it is likely to evolve using technology and social media! The article provoked some interesting and vocal debate in the office. As for 2011, Trading Depot sells a full range of the existing Ideal Standard range of bathroom products. This is the article:

An independent report into the future of the bathroom by the Future Laboratory has revealed the paradox that our bathroom is set to become in ten years time. Commissioned by Europe's leading bathroom provider, Ideal Standard International, the report assessed the features, products, experiences and services we can expect to see in the bathroom within the next decade as well as the diverse ways in which we will use them.

The report shows that our attitudes towards shared and private space are changing; we want a bathroom that adapts to suit our changing moods. The bathroom of the future will become a paradox to the consumer of today, offering us both solitude and sociability.

The Future Laboratory surveyed 1,500 homeowners on their attitudes and needs and the type of technology being developed to respond to this. Research shows we spend 13 days a year in the bathroom – however, it is the last room in the house to respond to social changes. The advancement of digital technologies is set to affect beauty and grooming rituals, and the way in which we manage both our health and the environment around us.

Switching Off

The bathroom is currently a space we use to get away from it all. Ten million people in the UK people say that their work/life balance has suffered as a result of the financial crisis. Four in 10 (41%) UK consumers use the bathroom as a place to relax. The bathroom has become a refuge from the pressures of modern life, ‘a sanctuary and a place to escape', comments designer Robin Levien.

Designers are already developing new ways to fully engage our senses. Acc
ording to the report, this will be a driving force in how the bathroom will look – in the future we will be transported into our favourite natural environment, away from the daily deluge of information. Imagine being able to walk into the bathroom and feel as if we're in a rainforest or lush meadow, bathing underneath a waterfall or stepping through fresh grass or feeling water like petals or the heat of the sun on your skin all year round.

The bathroom of the future will surround us with nature using scents, sounds and tactile experiences to mimic nature and engage all the senses:

Touch - Tactile showers that will both cleanse and exfoliate the body
Smell - Scents will be designed to recreate happy memories to help us smell the past and the memories associated with it
Touch - Haptic technology will be used to that simulate touch, making digital screens feel rough, sticky or slippery acc
ording to our preference
Sound - 3D sounds will immerse us and allow us to escape technology
Taste - Programmable surfaces will give us the ability to change the texture of our exfoliating brush and specific taste of our toothpaste
Sight - Choosing the backdrop for our bathing experience through interactive surfaces

The research, technologies and products to enable these choices are already emerging with the introduction of augmented reality. Material designer Marie Rouillon's has developed a series of cups that look identical but are different to the touch, while at Keio University in Japan an electric lollipop lets you taste fireworks or a desired flavour. Designer Esther Yaloz's illustrations of flowers on fabric use thermochromic and photochromic textile dyes to react to light and touch. Fragrance chemist Roman Kaiser is already capturing and preserving the scents of endangered plants, so that they can be recreated synthetically in the future.

Switching On

The bathroom of the future will also be a social space in which users can stay connected to their friends and family, multi-tasking and sharing their experiences through multi-media and across social networks. More than a fifth (22%) of adults and nearly half (47%) of teenage smartphone owners answer calls or use their handset in the bathroom.?
The sociable bathroom experience is inevitable for digital natives, who already live and breathe this connectivity. A quarter (24%) of people in the UK already wishes the time they spend in their bathroom could be more sociable. The ways in which consumers will be able to do this in the future will be vast as technology continues to rapidly evolve and include;

Making it easier for people to decide when, how and with whom they want to connect from the comfort of their bathroom
Opt-in technology will be part of the bathroom experience and help digital natives connect to their friends and family
Augmented reality covers will protect our modesty when making video calls or chatting online
Social networking in the shower or bath will become the norm
Motion-controlled gaming in the bath
An E Ink shower curtain will help us catch up with the news or browse the internet. Flexible touchscreens containing graphene means the shower curtain of the future will have the potential to display both today's news and your friends' Facebook updates

‘The mind is becoming more capable of micro-interactions and moving from one channel to another channel: I'm tweeting, then I'm Facebooking, then I'm sending a couple of emails, then I'm back to Twitter. Those cycles and patterns are becoming quite pervasive for Digital Natives,' says Matthew Bagwell, global creative director, EMC Consulting, and founder of The Fantastic Tavern, where digital planners and creatives meet to share insights and ideas.

