UK: Plumb Center's commitment to training and educating installers on renewables is being demonstrated in a tangible way as the national merchant creates a network of training centres and renewable technology displays around the country.
The display areas are fully operational so that installers and their end-user customers can see, first-hand, how the renewable technologies work and how they are installed.
With the display units providing space and water heating for the building they can also physically experience the results of their heat output.
"We have had positive feedback from our customers about the renewables display in the branch," said Sam May, network manager of Plumb Center Exeter.
"We have run training evenings in partnership with suppliers where our customers have worked on the display products. A number of customers have advised homeowners to come in to see the size and scale of the products before they purchase."
There are currently renewable technology displays in branches in Leeds, Bradford, Middlesbrough, Barking, Tottenham, Newcastle, Exeter and Orpington which boast a range of renewables including airsource heat pumps and buffer vessels, underfloor heating, solar thermal systems, solar cylinders, biomass boilers, photovoltaics (PV), micro CHP and smartrads from a variety of manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Dimplex, Grant, Baxi, Heatrae Sadia, Glow-worm, Uponor and Kingspan.
Over the coming months, renewable technology displays are planned in Edinburgh, Bournemouth, Bangor, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Epsom, Shrewsbury, Carmarthen, Eastbourne, Swansea and Dumfries.
Plumb Center also has plans to add to its two key training centres in Leamington Spa and Sevenoaks this year with new satellite centres opening in Shrewsbury, Bristol, Ripon and Falkirk.
There are currently three satellite training centres in operation in Orpington, Leeds and Exeter.