As a space where many people go to relax (25%), or just to take a break, combined with the rapid rise of constant connectivity and media multi tasking, will make the bathroom an obvious entertainment centre. We are seeing the rapid rise of constant connectivity and media multi-tasking. People are watching multiple screens and playing games on their mobiles, more than eight in 10 of UK and US mobile-media users are using their TVs and computers simultaneously. Designers are responding to this and developing new forms of entertainment that will influence the bathroom of the future. For example, Romy Design has created an interactive mirror for children, which enables them to play with characters and be part of the story, using touch screen and motion-capturing software.

The paradox of using the bathroom to both switch on and switch off, combined with the advancement of technology, will lead us to choose exactly what we want from our bathroom experience in the next decade – stretching far beyond the realm of just cleansing and bathing.

How To Fix A Dripping Tap by Bristan

2011-11-03T13:48:00.001Z

Bristan has recently highlighted a great guide of how to fix a dripping tap with interactive video to compliment it. This is the article:

If you have a traditional older looking tap that is dripping from the spout after you have switched it off, then the most common cause of this problem is a defective washer within the tap itself. Dripping taps not only waste a lot of water (up to 90 litres of water a week) but if left unrepaired, then the problem may well get worse.

Rather than call out a plumber to help you fix the problem, then in the majority of cases, replacing the washer is a fairly straightforward task, that most of us can undertake. To help you, Bristan have commissioned a short video, which shows you how to do this in a simple step by step basis.

The video is one of a number of 'How to..' videos that have been added to the Bristan TV channel on YouTube. Currently there are 11 videos, covering a number of subjects from servicing or replacing a shower cartridge, to how to install a pop up waste. A list of the videos with relevant links are on the Bristan website or if you wish to view the video on how to replace a tap washer, click on the 'Replace the Washer' image above.

Trading Depot supplies the complete range of Bristan Taps and showers.

Salamander’s CT range gets WRAS

2011-11-01T09:13:00.005Z

Following on from our blog post about WRAS, we noticed a relevant news piece from Salamander about their CT Pumps and achieving WRAS approval:

Salamander Pumps’ CT range has been granted WRAS approval. The range consists of 8 models. Four are Single Impeller Regenerative pumps: The CT 55 and CT 55+ 1.6 bar; the CT 85 and CT 85+ both operating at 2.5 bar. The other four in the range are the CT50 and CT 50+ (1.5 bar); and CT 75 and CT 75+ (2.1 bar).

The CT range is Salamander’s best selling product, and whilst they have always been WRAS compliant, they were submitted recently for full WRAS approval., and have subsequently been approved.

According to Chris Vallance, Sales and Marketing Director for Salamander pumps, the range’s main USP is its competitiveness, both in terms of its price and its performance. ‘The whole CT range is continuously rated, in other words, run the CT pumps for as long as you like’, he said. ‘They are designed with robustness and practicality in mind, they also come complete with isolating valves on the inlet couplers and brand new, ‘hall’ effect switching for better long term usage and reliability. We also changed the foot arrangement on the CT range to a more robust integral foot that is integral to the motor, those customers familiar with the CT range over the last decade will no doubt recognise and appreciate these improvements all at no extra cost. The WRAS approval award, just makes the CT shower pump the complete all-rounder.’

Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS)

2011-10-31T12:01:00.007Z

As you browse around our buy on-line web site, help site and manufacturer web sites, you'll probably notice frequent use of the term WRAS and WRAS approval. Below is further information on the scheme and what it means in relation to our manufacturers:

The Scheme has the following aims:

(a) To promote knowledge of the Water Regulations throughout the UK and to encourage their consistent interpretation and enforcement, for the prevention of waste, undue consumption, misuse, erroneous measurement or contamination of water.

(b) To provide an advisory service for and on behalf of Water Suppliers and for any other person or body seeking guidance on the principles of Water Regulations.

(c) To consult on behalf of the water supply industry in the UK with Government, with professional, trade and other organisations, with fittings and materials manufacturers and others regarding the Water Regulations and related matters.

(d) To develop criteria for testing materials and fittings to assess their compliance with the Regulators’ Specifications for approved products in accordance with the Water Regulations.

(e) To assess the results of the testing of materials and fittings to determine their compliance with the Regulators’ Specifications and to publish up-to-date lists of satisfactory materials and fittings in the Scheme’s Water Fittings and Materials Directory.

(f) To administer for those Water Suppliers who wish it, a scheme to assess, register and publicise Approved Contractors in accordance with the Water Regulations.

(g) To participate in the representation of the UK Water Supply Industry in the development of relevant, practical and appropriate national and international standards for water fittings and plumbing systems.

John Guest Celebrates 50 Years

2011-10-27T09:39:00.005+01:00

Trading Depot sells a wide range of plumbing supplies on its buy on-line web site. One of the leading brand names we supply is John Guest Speedfit. They have consistently invested in their products and the technology and as a result have a well regarded brand name within the plumbing industry. This year they are celebrating their 50th year in business, this is a press release / news item they have published recently :

2011 marks the 50th year in business for John Guest Limited, a significant milestone for a family owned and family run organization that promises to keep the integrity of the product paramount. We celebrate 50 years of innovation, continuous UK manufacturing and an absolute commitment to quality. It’s very rare for manufacturers to retain values and principles for 50 years, but we strongly feel that this has proved our greatest asset.

Since the early 1960’s when Mr Guest opened his factory gates for the first time, manufacturing has gone through great change. However, he strongly believed, and the firm he led still do, that having a principled set of values focused to ensure that the best quality products are delivered with the best quality of service, is an asset and competence that delivers a strong platform for success regardless of where you are based in the world.

John Guest is one of an increasingly few band of product manufacturers who have a fully integrated supply chain which originates in product and tool design and continues through to final product assembly, quality control and dispatch. Aligning this structure with a passion for invention has enabled John Guest to continue to be the global leader in push- fit fittings. Consistent investment in leading edge technology over the past 50 years has not only allowed the company to grow considerably but to also make certain that product quality is never compromised; an outcome of the beliefs of the company’s founder, the late Mr. John Guest, and still the guiding view today.

John Guest is now the push-fit market leader in a wide variety of industries. These include, the automotive, plumbing, drinks dispense, pneumatic and fibre optic markets. This sector diversity provides the great advantage of being able to provide original solutions to a wide variety of application challenges. This is not only interesting from a design perspective but also allows John Guest to continue to push the boundaries on what can be achieved with advanced push-fit technology.

50 years of quality and innovation. We are very excited for what we’ll accomplish in the next 50!

John Guest Celebrates 50 Years

2011-10-27T09:38:00.000+01:00

Since the early 1960’s when Mr Guest opened his factory gates for the first time, manufacturing has gone through great change. However, he strongly believed, and the firm he led still do, that having a principled set of values focused to ensure that the best quality products are delivered with the best quality of service, is an asset and competence that delivers a strong platform for success regardless of where you are based in the world.

John Guest is now the push-fit market leader in a wide variety of industries. These include, the automotive, plumbing, drinks dispense, pneumatic and fibre optic markets. This sector diversity provides the great advantage of being able to provide original solutions to a wide variety of application challenges. This is not only interesting from a design perspective but also allows John Guest to continue to push the boundaries on what can be achieved with advanced push-fit technology.

50 years of quality and innovation. We are very excited for what we’ll accomplish in the next 50!

Grohe Ipad and Iphone Apps

2011-10-20T10:15:00.000+01:00

Grohe is a very popular, well engineered, trusted bathroom brand name. Trading Depot sells a complete range of Grohe taps and showers on our buy on-line web site. To help browse their products and make the right selection for your requirements, they have launched and few Apple Applications for the Iphone and Ipad. This press release was issued by Grohe on 17th September 2011:

GROHEpro and GROHEbooks

The iPad is increasingly becoming an everyday work tool for installers, showroom staff, architects and planners. GROHE has now launched two new apps that provide them with professional support in their work: GROHEpro and GROHEbooks. Whether it’s in the office, in the showroom or on the construction site – the two applications allow the users to view the latest brochures, product information and design examples at any time.

The all-new GROHEbooks app for the iPad provides direct, access to PDF versions of all GROHE brochures for the respective market. Space-consuming collections of catalogues and the constant search for the latest version are a thing of the past. Short update messages inform users when new brochures and additions to the product catalogue are available, ensuring the app is always up to date. Users may also add their own PDF files if required.

The GROHEpro app for the iPhone has been available for one year – now it is also available for the iPad. It offers comprehensive product information, planning and installation advice and much more. The GROHEbooks function is integrated into this useful application. A well-structured, self-explanatory user interface ensures easy and quick operation. And it does so on an international scale, as the app is available worldwide for download, with the language and product ranges matched to the respective country.

Both apps can be downloaded in the iTunes App Store. By extending its apps to the iPad, GROHE demonstrates its continued commitment to mobile Internet applications. Both the GROHEpro app for the iPhone and the interactive GROHEcard greeting card, which is available for the iPhone and the iPad, are already very popular with users.

Dimplex Girona PR

2011-10-17T12:25:00.008+01:00

Dimplex recently released a press release for their stunning Girona glass fronted electric heaters - this is the release:

Dimplex is a smooth operator when it comes to the Girona, its premium glass-fronted panel heater. The range combines simplicity of design with a classically beautiful material for a unique style.

With a choice of black or white glass, the Girona's smooth front panel is sophisticated yet understated and will complement the most fashionable of designer surroundings. The glass panel heater is BEAB certified, and constructed from specially toughened chamfered safety glass for peace of mind. This ability to resist wear and tear gives a heater that looks great - and stays looking great.

The Girona comes in a choice of five outputs, from 0.5kW to 2kW, while a highly accurate digital thermostat keeps the room temperature steady to +/- 0.3°C. The range also provides better air circulation than traditional front-grille panel heaters, which means the heat circulates around the room faster and more effectively.

Innovative control options can be added to enhance the panel heater's economy in use. It is compatible with a choice of adjustable runback timer, 24-hour digital timer, single-zone pilot wire programmer and also an advanced 4-zone, wall mounted pilot wire and mains borne signalling multi-heater programmer.

The Girona is IPX4 rated for safe use in bathrooms and other wet areas, Part L compliant, and comes with a two year guarantee.

Mira’s Guide to Wet Rooms

2011-10-13T11:32:00.003+01:00

Mira has published a handy overview of wet rooms on their Mira Showering Perfection blog. The Mira Flight Low is featured and available from our buy on-line web site.

Want a wet room, but not sure whether it will work in your home and if the budget will stretch that far? Keep reading for advantages, disadvantages and expert tips on how you can create that minimalist look we all aspire to.

A wet room evokes images of five star luxury – check out this super-stylish bathroom for inspiration. Ideal for a smaller second bathroom where you’re looking to create a feeling of space and an additional bonus is they are easier to look after – no shower tray or screen to keep sparkly clean. Best of all a wet room can even add value to your property when it comes time to sell.

On the flip side the lack of screen can result in soggy towels and damp loo roll as the spray from the shower fires about the room. Also, installing a true wet room is a job for the professionals; gradient needs to be created along the floor to channel away the shower water into a drain and the entire room needs to be tanked (waterproofed) before being tiled from floor to ceiling so it’s pretty expensive too.

But don’t fear, we have created walk-in enclosures with low profile trays that can bring a minimalist, wet room look and can be easily achieved by everyone. These solutions can be fitted quickly and reliably using the honed skills of a standard shower fitter and provide a reliable way of managing the water from the shower. The Mira Flight Low has become one of the most popular of these solutions, at just 40mm high (compared to a traditional shower tray at 90mm) it gives a minimal and spacious look while the high flowing Vortex waste system, ensures the tray never overflows.

Dimplex Electric Heating Press Release

2011-10-06T12:39:00.000+01:00

Dimplex Electric Heating

Electric heating is as popular as it ever was - but it's evolving for the world we live in, writes Chris Stammers, marketing director for trade and independents at Dimplex. Its many benefits stack up just as they always did when compared with conventional gas or oil systems, but as the requirement, technology and infrastructure for low carbon heating grows, electric stands to become even more the natural choice.

An electric future

The government has made it clear that it views electric heating and a decarbonised grid as the way it will meet the UK's challenging ‘green' targets. Today's focus on energy efficiency, enshrined in legislation but embraced by leading electric appliance manufacturers, and the development of alternative means of electricity generation from wind, wave and solar, as well as a new generation of nuclear power plants, mean that electricity is far and away the heating fuel of the future. Additionally, its easy integration with renewable technologies means that electric systems have the clear edge over those that rely solely on our dwindling supplies of fossil fuels.
In June this year Ofgem reported that electricity prices had risen by 27 percent over the previous four years. Compare this, though, with gas prices, which it reported had risen by over 41 percent in the same period, while heating oil prices nudged a record 73p a litre last winter. It's no wonder that consumers are increasingly turning away from fossil fuel-based heating and looking for alternatives.

Just the facts

The main points about the advantages of electric heating are as relevant today as they always have been and it's important not to overlook these.

Electricity is 100% efficient at point of use - no wastage, no emissions (although generation does currently release CO2, but this is set to reduce as the grid decarbonises);
Electric heating doesn't need the expensive installation of infrastructure, unlike gas;
Electric heating appliances can be installed wherever they are needed, no external flueing required;
Electric heating appliances can be installed anywhere with a power supply, giving freedom of choice over location within a room;
Electric fires can be used with the flame effect only (no heat), to create ambiance in a room with minimal use of energy;
Electric heaters getting some or all of their energy from low tariff electricity can be incorporated in the heating system to improve SAP ratings;
Electric heating systems can be controlled from one central point, just like gas, but intelligent controls mean increased flexibility and energy efficiency; and
Electric heating can be closely controlled on a room-by-room basis, reducing energy waste.

The F factor

One bone of contention surrounding electric heating's status in the latest update to Part L is the ‘fuel factor' weighting in the SAP calculations. This attempts to estimate the relationship of ‘carbon intensity' of different fuels by in fact penalising what are currently classed as more carbon-heavy fuels - like electricity. The current figure of 0.513 actually rose in the last regulations update, from 0.422. But this fails to recognise the ongoing decarbonisation of the grid as more renewable generation becomes available.
In June the government named eight UK sites it deems suitable for new nuclear power stations by 2025, followed in July by the announcement of plans for up to 18GW of offshore wind power by 2020. With progress continuing towards a variety of sources of low carbon generation, it's time for the assumptions made on carbon content to be altered and the industry is actively lobbying for this to take place

Control is king

As for the more immediate outlook, though, the EU is currently investigating minimum standards of efficiency for local room heating products, including electric heating products, in a task known as Lot 20. Leading manufacturers are ahead of the game, however, and have been improving the energy efficiency of their products for some years. Dimplex, for example, has incorporated improved controls into many products, switching from bimetallic thermostats to highly accurate electronic ones, which eliminate the wasteful ‘overheat and cool down' cycle as well as improving user comfort.
Control systems can help a project get through Part L as well as keep running costs down for users, something which has great customer appeal in these days of spiralling energy bills. Plus, control systems offer a useful add-on sale for contractors.
Electric heating offers great flexibility of system design, free from constraints of flueing and gas supply, and appliances can easily be grouped into a whole house heating system, with the advantage of having different zones operating individually - for example, bedrooms only need to be heated sporadically, while living areas need heating for longer. Using a four-zone controller gives the same ease of use as central heating, but allows very tight control over running costs.
A radio frequency (RF) controller gives advanced thermostatic control to ‘dumb' appliances such as towel rails, which don't usually come with an integral thermostat - they're either ‘on' or ‘off'. Simple to install, these controllers are ideal in new build projects where the entire property's heating control system can be constructed around it, but are also suitable for retro fitting. An RF receiver is mounted next to the appliance, with the wall-mounted thermostatic controller installed somewhere more convenient, for example adjacent to the light switch outside a bathroom. A useful add-on sale, this gives greater control and reduced running costs for the user - which has great customer appeal.

Social housing specifies electric

One sector where historically electric heating has always been popular is social housing, particularly in areas with a high proportion of off-gas properties, including some regions of Wales, or where electricity tariffs are particularly advantageous, for example Scotland's Economy 10.
It's a sector where local authorities and housing associations are feeling the pinch, with last autumn's spending cuts filtering through and in many cases affecting budgets for some years to come. What's more, the Decent Homes programme, which provided the impetus for refurb projects for a decade, came to an end last year. However, many organisations have ringfenced Decent Homes funding still available and work is ongoing, very often specifying electric heating.
Social housing providers in particular appreciate the low lifetime ownership costs of electric heating. It's a market where tenant needs are as important as the organisation's; shockingly, latest estimates put the UK fuel poverty statistics at 6.3 million households, up from two million a decade ago. In addition to electric heating's relatively low capital cost, low installation costs and access to low-cost off peak electricity, a major benefit of electric heating that's key for this market is the low maintenance costs - unlike gas, no annual safety inspection is required, the economic life of the products dramatically exceed the average boiler and there are no worries over emissions or risk of explosion.

Making the most of electric heating

It may be the case in this social housing work that newer, dual source electric radiators have been down-specced to electric panels or storage heaters. But the new generation of fan assisted storage heaters offers high levels of performance, and in fact can add up to six points to a property's SAP rating. Fan assisted storage is listed as the recommended upgrade for storage heating systems within the guidelines of Energy Performance Certificates, now mandatory for all homes whenever built, rented or sold.
Panel heaters also now offer advanced levels of thermostatic control, thanks to highly accurate electronic thermostats, keeping the room temperature within 0.5°C of the target temperature and eliminating wasteful ‘room temperature drift'.

Social sector electric heating in action

Creative thinking on ‘greening' housing stock means that projects don't have to incorporate lots of the latest renewable technologies. One project that shows how efficient today's electric heating can be was carried out in Newark, Nottinghamshire. By super-insulating two 1950s houses to minimise heat loss and adding a 1.5 storey sunspace added at the rear of the homes to maximise solar gain, it was possible to remove the gas central heating. The homes' entire heating requirement is now provided by two electric panel heaters and two towel rails in each house. A central programmer means that the heaters' operation can be tailored closely to the residents' daily routines, to minimise energy waste.

Saving commercial carbon

In the commercial sector, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES) is in full swing, Although the goalposts for the scheme were moved slightly in the government's spending review last autumn, businesses can still benefit from reducing the energy they use, both immediately in terms of reduced bills and also next year, when they will have a lower level of carbon allowances to buy.
This sector is another where electric heating offers many benefits, not least of which is that many commercial premises don't have a gas supply. Electric systems' flexibility makes it straightforward to change a building's layout or usage, with none of the flueing or infrastructure worries of other systems, while products like fan or quartz halogen heaters provide efficient localised ‘spot' heating for employees or customers without having to heat large spaces.
However, when thinking ‘commercial', don't stop at offices - hotels, places of worship, schools and colleges, community centres, airports and other travel interchanges... all are looking to cut their running costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
Also, don't forget how air curtains can boost energy efficiency in public buildings. By creating a curtain of fast moving air across doorways, they keep treated air (either heated or chilled) inside and draughts, pollution and the vagaries of the British weather outside. Running in ambient mode (i.e. no heat), they are extremely economical to run and can cut the cost of a building's heating or air conditioning system by an industry-recognised 30 percent.

Going for green

One of the key issues in heating for the coming year is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a government scheme working on a similar principle to the Feed-in Tariff, which has already given a huge boost to the uptake of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the UK. Believed to be a world first, the new scheme will provide financial support for renewable heating systems and is expected to come into effect in September this year for non-domestic installations, followed a year later by the domestic phase of the programme.
Heat pumps, although a renewable technology, run on mains electricity and therefore represent a huge opportunity to contractors who are open to extending their skill base. Many heating engineers are very used to system boilers where pump sizing or flow rates are not critical. As a result, they're now without many of the core skills needed for renewables, and here the heavily-regulated electrical sector has an advantage, being used to higher levels of training and inspection of work.

Electric heating stands today more convincingly than ever as the energy efficient, low carbon, future-proof heating system of choice, and as the industry evolves with a new generation of technology, electrical contractors are in an ideal position to embrace new opportunities as they become available, marrying renewable technologies with conventional systems. Demand is set to soar!

For more information, see our electric heating range.
Released by Dimplex 12th September 2011

Strong Ties

2011-09-26T10:00:00.003+01:00

Trading Depot sells a number of building products including the ever popular Simpson Strong Wall Ties.

The Simpson Wall tie is a quality engineered wall connector system that has been developed for use with most brick and block modules. This system has been designed for multi-purpose use where reliability and durability are important requirements. It provides lateral support to masonry wall panels in conversion, extension and new building work.

Click for our range of wall ties available to buy on-line today.

Franke Kitchen Sinks and Kitchen Taps

2011-09-22T14:40:00.002+01:00

Trading Depot has recently launched a complete range of Franke Kitchen Taps and Franke Kitchen Sinks.

Franke of Switzerland is one of the the world's foremost kitchen sink manufacturer and renowned for a commitment to quality and an unmistakable flair for design, using the finest materials and state-of-the-art production technology. Franke have adopted a policy of investment in innovation and technology, to maintain their leading position as one of the largest stainless steel sink manufacturer in the world and a leading name in kitchen taps, cooker hoods, ceramic and Fragranite sinks.

Franke kitchen sinks is the first range of kitchen sinks featured on the Tradingdepot.co.uk web site. Mat Miller, Director of Trading Depot said "we have been selling various ranges of kitchen taps and mixers for a while, but we are delighted to have now added the Franke range including their Kitchen sinks."

Aqualisa Opto Showers

2011-09-06T13:01:00.006+01:00

The range of Aqualisa Opto showers have been speciﬁcally designed to provide a total, enhanced solution for British plumbing systems.

Features of the Opto Thermo showers:

Three invigorating spray patterns
Aqualisa’s optimum handset offers multiple spray patterns to suit your mood.

Optimised performance
Opto Thermo can deliver up to a staggering 10.2 litres per minute on gravity, and gives optimised flow
rates on combi and high pressure water systems.

System specific cartridge inside
By choosing the cartridge that best suits the water system you can be sure that the thermostatic performance is never compromised.

Rub clean nozzles
The luxury handset has easy rub clean nozzles to enable simple cleaning and the removal of scale to
optimise flow rates.

See our Aqualisa Opto Thermo Showers

And for a limited time only we are offering a Free £10 Love2Shop voucher, and Free Delivery on our Opto Showers.

Expansion Vessels

2011-09-01T12:45:00.000+01:00

Altecnic offer a complete range of expansion vessels to meet the requirements of most heating systems. Expansion vessels for heating systems are manufactured to meet the requirements of PED 97/23/EC Directive and BS EN 13831:2007 ‘Closed expansion vessels with built in diaphragm for installation in water’. Trading Depot sells a number of expansion vessels kits on its main on-line web site from Altecnic.

We have now added further information on the product backgrounds on our help web site along with Altecnic product range documentation.

Hessian Roll

2011-08-31T11:34:00.005+01:00

Hessian in Building/Construction

Hesssian roll is proving popular this week.

Hessian Frost Protection roll is used in the construction and building industries to cover brickwork and concrete because it provides excellent protection against frost damage in cold weather and dampening in hot weather.

It is breathable and so resists condensation and associated spoilage of the contents. It is very durable and can withstand rough handling in transit; these properties have also led to its use for temporary protection as wet covering to prevent rapid moisture loss in setting of cement and concrete by the construction industry.

Protects new brickwork, mortar, concrete from harsh weather conditions (frost)
Can be used in hot weather to slow drying and avoid cracking

Hessian Roll is kept in stock for fast delivery throughout the UK

Hessian Sandbags

Hessian is also commonly used for making sandbags. Hessian sacks are filled with sand and used to keep floodwater out of properties or when building temporary embankments or field fortifications.

See HESSIAN SANDBAGS

History

Hessian is a dense woven fabric made from the jute plant or sisal fibres. First exported from India in the early 19th century Hessian was traditionally used as backing for linoleum, rugs and carpet. Its name "hessian" is, according to Wikipedia, is attributed to the use of the fabric, initially, as part of the uniform of soldiers from the German state of Hessen who were called "Hessians."

Hessian is often used to make sacks and bags to ship goods like coffee beans and in more recent years jute is being used as an eco-friendly material for bags, rugs, and other products.

Keywords:

Hessian Sheeting, Hessian Frost Protection, Hessian Sacking, Builders Hessian, Frost Protection Hessian, Hessian Brickwork Protection ,Hessian Sand Bags

Aqualisa Siren

2011-08-30T15:00:00.000+01:00

This week's deal of the week for a £10 Love2Shop voucher is the Aqualisa Siren Exposed Version*.

If you are looking to replace your old shower for a stylish, easy to use, single lever shower that will look great in every bathroom, Siren SL is the perfect choice. Siren SL exposed features convenient adjustable inlet pipe centres, making tricky, retrofit installations a thing of the past.

Siren SL comes complete with a 90mm adjustable height shower head, with 4 invigorating spray patterns, part of Aqualisa's new Harmony shower head range.

Features of the exposed Aqualisa Siren includes:

Precise thermostatic control
Easy to use, single lever control
Solid brass valve with luxurious chrome finish
Adjustable inlet pipe centres - ideal for retrofit installations
4 invigorating spray patterns
Water saving ‘eco’ spray setting
Easy clean nozzles
Suitable for all approved UK water systems
5 year manufacturer's guarantee

*Whilst stocks last.

Building Supplies - Bulk Bags

2011-08-25T13:50:00.004+01:00

New to the site is a range of pallet delivered bulk bags of the following products:

DELIVERY INFO

Bulk bags are delivered by tail-lift (not crane) and so we cannot lift over walls or fences

The positioning of your goods is at the driver's discretion and the unloading surface must be smooth and level i.e not sloped, gravel or grass.

Delivery to areas that are slopes, hills, or grass can prove problematic and if a delivery cannot be made we will have to make an “Abandoned Delivery Charge” to cover the high costs of returning the goods back to us. If you have any concerns whatsoever about delivery or access please call us on 01628 760 440 prior to ordering

Salamander CT75 Shower Pump

2011-08-18T15:34:00.004+01:00

We currently have a special offer on the Salamander CT75 shower pump, buy one and get a free £5 love2shop voucher. Love2shop gift vouchers are the UK's number one multi-retailer gift voucher, accepted at 20,000 stores across the UK including Argos, Boots, Debenhams, Matalan, Toys 'R' Us, HMV, Mothercare and many more...

The CT75 Shower Pump Features:
Tough, easy to fit general purpose twin booster pump with enhanced design features.
Designed to boost the hot and cold water supplies to thermostatic or manual shower mixer valves.

Can be used for conventional showers, Victorian 'can style' shower heads & multi-function showers, massage function or champagne spray.

Supplied with AV (anti-vibration) couplers and an isolating valve as standard on inlet.